ithacahikers

Wednesday, February 25

Allan H. Treman State Marine Park and Cass Park, Ithaca

Hike report by Mark Sussman

On Wednesday, February 25th, twelve hikers and one dog met near the dog park at Cass Park. The weather was mild with a fresh coating of new snow. Walking conditions were generally easy, despite the occasional patch of ice hidden beneath the snow.

We began by looping the north side of Cass Park, then crossed Route 89 at the ice rink to complete another loop on both sides of the road. We maintained a steady pace of nearly 3 miles per hour, arriving back at the cars after an hour and a half. At that point, about half of the group decided to complete one additional loop, while the rest of the group departed.

Sunday, March 1

Cayuga Trail from Freese Rd., Ithaca

Hike report by Jim

Seventeen hikers and two dogs met at the Community Gardens parking lot on Freese Rd in the Town of Dryden for a hike of the Cayuga Trail system led by Nancy H. This will probably be our last winter hike of the season, if the long-range weather forecasts are accurate.

This was intended to be an out and back hike of the Varna Cliffs section of the Cayuga Trail, which is hike # 5-3 on our hikes list:  https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-5.

After starting the hike it was decided that the wooden stairs leading down to creek level were too hazardous to navigate, so the group turned around and hiked the Cayuga Trail section on the opposite side of Freese Rd.

Anyone wishing to obtain a map of the Cayuga Trail in either paper or electronic formats may purchase maps from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference at: https://fingerlakestrail.org/…/purchase-individual…/….Sale of the map sheets helps to defray the on-going costs associated with trail maintenance.

The initial views of Fall Creek from Varna Cliffs were quite enjoyable, as the trees and surroundings were coated with a fresh layer of powdery snow. The snowpack was distributed unevenly, as some trail sections were essentially bare ground covered by the overnight snow dusting, while in other places the snowpack was melted but still a few inches thick, the footpath being well compacted.

After turning the group around and crossing Freese RD, we were hiking on the ” Arboretum” signed section of the Cayuga Trail. This was in the area of the trails where we hiked recently. The group skirted the open fields near the Cornell Horse barns and Piglets Corners. Eventually the group followed the orange blazed trail down to creek level before turning around and re-tracing the route.

I personally departed the group hike and followed the Cayuga Trail segment that circles the horse barns and passes Piglets Corner before returning to Freese Rd via the farm roads. The rest of the group re-traced their outbound route back to the parking area.

I saw only a couple of other hikers sharing the trail with us today.

Warm welcome to hiker Kristin and her canine hiking partners Clover and Fern on their first hike with the group!

One topic that came up today was that the Varna Cliffs section of the Cayuga Trail is our adopted section of the Cayuga Trail that the Ithaca Hikers maintains. Several hikers today expressed an interest in attending the next sawyer class put on by either the Cayuga Trails Club or Cornell that permits use of chain saws while we’re working on the trail. If any other Ithaca Hikers are interested in attending this sawyer class, please DM me.

See below for basic information on both the FLTC and Cornell sawyer classes. Information may not be current but is presented here for comparisons sake in case some of you want to choose which training event fits your needs better. Keep in mind that the Cornell class meets the training requirements for our group to use chain saws on our section of the trail but doesn’t meet FLTC requirements if your desire is to help out on the FLT.

I went to the FLTC website to look for sawyer information. I am cutting and pasting the below information from the FLTC site, although what’s there is a couple seasons out-of-date. I sent them an email asking them to update their information for 2026.

Wednesday, February 18

South Hill Rec Way/Six Mile Creek, South Side, Rim Trail

Hike report by Jim

Seven hikers met on Crescent Place in the city of Ithaca for a hike of the South Hill Rec Way trail system. This is hike 2-1 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-2.

The day was cool and overcast, not the sunny hiking day we’d enjoyed this past Saturday.

Trail conditions were not as icy as I’d previously found the Rec Way to be in winter months. Recent warmer temps had resulted in the ice and snow melting, resulting in a hike surface similar to a sandy beach.

Starting out from Crescent Place we hiked the Rec Way to the nearby turn that takes hikers to the blue blazed trail system below the Rec Way.

