Author: Benben

Wednesday, October 9

Watkins Glen State Park

Hike report by Jim

Ten hikers met at the junction of Whites Hollow and Punch Bowl Roads, just outside of Watkins Glen State Park, for a hike of the FLT and Gorge Trails within the park. This is hike # 14-1B on our list of regular hike locations:  https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-14.

This section of the FLT is on map sheet M15, available for purchase in paper and electronic formats here: https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/?. For todays hike the map on the state park website:  https://parks.ny.gov/…/WatkinsGlenTopographicalMap.pdf is more than adequate.

After a quick group photo the hikers entered the park through the gate on Punch Bowl Rd and quickly turned off the service road onto the FLT footpath. This trail followed the hills above the stream, eventually arriving at the upper shelter in the park. The group stopped briefly to look over the shelter before continuing on the hike, The FLT in this section has some modest elevation changes, and other than some trip hazards from roots its a pretty nice section of trail. The only mud we encountered on the hike today was in the immediate vicinity of the shelter, and that was minimal at best.

On the trail it was overcast and in shadow, but the sun shone brightly overhead, its light shining through the canopy in beams of light. Occasionally we would walk out from underneath the canopy into a well-lit short section of trail that never seemed to last very long before we were plunged back into shadow.

The group stopped briefly at the dam below the shelter area before continuing on.

It was in this area that encountered a work crew who were in the area attempting to treat the hemlock trees in that part of the forest.

Eventually we arrived at the mile point bridge, turning into that bridge and crossing into the Gorge Trail.. Up to this point other than the work crew and a very few day hikers, we had had the trail to ourselves. Once on the Gorge Trail we found ourselves mingling with quite a few park visitors.

Our group walked down the Gorge Trail, stopping frequently to take photos or to wait for passing hikers in the narrow confines of the trail. We turned onto the Lovers Leap trail and took that to the Sentry Bridge, which we crossed over and returned to the FLT.

Once back on the FLT it was a steady uphill slog for a while until we arrived back at the mile point bridge. From there we retraced our previous route back to our cars. On the return portion of the hike we encountered many more park visitors than we had during our initial hike from the trailhead.

The group arrived back at the cars about fifteen minutes late, but no one was complaining as it was a great day to be in the woods today.

Saturday, October 12

Long Point State Park, Aurora

Hike report by Jim

Twelve hikers met on a sunny and slightly cool morning in Long Point State Park outside of Aurora for a hike of the trails there. This is hike # 14-3 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-14.

The morning was clear, with large clouds in the sky as I turned onto Lake Rd to get to the park. Before the road dips towards the lake a traveler is treated to a panoramic view of the fields, the lake in the distance, all against the distant shores on the opposite side of the lake and the blue skies overhead.

I had a little drama when I got to the park, as they were still charging the entrance fee, while the state park website said that the seasonal entrance fees were no longer being collected. I had scheduled this hike within the week-long narrow window of the entrance fee not being collected and the start of hunting season next week, when we would lose access to all trails within the park. The persistent lack of accurate information on several state park websites has repeatedly been a frustration for me in planning hikes for the group. I was able to speak to park staff and resolve this issue today to my satisfaction.

The hikers posed for our usual group photos and then started the hike. This park is a fairly new location for the group; I think this was only the third group hike we’ve done here. I opted to take the group on a loop around the perimeter trails on the easterly side of Lake Rd. This consisted of parts of the Sunset Ridge Trail, the Spring Run Ravine Trail, the North Woods Trail, the Pheasant Run Trail, the Whitetail Crossing Trail, and the Hidden Forest Trail.

The trails here are what I would describe as being very easy, with only minor elevation changes along the entirety of the route. There are trail signs at every intersection but no blazing on the trail routes; this time of year when the fallen leaves obscure the footpath, having a map to assist you on a first hike here is helpful.

I knew from the last time that we did this hike that we wouldn’t get a full hike out of the trail section, and today was a faster hike than our hike here last fall. Once we completed the trail loop, we crossed back over Lake Rd and walked to the paved path that follows the shoreline of Cayuga Lake. By now the day had warmed up, a stiff breeze was blowing in from the lake, and there were many whitecaps on the water. A few hardy boaters were on the lake getting their last days of boating in before the weather turns colder next week.

We encountered no other hikers on the trail portion of the hike, and not many day walkers along the shore. I wasn’t surprised by this, as our hikers who’ve previously come to this park on their own reported that the hiking trails here were unknown to them on their previous visits. I will admit that the only reason I knew of the trail system in this park was by looking at state park maps online where I had noticed the trail system depicted.

After the hike several members of our group reconvened at the Aurora Brewing Company for lunch. We got a table outside under the porch, with a field of grapes and the lake in the distance made for enjoyable surroundings.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, October 13

Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs

Hike report by Jim

Thirteen hikers and four dogs met in the Town of Lansing for a hike of the Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs: https://www.fllt.org/simsjennings. This is hike # 67-30 on our hikes list: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-67-bonus-hikes.

This was our first group hike here since the Land Trust opened the Preserve to the public earlier this year. At that time Nancy H and I had hiked the Preserve trails and posted a report here that the trails were insufficient for our group hike durations. A member posted a response that we had missed an entire loop of trail which didn’t appear on the Preserve map. Eventually I got around to plugging this location into our hike schedule for today.

The weather forecast for Sunday was not favorable, especially in comparison to Saturday. The overnight rain on Saturday had me convinced that I would wake up Sunday morning to find a slew of RSVP cancelations on our Meetup group. Instead, I found that we had received additional RSVPs, not cancelations.

The rain had stopped by the time hikers started arriving at the Preserve parking lot on Ridge Rd. It might have been overcast, but the views of the lake from the parking area were promising.

Our group photo was taken by an unidentified jogger who was passing by the group, so for once we are all in the picture….

The hikers took the main white blazed trail down the hill, eventually turning onto the blue blazed Dannys Trail loop. The nice feature of Dannys Trail is that it is sandwiched between two nice ravines that give hikers some good views as they descend and then re-ascend through the course of the loop. Hikers mentioned that the carpet of freshly fallen leaves on the forest floor around us was a visual treat, as was the striking visual effect of so many treetops being in vibrant fall colors while the lower parts of the trees were still a deep green. It was also noted that trees higher up the slope were further along the seasonal leaf color changes than those trees lower on the slope, many of which were still entirely green.

After completing Dannys Trail there’s a nice viewing area at the end of the white blazed trail which offers some nice views of the lake. This viewing area is as close to the lake as hikers get while in this preserve.

From the viewing area the next section of trail on our route today was the yellow blazed out-and-back path that takes hikers to the dead end of Fiddlers Ridge Rd. This trail section is nice as it passes through a great little section of woods with a couple of minor stream crossings along the way. There was a little water flowing after the overnight rains, but no mud on the trails. Leigh Ann commented that while the Preserve is fairly new, the trails give the appearance of getting some frequent and on-going use by the public. Clearly Lansing residents are taking advantage of this new hiking resource in a town that in many respects has fewer hiking options than many of the other townships in the county.

The last portion of the Preserve that we visited was the red-blazed vista loop. This is the trail section that doesn’t appear on the official maps. The mowed loop that follows the tree line around the perimeter of the open fields is about a mile or so in length. While there aren’t many views of the lake from here, there is a sliver of Cayuga Lake visible from the loop. Today the multitude of fall colors from the surrounding trees and the scrubby vegetation in the open fields was a nice part of the hike.

While we were in the open fields it started to drizzle a little; not enough to make the hike any less enjoyable.

Once we completed the Vista loop we returned to the yellow blazed trail and from there back to the parking area. The rain grew somewhat in intensity for this last part of the hike, and soon after arriving back at our cars (at exactly two hours), the skies opened up and the rain really poured.

Welcome to Annika on her first hike with the group!

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday, October 2

Fischer Old Growth Natural Area, Newfield

Hike report by Jim

Nine hikers and a single dog met on State Route 13 in the Town of Newfield for a hike of Fischer Old Growth Forest. This is hike # 15 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-15.

The day was cool and overcast throughout the hike. There was a small amount of precipitation throughout the hike at various times, but while under the forest canopy it was barely noticed. After the hike was completed the weather took a turn for the worse with heavy rain, so in retrospect I have no issues with the minor sprinkling we got during the hike.

My main fear before today’s hike was that the preserve would be closed for hunting, as it’s been known to have hunting closures outside of the regular hunting season in the past. I arrived early to verify that the trails were open, and found staff busily engaged in mowing portions of the open fields near the parking area.

The hikers started down the hill, passing through the open fields to reach the red blazed trails that lead deeper into the forest. The fields around us were in muted but still enjoyable fall colors. The group initially took the red blazed trail to its junction with the yellow blazed loop, which we completed mostly without incident. The footpath was a little slick in spots, particularly on the steep hillsides, and a hiker or two slipped along the way without sustaining any injuries.

Completing the yellow blazed loop the group returned to the red blazed loop, following that further downhill to the lower areas of the forest, crossing dry streambeds and passing under fractured tree trunks along the way.

A year or so there was an addition to the preserve’s acreage, and while there aren’t any new trails there seems to be a change to the red blazed loops route that made that section more enjoyable than what I recall from past hikes at this location.

On the uphill portion of the red blazed loop the group passed over the old stone wall and made the final climb to where the red blazed trail returns to itself.

Climbing the hillside from that trail junction, we soon turned onto the blue blazed trail that loops around the open field below the parking area. We returned to our cars without incident and a few minutes earlier than normal, but the hikers reported that it had been an enjoyable hike despite its somewhat abbreviated duration.

Saturday, October 5

Trail Maintenance Day and Optional Get-Together

Report by Jim

Five hikers met at the junction of Lower Creek and Hanshaw Rds in the Town of Dryden for trail maintenance on our adopted section of the Cayuga Trail.

Despite the low turn-out the group still managed to cover about 75% of our adopted section. The group identified a small number of blowdown trees across the trail, which were reported to the CTC sawyer. Other than that, only minor trimming and pruning was required.

