Page 14 - 2018 GB Final

Rome to Little Falls

From Rome the ECT follows serenely along the shoulder of the canal uninterrupted (photo below) until
reaching Utica with many food and lodging options and great attractions. You may want to spend an
hour or so enjoying the Munson-William-Proctor Art Museum which is free and air-conditioned, and a
welcome break from the trail on a hot day. Or perhaps a visit to the Utica Zoo where you can stroll shady
paths and check out the amazing animals.
From Utica the ECT is on road for the last large “gap” (~20 mi).
The formal course follows Hwy 5 which is heavily traveled and
with lots of trucking. However, our preferred route follows the
south bank of the canal on quiet, scenic back roads with very
little traffic and NO trucks.
About 17 miles east of
Utica is “Gems Along the
Mohawk”, a visitor’s cen-
ter with gift shop and
lovely canal-side café. From here, the ECT is back on the trail for a
shot bit, and delivers you to the front door of Old Fort Herkimer
Church (right), the first of many Revolutionary War sites you’ll en-
counter on the way to Albany.
Little Falls offers great dining and lodging, and charming Canal Place with cascading waterfalls, antique
shops, beautiful parks and walking trails, as well as Lock 17 which was the highest lift lock in the world
for many decades.

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