Author: Nancy H.

Wednesday October 19

 Six Mile Creek and Mulholland Wildflower Preserve

Hike report by Jim

Eleven hikers meet at the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve in Ithaca. The day was cool and overcast, but I was still hopeful for a good hike of the trails.

We made our way along the trail as it snaked alongside the creek, which seemed to have a decent amount of water flowing on this hike day. We climbed the hillside and soon reached the second dam access road, which we followed to the overlook area above second dam. We paused for a few quick photos on a cool day, we soon started back the way we’d come.

On our return hike, we diverted to the blue-blazed trail that follows the upper water supply pipe as it runs along the hillside.

Back at the parking lot, some hikers opted to end their hike there; the rest of the group crossed Giles Street and descended the blazed trail to Wells Falls, AKA Businessman’s Lunch. The pause there was also a brief one.

As we returned to Giles Street, part of the group wanted to check out the Giles Street pedestrian bridge, as we still had a considerable amount of time left.

A couple of us opted to check out a blue-blazed trail that snakes up the hillside above Wells Falls, a blazed trail that the group had never followed before. This trail comes out above the falls and winds around the hill, coming out just below the current bridge above the falls.

A wait of a few minutes found the main group returning from the pedestrian bridge, and we ended the hike with a short walk back to the parking area.

Saturday October 22

Lime Hollow Nature Preserve, Cortland

Hike report by Steve S.

Twenty hikers enjoyed splendid fall weather for a hike including three loops at Lime Hollow Nature Center in Cortland, NY. We followed the Lehigh Valley Rail Trail west from Gracie Rd. to the High Vista Trail that circles remote-seeming Baldwin Pond. 

After returning to the Rail Trail, we did the Hermit’s Way connecting to the Fenway and back to the Rail Trail. We returned via the Rail Trail to the parking lot on Gracie Rd. at one hour and 15 minutes, where hikers gratefully dropped off their jackets and sweaters at our cars. 

We then continued east on the Rail Trail to Maple Run and the stunning Esker Connecter with its dramatic drop-offs on both sides. We tried to pin down exactly what an esker is, but we know it was deposited by glaciers almost 12,000 years ago. 

Vicky showed us how much the area is browsed by deer. They make for lovely open forest but are ecologically damaging. 

We proceeded to the Chicago cranberry bog and enjoyed the peaceful views before returning to Gracie Rd. 

The Lehigh Valley Rail Trail is the backbone of your hiking in the Lime Hollow area. It is easy to put together a hike or gentle walk following loops off the Rail Trail. The elevations are moderate, the trails are mostly well marked, although some were tricky given that the ground was covered with brightly colored leaves, and most of the trails are smooth and wide.  There are many water views.  Baldwin Pond and Chicago Bog are particularly charming.  

• Distance: 4.4 miles
• Time:  2:05 hrs
• Elev gain:  276′
• Number of hikers:  20
• Number of dogs:  0 (not allowed at Lime Hollow)

View Annie’s photo album.

View Cian’s photo album.

Sunday October 23

Hinchcliff Family Preserve, Spafford, Onondaga County

Hike report by Jim

While en route to Sunday’s hike, I noticed an early morning frost on the field grasses and trees of the farms I was passing. As I drew closer to my destination the sun came out, the frost-dulled leaves quickly losing their sheath of frost. As I turned onto Vincent Hill Rd., the forested hills across the valley shone in full fall brilliance; while we’re now a week past peak colors, this gave me hope that Sunday’s hike of the Hinchcliff Family Preserve would still be enjoyable.

Ten hikers and two dogs set out from the parking area, finding our way through the forest along the red-blazed connector trail between Vincent Hill Rd. and the main yellow-blazed loop within the preserve. The trail was covered in a freshly fallen carpet of ankle-deep leaves; other than the random blazes there wasn’t much to show the way for the group. A few of us had come here on a Tuesday hike this summer when the trail was much clearer to hikers. Jeff, who lives in the area, remarked that he had just hiked this preserve the week prior and it had looked nothing like it did on our hike day.

The connector trail snakes through the woods for a little over a mile, with a few minor elevation changes and some water crossings with barely any water flowing in them along the way. Casey, who was here for the first time,  remarked on the various gullies we were travelling through, and the general lack of mud that we find on many of our hikes.

Soon we reached the junction with the yellow-blazed loop trail, where we started a downhill hike. When we reached the ruins of the former Wickwire “cottage,” the group paused for some picture taking and general speculating about the history of the area.

Past the ruins, we began our uphill climb, finally stopping at the derelict hulk of a former CCC 1930s era pickup that lies in a moldering state of slow decomposition near the trail. From there, we entered the field portion of the loop, stopping to admire the lake below us as it came into view.

Beyond that viewing area the loop rejoins the connector trail, and we made our way back to the cars.

