Wednesday, July 8
Mundy Wildflower Gardens (Forest Home) to Beebe Lake Loop, Ithaca
Hike report by Margaret
On July 8, 2026, 17 hikers and 1 dog met at the Mundy Wildflower Gardens parking lot (hike 4.4. at hike #4 – Forest Home Hikes – ithacahikers). The morning was sunny and very warm as the hikers headed into the Mundy Wildflower Gardens. Vegetation in the wildflower garden was lush. The group climbed the steps out of the wildflower gardens and crossed Judd Falls Rd. to enter the Cornell Botanic Gardens Nevin Welcome center area (Cornell Botanic Gardens | Cornell Botanic Gardens) and enjoyed wide array of flowers in full bloom there. The group continued across Forest Home Dr. and made a counter-clockwise loop around Beebe Lake enjoying the shade as the heat and humidity increased. The group headed up the trail behind Mann Library and into the Cornell Campus to visit the Polyform (PolyForm — Jenny Sabin Studio) sculpture, enjoy pocket gardens along Tower Rd and visit the Liberty Hyde Bailey Conservatory Greenhouse | CALS. On such a perfect summer day, a stop at the Cornell Dairy Bar was welcomed. To complete the hike, the group zipped down the Botanic Buzzline | Cornell Botanic Gardens towards the Nevin Welcome Center and back into the Mundy Wildflower Garden.
Saturday, July 11
Cayuga Trail South Loop
Hike report by Leigh Ann
Seventeen hikers and one dog on a leash did part or all of this hike. From Stevens Suspension Bridge, it went east on the northern side of Fall Creek, crossed the Creek at the old Freese Rd. Bridge, and hugged the creek all the way to the high bluffs on the red trail. We returned the same way. This was beautiful day, and the 4.8-mile hike was nearly flat. With that said, it felt about 10 degrees hotter in the fields than in the woods, which was too hot for complete comfort (and one very hot dog). Thanks to everyone for the happy birthday wishes – and happy birthday to Elizabeth R., Jack V., and Jim R., whose birthdays are also within the same two-week stretch.
Sunday, July 12
Black Diamond Trail from Kraft Road
Hiker report by Kathy K
Black Diamond Trail from Kraft Rd. #58-1
16 hikers met on a perfect summer morning. Welcome to new hiker Robert!
The group set out North towards upper Taughannock; many made it to metal bridge over the creek and down the north rim some, turning around and getting back to cars at exactly two hours and over 5 ½ miles. The group had all kinds of conversations going on, and discovered a lot of crazy connections.
