Category: hike reports

Wednesday, March 5

Jim Schug Trail from Lake Road, Dryden

Hike report by Jim

Seven hikers met on Lake Rd in the Town of Dryden for an icy and wet out-and-back hike of part of the Jim Schug Trail. This is hike #34-2 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-34.

The trail conditions were very icy, although with recent warmer temps the ice is breaking up and turning slushy. Ice covering Dryden Lake and the ponds surrounding the trail are losing their ice cover as well, and the water in the various streams is flowing vigorously.

Rain fell throughout the hike and increased in intensity in the second hour of the hike.

Saturday, March 8

Roy H Park Preserve to Hammond Hill State Forest, Dryden

Hike report by Jim

Sixteen hikers and three dogs met in the north parking lot of the Roy Park Preserve in the town of Dryden for a hike up the hill towards Hammond Hill State Forest. This is hike # 32 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-32.

Temperatures were lower this morning, and a good amount of wind was blowing across the open spaces and through the treetops throughout the hike. A fresh layer of snow blanketed the trail, making it difficult in places to follow the course of the footpath except for the red discs on the trees.

The parking lot had a thick layer of ice under the fresh snow, and I should have taken that as a warning and been personally more prepared for conditions we found on the hillside. I failed to wear foot traction on the hike, and we found that much of the footpath on the hill was a layer of ice. The flat trail portions just beyond the wooden boardwalk were covered with a layer of crusty and uneven ice and made for a poor walking surface. Even the boardwalk was covered with a layer of ice that must have been the result of people walking along the boardwalk all winter.

It was a slow crawl up the hillside because of the ice, but everyone made it to Hammond Hill Rd, where we took the group photo. Some hikers opted to return to the parking area via a road walk instead of returning via the red-blazed trail, because of the icy conditions.

The majority of the group hiked into the yellow blazed Hammond Hill trail system for a few minutes before returning to the red blazed trail back to our cars.

If anyone in the group has any interest in leading future hikes, please make your interest known.

Sunday, March 9

Texas Hollow State Forest, Hector

Hike report by Jim

Seven hikers who remembered to change their clocks Saturday night met in Schuyler County for an out-and-back hike of the FLT through Texas Hollow State Forest led by Casey Creamer. This is hike #41 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-41.

This hike took place entirely within FLT map sheet M15, which is available for purchase in electronic or paper formats at:  https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/purchase-individual-maps/. Purchase of FLT maps helps to defray the on-going costs associated with trail maintenance.

The day was good. In fact, it was what I had expected on Saturday when we had a much more ” wintery” hike from the Park Preserve towards Hammond Hill. On this hike there was very little ice; the only meaningful ice I saw on today’s hike was at one stream crossing and on the various ponds we hiked past. We actually hiked through a couple of muddy spots on the trail where springs were active. The day was mostly sunny; while the winds were a little chilly, they were much more enjoyable than what we had the previous day.

I noticed that since our last hike here there have been a few sizeable blow downs which have been cleared from the FLT footpath. Thanks to all volunteer trail maintainers and Cayuga Trails Clubs David Priester who continue to maintain our trails so well!

Arriving at the first pond on our route we noticed that the winter melt has put the pond into its usual overflow condition. The puncheons were a great help in getting through that area, although I chose a looping route around the worst of the flooding by using a drier deer path or two to get back on the FLT.

Once back into the woods the group broke down into a few subsets of hikers. Casey advised me that the fastest group made it as far as Newtown Road before turning around.

On the return portion of the hike, we took the blue blazed loop trail. Theres been some obvious recent beaver activity around the smaller pond on that loop, and with the lack of foliage and leaves there were some good lines of sight across the forest floor.

Towards the end of the hike we ran into CTC hikers Tom and Lucy who were out enjoying the same section of FLT.

For those hikers who might be applying our FLT miles towards a 2025 FLT50 or FLT100 patch, today’s hike included 3.4 FLT miles.

Wednesday, February 26

Dryden Rail Trail to East Hill Rec Way

Hike report by Jim

Thirteen hikers gathered on a sunny day with blue skies on Stevenson Rd in the Town of Dryden, where the Dryden Rail Trail crosses, for an out-and back very flat hike of a section of the Dryden Rail Trail and East Ithaca Rec Way.