The blue blazed trail had been only lightly used by either hikers or skiers based on the barely disturbed snow

Because of footpath conditions I altered the normal route to remove as much of the more uphill and downhill sections of the trail as possible. We left the blue blazed trail shortly after the Second Dam overlook area and the group returned to the Rec Way. From there the group returned to Crescent Place. By the time I got back to Crescent Place a light cold rain was falling.

Saturday, February 21

Finger Lakes Trail from Comfort Road through Danby State Forest

Hike report by Jim

Ten hikers and one dog met at the parking area at the junction of Bald Hill and Comfort Roads in the Town of Danby, for an out and back hike on the Finger Lakes Trail through Danby State Forest led by Leigh Ann V. This is hike # 18-1 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-18.

Today’s hike took place entirely on Finger Lakes Trail map sheet M17. Map sheets are available in either paper or electronic formats at:  https://fingerlakestrail.org/…/purchase-individual…/…. Sale of the map sheets helps to defray the on-going costs associated with trail maintenance.

There was a light dusting of snow on the ground as hikers arrived at the trailhead. Walking to where the FLT crosses Bald Hill Rd we turned onto the FLT, gradually descending through the state forest. Trail conditions were generally good. Warmer temps in recent days haven’t made much of an impact on snow in the state forest, although the snow has a crunchy quality to it. The footpath is obviously travelled somewhat regularly so its compacted.

Stream crossings were through very slushy ice. While passing along the trail above the creeks we could look down and see the thawing ice on the creek surface turning a light green. The fresh dusting of snow gave the forest floor around us a very clean white appearance

The group bypassed the Chestnut lean-to and continued towards Michigan Hollow RD and Dianes Crossing, where everyone turned around and re-traced our route.

Upon reaching Bald Hill Rd the group crossed that road and continued on the FLT through what I refer as a “hangnail” portion of the FLT, until reaching Comfort RD. A quick road walk brought hikers back to their cars.

For those hikers tracking their FLT miles for a 2026 FLT 50 or FLT 100 patch, todays hike included 3.6 FLT miles.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, February 22

Black Diamond Trail from Gorge Road Parking Area

Hike report by Henry Fessler

On a chilly, overcast day, 14 veteran and new hikers (a wintry mix) scoffed at the weather (a wintry mix) and walked out and back a total of about 5 miles on the Black Diamond Trail. The trail conditions varied from snow and ice to patches of gravel. The snow painted the trees and fields with Bob Ross happy highlights and the wide trail encouraged socializing. After the massed start, the field spread out at everyone’s personal pace. At the first (and only) turn, it looked like Jack and Leigh Ann would clinch the gold medals. But it turned into a photo finish, with everyone feeling the thrill of victory, but without the agony of defeat.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Saturday, February 14

Finger Lakes Trail from Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park, Alpine

Hike report by Nancy Lorr

19 people and one dog gathered in a newly plowed parking area at Schyler County Veterans Memorial Park.  I was fortunate to find an individual who was a member of the family that donated the land for the park  who agreed to plow the parking lot for us.  After some discussion we decided to hike East from there on the Finger Lakes Trail although the snow was about 3 inches deep.  When we reached route 6 we crossed over the outlet creek of   Cayuta Lake on the road bridge and turned onto Gulf Road a short distance to the continuation of the Finger Lake trail which took us along the edge of the picturesque snow covered Cayuta outlet.  We hiked for about 2.5 miles total in the easterly direction and then retraced out steps back to the cars.

Hike report by Leigh Ann

After several weeks of wind chills too unfriendly for hiking, nineteen hikers and one dog on a leash met at the parking lot of the Schuyler County Veterans Memorial for a hike on the FLT. The group voted to head east toward Gulf Road and Hendershot Gulf.

We made it about 2.15 miles from the trailhead before turning around. There was less than 200 feet of elevation gain on this hike. However, even though only 1/4 mile was previously untrodden by feet or snowmobiles, it felt like about 500 feet of elevation gain with the 6 inches of snow on the ground. Still, it was a great hike for the many of us who’d been experiencing cabin fever.

And we discovered a treasure that may have been hidden in the snow: a child-sized, rather nice golf club. Norm claimed it and had a fun time whacking snow off the bridge with it.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

View Nancy Lorr’s photo album.

