Wednesday, April 1
Texas Hollow State Forest, Hector
This hike was cancelled due to severe weather.
Saturday, April 4
Stewart Park, Ithaca
Hike report by Margaret F.
On this beautiful spring morning, 24 Ithaca hikers gathered by the CBC boathouse in Stewart Park. The group included 4 new hikers – welcome Hind, Debbie, Jack M. and Caesar!
The hike started with a loop through the well mulched Fuertes Natural Area with views of Cayuga Lake and headed towards the Renwick Woods bird sanctuary trail. Unfortunately, that trail was under deep water after the torrential rains earlier in the week and although Margaret F. may be gaining a reputation for leading the Ithaca Hikers through swampy terrain, everyone was in favor of a detour. The group headed along the high and dry Cayuga Waterfront Trail past the Tompkins County Fire Training Center to the Newman Municipal Golf Course where we were treated to patches of beautiful spring flowers and old growth Sycamore trees. That morning was also the opening day of the Ithaca Farmers Market, so the group took a 15 minute recess to explore the early season offerings. Next the group continued down the trail towards the inlet and enjoyed the energy radiated by a crew regatta underway as we passed by the crew tents and over the inlet to the southern most section of Cass Park. The group then retraced our steps back to Stewart Park. As a final unexpected treat on the return leg, we watched an Osprey return to perch on a telephone pole with a freshly caught fish for lunch. The group returned to Stewart Park having logged more than 5 miles of interesting sites and good company.
Sunday, April 5
Taughannock SP from Gorge Road Parking Area
Hike report by Jana Hexter
7 hikers met at the Black Diamond Trailhead parking lot on Gorge Road and hiked the Rim Trail and Gorge trails because the original planned route was waterlogged. The gorge water was rushing and chocolate colored and the conversations were interesting.
