Wednesday, November 5
Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville
Hike report by Steve Schwartz
Eleven hikers, one dog.
Our Green Lakes hike does a figure eight around the two beautiful meromictic lakes and then uphill to the golf course. The walking is easy on wide well-trodden trails. On this late fall day—overcast, mid-50s, light wind–we met only a few other walkers and joggers. Green Lakes State Park can get very crowded on summer weekends. After circling the north side of Green Lake and the south side of Round Lake admiring the crystal clear blue (not green) water, we walked uphill to bathe in the old growth forest, then steeply uphill with views down to the lakes through the bare trees. We reached the golf course and had snacks in front of the fancy golf course restaurant lounging on the chairs provided. Here there are stunning views of Green Lake and the distant plains north of Syracuse. We can see our starting point (beach restroom building) far below in the distance. We retraced our steps and walked back on the other sides of the lakes. On the way we stopped briefly to enjoy looking up at the towering old growth tulip trees and the rare freshwater reef, Deadman’s Reef in Green Lake. Total time: 2.5 hours. 5.5 miles.
View Nancy Lorr’s photo album.
Saturday, November 8
CT Hill Wedge & FLT Loop
Hike report by Dave Bock
24 hikers and 2 dogs showed up for the trek on this cool, windy, somewhat overcast morning. The leaf-covered trails were relatively level save for a steep downhill on a section of the FLT followed by the final knobby climb back to the cars. We wound through forests young, old, and in one area gone, logging operations at least revealing a nice view as compensation for the newly scarred landscape. A skull hanging on a tree limb provided a curious diversion, but the group completed this 4-mile loop in just under 2 hours.
Sunday, November 9
Abbott Loop from Diane’s Crossing, Danby SF
Hike report by Leigh Ann
Nineteen hikers and two dogs on leash met at Dianne’s Crossing on Michigan Hollow road for this out-and-back toward the Pinnacles on the Abbott Loop. This was an atmospheric day for being in the woods. Aside from a few drops within ¼ mile of the cars on the out- and in-bound legs of the route, there was no rain. The woods looked like a Rembrandt painting. Although there was fog at the Pinnacles, spirits were high. This hike had 1003 feet of elevation gain, so not everyone got to the Pinnacles. Depending on where one turned around, this hike was anywhere between 4 miles and 4.75 miles, and it looks like it was a popular day in the woods – not just for our group but for many other hikers we encountered along the way.
