Wednesday, September 17
Lake Road southeast of Dryden
Hike report by Casey
This hike features 2 diametrically opposed options. Six of us and one dog chose the more challenging option of going up and over Havington Hill. Of all of the times I have done this hike, this was the first time ever that the meadow that leads to the hill was not under water, or wet in any way. No flippers or scuba gear needed today.
We went up the hill, down the other side, and across the creek to hike the trail a bit in what is normally quite a muddy area, but again no moisture or mud to be found. This is always a great hike, but I have to say that the current drought conditions really make this hike that much more enjoyable.
We managed to get 4.4 miles within our 2 hour time frame. We even encountered a couple of fellows who were doing an out and back hike from road to road starting from Daisy Hollow Road and heading to Lake Road and back. They were from the Shindaigan Hollow area and were looking for hikes with good climbs because they were training to do a section hike of the Appalachian Trail fairly soon.
As usual, the views on this hike were magnificent due to the perfect hiking weather.
Hike report by Margaret F
9 hikers and 1 dog met at the intersection of Lake Rd. and the Jim Schug Trail in Dryden, NY. The group included 2 new hikers: Jim and Tina. Two hikes originate from this point. A hilly hike along the Finger Lakes Trail and a flatter walk along the Jim Schug Trail. The group divided according to their preference with Casey leading the hill climbers and Margaret leading along the Jim Schug Trail. Both groups reported a beautiful walk enjoying early fall scenery.
Saturday, September 20
Alex & Michele Gonzalez Hiking Sanctuary & Preserve, Virgil
Hike report by John D.
Today, on this penultimate full day of summer,15 hikers and 1 dog gathered for a hike of color blazed trails in the Alex and Michele Gonzalez Hiking Sanctuary & Preserve. This is Ithaca Hikers hike #36. We started out under mostly clear skies with temperatures in the 50s but rising through the course of the hike. The hike was initially uphill following the Jose, Irvin and Spanish trails, gaining about 500 feet in elevation. We occasionally had to stop to locate the next blaze or backtrack to a missed turn. We continued on the Spanish trail down to Adams Rd. We did a road walk along Adams Rd. and Owego Hill Rd. until the turn-around time. Then back up the hill and around to Cristina Spring and back down to Daisy Hollow along the more northern trails. We traversed 4.3 miles in 2 hours.
Thanks to Leigh Ann and Jim for helping me prepare to lead this hike! We didn’t get lost and the timing was perfect.
Greeted by the morning sun:
Crossing the power line clear cut:
The view from Adams Rd.
Sunday, September 21
Westward on the FLT from South Danby Road
Hike report by Leigh Ann
This was another beginning-of-peak, beautiful, dry fall day for a hike. By my count, there were 21 hikers and two dogs on leash who headed out west from South Danby or Fisher Settlement Road. Between these roads, there’s a short (150-foot) section of trail that could use trimming, and then there’s another short section just west of Fisher Settlement that also could use trimming. Otherwise, this section of trail was lovely. Just over half of the group made it all the way to Hill Rd. before returning to the cars. This was about 4.25 miles and almost 1000 feet of elevation gain. Everyone made it back to the cars by two hours from the start of the hike.
