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/.