This particular hike is not on our list of regular hike locations, although we have in the past met at this location to hike the Dryden Rail Trail in the opposite direction. The connection of the Dryden Rail Trail and East Ithaca Rec Way only officially opened a couple of years ago, but I hadn’t thought to have a group hike in that direction since the trails were officially connected.

After a quick photo the group crossed Stevenson Rd and walked the short section of Dryden Rail Trail to Game Farm Rd. This section of trail was actually quite icy, so the majority of hikers who hadn’t put on any form of foot traction had to pick their way along very carefully.

Crossing Game Farm Rd, we continued on the East Ithaca Rec Way, which was entirely ice and snow free. I believe that paved rec way not only gets plowed but salted in the winter.

While on the East Ithaca Rec Way we encountered a large assortment of dog walkers. This section of trail was quite popular, as the small parking lot at Game Farm Rd was full and cars lined both sides of the road in the area.

We walked the Rec Way, crossing over the former railroad bridge and walking the Rec Way along Pine Tree Rd. Turning onto Maple Avenue we walked a short distance where the East Ithaca Rec Way makes a southerly turn near Veterans Place. The group reached the street crossing on Mitchell Streety before turning around and re-tracing our route.

Warm welcome to Joe and Gill on their first hike with the group!

Saturday, March 1

Kennedy State Forest, Virgil

Hike report by Jim

Seven hikers braved some snowy conditions to meet on Daisy Hollow Rd for an out-and -back hike on the Finger Lakes Trail in James Kennedy State Forest.

 in Cortland County today. This is hike # 40-4 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-40

Today’s hike took place entirely on either FLT map sheets M19 or for more trail detail, the “International Loop”. I know that the International Loop maps were recently updated in both content and nomenclature after the recent opening of the last couple of trail loops, but I haven’t had a chance to put the new maps I ordered into service yet. Either way, the FLT map sheets are available for purchase in paper or electronic formats at:  https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/purchase-individual-maps/. Sale of the maps helps to defray the on-going costs associated with FLT trail maintenance.

The skies were overcast as I left Freeville this morning, and by the time I arrived on Daisy Hollow Rd, the snow was coming down steadily. We had been forecast to get ” flurries”, but this was a little heavier than that, and it persisted through most of the hike.

Trail conditions on the FLT and Swedish Loop were tolerable; a narrow strip of compacted snow, with a lot of old fragile snow on either side that had a thick crust that was as the lead hiker easily broken through and a little difficult if you strayed from the narrow strip of trail, which I seemed to do often. The yellow blazed Stockholm Trail that links the other two trails was a different experience, with no compacted snow to speak of and a whole lot of that crusty stuff that had to be slogged through. Throughout the hike the falling snow gave a uniform thin layer of new snow that makes hikes much more enjoyable visually.

We ran into a significant blow down across the trail early in the hike; see photo. Trail conditions report to the FLTC and Trail maintainer made post-hike.

Stream crossings went well. The water volume flowing in the streams was strong but not particularly deep. Along the way during one of the three stream crossings, I gave up trying to find most of the rocks at the stream crossings and just plunged across, my winter boots providing enough protection from the water in such shallow depths.

Other than the blow downs, we had a bit of a wildlife run-in on the Stockholm shortcut, when I practically ran into an ill/ injured raccoon that was on the footpath at the stream crossing. I notified State DEC of the animal’s location and also made a note about it in the trail register on the return leg of the hike.

For those attempting to acquire a 2025 FLT50 or FLT100 patch, I’ll admit that both of us who normally track the FLT miles on our hikes forgot to turn on our devices until well into the hike. I estimate from a quick post-hike map review that the group did around 3.5 FLT miles today.

Sunday, March 2

Monkey Run from Hanshaw Road

Hike report by Jim

Nine hikers and one dog met on a cold morning at the junction of Hanshaw and Lower Creek Rds in the Town of Dryden for a hike of the orange and red blazed portions of the Cayuga Trail system.

This hike took place entirely on the Cayuga Trail. Trail maps of the Cayuga Trail in both paper and digital formats are available for purchase from the FLTC at: https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/. Sale of the maps assists in defraying the costs of trail maintenance.

This was a variation on hike 5-1 from our regular hikes list:  https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-5. I say a variation, because while the morning was clear and sunny, there was a very cold wind blowing across the open fields along Hanshaw Rd that we would have been skirting for a good distance right around the middle of the hike. I hate cold windy field crossings, so we came up with a last-minute change to the hike route.

The hikers left the parking area and followed the red blazed trails through the trees, descending to water level as we hiked along the shores of Fall Creek. the creek was moving quite rapidly, the smaller ice chunks bobbing along in the current as larger sheets of ice lay thrown up against the shoreline in many places.

Leaving the creek behind us we climbed to the high bluffs via a switchback staircase. From the bluffs we switched to the orange blazed trail that took us past the Cornell pavilion. The hikers continued through the woods until we came to the first large field that we would have had to traverse in the high winds for a long distance.

Rather than subject the hikers to the wind, I opted to turn the group around and hike past the Cornell pavilion back to the red blazed entrance road. Once there we walked to the orange blazed trail section that included the new bridge built by the Cayuga Trail Club last summer. We took that section of trail to Route 13 before turning around and re-tracing our route back to our cars in the parking lot. We completed the hike several minutes early, but I believe that the woods hike was more enjoyable than being blasted by high winds in the open fields.

Wednesday, February 19

South Hill Rec Way from Burns Road

Hike report by Jim

Nine hikers and one dog met on Burns Rd in the Town of Ithaca for a hike of the more easterly part of the South Hill Rec Way as well as the side trails in that area. This is hike #2-3 on our list of regular hike locations:  https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-2.

The day was cold but windless, unlike the previous day when I pre-hiked our route. The Rec Way surface was icy, but the side trails had a surface of crunchy snow only a few inches deep.

Our group had the trails to ourselves, even along the Rec Way where we saw a skier at the beginning of the hike but never again.

Saturday, February 22

Bock Harvey Forest Preserve and Riemen Woods, Enfield

Hike report by Jim

Approximately twenty-five people and three dogs met at the Bock Harvey Preserve for a hike of the FLT led by Mark S and/ or a return after a hiatus of a couple of years of our annual mid-winter cookout. I did not get from Mark a mileage total for the hike, so for any hikers today who are tracking your FLT miles for an FLT50 or FLT100 patch, you’ll have to guesstimate what your hike miles today consisted of.

A work party came in on Friday and walked a good supply of firewood to the lean-to from Dave B’s house; Dave had volunteered the use of his wood for the picnic event. Thank you Dave and the firewood worker bees for your assistance!

Roger B oversaw the lighting and maintenance of the fire at the lean-to while Mark led the hike. Cooking started as soon as the hikers returned to the lean-to from the hike and continued for around an hour until everyone had had their fill of food. Thanks to everyone who brought a food contribution to the cookout event!

Weather conditions were blue skies and sun. Temps were wintery and cool as could be expected. Trail conditions were generally good, with no recent snowfall and a solid base on the section I hiked in on.

Today’s events occurred on FLT map sheet M16. FLT map sheets are available for purchase in paper or electronic formats from the FLTC at:  https://fingerlakestrail.org/…/purchase-individual-maps/. Sale of the map sheets helps to defray the on-going expenses related to trail maintenance.

Hike report by Mark Sussman

On Saturday, February 22, about 25 hikers and 3 dogs showed up for the winter cookout and hike. It was a perfect winter day – sunny with blue skies and mild temperatures. The hike was at the Bock-Harvey preserve which was covered in a nice layer of snow. Most of the snow, except for one leg, had been previously trampled down making the hiking fairly easy. There are some decent up and down hills on the hike to help warm people up. The woods are always lovely, and highlighted by a grove of large old-growth maples.

Some folks just came for the hike, and left early. Others came later, and were just there for the cookout. Most did both. The cookout had plenty of food, and was heavy on meats, but other items were also available. 

Numbers of hikers helped by bringing in wood, starting the fire and cleaning up. Overall it was a success and thoroughly enjoyable.

Sunday, February 23

Potato Hill State Forest, Caroline

Hike report by Jim

Today’s hike took place entirely on FLT map sheet M18, available for purchase in paper or electronic formats at:https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/purchase-individual-maps/. Purchase of the map sheets assists in defraying the costs associated with on-going trail maintenance.

Thirteen hikers and two dogs met on Level Green Rd in the Town of Caroline where the FLT crosses. The planned hike of the day was to hike west and south on the FLT towards Seventy-Six Rd. Due to snow accumulations on that section of trail I instead opted to have us hike east and north through Potato Hill State Forest towards Blackman Hill Rd. That section of the Finger Lakes Trail has been more recently hiked, with the snow compacted by hikers, skiers and snowshoers. This is out-and-back hike 29-1 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-29.

The day was sunny and comfortable as we hiked through the woods. Trail conditions were generally good; while the snow on this trail section was somewhat compacted, it didn’t take long for us to struggle a little on the footpath as the compacted portion of snow was only a narrow strip that was easily deviated from. There were a few frozen sections of trail that we crossed over, and one stubbornly unfrozen pool of water near Level Green Rd. This section of trail is wet all year round, so it was not unexpected.

After crossing the two footbridges and before reaching the trail register, we crossed a snowmobile trail; I decided that it was a better option to hike on the much more compacted snowmobile trail than the FLT. The group hiked the snowmobile trail to Blackman Hill Rd and followed that trail downhill towards Tioga County until we reached our turnaround time.

We re-traced our route and re-entered the FLT, returning to Level Green Rd without incident.

Despite our abbreviated time on the FLT, I estimate that we still hiked around two miles on the FLT, for those who might be tracking their 2025 FLT miles in order to qualify for an FLT 50 or FLT 100 patch. More information on that program at: https://fingerlakestrail.org/whats…/hiking-programs/flt50/.

Wednesday, February 12

FLT west from Burnt Hill Rd. to Satterly Hill Rd., Finger Lakes National Forest

Hike report by Jim

Seven hikers and one dog met on Burnt Hill Rd in Schuyler County for an out and back westerly hike on the Finger Lakes Trail. This is hike # 42-4 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-42 .

This hike location appears on FLT map sheet M15. Map sheets are available for purchase in paper or electronic formats at:  https://fingerlakestrail.org/…/purchase-individual-maps/ . Purchase of the map sheets helps to defray the on-going costs associated with trail maintenance.

Leaving the parking area the first part of the hike is a steady downhill slog towards Logan Rd. We used to start this hike on Logan Rd, but a re-route of the FLT footpath beyond Satterly Hill Rd last year forced us to relocate our trailhead for this hike.

Trail conditions were good today; a few inches of snow, and only a few people had preceded us on the trail. There was a decent amount of small, downed trees and tree limbs on the trail, waiting for warmer weather and the local trail maintainer in the spring. There were a few slippery spots on the downhill section, but nothing too bad. We did take our time though. It took us a good forty minutes to reach Logan Rd, a section of trail that normally takes us half that time in summer months.

Because of our slower pace, once we reached Logan Rd the group agreed to turn around once we reached the Mulvaney bridge rather than climb the hill towards Satterly Hill Rd.

After crossing Logan Rd, we continued on the FLT. No hikers had been on this section of trail recently; the only tracks in the snow being numerous animal tracks. Following the edge of the open fields we soon returned to the woods. I like this particular section of trail as it runs through an area of woods that has little in the way of brush or saplings. Line of sight through the forest is more distant than what you might normally find in other forest trails.

The group reached the bridge, looked the area over for a minute and turned around to re-trace our route, now with Mark S in the lead for the return part of the hike.

The second half of the hike was uneventful, and we got back to the cars exactly on time.

For those tracking their FLT miles in order to qualify for a 2025 FLT 50 or FLT100 patch, today’s hike included 3.3 FLT miles.

Saturday, February 15

Shindagin Hollow Bike Trails

Hike report by Jim

Fifteen hikers and three dogs met on Braley Hill Rd in the Town of Caroline for a hike of the bike trails in Shindagin Hollow State Forest. This is hike # 28-3 on our regular hikes list: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-28. Actually, we ended up having to modify the hike described at that link. When I got to the parking lot, there was a note at the kiosk asking that hikers stay off of the groomed yellow and red bike trails, which make up part of the trail loop I had planned on hiking with the group today. To avoid any conflicts with the cyclists, I modified our route as we went, making a loop hike by linking the blue bike trails, a short section of the FLT, and ending our route with a road walk.

Today’s hike is displayed on FLT map sheet M18, available for purchase in paper or electronic formats at: :https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/purchase-individual-maps/ . Sale of the map sheets helps to defray on-going trail maintenance costs.