Sunday, February 15

Stevens Suspension Bridge – Cornell natural areas

Hike report by Leigh Ann

Eighteen hikers were on this sunny and warm-for-February hike. We took our standard route west from the suspension bridge, around the golf course, and on the roads through the horse farm. (I spotted 22 horses today.) Then we headed down into the woods and along the top of the bluff, went town steps to the bottom of the bluff, and paralleled the creek to cross the suspension bridge again.

At that point, six hikers opted to go back to the cars, and the rest added a bit of mileage on the short red and blue trails on the north side of Forest Home Rd. The round trip was about 4.15 miles.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Saturday, January 31

Lower Treman Park

Hike report by Nancy H.

On Saturday, ten diehard hikers were undeterred by frigid temperatures—and an unexpectedly unplowed parking lot.

I hadn’t had time to check the location before the hike, but since we’ve hiked this route in previous winters I didn’t expect any issues. I was wrong. I arrived at the Tappan Mitra parking lot to find that it hadn’t been plowed since last weekend’s storm. One hiker was shoveling out the entrance to the lot, and a couple of cars had arrived and made their way through the deep snow to park. Several hikers grabbed shovels and continued clearing out the snowbank by the road. More shovels came out as more hikers arrived, and eventually we cleared enough so that all hikers made it into the lot with no problems.

But, as everyone was doubtless thinking, making it out of the lot would be another issue altogether.

We left on time for an out-and-back hike on the Finger Lakes Trail, from where it starts in Lower Treman on its route up the hill toward Newfield. There was just one set of footprints ahead of us in the deep, powdery snow. The sun came out from time to time, and occasional snowflakes sparkled in the air. It was cold, but there was no wind, and most of us had already warmed up with our shoveling exertions.

On the outbound leg, hikers commented on what a beautiful morning it was and how glad they were to be out of the house after the past week’s weather.

Past the picnic area, the only footprints were from deer. We made our way through snow that was about five inches deep. The group made the decision to turn around seven minutes early—realizing it would take some time to get everyone out of the snowy parking lot.

We made good time on the return leg and arrived back at the lot about 20 minutes early. Hikers started shoveling again. The first car had trouble getting up the slope to the road, so shovelers worked to clear a track down to the gravel, or as close as possible. We then put down salt to provide traction. After that, the cars left the lot one by one.

Not only did we get a bonus upper-body workout, I was impressed by the way no one complained about the condition of the lot. Everyone treated it as a problem to solve together—with maybe a touch of unexpected adventure. The next time we hike here in winter, though, we should follow the example of one hiker, who saw what we were doing and decided to park her car in the Lower Treman parking lot, then walk back to meet us.

A warm welcome to Karen on her first, chilly hike with us.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, February 1

Dryden Rail Trail to East Hill Rec Way

Hike report by Jim

Six hikers met on the unnamed solar farm access road off Stevenson Rd in the Town of Dryden, for an out-and-back hike on the Dryden Rail Trail and the East Hill Recreation Way. This particular hike has no dedicated entry on our hikes list, but is closest to hike #49-2: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-49.

The hikers set off from the parking area, walking the access road to Stevenson Rd. Once across Stevenson Rd the Dryden Rail Trail is unplowed, with only a narrow band of beaten snow that is used by all trail users. The trail crosses a couple of bridged portions of Cascadilla Creek before arriving at Game Farm Rd.

Once the group crossed Game Farm Rd we were now on the east Hill Recreation Way, a paved walking route that is both plowed and salted; this feature is why I selected this hike location after the snowfall of the last week.

The East Hill Rec Way passes along some additional sections of Cascadilla Creek, the MacDaniels Nut Grove, and several Cornell University buildings before arriving at the old rail trestle that passes over Pine Tree RD.

After an hour the various hikers turned around and re-traced their route back to the cars.

We shared the Rec Way today with several joggers, dog walkers and other pedestrians.

Hike leaders please check the Google calendar to claim any hikes that you wish to lead in February.

Wednesday, January 14

Connecticut Hill, Newfield

Hike report by Nancy Lorr

18 hikers and 2 dogs gathered at the corner of Lloyd Stark Boylan and Connecticut Hill Roads for an exploration of un marked trails on Rowell Hill. a glimpse of the frozen beaver pond was taken before returning to the cars

Saturday, January 17

Ekroos Rd. at the Tompkins/Tioga County Line

Hike report by Jim

Twelve hikers met on Ekroos Rd on the Tioga/ Tompkins County line for an out-and-back road walk led by Nancy H. This is hike # 57-14 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-57 .

