whetstone gulf state park

We are always looking for nice outdoor places to walk or hike when we visit a area. We were heading up to the Lowville area and decided to stop by Whetstone Gulf State Park. We have the Empire Pass so we tend to visit state parks when we have time. We went hoping to snowshoe but there was not really any snow at this time (unseasonably warm weather). What was amazing though is that the park had a open warming hut with some very nice accommodations and a very friendly ranger. Not something we usually see. There is a nice beach and picnic area for summer season visitors and multiple camp sites, some RV and some primitive. As to hiking the gulf is a canyon about 100 to 150 ft deep running back about 2.5 miles. There is a loop trail that runs the rim all the way around as well as a small side trail to a view point. The trail affords some interesting views and a nice walk. HOWEVER the trail is at the canyons edge 85% to 90% of the time and there is NOTHING to stop you from having a very unpleasant and likely fatal fall (if you survive the fall there is no way for help to get to you any time soon). We enjoyed the trail though i would NOT bring small or uncontrollable children on these trails or for that matter careless pets.If your not a careful person there is a nice flat 1 mile trail loop by the beach.