Hello Hikers!
Wed Aug 12
This report was written by Jim R
Jim Schug Trail, Dryden
Ten hikers and three dogs met at the Lake RD parking area of the Jim Schug Trail.
Temperatures were not as high as I had feared they would be, but the weather report still reported the humidity level as uncomfortably high after the heavy rains of the previous evening.
Hikers enjoyed a leisurely walk along the shaded Jim Schug trail towards Dryden Lake Park. After pausing in Dryden Lake Park for a few pictures by Stephen, the group continued to Chaffee Rd and picked up the Shug Trail where it continues towards Dryden Village for the remainder of the first hour.
The return trip to the vehicles in the second hour was uneventful.
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Sat Aug 15
Report by Jim
Jenksville SF, Tioga County
Ten hikers and five dogs met at the DEC parking lot at the crest of Allison Hill Rd in Tioga County, in order to walk a portion of the multi-use trail system of the Jenksville State Forest. Many of the hikers commented on the beauty of the surrounding area they had passed through as they drove to the trailhead.
The state designates most of the trails in this state forest as either easy or moderate in difficulty. Elevation gain and losses were minimal throughout the hike route
Weather conditions were warm and pleasant, with the sun giving some good contrasts of light and shade as we proceeded along the trails. Trail conditions were mostly dry, with only an occasional slightly muddy spot in low-lying areas. Hikers passed through various stone walls and other remnants of the areas previous agricultural uses.
Prior to the group arriving I had spoken to a couple of other arriving hikers who were more familiar with the trail system in this forest. They gave me some advice on parts of the trail to hike in order to get a view of the surrounding fields. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to modify our route today to get us to the suggested portion of the trail system. Definitely something to plan for a future hike……
The group only saw only about a quarter of the trail system. There are plenty of additional hikes that could be led throughout this forests trail system. I would recommend that anyone trying to hike this forest do so only with a map in hand, due to the somewhat confusing trail layout.
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Sun Aug 16
This report was written by Jim
Fisher Settlement Road west toward Curtis Road and then east toward Travor Road, Denby SF
Twelve hikers and six dogs met at the FLT crossing on Fisher Settlement Rd in the Town of Danby
It was a great sunny day for a hike, although it did seem a little on the warm side as you’re churning up the trail to reach a local hilltop…
This particular stretch is often found to be muddy in the lower regions of the trail; hikers found no such conditions today
Hikers and dogs initially went Westerly towards Curtis RD. Upon reaching the recently replaced footbridge near Curtis RD, hikers chose to retrace their steps rather than continue on towards Curtis RD, due to recent reports of bee activity in the area closer to Curtis RD.
Upon returning to Fisher Settlement Rd some hikers opted to head for home. The remaining hikers crossed the road and continued Easterly on the FLT.
I’ve always found this particular stretch of the FLT to be inviting due to the layers of pine needles you find yourself walking through on this part of the trail.
Upon reaching South Danby RD hikers continued until it was time to turn around.
More photos:
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There’s an excellent story about the little bridge in the photo above. This account is from Gary M of Cayuga Trails Club:
The beautiful new locust-decked trail bridge across the little seasonal creek about 500 yards east of the Curtis Road trailhead was finished about a month ago.
This project started two years ago with a request for permission to cut the stringers – two large hemlocks that were standing about 100 yards uphill. The DEC Forester agreed to the project and flagged the trees. David Priester led the process of chainsawing them, cutting to size, stripping bark, dragging them into position, and decking them. He carried all materials and tools in on his back. He did the majority of the work alone over the course of several days to assure other trail workers were not put at risk for Covid.
Several winters ago, a group of Ithaca hikers crossed what passed for a decrepit bridge in this spot in cold, icy conditions and at least one hiker fell. Others actually crawled over the old bridge to avoid injury.
That incident, reported in Steve’s weekly email report that week, was the inspiration for this project, and David finally completed it a few weeks ago.
I thought you and the group might want to know a little of the history before crossing the bridge, and recognize David for his efforts and hard work to make the FLT safer for hikers, especially when we get word on hazardous conditions.
It’s pretty much an ongoing , everyday process. We’re lucky to have David in this role.
