I recently shared my experience beachcombing the Seneca Lake shore, and now it’s time to share more about the place…
Located in the Finger Lakes National Forest near Hector, New York, is Caywood Point, a beautiful spot on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, with sharp cliffs and a pebble beach.
The Fossenvue Trail at Caywood Point is only about 0.5 miles one way (1 mile round trip), but don’t let the distance fool you. The trail is essentially a gravel road that drops about 270 feet in elevation, and the lower section becomes surprisingly steep. The U.S. Forest Service rates it as a moderate hike, but personally, I’d place it toward the harder end of moderate – bordering on difficult for anyone who isn’t comfortable with steep descents or climbs.
The Way Down
The hike begins gently enough beneath a canopy of trees, with sunlight filtering through the leaves overhead. But before long, the grade becomes noticeably steeper.
Because the trail is essentially a gravel road, the loose stones can make footing a little unpredictable. At the steepest section, my foot slid out from under me and I ended up on the ground. Thankfully I wasn’t hurt, but it’s worth mentioning because I have the balance of a dancer and still fell. It’s so easy to underestimate this trail.
If you’re planning to visit, wear shoes with good traction and take your time on the descent.
One thing this hike reminded me of is how important it is to work out your downhill muscles, too. Everyone talks about climbing uphill, but controlling yourself on a steep descent works your legs in a completely different way. A couple days later, I was definitely feeling some tightness around my right knee.
And this is a good time to remind you that this hike isn’t just about getting down the hill — it’s also about conserving your strength to safely get back up.
A Little Piece of Finger Lakes History
Near the bottom of the trail sits one of Caywood Point’s most fascinating landmarks: Queen’s Castle, the only remaining building from Camp Fossenvue.
The camp was established in 1875 as a summer retreat for progressive reformers and suffragists. Elizabeth Smith Miller — daughter of abolitionist Gerrit Smith and an early advocate for women’s rights — was one of its founders. The rustic cabin, known today as Queen’s Castle, was built in her honor and still stands today, although visitors can only admire it from the outside.
Standing there, surrounded by forest and Seneca Lake stretching out beyond, it’s easy to imagine what drew people here more than a century ago.
Seneca Lake
And then suddenly I was standing on one of the most peaceful stretches of shoreline I’ve visited in the Finger Lakes.
The beach is covered in smooth gray pebbles, with shale cliffs rising nearby and sparkling water stretching toward the opposite shore. It was one of those classic summer afternoons where the sky was almost impossibly blue. The only clouds we could see were tiny white shapes gathered far away, past the hills on the other side of Seneca Lake.
Although we didn’t see any waterfalls, we did pass what looked like the dry channel of one. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be after periods of heavy rain.
And of course, we did some beachcombing. That was the main point of this trip, really… to explore a new shore and listen to the lake sounds.
By the time we were ready to leave, the SO and I together collected around thirty pieces of beautifully tumbled glass, and myself a couple of faerie stones — those naturally holey rocks that always seem to find me at meaningful times.
The sun, however, was relentless. Between the heat reflecting off the stones and the early afternoon sun overhead, eventually my intuition told me it was time for us to start the climb back up.
The Climb Back
Going back up was every bit as challenging as I expected.
Thankfully, my partner and I are used to hiking and cardio, because this climb definitely gets your heart pumping. With the July heat, it felt like my entire chest, rather than the organ inside of it.
If you need a break, there’s a perfectly placed resting spot with a bench partway up the trail.
It’s one of those hikes where the reward comes twice– first when you reach the lake, and again when you finally make it back to the parking area.
If You Go
If you’re looking for a long backcountry adventure, Caywood Point probably isn’t it.
But if you’re after beautiful lake views, a fascinating piece of Finger Lakes history, a peaceful pebble beach, and a workout packed into a surprisingly short distance, it’s absolutely worth adding to your list.
Just don’t let the mileage fool you.
Take your time, wear sturdy shoes with good traction, bring plenty of water on hot days, and remember to save enough energy for the climb back up.
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