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.
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.
