Bentley Bond’s Trail – North Rose, NY

Discovering Bentley Bond’s Trail was a little like hitting the jackpot. This place checks all the boxes, a waterfall, a creek, a hiking trail through gorgeous woods, a meadow, and finally, culminating at a large body of water, Sodus Bay. It was really just a happy accident that we found this trail to begin with. My husband had driven past it on his way to work and decided that we should explore it together. One Sunday morning, we got up early and headed there, and it was fantastic.

Waterfall

The ironic part of this hike is that the waterfall is at the beginning of the hike instead of the end. Most of the time, the waterfall is the reward at the end of a long, strenuous hike. It’s a treat to find one, a gorgeous one at that, waiting for you before you even begin. This is an excellent destination if you are a waterfall chaser and want to catch a glimpse of a picture-perfect waterfall less than 100 feet from the road. There is a bench where you can sit, relax, and contemplate the beauty of the falls, or you can proceed down to the edge of the creek and get a close-up look.

Trail

While the main trail does not follow that creek, another trail follows the creek a short way, ending in the tall cattails as you approach the Bay. We took this path for a while and then cut it over into the actual trail. The trail winds through the woods, which is just magnificent. It had recently rained a lot, so the trail was quite muddy in spots. I’m fairly certain that, under normal circumstances, the path is dry.

This is a moderately easy hike. It does go uphill in spots by nothing too strenuous. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow. There are several benches placed in scenic spots along the trail. The trail ends at a marshy part of Sodus Bay.

Wildlife

There is a considerable amount of wildlife around this trail. We saw a wild turkey, swans, geese, and numerous other animals as we hiked along. We saw what we thought was a beaver but might have been an otter, as we saw evidence of otter activity. It was just fascinating to see the abundance of wildlife here.

Sodus Bay

The trail leads to a marsh-like area on Sodus Bay. This area is relatively secluded but has a bench overlooking the Bay. If you are sure-footed, you can climb down to the banks of the Bay; however, there are cattails, and it doesn’t give you a clear opening onto the Bay. Regardless of this, the view is spectacular and well worth the hike.

Kayaking Bentley Bond’s

After seeing the spectacular view of Sodus Bay from Bentley Bonds, we decided that we wanted to kayak back there and set off to find the best place to launch. Which, as it happens, is the beach area at Third Creek. (Google Map Link)

You have to paddle around the peninsula (Thorton Point) that is on your right, and it will bring you into the backside of Bentley Bonds.

Paddling through the serene waters, we were truly amazed by the opportunity to experience the area from a unique perspective. As we navigated the canals lined with beautiful reeds, a marine mammal (not sure if it was a beaver or an otter) graced us with its presence, gliding effortlessly by us. The surrounding wildlife added to the magic of the experience, from the graceful waterfowl to the vibrant flora. If you visit in late June through early July, you will get to see the lily pads in full bloom, a spectacle that truly enhances any visit to this wondrous place.

Out and About With Nova

This was a fantastic place for a hike with Nova, especially as she was just learning to walk on a leash. We didn’t encounter any other hikers and, more importantly, any other dogs during our visit, which was great for leash training a small puppy. The hike wasn’t too challenging for her, and she was fascinated by the crunchy fall leaves, making frequent stops to explore new scents she hadn’t encountered before.

Getting there

Address: 8483 Red Mill Rd, North Rose, NY

Google Map Link

This is not an easy spot to find, and you can drive right by it without even realizing it. Bentley Bond’s Trail is located immediately after the bridge that spans Second Creek on Red Mill Road (just off Route 14). This land is part of the Genesee Land Trust. There is no actual parking area, except for a slight extension to the road’s shoulder where it is obvious many cars have parked before. If you pass Shaker Road, you’ve gone too far.

Other Places to Visit

Have you hiked this trail before? Do you have a favorite hiking trail in the area? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.