Casey would like to revisit this hike in the winter, when he believes that the leafless trees would give us even better views of the surrounding area.

Wednesday October 12

Allan H Treman State Marine Park and Cass Park, Ithaca

Hike report by Jim

Nine hikers & three dogs met in the parking lot of Allan H Treman State Marine Park, for a hike of area trails.

We started with a loop of the walking trail on the north side of the park that follows along the lake’s edge.

After that we walked along the flood control channel on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail.

Then we walked through Cass Park to jump onto the Black Diamond Trail, which we hiked until reaching our turn-around time.

Saturday October 15

Ekroos Road, Tioga County

Hike report by Jim

Thirteen hikers met on Ekroos Rd on the Tompkins-Tioga county line for a road walk. Two additional hikers and five dogs arrived late and joined the group mid-hike.

Over the time and distance of the hike it seemed as if forest conditions were changing in front of us; this may also have been due to different conditions along different sections of the road as we passed through them.

Near the parking area the trees were a nice mix of still-green leaves and different shades of yellow leaves, all still on the trees. Other areas of the woods along the road were still mostly green leaves at ground level, but the canopy overhead was already mostly bare branches and we found ourselves walking through inches of freshly fallen leaves. Mixed into this were stretches of evergreens, their branches still enclosing the roadway in green needles while leaves from nearby trees filled the air.

As in the past, a couple of stretches of open areas to the north or south gave some really nice views to hilltops in the distance across open fields.

The group walked to Old 76 Rd. before turning around and retracing our route back to the cars.

Welcome to Rebecca, Samara, Vlad, and Jennifer on their first hike with the group!

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday October 16

Watkins Glen State Park

Hike report by Jim

Twenty-three hikers met in Watkins Glen for an end-of-season hike of the trails there. Three dogs came along for the hike but were unable to hike the gorge trail with their owners.

The day was sunny but cool, far better than I had hoped from the extended weather forecasts I’d read through the week.

At 9:40, crowds were growing but not terribly bad; by the time we left a couple of hours later the park entrance was jammed with people arriving at the park.

We started by climbing the stairs leading to the gorge trail. I’ve always found this trail to be unique because of the paths cut through the rock and the proximity of the trail to small sprays of water that cascade over the cliffs close to the footpath.

The group climbed steadily upwards; from the back of the line we looked like a large multi-hued centipede snaking our way up the trail.

Leaves along the trail were a multi-hued mix of  primarily yellows and greens, with some red from vines adding to the color scheme. A decent amount of water was flowing through the gorge, something that always improves this particular hike.

At the top of the gorge trail the group paused for a quick photo, and then began the downhill trip via the North Rim Trail. Roger opted to check out the railroad trestle but rejoined the group later

We made  a quick detour along the way and passed through the cemetery near the upper end of the park.

We arrived at the lower parking lot a full thirty minutes early, and about half of the group opted to jump on the nearby FLT for a quick out-and-back to bring our hike time up to the two hour mark.

After the hike several of us met at Grist Iron for some food and adult beverages.

We enjoyed the company of three hikers today who were joining the group for their first hike.

Photos by Nancy L. and Randy O.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

View Nancy and Randy’s photo album.

Wednesday October 5

Finger Lakes Trail east from Shindagin Hollow Road, Brooktondale

Hike report and photos by Mary W.

Thirteen hikers and three dogs met in the hollow of Shindagin Hollow SF at the FLT foot bridge on Shindagin Hollow Road. This is a seasonal, limited-use road that is perennially blanketed with wildflowers from mid-May until August, but it offers a pleasant forest-road experience any time of the year. It runs along a sedimentary gorge located in the Allegheny Plateau created 250-330 million years ago when the North American continent collided with Africa (DEC, Shindagin Hollow State Forest).

On this bright morning, the road’s early autumn foliage was evident. It was a chilly 46 degrees to start and increased nearly 12 degrees by the time the hike ended.

We started uphill in a northerly direction and quickly reached an old logging road. Within a few hundred feet the trail moves east away from the logging road and toward the Shindagin Lean-to. We continued through the forest on the FLT to the cedar grove and past the stone cairns to South Road. At South Road we continued east on the FLT until the trail heads briefly south and toward Old 76 Road. Here, we turned around and traced our steps back though the sunlit forest on relatively mud-free trails and easily crossed streams back to the cars.

As it sometimes goes, hikers separated early on this particular hike into differently paced walking groups based on comfort levels. There were no worries, however, because no hiker was alone and the hike was an out-and-back, staying solely on the FLT. Regrettably, a whole-group picture was a missed opportunity at the meet up.

Saturday October 8

Finger Lakes Trail east from Hines Road

Hike report by Nancy L.

