ithacahikers

Wednesday, March 25

Lansing Center Trail

Hike report by Robin Ginenthal

Ten Ithaca Hikers and one leashed dog hiked today’s pleasantly sunny, though very muddy hike. We started out from Salt Point Brewery’s parking lot to the actual Lansing Center Trail Parking lot (picture taken there) and then onto the Scoops extension along to Scoops Ice Cream (closed!) where we continued onto the Murdock Spur, the Short Line Spur, onto the bottom of Heddon Loop, continuing uphill on Shoemaker Loop, around to Munson Loop, then onto Knettles Loop. We lost 2 folks when we passed by the Brewery parking lot because of wet feet. Continued finishing up Knettles Loop, did the bottom of Shoemaker loop, hit the top of Heddon Loop, cut through the woods to Townley Loop, and then onto the lower end of the Short Line Spur. From there we headed back through the LCT parking lot back to the Brewery lot. Turned into a lovely day with nice views of the sky and open fields. 8 folks and the doggy arrived safely and happy with very mucky boots! We did 4.3 miles in 1.5 hours. This was a new hike location for most of the hikers, one person mentioning how nice it was to have such long open views. Most of this hike consists of wide mowed trails with a few wooded areas. The trail is very well maintained by the town of Lansing. In season, they come every week to mow the trail and volunteers help with whatever is needed.

Saturday, March 28

Potomac Rd trails, Finger Lakes National Forest

Hike report by Jack Vanderzee

13 hikers met in the Finger lakes Forest and did a hike around Wildlife Pond and Forester pond.  The day was cool but pleasant!  The trail was surprisingly dry for this time of year.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, March 29

Virgil Mountain, Cortland County

Hike report by Leigh Ann

Eighteen hikers and two dogs on leashes met at the corner of Baldwin and O’Dell roads for this out-and-back hike up the FLT to the summit of Virgil Mountain and back. Everyone drove to the meet-up spot from the north, which was good because there was a massive pile of hard ice and snow on O’Dell just south of the junction with Baldwin.

This was an ice-free hike, aside from this pile of snow past the meet-up point, the plentiful and fun-to-crunch ice needles on the outbound leg, and sheets of thick and completely avoidable ice remaining on the ski runs at Greek Peak. As we went on, the sun came out, the ice needles melted, and we encountered more and more other hikers – 14 who weren’t from our group. This popularity attests to how lovely a stretch of trail this is.

For us, this hike was about 4.75 miles and 925 feet of elevation gain. This gain was almost always gentle and consistent until we got up close to the summit, and even then the steep parts didn’t go on for long.

The only big obstacle we encountered was a large fallen tree that could use some attention from someone with a chainsaw. This was about .8 miles in from the meet-up spot, just before the route makes its first big switchback down to a stream crossing.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday, March 18

Dryden Rail Trail from Dryden Village

Hike report by Kathy K

9 hikers and 2 dogs had a delightful walk in the sun that passed quickly with good conversations; very pretty with a few inches of snow on the trail. We went about 2 1/2 miles to the west and back again.

While only 20 degrees or so, there was no wind and we were all shedding layers.

Welcome to new hiker Sandy who joined us for ½ the walk (after the photo).

Saturday, March 21

Finger Lakes Trail in Danby State Forest from S. Danby Road to the Tamarack Lean-to

Hike report by Anne Becker

19 hikers met on South Danby Road for a hike east on the FLT. Mud was abundant, but the fresh dusting of snow was lovely. The group had time to visit the Tamarack leanto before we turned around for this out and back hike. We finished the hike just shy of the 2 hour mark.

