In the 1800s the Genesee Valley Canal, perched above the cliffs on the eastern side of the gorge, provided transportation of goods between the Allegheny River and the Erie Canal. Begun in 1837 and completed in 1861, the GV Canal was later replaced by a railroad and now there are only traces remaining. We hiked along part of the Finger Lakes Trail on the old railroad bed (former canal tow path) a few miles east from the edge of the Genesee River gorge, then drove a few miles east of Letchworth Park to see a group of seven of the old GV Canal locks, each 12 feet high and lined with blocks of the local bluestone.
Your blog entries make me long for retirement. Starting to read like a bridge and canal tour. I am sure the features will change as the terrain does. I don’t know if you have any paleontological interests, but I note that the Terrain you are in now is predominantly sedimentary, so there should be some very cool Cambrian and Devonian fossils, mostly Branchiopoda and mollusks. By chance can you occasionally comment on the geology as you traverse road cuts and gorges?
Continued safe travels. Mark
Upper state NY? It’s so beautiful, like Ithaca as I remember it.
I love the history lessons! Keep them coming!