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!
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!
