One of my favorite places to stop and take in the view in Letchworth Park is Humphrey’s overlook. This beautiful area allows you to see the canyon and the Genesee River as it winds its way through the land on its journey North to Lake Ontario. I rate this view in the top 3 places to see in Letchworth State Park. Of course my first choice of spectacular views is Inspiration Point followed by Lower Falls from the Stone Arch Bridge that connects Wyoming County to Livingston County in the narrowest place in the 17 mile canyon.
The name Humphreys overlook is a local name given to this special place and you may not find it on a map yet. It was coined in honor of a very special gentleman, Wolcott J. Humphrey, who became the first Chairman of the newly formed Genesee State Park Commission from 1910 until 1959. He was very instrumental in insuring that the Park we appreciate and love today came to be in existence once the Land was taken over by the State of New York when original landowner and founder, William Pryor Letchworth, deeded his original 1000 acres to the State of New York upon his passing. Through the guidance of Mr. Humphrey and the board much more land was purchased over the coming years and the park grew into the 14,350 acre Park that exists today.
This isn’t the last time you will hear the Humphrey name mentioned in connection with Letchworth Park because a descendant of Wolcott J Humphrey, Peter Humphrey, who currently is Chairman of the Genesee State Park Commission is spearheading a fund raising effort to provide a Nature Center in Letchworth that will be open year round. So it looks like the names Letchworth and Humphrey will always have a strong connection in this Park.
Now about the cache; this cache was placed for one reason and that was to get you to stop at Humphrey’s Overlook and take in the view. The cache is well hidden but does not require you to go into any dangerous areas or to move bark, rocks or anything else in your search. Also please stay back from the edge of the top of the bank as the cache is not near that area! Please try to replace this cache EXACTLY as you found it and use STEALTH if muggles are nearby so as not to compromise the location of the cache container. This is not a difficult hide and requires only careful observation to spot it. I am including some other waypoints you may want to check out on this page in connection to the Humphreys influence in Letchworth Park. Plug them into your GPS and see where they take you. Once you have signed the logbook and replaced the container please leave me an online log that tells your impression of this beautiful place, thanks!
Here are some additional waypoints you may wish to visit;
Humphrey’s View N 42 36.139 W 078 01.951, This is the best view of Humphrey's overlook!
Humphrey’s stone N 42 35.095 W 078 02.627 This is located directly across from the Pioneer Museum. There is a large plaque on a huge boulder that describes the years of service that Wolcott J. Humphrey gave to the Genesee State Park Commission.
Nature Center Area N42 35.562 W078 02.065. This is the future site of the New Nature Center that is planned for this area. Currently there is nothing here yet but there soon will be.
I would like to thank Park Manager Roland Beck for reviewing and approving the placement of this cache!