Hello Hikers!
Wed Feb 12
Snowmobile trail, Yellow Barn SF, Dryden
I always look forward to the view when you turn the corner off Route 13 onto Irish Settlement Road and start up the hill to Yellow Barn
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0007-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C415&ssl=1)
It’s nothing super-picturesque or dramatic, but I really like the way it rises gently across the rolling fields up to the strip of dark woods at the top — I get a sense of deep countryside, and adventure ….
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0003-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C408&ssl=1)
….. I especially like this slowly decaying farm on the drive up the hill — it has a melancholy feeling of passing time
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0038-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C375&ssl=1)
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The snow was pretty deep and exhausting, so we stuck to the snowmobile trail, which was nicely packed down. This trail’s a bit monotonous in winter if you’re looking for lively scenery, but it’s a good way to get some exercise and schmooze.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0050-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C378&ssl=1)
The mood of the walk changes abruptly about half way in, when you come to a vast field. The sun was shining brightly by this point, and with the glare and the bounced light, it was like being on the beach
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0062-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C356&ssl=1)
The procedure is to walk to the far end, wander back into the scrubby woods for a little while, then turn around
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0069-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C363&ssl=1)
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Official head count: 16H
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0088-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C388&ssl=1)
This is the view driving back down Irish Settlement Road toward Route 13 — I think this is a really interesting panorama, and I love it
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Sat Feb 15
Shindagin Hollow SF — snowmobile trail
This is another hike where the last part of the drive to the trail head, south on Central Chapel Road, creates a great rural atmosphere. I really like the scenery all along the way, including this cluster of farm buildings, which I think has a very pleasing architectural massing
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0008-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C393&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0041-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C381&ssl=1)
It was quite cold at the trail head — five above when we arrived, just 15 when we headed home — but the actual hike didn’t seem cold at all — there was very little wind, and the sun was bouncing brightly off the fresh snow
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0059-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C412&ssl=1)
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The snowmobile trail had actually been groomed and it was extremely easy walking. At one point a small group of riders roared by — a couple of us joked about catching a ride back to the cars — even though the trail surface was nice, it was still getting exhausting in the snow.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0090-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C396&ssl=1)
The scenery was fantastic
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0101-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C362&ssl=1)
Official head count: 16H
More photos:
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Sun Feb 16
Road walk in Schuyler County — Hosenfeld Road and Carley Road, Odessa
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0010-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C389&ssl=1)
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![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0062-1-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C369&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0065-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C391&ssl=1)
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![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ithacahikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DSC_0108-1-scaled.jpg?resize=840%2C370&ssl=1)
Official head count: 21H, one D
More photos: