Author: shesse

Hello Hikers!

Wed Aug 19

This report was written by Jim

Rail trail between Freeville and Dryden

12 hikers and 5 dogs met on Springhouse Rd on the Dryden Village line, at the parking area for the Dryden Rail Trail

Hikers first walked towards the village of Dryden on a mowed, well-maintained and almost civilized section of trail. Upon reaching the first buildings inside Dryden Village and the end of the trail, hikers turned and retraced our steps  to Springhouse Rd.

Continuing towards the Village of Freeville, in this section of the walk hikers were often inside a “green tunnel” which concealed the surrounding fields from our view. This was a big change from the last time we’d walked this trail in the spring, when the trees had not yet leafed out.

Despite the surrounding greenery there were still several breaks in the foliage which gave us views of the fields and waterways we were walking past.

This was particularly true at the road crossing at George RD, which offered a stunning sun-lit Easterly view across the fields near the William George Agency.

Upon reaching the paved roadway in Freeville near the village sewer treatment plant, hikers again turned around and retraced their steps to their vehicles on Springhouse RD.

While this trail is not  a favorite of mine due to the almost omnipresent sound of vehicle traffic from near-by state route 38 and heavy use of the trail by others, these were not noticeable problems for the group today.

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Sat Aug 22

This report was written by Leigh Ann

Woodard Road south into Upper Treman SP, Enfield

Thirteen hikers and six dogs met up at the spot where the FLT crosses Woodard Road on the western side of Treman State Park. This woods hike was a good choice (thanks, Steve and Susan), because the day quickly became hot and the air was still. It was very dry and sunny.

We headed east on the FLT to the CCC trail, past the mill at the Upper Treman parking lot, and east on the rim trail.

The plan was to bop down to the Lucifer Falls overlook and then back west to pick up the FLT where it comes close to the rim trail and take the FLT back west to Woodard Road.

We followed that plan but discovered – when found and advised of this by a State Park employee – that the state park trails are one way. He didn’t make us turn around, because we were only going about 0.2 mile the wrong way.

At Treman, the Rim Trail (the one on the south side of the creek) is for going up and the Gorge Trail (on the north side of the creek) is for going down. This is good to know, and here is an update on the state park site.

Best wishes,

Leigh Ann

More photos:

Cian

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Sun Aug 23

This report was written by Jim

Dabes Diversion Loop trail, Virgil, Cortland County

8 hikers

3 dogs

Hikers and their dogs met in Cortland County at the Dabes Diversion Loop trailhead at the junction of Bleck and Hauck Hill RDs.

It was  a great day for a hike. I was glad to finally be able to do this loop with the group, after my hike on this trail  earlier this year had to be handed off to Nancy L after my leg injury.

Temperatures were definitely felt by some members of the group on some of the up-hills, and the occasional breeze was greatly appreciated. The sunlight as it filtered through the trees, creating a mix of shadow and light on the forest floor, was observed and commented on often within the group.

Hikers proceeded through the mix of hard and softwoods found in that section of forest, cresting the hill and finally descending down towards the overview of the farmers fields at the junction with the FLT.

Hikers took a long minute to enjoy the view over the valley; on the suggestion of one hiker the group made a short detour to the near-by  shelter on the FLT. None of us in Sundays group had  seen it recently, or at all. We found the shelter to be occupied by some section hikers from Rochester, so we quickly returned to our regularly scheduled hike.

Descending on the FLT towards Bleck Rd hikers found water levels in the streams to be minimal depth. Crossing over Bleck Rd, hikers continued on the FLT to the Kuzia cutoff. The Kuzia cutoff runs through a section of woods that the DEC has recently cut back, but it was not intrusive to our enjoyment of the hike.

Upon reaching the seasonal portion of Hauck Hill RD, the group returned to our vehicles.

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:

Cian

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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.

Hello Hikers!

Wed Aug 5

This report was written by Leigh Ann V

Potato Hill SF, Caroline — Level Green Road east to Blackman Hill Road and beyond

Six hikers met this morning at the junction of Level Green Road and the FLT to hike east to Blackman Hill and back. Just to the east of Level Green Road is a section of woods that the DEC has been working on, so there are a lot of trees down – but not in an especially unattractive way. It opens up some view. This section of the trail has been rerouted since the last time I was on it, and it is noticeably less steep. It also has a new, CCC-quality set of stone steps right on the western side of Blackman Hill Road.

Most of Hurricane Isaias passed to the east of us yesterday, and the area around the hike felt washed clean. The air was cooler at this time of day than it has been in months, and the trail, woods, and field were surprisingly not muddy. Fair-weather cumulus clouds became more numerous as the hike went on. Most of this hike is in forest, and when a cloud passed over the sun, the woods became dark and delightfully moody. East of Blackman Hill Road, the trail comes out in a field that used to have a sun dial at the top. On a clear enough day, you can see to Pennsylvania from there. We could. It was a “Hills are Alive,” Sound-of-Music experience to walk along the well-mowed trail through tall, August-blonde grass. We made it to a logging road somewhere east of the field and turned around, so we got all of this awesomeness twice.

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Sat Aug 8

This report was written by Leigh Ann

Bald Hill Road to The Pinnacles look-out, Danby SF

This morning, thirteen hikers and six dogs met up at the corner of Station Road and Bald Hill Road for a hike up to Thatcher’s Pinnacles on the Abbot Loop. We hiked south on Bald Hill Road until we got to the northern crossing point of the Abbot Loop, then turned east on the Abbot Loop. This part of the trail ascends fairly steeply to the Pinnacles, and today the climb was nice.

The weather changed a lot through the hike, but it was always cool and humid. At the start of the hike, the woods were slightly foggy with lighter patches here and there as the sun started to come through. The Pinnacles and woods around it looked like a temperate rain forest. All of the leaves were wet and silvery with overcast sunlight. About 45 minutes into the hike, the sun broke through and the silvery leaves on the trees and ferns turned bright, saturated green. Compared to earlier in the hike, everything took on a golden color. Sun fell in spotlights on the forest floor, and it was so humid that my glasses stayed foggy.

As usual, we spread way out on this well-known trail. By the time we reached the southern crossing point of the Abbot Loop on Bald Hill Road, we were everywhere. Some of us walked back the way we came, and others went back on the road. This was a great choice of trail for the day.

Best wishes,

More photos:

Cian

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Sun Aug 9

This report was written by Jim

Circuit around Lake Treman, Upper Buttermilk Falls SP

15 hikers

6 dogs

The group met on Yaple Rd and set off on the FLT spur into Buttermilk Falls State Park. Once on the circuit trail around the lake the group split into two distinct groups of about equal size. Even within my subset of the group there was a good amount of social distancing going on.

It was  a beautiful sunny day for a hike, with moderate temps, slight breezes at appropriate intervals, good humidity and not too many other people or dogs on the trail.

Hikers proceeded to the dam crossing and once up the hill on the opposite bank hit the spur trail to La Tourelle. After reaching the terminus of that spur we re-traced our steps to the lake trail and continued on that. The groups pace was fairly quick, so before we knew it we were back at the cars. Three of us opted to continue on the FLT spur to round out our two hour time , with Leigh Ann continuing on solo even beyond that as it was such a nice day to hike.

More photos:

Cian

Hello Hikers! This report chronicles last week’s activity by the hikers in our core group who have been hiking three times a week since April

Wed July 29

This report was written by Mary W

Modified Hikers Summer Picnic July 29, 2020

A group of nineteen hikers including Cian’s family (brother, Lachlan; sister-in-law, Mari, and his five year old nephew, Amandou) met at the Marshal Case Haggard Pavilion in Lower Treman Park, west of the Rim Trail. Other hikers wanted to be there, but arrived only in spirit. Although a picnic is a challenging idea in our Covid-19 climate, everyone had masks (some very cute masks) and generally kept a six foot distance. 

The day was a typical summer day . . . a fine day for a picnic. At 9:30, when many hikers arrived, it was sunny and 73 degrees F.  By noon it was 80 degrees and still sunny. At 4 the temperature dropped and it began raining, though only one Hiker stayed after 3 o’clock. 

People arrived at different times and found relief in the shade and space the pavilion provided. 

Early in the day, small groups dispersed in different directions to hike the trails. Others had fun running and playing cards with Armondo (five year old nephew of Cian). Many enjoyed conversations and food under the pavilion. A few hikers brought dishes of picnic foods to share. Others had delicious meals they enjoyed individually. And some, came for the pleasure of the day without desire for food. The swimming area was too crowded, so no one opted to swim.

The was a relaxed and enjoyable picnic though it’s challenging to feel comfortable in groups even when practicing Covid-19 protocols. One cell phone was forgotten and successfully reunited with its owner.

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Thursday July 30

This report was written by Jim R

Trail maintenance project, Ridgeway Road, Caroline

Ten members of Ithaca Hikers met at the FLT trailhead on Ridgeway Rd, for the purpose of trail maintenance. While we didn’t get the entire section from Ridgeway to the 90 degree turn towards White Church done, anyone walking that section after this morning will easily see the difference in trail conditions. Thanks to each and every one of you who pitched in today

Honorable mention to Hiker Cian. Cian could not join us today due to his work schedule, but did go to the trail last evening for the purpose of engaging in single combat with a nest of flying stinging nasties who could have made life miserable for us today. I understand that Cian introduced the nasties to a can of Raid, with good effect. We had no issues in that regards today. Thanks for your efforts, Cian

Katharine advised me that in the area she was working today there was a significant quantity of poison ivy lying in wait

This project will require a second days work at some point in the future.

Here’s what the trail looked like before the work began

Here’s the after shot

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Sat Aug 1

This report was written by Leigh Ann V

Potomac Road area, Finger Lakes National Forest, Hector

Ten hikers and four dogs met up at the parking lot just north of the Potomac Group Campground for a hike in Finger Lakes National Forest. Jack V. led the hike. It felt like full-on August, and the hemisphere has noticeably tipped toward fall. The intense humidity of the past couple of days had broken, but already the trails were drier than Jack had ever seen. Sunlight was sharply defined in and out of the woods. We hiked north on Potomac Road to the blue trail and headed east then south past the Potomac Ponds. Then we got onto the Potomac Trail, crossed over Potomac Road, and turned north on the Interloken Trail. We passed Foster Pond, which was down by a foot and was a great place to look at the streaky horse tails of clouds. Past the pond, we kept heading north until we hit a good turnaround time, then returned south to the blue trail, which we took east to Potomac Road where we started.

Five hikers headed over to Grist Iron Brewery after the hike, and it was a good, socially-distanced time! My husband John met us there, and afterward, John and I did some of the hike the group had done.

More photos:

Jack V

Cian

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Sun Aug 2

This report was written by Jim

Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve

11 Hikers

3 dogs

Hikers met on Ellis Hollow Creek Rd at the nature preserve

I (Jim ) had been concerned about the weather causing a cancellation of this hike, and in fact as I pulled into the Preserve parking lot the sky was a dark color that threatened rain

I found the parking lot already about half full of cars, and as I waited for the group a steady stream of other dog walkers arrived or departed from the parking lot.

Clearly the Small Hiking Group would not be on the trail alone today.

By the time the remainder of the group had arrived, the sky was a more pleasing shade of blue and the group was not threatened with any foul weather for the duration of our hike.

Hikers and dogs did a counterclockwise loop around the trail system. It was pleasantly warm, and the sun was out for much of the hike. Since the last time I’ve been on this trail it appears that someone has put some effort into installing stone steps and earth retaining boards at one water crossing. This trail improvement was much appreciated

At the conclusion of the first circuit of the trail the majority of the group opted to do a second, reverse lap around the same route, led by Jack V.

I left the hike and went to Ridgeway Rd to get some photos of the portion of the FLT that the group was clearing last week for Stephens weekly hike summary.

Photos:

Cian

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The members of the small group have decided not to add people to the group unless they’re already known to at least several of the current hikers. If you don’t know any of them but you still want to join them, write to Jim at “tc_556_guy@yahoo.com” and he’ll put you on the waiting list.