Wednesday, November 4
Six Mile Creek, Mulholland Wildflower Preserve and Businessman’s Lunch, Ithaca
Hike report by Jim
Seventeen hikers took advantage of the warm November temperatures to come out for our hike of Mulholland Wildflower Preserve and Wells Falls. This is hike #1 on our list of regular hike locations: hike #1 – ithacahikers.
The morning temperatures were climbing as hikers arrived for today’s hike. The sun shone brightly through the forest canopy that was much depleted of its leaf cover from my pre-hike of this route just a few short weeks ago. What I think was a Crane (bird, not machine) stood legs-deep in the middle of the creek watching the group gather as ducks paddled slowly down the Creek.
We were fortunate that while there were a few other hikers and dog walkers in the Preserve, they were not in such great numbers that would have taken up more of the very limited parking area.
Hikers set out from the parking lot on the lower trail section identified as the “Wildflower Preserve Trail” on city maps of the Preserve that follows the north side of Six Mile Creek. On my pre-hike of the area I’d found some fairly recent large blowdowns blocking the footpath along today’s route that I was happy to see had been mostly cleared from our route this morning.
Trail conditions were dry; not surprising, given the recent limited amounts of rain in the area. Water flow in Six Mile Creek was adequate and enjoyable.
The group stopped in the woods for a photo and paused to look at some of the shale cliff faces on the opposite side of Six Mile Creek. Because we had several new hikers today, I walked the lower trails as far as the dead end before the cascades before turning around and continuing on our normal looping blazed hiking route.
We climbed the blue blazed hillside trail towards the second dam service road marked as “East Hill Trail” on city maps of the Six Mile Creek area. We turned easterly about two thirds of the way up the hill and followed the narrow blue blazed treadway that offers a good view of Second Dam and Six Mile Creek from an elevated location, especially now that the leaves are mostly gone from the trees. This footpath hugs the hillside as it follows one of the large old iron water system pipes, crosses over one seasonal waterway, climbs a short distance and eventually reconnects with the service road closer to Second Dam.
The group hiked to the overlook above Second Dam; from there I showed the group how the service road runs out and turns into a very minimal trail as it heads towards Third Dam. The group then turned around and walked the blue blazed service road to Giles Street.
Walking down Giles Street, we passed the Preserve parking area, crossed the Giles Street bridge above Van Natta’s Dam (also known as First Dam) and turned on the blue blazed trails that descend towards Wells Falls. The leaf cover here was especially thick, concealing the uneven surface and rocks that wait beneath the leaves. Reaching the creek and the stones walls that tower high above, the group took a short while to enjoy the views and take some photos before returning to Giles Street. City maps of Six Mile Creek show that the trails here extend along the Creek as far west as James Street, although I’ve never checked out that section of the trails.
Upon reaching Giles Street the hikers expressed a desire to see the upper blue blazed trail that circles the hill above First Dam. The bottom section of that particular trail has been washed out but was navigated by some careful hill climbing and reliance on nearby roots for handholds. The group circled the summit of the hill and descended to the creekside before returning to Giles Street.
The hikers got back to the cars about ten minutes early.
Warm welcome to hikers Sonja, Ceril, Amala, Steve S, and Vicki R, who joined us today for their first hike with the group!
Saturday, November 7
Monkey Run Natural Area, south side of Fall Creek, Varna
Hike report by Margaret
15 Ithaca Hikers including new hiker, Adam, met at the dead end of Monkey Run Road in Varna on Saturday, November 7th, 2026. Hike leader Margaret F. warned the group that she had found many ticks on her dog after pre-hiking the trail a few days earlier. The weather was chilly and drizzly as the group headed South West along the orange blazed trail. We had to climb around a back hoe stopped mid dig at the entrance to the big open field before reaching the red blazed trails that follows Fall Creek north and back to the parking area. Since the group finished about 30 minutes early, several hikers chose to continue along the Dryden Rail trail to take a look at the new bridge crossing Rt. 13. The bridge was closed and construction on railings was ongoing.
Sunday, November 8
Bahar Nature Preserve and Carpenters Falls, Cayuga County
Hike report by Claire L.
Thirteen hikers and one dog met at the parking lot near Carpenter Falls for an out and back hike on the trail to Skaneateles Lake. The weather conditions were good, with some sun, but the previous day and night rain made the leaf covered trail pretty slippery at times. Numerous roots were hidden under the leaves. There were a couple falls, fortunately without serious injuries. At times the trail led us to the rim of the ravine where Bear Swamp Creek runs and we could hear the waterfalls but it was too dangerous to attempt to take a look down. We went uphill and downhill all the way to the lake where we took the group picture.
After returning to the starting point, we continued on the boardwalk to the platform facing Carpenter Falls. Five members of the group went down and back up approximately 200 concrete steps to get a view of the falls from the base.
It took us about 1.5 hours on the trail and then some extra time to see Carpenter Falls. It was a beautiful hike that was originally supposed to take place on September 27 and was rescheduled because of the weather.
