Exploring Finger Lakes National Forest & Watkins Glen Area

I organized a little exploration day trip for some local WNY Overland group members and a patron to see what's in Finger Lakes National Forest. A little known national forest right here in NY. We also check out the nearby Watkins Glen Gorge and a few state forests that proved to be tons of muddy fun!
Access to GPX files, bonus videos, and private chats on my website: darksideoffroad.com/subscribe/
03:15 - Finger Lakes National Forest
04:48 - Matthews Road
05:40 - Potomac Road
06:11 - Gorge Ponds
10:11 - Watkins Glen State Park
13:59 - Chambers Road - Coon Hollow State Forest
24:10 - Maple Lane - Sugar Hill State Forest
27: 21 - Birdseye Hollow / Moss Hill State Forest Areas
Music IDs -- B6YAYSSWFZXLJZQO, IGHEYUXGYKO2SNFT, RNTRERWO8RNXHADH, KHNEOQUGXAAO6XKU, CBPZREOAQMPBIDFN, KWVHGAFF6IYPGRI3, PSGG0DJH1QTDCCNZ

[@dwightlightning4697]

I grew up riding snowmobiles, four wheelers and 4x4 trucks on all those roads in the national forest. Brings back a lot of memories of partying up there

[@DarksideOffRoad]

Seems like a good hiking, horseback, ski/snowmobile type of forest 🤙

[@dakotacastrechino9180]

i live west of rochester and have been itching to take my truck somewhere like this. guess i know what ill be doing soon

[@TheChillman88]

Aww man I'm bummed because you drove past my house on the way! I live about 5 minutes from that McDonald's in Ovid!

[@MalarkeyTaylor]

That’s the XJ you were talking about with the a T-case issue! Yeah, the linkage is an issue. Especially when the engine and transmission mounts get old and soft. Low range will do it.
New engine/trans mounts and a solid shifter and it’s back on track!

[@DarksideOffRoad]

Yep! 😅

[@GBJeepMomLovetheJK]

Great overview of the National Forest, Watkins Glen, & FingerLakes NY forest trails! Jeep on...😊

[@DarksideOffRoad]

Thanks!

[@scottpetrie8707]

Hey bud. Maybe or not, useful tip. We do water crossings a good bit. We keep old tent poles with markers at 1 foot lengths.

[@DarksideOffRoad]

Ooooooo that’s a good idea.

[@EverythingOutdoorsAndJeeps]

I was out there a few weeks ago and hit chambers road and the fire tower. Good times out there. Definitely going to camp at that fire tower this summer.

[@DarksideOffRoad]

I’ll have to get back out there with the fam to see it sometime too

[@EverythingOutdoorsAndJeeps]

@@DarksideOffRoad I’ll be joining your patron soon so I can go on some trips with you guys. Getting 35’s on my Mojave this week.

[@DarksideOffRoad]

@@EverythingOutdoorsAndJeeps aw man thanks 🙏

[@gordong3620]

Love Watkins Glenn state park, look like you had some fun! chamber road looks like fun. :) man I wish I could fit 37's. LOL

[@trailoverland6462]

It's amazing that those trails are tucked between the lakes out there. One of those holes looked pretty wild.

[@DarksideOffRoad]

For real. It’s a neat little area. The state Forest mud / water pits were def the highlight though lol

[@toddraymond2348]

Wishing we had never left and missed out on this part

[@DarksideOffRoad]

YOu're close enough you can get back there anytime! Do it 😄

[@toddraymond2348]

@@DarksideOffRoad absolutely!

[@creedskimmer]

Good stuff as always sir 😊

[@DarksideOffRoad]

Thanks Justin! 🙏

[@creedskimmer]

So weird not have real snow in this place this time of year

[@DefiantOffroad]

Does rain ever make for a not-fun day off road?
😁

[@DarksideOffRoad]

True. Not as much for camp tho 😅

[@johnphillipsjr7238]

Vader 🤦‍♂️🤡🥴