Hoxie Gorge Nature Preserve

Hoxie Gorge is a 169-acre natural area maintained by the State University of New York, Cortland for educational, research and recreational purposes since 1965.  A portion of the property was the site of a dairy farm from the 1880s to the 1960s, while a portion has remained undisturbed.  The natural environments include pristine streams running through the gorge area, mature woodlands and old fields.  The McDermott Nature Trail and the Finger Lakes Trail provide access to these areas.  As one travels the McDermott Nature Trail near marker #29, the Finger Lakes Trail continues northeast.  In this area are old-growth hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) trees on the banks of the gorge, the oldest of which date back to 1736 and another to 1740.  In this area are also sweet birch (Betula lenta), red maple (Acer rubrum) and black cherry (Prunus serotina) that date to the late 1800's.  Larger mammals in the forest include white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), eastern coyote (Canis latrans), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), and fisher (Martes pennanti).