The group set off from the parking lot in a southerly direction on blue blazed trail B1. Trail conditions were lightly packed snow; I was expecting that the bicyclists would have compacted more of the snow into a firm footing for us to hike on. While the snow was somewhat compacted due to past hikers and bicyclists, it wasn’t as firm as I had expected.

Reaching blue blazed trail B4 we turned onto that bike trail, hiking in a south westerly direction until we reached the FLT. This section of the FLT is one that I haven’t led the group on in a while, and its in some serious need of refreshed blazing. The group hiked in a westerly direction on the FLT until we reached Braley Hill Rd, where we hiked north back to our parking area. We hiked past our cars and continued on to Shindagin Hollow Rd before turning around and finishing the hike at our vehicles.

Not exactly the hike I had expected to take, but still an enjoyable winter hike in the woods.

Because of our modified route today we only hiked about a half mile on the Finger Lakes Trail. That small amount will still count for anyone compiling their FLT miles for a 2025 FLT50 or FLT100 patch:  https://fingerlakestrail.org/whats…/hiking-programs/flt50/ .

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, February 16

Kennedy State Forest, Dryden

This hike was cancelled due to severe weather.

Wednesday, February 5

Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve

Hike report by Jim

Thirteen hikers met at Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve in the Town of Dryden for two loops around the main trail system there. This is hike # 38 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-38

The day was sunny, and a few inches of fresh powder were on the trail when we started the hike. There were a few slippery spots on the downhill trail sections along the way, but the group was able to navigate those without issue.

We shared the trail with only a couple of other dog walkers over the time that we were hiking.

Saturday, February 8

The Pinnacles from Bald Hill Rd., Danby SF

Hike report by Anne Becker

17 hikers and 1 dog met in Danby at intersection of Station and Bald Hill roads for a hike to the Pinnacles.

Weather was cold but not too cold. The group mostly stayed together until we got back to Bald Hill Road. A few hikers Made their way straight back to the cars while most of the group headed south on the seasonal road to fill out the 2 hour slot.

Welcome back Casey!

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, February 9

Lick Brook from Townline Road

Hike report by Jim

Fifteen hikers (including late arrivals) met on Townline Rd near the intersection of Sandbank Rd, for a wintery loop hike within the icy and snow-covered Sweedler and Thayer Nature Preserves. This is hike # 7-1 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-7.

Today’s hike location is depicted on FLT map sheet M17. FLT map sheets may be purchased in paper or electronic formats at:  https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/purchase-individual-maps/. Sale of the map sheets helps to defray costs associated with the on-going maintenance of the Finger Lakes Trail.

It had snowed overnight; not the amount we had been forecast to receive, but still a couple of inches of new powder over the icy layers deposited by previous storms a day or two previously. This snow-over-ice made the downhill portions of this hike somewhat challenging, and even the uphill portions of the hike were made more interesting by the icy layers beneath our feet.

Hikers left the trailhead on Townline Rd and set off downhill on the white-blazed Finger Lakes Trail. This footpath wound its way through the woods, crossing a couple of streams along the way and turning downhill along one drop-off into a gorge. Most people had foot traction and poles, but even with those to aid in the descent it was a tricky proposition at certain points. Some hikers chose to simply sit down and slide down some of the icier trail sections.

The sun came out illuminating the treetops around us; we had blue skies overhead, although the rest of the visible sky were solidly encased in clouds.

Eventually the FLT reaches the valley floor and makes its way to the main Lick Brook falls, which we found solidly encased in ice. Some hikers walked to the base of the falls and tried to climb the icy walls, without much success. The group continued on the FLT through the Babcock Preserve as far as the railroad trestle before turning around.

Returning to the falls area the hikers ascended the hill on the switchbacks of the blue blazed ” Jims Trail “. This route offered some good views of the upper Lick Brook falls.

After reaching Townline Rd most of the group chose to leave early. Leigh Ann led around six of the remaining hikers onto the orange blazed Toms Trail on the opposite side of the road to use up the last remaining hike minutes.

For those hikers who are tracking their mileage on the Finger Lakes Trail to earn their FLT 50 or FLT 100 patches in 2025, today’s hike included 1.5 FLT miles.

Warm welcome to Pam and Jen on their first hike with the group!

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.