Eighteen hikers and five dogs met on Hines Rd. near the Treman Center to pick up the Finger Lakes Trail heading east. The hike through the woods to Woodward Rd. was a series of mini hills with scattered creek crossings to wake up our muscles.  

After we crossed the road, we continued on the FLT until we met the South Rim Trail. We headed down and spied Lucifer Falls before turning back and taking the rim trail to the upper Treman parking.  

From there we took the CCC trail along the Fishkill Creek until we reached the FLT again and headed back to Hines. We enjoyed the wonderful stone walls and pillars near the parking when we got back to the cars.

View Nancy and Randy’s photo album.

View Cian’s photo album.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

After the hike, some hikers gathered at Hank’s home for an Oktoberfest celebration.

Sunday October 9

Jenksville State Forest, Newark Valley

Hike report by Jim

Fifteen hikers and two dogs met in Tioga County on  Allison Hill Rd. for a hike of the trail system within Jenksville State Forest.

The day started out cool and overcast, but as the hike progressed the sun came out and added to the hike’s enjoyment as the sun filtered through the leaves overhead and created pools of shadow and light on the forest floor.

There were only a few other hikers on the trails, and I cleared more than a few of the previous night’s cobwebs from the footpath.

The leafy canopy over much of the forest was at least in the yellow stage of seasonal color change, while many of the lower branches were still a brilliant green. Some hikers commented that if you didn’t look up and only looked to either side of the green tunnel we were hiking through, you wouldn’t know that we were into fall.

Leaf cover on the trail fluctuated, which I think was at least partially determined by the dominant tree species along that part of the trail. The maples, for example, were not as far along in their transformation as some of the other species.

There was some form of motorized cross-country event going on at nearby farms, and the accompanying engine noise seemed to follow us for much of the hike. When we got to our observation area that looks over the farm fields, the valley below was packed with all sorts of vehicles and trailers for this event.

Along the way we stopped to look at some building foundations and stone walls, but otherwise there isn’t much to pull your attention away from the trees and nature as you complete this particular trail circuit. Still, overall it’s a very enjoyable hike!

View Cian’s photo album.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday September 28

Havington Hill into Cortland County

Hike report and photo by Jim

Approaching Wednesday’s parking area, I observed that the hill we would soon be climbing was swathed in fog around much of its peak. There was a steady rain as I arrived at the trailhead; I was not expecting many hikers to brave the rain.

I was pleasantly surprised that by the time everyone arrived the group had grown to seven hikers. By this time the rain had abated, and it didn’t return until after the hike was completed.

We set off walking up Lake Rd. until the trail veered into an open field in the direction of Havington Hill. At the base of the hill we began the steady climb, winding our way back and forth over the switchbacks as we steadily ascended the hillside. We had to navigate around one blowdown, but otherwise the trail was in good condition.

At the crest of the hill, the trail traverses the hilltop fairly quickly before beginning its descent. We reached the open field on the far side of the hill; normally we would continue to an observation point at another corner of the field, but we’d proceeded slowly enough that we simply turned around here and retraced our path over the hill and down the other side, arriving at our cars just as the rain began again in earnest.

I would estimate 3.5 FT miles for those attempting to earn their FT60 patch.

Saturday October 1

FLT east from Logan Rd. toward Burnt Hill Rd., Finger Lakes National Forest, Burdett

Hike report by Jim

Twenty-five hikers and two dogs met on Logan Rd. in Burdett for an eastbound hike of the FLT.

The weather forecast had indicated that we’d have rain halfway into the hike, but this prediction proved to be wrong. Although skies were overcast, the group enjoyed a rain-free hike.

This hike starts with a gradual climb away from Logan Rd. Here the trail follows the bank of a stream bed, which had a small amount of water flowing on hike day. At the crest of the hill the trail levels out, crosses the stream, and begins a much more moderate winding and gradually ascending path through the trees. It should be noted that the Forest Service has installed new/ refurbished information kiosks with maps at Logan Rd. and Burnt Hill Rd.

The trail crosses the stream one more time before finally arriving at Burnt Hill Rd. The footpath in this section has recently been rerouted to cross Burnt Hill Rd. directly, as opposed to the previous slight jog down the road.

By now the larger group had split into different subgroups.

The FLT continues through the woods for a while, a section of trail that has no particularly unique aspect to it other than a nice walk in the woods. At the Dunham lean-to, my group paused to take a look at the only ADA-compliant privy on the FLT that I am aware of. Hopefully the vandalized well pump at this lean-to will eventually be repaired, as drinking water on this section of the trail is lacking.

Beyond the lean-to the FLT begins a gradual decent, passing over some tricky stone-filled sections of footpath and through some stands of evergreens before emerging onto a lower section of Burnt Hill Rd. Here my group opted for a small lollipop hike route; rather than returning directly back up the FLT, we took a short loop up Burnt Hill Rd. before returning to the FLT for the descent back to Logan Rd. and the cars.

