Wednesday, September 9
Fischer Old Growth Natural Area, Newfield
Hike report by Kathy K
4 hikers met on a muggy day for an excellent hike through the trails that weave around in the beautiful woods of Fischer Old Growth Forest- passing by big trees, across small streams, up and down medium hills, walking by a field, ….
We hiked the beginning part of the red trail to the memorial, then over to do the yellow loop, back to do the red loop (counter clockwise), then repeated the yellow trail in the other direction, finally back up and to the blue trail through the field, and to the cars. In 1 hour 50 minutes. (repeating the red loop in the other direction instead would have been right about 2 hours)
I’d recommend this for people looking to hike on their own too, or with visitors etc. (keep an eye on hunting however- it’ll be happening there next week for instance). It’s close to downtown Ithaca. The trails are well marked once you get down the field, you can make it longer or shorter by choosing your route, repeating sections if you want a longer hike.
Saturday, September 12
Shortened Van Lone Loop, Connecticut Hill
Hike report by Nancy Lorr
14 hikers and one dog gathered at the Van Lone Loop parking on Gulf Road on a perfect September morning with blue skies and a comfortable temperature. We started on the Finger Lakes Trail along the Cayuta Lake outlet also known as the Gulf. The creek was relatively low but not dry. After a little more than a mile, we arrived at the creek crossing. The waterfall was dry but at least the creek crossing was easy. Shortly beyond we turned up off the FLT on an old carriage trail. It took a rather steep rise and leveled off, following the side creek from above. Next we walked through a grassy meadow and arrived at the upper part of Van Lone loop. Not far from this junction we could see the foundation of an old schoolhouse serving a community of the past. From there we headed back first recrossing the side creek and then climbing further up Van Lone Hill. The trail finally fed into the upper terminus of Gulf road which descended steeply to our cars.
View Nancy and Randy’s photo album.
Sunday, September 13
Eastman Hill Rd at the Tioga/ Tompkins County Line into Eberhard Nature Preserve
Hike report by Leigh Ann
Thirteen hikers and one leashed dog had a fun time on this hike, which turned out to be prettier than I expected because the top of the hill was misty. This also meant it was rather humid. Hikers joked that it felt like their skin was plumping up. Speaking of funny things, someone had put a plastic zombie hand in the hikers’ register near the western entrance to the Eberhard Preserve. May be Jim Rolfe? (grin). He had signed in earlier that morning on his way over the hill from Coddington to 96b and back. That’s a lot of real estate to travel, and our paths didn’t cross at the same time today. The 13 hikers and one dog arrived back at the cars nine minutes early after about 4.2 miles and 650 feet of elevation gain.
