Wednesday, September 11
Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville, NY
Hike report by Steve Schwartz
10 AM to 12:30 AM. 5.5 miles. 500’ of elevation gain.
Eighteen hikers and one dog met at the Environmental Center at Green Lakes State Park on a warm, sunny late summer day. We hiked along Green Lake admiring the Caribbean blue clarity of the waters and the lush, wooded shores. All trails in the central area of this very large park are wide and well-maintained which makes for easy walking with no concern for ticks. Fortunately, it was much less crowded than in mid-summer with only a few runners and dog-walkers encountered. The trail continues to Round Lake, another beautiful, smaller meromictic lake. Between the lakes we admired the stately old-growth tulip trees and other magnificent trees. We heard the call of a pileated woodpecker but didn’t see it alas.
Beyond the lakes the trail proceeds uphill amid banks of pale Jewel flowers. Continuing steeply the trail offers views of the lakes far below but only through the leaves at this time of year. We emerged from the forest on the winding road to the golf course restaurant. But the road walk is quiet and short and soon we enjoyed a pleasant rest and snack time on the restaurant lawn with its view of the lake far below. We can actually see where we started the hike and with binoculars probably our cars. Some availed themselves of the comfortable Adirondack chairs provided by the restaurant, others stretched out on the lawn. Restrooms are available here and the restaurant workers refilled some of the hikers’ water bottles. Alas our stay at this scenic spot had to be short if we had any chance of getting back in the time frame allotted to the hike. With some reluctance, the leader was able to gather the hikers for the walk back down to the lakes.
On the return back to the cars we proceeded along the other side of the lakes and admired the freshwater reefs on the shore of Green Lake. The trail proceeds along the immense beach at the parking lot end of Green Lake. We got back to the cars exactly on time. Several hikers lingered to socialize and enjoy the exhibits at the Environmental Center and just to spend more time outdoors on this splendid day.
Saturday, September 14
Bock Harvey Forest Preserve and Riemen Woods, Enfield
Hike report by Jim
Thirty-three hikers and five dogs met on Rockwell Rd in the Town of Enfield for a looping hike of the Finger Lakes Trail and the trail system within the Bock Harvey Forest Preserve led by Dave B. This is hike # 30 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-30. The trails hiked today are on FLT map sheet M16, available for sale in electronic or paper formats at: https://fingerlakestrail.org/…/purchase-individual-maps/. Sale of the map sheets defrays the on-going costs related to Finger Lakes Trail maintenance.
The day was in the 80s as hikers pulled up to the trailhead. After some initial instructions from Dave the group set off in the woods, passing the kiosk and entering the first large field as the group wound its way up the trail.
We stopped at the lean-to for a quick group photo before continuing on the blue blazed trail towards the FLT. Once on the FLT the group continued westerly, reaching and crossing Porter Hill Rd before entering the Rieman Woods on the opposite side of that road.
Hikers completed a fast loop of the FLT in Rieman Woods, returning to and walking up Porter Hill Rd to retrace our route on the FLT.
Passing through the Bock Harvey Preserve on the FLT we exited the Preserve, continuing on the FLT towards Rockwell Rd. There was no water flowing in the creeks, and we did encounter one blowdown on the edge of one field. While the temperatures were in the low 80s today the heat was barely noticeable under the forest canopy.
We saw no other hikers on our route today.
Dave paused occasionally to impart some piece of wisdom regarding the Preserve of the land the FLT single track footpath was passing through. The group turned around just before reaching Rockwell Rd, retracing our route and turning onto the yellow blazed trail that offered an alternate route back to the cars.
Hikers arrived back at the parking area right on time.
Welcome to new hikers Jason Y and Aaron on their first hike with the group!
Sunday, September 15
Jenksville State Forest, Newark Valley
Hike report by Jim
Eleven hikers met on Allison Hill Rd in Tioga County for a loop hike of mostly the yellow blazed trails within Jenksville State Forest. This is hike # 60-4 of our regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-60
The day was warm, and the transition to fall colors is well underway, even if we are not yet at peak fall colors. The drive to and from the hike was very enjoyable as a result.
As with last year’s fall hike at this location, we happened to be hiking here when a local trailbike event was being held on the near-by farm property. This resulted in the sounds of small engines accompanying us on much of our hike today, not an issue for us, but just a persistent presence for about half of our route.
Our pace was good, and we arrived back at the cars on time
Trail conditions were excellent, with no mud to speak of and only a possible slip or two along the way if a hiker ( me ) wasn’t careful with their foot placement.
Warm welcome to Tere, who hiked with us for the first time today!