The total mileage for today’s hike was 4.6 miles; subtracting the short road walk, this hike still amounts to 4 FLT miles for those trying to get their FLT60 patch this year.

Welcome to Rose Marie for her first hike with the group!

After the hike some of the hikers went to the nearby Grist Iron brewery for some excellent food and adult beverages. By now the sun had fully come out, and the views across Seneca Lake were an excellent conclusion to a wonderful hike!

View Leigh Ann’s photo albums of the hike and the post-hike visit to Grist Iron.

Sunday October 2

Hill Road and Curtis Road, South Danby

Hike report by Jim

Twenty-four hikers and six dogs met at the junction of Hill & Curtis roads in the town of Danby. Some trees at the parking area already had some excellent color change underway, so I was very hopeful for some picturesque foliage on this hike.

It was a cool day overall, and the winds coming across the open fields as we walked Curtis Rd were chilly. The sun was out, but we couldn’t really feel its warming effects.

At Karenville we noticed that Tangles the pony was not visible and the field was overgrown, and we feared the worst: that Tangles had died since our last hike of the area. (I talked with the owners on my return; they told me they’d sold Tangles, who now resides in Brooktondale.)

At the seasonal portion of Curtis Rd., we started to encounter quite a few muddy, water-filled ruts, so at the FLT trail crossing we opted to turn onto that trail. Travelling west on the FLT, we enjoyed  a gradual descent on a bed of pine needles and freshly fallen, golden-hued leaves.

Soon we came to the junction with the Abbott Loop, where we headed south and west. A quick poll of the hikers showed that many in the group had never been on the Abbott Loop. Although there was some mud on the loop’s footpath, it was not particularly bad for those hiking it for the first time.

When we reached what I had expected to be the turnaround point, the group convinced me to change plans and continue on the loop until we reached Hill Rd. In retrospect this was a better option than my original plan; thanks for the input, hikers!

On Hill Rd., we did a short road walk north to the FLT crossing on that road. There we turned back onto the FLT and took it east until we were back on Curtis Rd and then back to our cars.

Some hikers opted to stay on Curtis Rd. for a strict road walk as originally intended; they reported good hiking conditions beyond the FLT crossing.

For those FLT hikers in the group, I would estimate 3 FLT miles toward the FLT60 patch.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday September 21

FLT south and east from Townline and Layen Rds., Danby

Hike report and photos by Jim

Ten hikers and a single dog met at the corner of Layen and Townline Roads in Danby, for an out-and-back hike of the Finger Lakes Trail. The weather was pleasant, with a light breeze and sun.

From the trailhead we walked along the abandoned portion of Townline Road before emerging into the open fields. The fields had been mowed, and round hay bales dotted the hillside. The distant countryside was  visible through breaks in the hedgerow as we skirted the field’s edge.

As we entered the woodline, sunlight mottled the forest floor, and the canopy overhead offered some relief from the direct sunlight of the open field.

The first major water crossing had some small amounts of water flowing , as compared to the later and smaller water crossings, which were still bone dry. The hillside was dry, but the ropes were still greatly appreciated as we climbed the opposite hillside.

The FLT wound across the forest floor, occasionally going straight for a while but more often than not snaking its way through the woods. Here and there the trail crossed or followed logging roads, Only a few short hiking seasons ago, these had been scars along the trail; now, the healing process has begun to soften the devastation’s rough edges.

Despite recent rains, on only one occasion did the group encounter any mud at all, and that single instance was so minimal that it was barely noticed.

We stopped for a quick group picture at the only road crossing, then returned to the woods on the opposite side of the road. Eventually we reached a good turn-around point; the return trip to the cars was uneventful.

Saturday September 24

Texas Hollow State Forest

Hike report and photos by Leigh Ann

Sixteen hikers and two dogs met up at the junction of Texas Hollow Road and the FLT. Casey led, and he mentioned that there would be two groups: a fast group and a “half-fast” group. These groups were the same size at the start, and we met up at the first pond to the east of Texas Hollow Road on the FLT.

This hike headed east from Texas Hollow Road, across the gently rolling hollow, and then steeply up toward Newtown Road. The group in front made it all the way to Newtown Road and many more joined what became the main group as we returned on the FLT. We took the blue trail for a pretty loop out and back to the FLT on the way back.

The temperature was perfect for this varied hike, and the light through the trees was diffused because of some high haze. In the parts heavy with deciduous trees, the light was a salmon color because of turning leaves, and in the parts with dense hemlock, the light made silvery spots on the ground. This was a great choice of trail for the day.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday September 25

Carter Creek Rd., Newfield

This hike was cancelled due to rainy weather.