Wilber Lake loop

Public land

The City of Oneonta owns all of the property around Wilber Lake, and most of the land from Lower Cross Road to the Oneonta airport. There are a number of unmarked hiking trails and old logging roads through the properties.

New pedestrian bridge opened 9/2023

The City of Oneonta took down the old vehicle bridge connecting the north shore of Wilber Lake and the peninsula several years ago, and replaced it in 2023 with a pedestrian bridge.

The rough trail on the left circles the lake. The main road/trail crosses the bridge.

Trail on left is unmaintained at unmarked. Former road/trail follows the peninsula to East Street.

New bridge opened 9/2023

The City of Oneonta took down the old vehicle bridge connecting the north shore of Wilber Lake and the peninsula several years ago, and replaced it in 2023 with a pedestrian bridge.

Information point

Lakeshore path

An unmarked but well-used trail follows the shoreline around the tip of the peninsula.

East trailhead

Parking and trailhead on upper East St.

Oneonta creek

This is the largest of the 8 creeks that flow into Wilber Lake. Although not marked on maps, this should theoretically be the upper section of Oneonta Creek.

Service/logging road trail

This 4wd logging road circles the north side of the lake, back to the main trail by the bridge. This is a rough road, not maintained for pedestrian use but still very walkable. Although the city did some grading and drainage work in 2023, there are still wet spots much of the year. You should expect to get wet feet.

Improved water bars

New log water bars installed in 2022-23. This is the last creek on this trail that one can cross without jumping over it or walking through it.

Creek, no bridge

2-3 feet wide

Right fork peters out at old storage shed

At this intersection, a newer logging road heads left (southwest) and an older road continues straight but then virtually disappears after it passes two old storage sheds.

Shed ruins

Cinderblock structure with collapsed roof.

Old shed

Cinderblock shed bit no door but otherwise intact.

Creek, no bridge

2 ft wide. Water flows under logging road through trench as with most off these little creeks. No culvert but looks like may be planned for future.

Clearing

Route unclear in this small logging clearing. Turn left to stay on main logging road.

Creek no bridge

2 ft wide

Trail unclear

This is a wet lowland area on the former logging road. Although the city did some drainage work, there are still wet spots. You should still expect to get wet feet much of the year. This logging road circles the north side of the lake, back to the main trail by the bridge. This is a rough road, not maintained for pedestrian use but still very walkable.

Side logging road peters out

A side logging road to the right leads straight upbill but then becomes unclear in a recently logged area.

Trail improves

If going west (counter clockwise), the new logging road comes uphill to an older unmaintained logging road. Follow this old road back to the bridge.

Old log rd continues northeast. Eventually it comes out b eo

Creek no bridge

4-5 feet wide at the road crossing. Easier to jump or ford upstream