Sunday, March 22

The “Chunks” Hike, Stone House Rd., Enfield

Hike report by Leigh Ann

Fourteen Ithaca Hikers and two leashed dogs hiked at least part of today’s pleasantly rainy hike. Thirteen humans and the dogs set out from the Margaret’s Woods parking lot with no rain. By the time we had finished the 1.2-mile Margaret’s Woods loop, it was raining hard enough for many hikers to trade poles for umbrellas. Three humans opted to end their hike at that point. The remaining ten humans and the dogs hiked through the fields and woods chunk of the hike to the CCC trail. By then it was still raining enough for another human to end their hike at that point. Then we crossed Fishkill Creek, turned left on Van Ostrand Road, and took the FLT into Upper Treman. At Lucifer Falls, we picked up another Ithaca Hiker (human). We also enjoyed how short and fat the falls looked compared to normal. Eight humans and the dogs returned to the cars via the CCC trail and connector chunk while the other two humans headed back at a more leisurely pace. It rained pretty much the whole time, and the temperature was perfect to get wet in with the clothes people had on; very enjoyable. The eight humans and two dogs arrived back at the parking lot exactly two hours after the hike started, about 4.5 miles and 780 feet of elevation gain later. 

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday, March 11

Taughannock Falls State Park

Hike report by Mark Sussman

On Wednesday, August 11, eight hikers and one dog met at the Taughannock overlook for the hike. The weather looked questionable and once we got into the woods at North Taughannock the rain was coming down pretty steadily. We thought about turning back, but by the time we hit the rim trail it was just a drizzle, and the rain didn’t really pick up again. We looped through the Cataract trail, then down the South RIm Trail till we turned around and headed back to the overlook. We hiked a little over 4 miles, and finished about 10 minutes early.

We were joined by new hiker Bob.

Saturday, March 14

Shindagin Hollow Bike Trails

Hike report by Kathy K.

Happy Pi day!

9 hikers and 3 dogs enjoyed a pretty winter hike with 2″ of fresh snow in Shindagin Hollow.

Welcome to new hiker Kristin (and her two dogs) who just moved to Ithaca last month and already has found us! And new hiker Bob joined us last Wednesday and came back for more!

A modified version of Hike #28-3, we started at the northern Braley Hill parking lot and made our way up two of the Yellow bike trails #8 and then #6 to the top of Bald Hill School Road; then north a mile or so on Bald Hill School Road, and turned to come down Leonard “road” (narrow, dirt, rutted- not for cars) with its lovely little waterfalls beside the road.;finally walking along Central Chapel and Braley Hill Roads to the parking area.

Foot traction was helpful today- although it was just warm enough to stick to my microspikes.

Note: the bike trails are not very well labeled- it’s a fun area to explore but nice to have a map with you (there’s a big kiosk at the parking lot too). Leonard Road is a fun walk on its own but you CANNOT drive a car up it (especially with a big tree across); you can park at the bottom. 

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, March 15

Monkey Run Natural Area, south side of Fall Creek, Varna

Hike report by Leigh Ann

Twenty-one hikers and two dogs on leashes set out west from the South Monkey Run parking lot for this lasso-shaped hike on the Cayuga Trail system. Our route took us through woods, across fields, and along Fall Creek, including at the top of the bluffs on the south side of the creek. It was a nice morning for late winter: not exactly cold, not exactly warm, with little bits of completely manageable snow in some of the shadows, and a milky blue sky. This is an easy route for people to leave early because we pass back by the cars on our way east from South Monkey Run, and some people chose to do this. After about 4.3 miles and almost 500 feet of elevation gain, fifteen hikers arrived at the cars at 11:38 a.m. 

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday, March 4

Catherine Valley Trail, Montour Falls

Hike report by Maria

DELIGHTFUL time on the Catherine Valley Trail with stellar company both familiar and new! A pair of smiley dogs made our troupe complete! Our trail today began at the “fishing access” point on Gennessee St. We took a slight diversion from the main trail and headed alongside the creek and through wetlands which are gorgeous all times of the year. We connected with the main trail about .7 of a mile later. The conditions were good – a little muddy and a few patches of ice, but, overall, easy to navigate. I was so happy to hike with Ithaca Hikers after a long convalescence of my knee. My apple watch indicated nearly a 5 1/2 mile hike today. Thank you to all for being of such good cheer. I look forward to hiking with you all again!