Weather conditions were good, with cold temps and light snow flurries at the beginning of the hike. By the end of the hike the snow had stopped, and the sun was shining through the cloud cover.

In the past, Ekroos Rd has tended to be a reliable winter hike location, plowed for the two houses along the way but otherwise a very icy road surface. Because of this everyone was wearing foot traction during the hike; the foot traction proved to be unneeded until the very end of the hike where the road transitions to a seasonally maintained surface. The rest of the route was well plowed, and we could see where multiple blowdown trees across the road had been recently chain sawed to clear the lane of travel.

Much of the outbound leg of the hike is a gradual downhill, with the last section approaching 76 Rd to be quite steep. Along the way the road weaves in and out of Tompkins County, the road bearing three different names along the length of the route.

The road passes over several streams, which were quite active today. The road is also bisected by a snowmobile route, but we saw no snow machines or any vehicular traffic on the road today. We did see one other solitary road walker like ourselves during our hike.

There was one section of trees lining the road that’s had a broad swath of tree clearing since our last hike here. I’m not sure if this was on state forest or private land

The faster hikers on the group made it as far as 76 Rd, which they tapped before turning around and re-tracing their steps.

Hike report by Nancy H.

A dozen hikers met on Ekroos Road, which runs along the line between Tompkins and Tioga counties, for a wintry road walk. Ekroos Road, which runs alongside a gorge, is a delightful three-season hike. In winter, the bare trees allow some beautiful views into the woods and across fields. Part of the road is seasonal, so there’s little to no traffic, and at times the road seems more like a wide trail through the woods.

Light snow was falling as we set out. The road was somewhat icy, so foot traction was needed. This hike goes downhill for an hour (with some leveling off about halfway down), which means the return leg is a long, steep uphill climb. Because it’s an out-and-back that stays on one road, everyone could hike at their own pace. As we were returning to the cars, the sun emerged from behind the clouds that had filled the sky for most of the hike. A few hikers got back to the cars early, so we kept going in that direction until the full two hours were up.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, January 18

Kennedy State Forest, Virgil

Hike report by Jim

Twenty-two hikers met on Daisy Hollow Rd in Cortland County for a lollipop hike on parts of the FLT and the Swedish Loop trail in James Kennedy State Forest led by Casey C. This is hike # 40-4 on our list of hike locations:  https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-40.

There are several FLTC map sheets that cover the area of today’s hike. The map sheet with the most detail is map sheet ” The Swedish Loop Trail”, available in paper or electronic formats at : https://fingerlakestrail.org/…/purchase-individual-maps/ . Sale of the map sheets helps to defray the on-going costs associated with trail maintenance.

Today’s hike took us through an area where we’ve had several recent large blowdowns across the trail, but they’ve all been dealt with by trail maintainer Alex Gonzalez, who does a great job maintaining this section of trail.

While Tompkins County hasn’t seen much snow depth in recent days, Kennedy Forest still has a decent quantity of hard crusty snowpack along the trails we hiked today. This particular hike is always known for the many roots that run across the footpath that can be a hazard to hikers in the winter and rainy summer days. Today we took our time on the outbound leg, carefully picking our way along the trail that runs for much of the hike along and across a nice running stream.

About a mile into the hike, we reached the first intersection with the Swedish Loop trail. We continued on the FLT until we reached the yellow blazed Stockholm Short Cut Trail. This trail cuts back across the stream to the Swedish Loop Trail.

The group took the Swedish Loop Trail back to the FLT. Traditionally this hike always runs around fifteen minutes short, so in an effort to make up that time Casey turned the group around and returned to the FLT along the Swedish Loop and Stockholm Short Cut Trail.

Once back at the first intersection of the FLT and Swedish Loop Trail the group returned to our cars without incident. On the return trip the trail surface was much easier to traverse now that the surface has beaten down. We got back to the cars at our normal hike duration thanks to Casey’s route modifications!

We did encounter one small group of day hikers on the trail but otherwise has the hike to ourselves.

Warm welcome to John, Brenda and Fiona who joined the group for their first hike today!

For those hikers who are tracking their FLT miles for a 2026 FLT50 or FLT100 patch, todays hike included three FLT miles.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.