Author: Benben

Wednesday, December 3

Shindagin Hollow Road east to South Road on the FLT, Brooktondale

Hike report by Roger

Five hikers embraced the 25F weather and eight inches of snow to begin heading east on the Finger Lakes Trail from Braley Hill Road. After seeing too much snow on the lower, unplowed, part of Shindagin Hollow Road the hike was changed to Braley Hill Road. My apologies to anyone who missed the last minute change. For half or so of our hike, we enjoyed bright sunshine coming through the trees and sparkling back at us from the snow cover. It was slow going, slogging through the snow and, me being the leader most of the time, we made frequent rest stops. Two faster hikers made it almost to the steep downslope to Shindagin Hollow Road.

We headed back after a little less than an hour but, getting back to our cars, felt like we’d hiked quite a bit longer.

Saturday, December 6

Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park from Yaple Road

Hike report by Greg

Fifteen hikers gathered on Yaple rd. While temperatures were just below freezing  again and snow covered ground greeted us there was no wind, all in all fine hiking weather. We altered the planned route as the eastern loop of lake Treman is closed until Spring ‘26. Instead we headed down the western Treman Lake trail to take the Bear Trail, and on to the Rim trail.15 minutes later we retraced our steps. For some  hikers it was quite short of 2 hours but no for one more than 2.

A few of us think we have a location for our winter cook out. More later on that.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

View Nancy Lorr’s photo album.

Wednesday, November 26

Hammond Hill State Forest from Route 38 south of Dryden

Hike report by John D.

Today, in the shadow of Thanksgiving, eight hikers met at Hammond Hill for a tromp through the woods. (Ben and I are not in the group photo.) We started at the trailhead at the end of Star Stanton Rd, off of State Route 38 South of the Village of Dryden, but followed a loop using the HH colored trails. See the photo of the route. Many of these trails resemble sidewalks through the woods. The hike started a few minutes late and was just under two hours (10,000 steps!)

Although it rained much of the night before we were lucky to escape rain and even had glimpses of blue sky with temperatures in the 50s. The initial part of the trail was quite steep but after that things were fairly easy going. No one was mistaken for a deer and shot!

We also came across a mysterious mini-pond.

Sunday, November 30

Owl Creek Trail, lower Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca

Hike report by Margaret F.

28 hikers and 2 dogs gathered at the main entrance to Buttermilk Falls State Park to hike the Owl Creek Trail.  Margaret F. was scheduled to lead but ceded to Mark S. who wanted to take the group to some additional nearby trails.  The group started up the park road at the end of the parking lot to the head of the Owl Creek Trail.  The day was gray and chilly, but everyone warmed up on the uphill climb.  Many hikers added reflections to the notebook at the Owl Creek overlook.  After the overlook, Mark S. lead the group onto an unblazed trail to a historic graveyard featuring a plaque commemorating some of original settlers in this area (see photo).  The group returned briefly to the green blazed Owl Creek Trail then diverted through a campground and across some private lands featuring a stone fireplace and stone walls remaining from historic homes.  Mark S. led the group past a babbling brook (see video) and along a path that wound back to the park road.  The group followed the road back to the parking lot arriving at about 11:10AM, 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

Wednesday, November 19

O.D. von Engeln Preserve, Freeville

Hike report by Greg

Seventeen hikers including 2 first timers met on a chilly (29 degrees) morning at the Von Engeln Preserve in Malloryville. After descending  to the bog for a view of carnivorous plants and moss beds we exited the preserve and continued to enjoy more of the Nature Conservancy. Highlights included walking on eskers and crossing a well constructed beaver damn. Here the group fragmented but after 15 minutes we reunited to return on the rail  trail to the preserve.  Despite the leisurely pace we arrived at our cars after 2 pleasurable hours and a 10 degree gain in temperature.

Saturday, November 22

Lime Hollow Nature Center, Cortland

Hike report by Leigh Ann

Twenty-three hikers gathered at the northern parking lot on Gracie Road for this lively hike. Our route went west on Lehigh Valley, south on east Fenway to the Mill Pond Connector, clockwise on the Mill Pond Loop with a planned excusion out east of Gracie to Wanderers Way, then completing the Mill Pond Loop and returning via west Fenway and Lehigh Valley. Wanderers was blocked for hunting, so we made up that distance/time by visiting the very enjoyable, surreal Kroot Art Trail on the way back. The first hour of the hike was sparkly and sunlit, and the expected overcast rolled in by the last hour of the hike. 

The Kroot Art Trail is a great way to extend this hike by about 15 minutes at the end if needed (it’s about 5 minutes from the cars). It’s nice to keep in mind if Wanderers is blocked off for hunting or if the group turns out to be unexpectedly fast. There’s no way to get lost there, says me. And anyway, it’s so fun to watch hikers look at each other looking at the art that we end up spending at least as much time grinning at each other as we spend looking at the art. Lime Hollow updates these art installations from time to time, so if you haven’t been there in a few years, there are new pieces you can see.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, November 23

Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs, Lansing

Hike report by Nina F.

Twentynine hikers and three dogs met at Sims-Jennings preserve at Cayuga Cliffs in Lansing. The weather was chilly but the rain held off until just after the hike ended. 

We hiked several interconnected trails, all of which provided stunning views of Cayuga Lake. The first loop included a small waterfall and a steep descent down to a flat path that ran along the lake from the top of the cliff. We then had to ascend back up to the main trail, stopping for a view of the gorge and lake. Next was an out and back section that led through the forest and treated us to several beautiful rocky creeks and small waterfalls. Finally, we hiked up to two large, mowed meadows and circled them, catching the best lake views of all from the top of the farthest field. The hike lasted exactly two hours.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday, November 12

Finger Lakes National Forest, Hector

Hike report by Mark Sussman

On Wednesday, November 12, Eleven hikers and 1 dog met at Searsburg road for a hike in the northern section of the Finger Lakes National Forest. We hiked on the Interloken trail and the No-Tan-Takto trail. The group photo was taken by beautiful Teeter Pond. This area does not feature many ups and downs, but does have a lovely mixture of pasture and woods.The hike was a bit under 5 miles, and we finished in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Saturday, November 15

Black Diamond Trail from Kraft Road

Hike report by Margaret F.

24 hikers including new hikers Cathy and Vrinda and 2 dogs gathered at the intersection of Kraft Rd. and the Black Diamond Trail in Ulysses.  The morning was cool and calm with hints of sunshine peeking through.  For this out and back hike we headed north on the Black Diamond Trail and connected to the North Rim Trail in Taughannock Park.  Hikers set their own paces and most turned around at the Taughannock Falls overlook.  The fall scenery included the final days of foliage, glimpses of Cayuga Lake, falls overlooks at several points and calm falls woods. No hunters were seen or heard. A maximum mileage hiked by our fastest group was 6.5 miles.  The group completed hiking at 11:30 AM, well before the afternoon storms rolled in. 

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, November 16

Dryden Rail Trail & Monkey Run trails from Stevenson Road

No hike report for today’s hike.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

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. 

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

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.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.