Here is the Wikipedia page I cited containing a brief synopsis of Queen Catherine’s biography. It mentions her father as being Katarioniecha, (Peter Quebec), Mohawk Indian Chief. That part seems to be factual. Multiple sources also indicate her great grandfather was white; hence her name. When the Sullivan Clinton campaign ransacked Catharine’s Village in Montour Falls, they fled to Fort Niagara in Canada. Here are a couple links if you want to learn more.

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Catherine_Montour

https://sheroesofhistory.wordpress.com/…/catharine…

Saturday, March 7

Sapsucker Woods, Ithaca

Hike report by Margaret F.

34 (!) hikers gathered at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (hike #62) on Saturday, March 8th for a hike through Sapsucker Woods. We welcomed two new hikers: Lee and Jeremy. The morning started out misty and cool, but soon the sun peaked out and temperatures rose for a spring like day. With a total of 5 miles of flat trails available, the 2 hour hike covered just about everything. The group started around the North side of the Sapsucker Woods Ponds then followed the Alice Kase Trail to the Les and Vail Severinghaus Trail. Several deer scampered across our path as we approached Hanshaw Rd. Across the street the group connected with the Stadlen Trail. Up to this point, the trails were dry and covered with mulch or boardwalk. However, I optimistically led the group into the Louisa Duemling Meadows and around the East Loop and Susannah Elwyn 1997 Trails. This section included several sections with standing water and mud. Several hikers chose to divert back to the parking lot on their wet feet, but most squelched onward to the Andrew Goldsworthy Egg Cairn and the Woodleton Boardwalk. Back across Hanshaw Rd., the group followed the Wilson Trail around Sapsucker Woods Pond spotting several Canada geese and 2 muskrats. The group arrived at Sapsucker Woods Road at about 11:10AM and were offered the option of concluding the hike there or taking one more loop around Sapsucker Woods Pond. The last lap of the pond was lovely and gave the remaining hikers the opportunity to enjoy pond overlooks at Timmy’s Walk and the Podell Boardwalk arriving back to the parked cars on schedule at 11:30.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, March 8

Hill Road and Curtis Road, South Danby

Hike report by Jim

Twenty-seven hikers and two dogs battled the spring time jump to meet at the junction of Curtis and Hill roads for an out-and-back road hike, led by Nancy H. This is hike 57-2 on our hikes list: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-57

The hike was intended to be a road walk of the seasonal portion of Curtis Rd, with the possibly of jumping on the FLT where it crosses Curtis Rd, as we have in the past. Hikers this morning found that the seasonal portion of Curtis Rd was still more heavily iced over than anticipated, so the majority of the group turned around and instead road walked a good portion of Hill Rd.

I opted to remain on Curtis Rd despite the ice, as I’ve been dealing with a bad ankle most of the last week and I preferred a slower pace today. I found that the roadbed was mostly old rotten ice that while slippery was clearly in an advanced state of decay and should be gone in a few days if we continue to enjoy warmed weather. The road was very much a stream, with active flowing water under the ice that will surely further the loss of any ice base that still exists.

I opted to leave the road entirely and walk along the shoulder of the road on the Danby State Forest land to the east of Curtis Rd, which had no snowpack at all.

At an hour I simply turned around, finding a few hikers from the group who had turned around again to re-hike the maintained portion of Curtis Rd.

While the skies were dark and brooding as I drove to the hike, the sun did come out during the hike, making the morning much more enjoyable. The open fields along the maintained portion of Curtis Rd were especially enjoyable, with their large rounds of hay and the good views of the valley to the east as we drew closer to Hill Rd at the end of the hike.

Warm welcome to Amanda, Peter and Kim on their first hike with the group!

Reminder to all hike leaders to check the hike schedule and claim a hike or two to lead in March. Feel free to substitute a hike you’d prefer to lead, if none of the listed hikes are to your liking.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

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.