Parts of the Cayuga Trail maintenance is overseen by the Cayuga Trails Club. Trail maps for the Cayuga Trail are available in paper or electronic formats through the Finger Lakes Trail Conference at:  https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/…. Sale of the map sheets helps to defray costs associated with trail maintenance.

No group photo was taken. Thanks to all who came out today for the work detail.

Sunday, October 6

Shindagin Hollow State Forest, Brooktondale

Hike report by Jim

Twenty-four hikers and four dogs met on Braley Hill Rd in the Town of Caroline for a hike of area trails within Shindagin Hollow State Forest on a nice sunny fall morning. This was hike # 28-3 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-28

The trails proved to be a popular place today, as the two parking lots opposite each other were mostly full of the cars of other hikers and many bicyclists by the time our hike started, forcing our arriving hikers to park along the shoulder of Braley Hill Rd.

Our hike today consisted of a loop route spliced together from sections of Blue-blazed trails #1 and 3, the Finger Lakes Trail, Red – blazed Trails # 1 and #4, and Yellow-blazed trails #4 and #1. Normally I would refer readers to the appropriate Finger Lakes Trail map sheet ( in this case map sheet M18, available for sale here in electronic or paper formats: https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/…, but that map sheet doesn’t adequately detail the other trail systems within Shindagin Hollow State Forest as well as the DEC map available here: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/shdhll.pdf.

This hike starts off from the parking lot, the trail underfoot for the first short stretch consisting of some nicely arranged flagstones. If you’ve hiked with our group for a number of years you might recall when this initial section was always a muddy quagmire, a fun start to any hike.

Soon the trail transitions to passing through some nice stands of evergreens that are in such neat and orderly rows they must surely date from the CCC days when so many of the local forests were planted.

Blue #1 tends to be a steady downward route until reaching Blue #3, which begins a steady climb upwards until we reach the snowmobile trail that takes us back to Braley Hill Rd.

Crossing Braley Hill Rd, the hike route takes us uphill via the FLT, crossing over a seasonal road or two and making a couple of quick turns along the way until we reach the Red-blazed #4 trail. Red #4 in turn becomes the Red- blazed #1 trail, which takes us to a trail crossing where we find ourselves on the yellow blazed trails. Ultimately the group finds itself back at the parking lot on Braley Hill Rd at the appropriate time.

We had multiple interactions with bicyclists on the trails today.

Trail conditions were good, with very little mud. The leaves have been falling, and while the footpath is somewhat obscured in places it’s not difficult to discern the path ahead of you through the fallen leaves.

We also had an event close to the end of the hike where a member of the group took a spill and required medical assistance from the medical people in our group. Thanks to the hikers who remained with the injured hiker to render appropriate aid!

A quick reminder to all hikers that now that we are officially into hunting season, I would appreciate it if everyone could make an effort to hike in either blaze orange or pink clothing articles, both for yourself and your canine hiking partners. The neon yellow safety vests that some hikers wear are also acceptable.

We are also stil in tick season. Some hikers reported that they or their canines picked up some ticks on the previous Wednesday hike. Be sure to check yourself and your animals after hikes, and consider spraying youself with tick spray before each hike.

Wednesday, September 25

Groton Village trails

Hike report by Jim

Ten hikers met on Spring Street Extension in the Town of Groton, for a hike of the Groton Village Trails system: https://www.grotonny.org/trails. This is hike # 43 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-43.

The day was cool and clear when I arrived at the parking area. The forecast was for a dry morning, with rain predicted to start around 2 PM. The views across the valley to the far hills was good. Soon after I took the picture included with this report the rain started and quickly turned into a significant downpour; much of the distant view of the hills was diminished for a while.

The rest of today’s hikers arrived and climbed the short hill to where I was waiting for them. After the briefest of introductions due to the rainy conditions, we started the hike. The rain continued for the first few minutes of the hike, and the overhead leaf canopy didn’t seem to offer us much protection from the elements. This sort of total rain isn’t one we’ve encountered much on hikes this summer, and thankfully the rain didn’t last long into the hike.

The initial leg of the hike consists of a series of downhill trails that range in grade from “gradual” to “somewhat steep”, the latter only being a problem with the trail surface or the leaves underfoot becomes slippery in the rain, as during today’s hike.

Some of the trail sections we hiked today are somewhat overgrown and in need of a pruning or mowing, but others we passed through are perfectly fine. The trail sections vary from a single track to a wide country logging road where you can walk next to each other quite easily.

The forest greenery around us during today’s hike was clearly in the midst of its fall color transition, so we were surrounded by a variety of forest colors.

Eventually the lower section of trail we were on comes out onto Sovocool Hill Rd, where the hikers posed for a group photo before crossing the road and continuing the hike on the lower series of loops that come out directly behind Groton Middle/ Senior High School.

On the return leg of the hike, for the uphill climb back to Sovocool Hill Rd, Anne took over leading the group.

We arrived back at Sovocool Hill Rd, crossed back over that road and continued on the upper loop of the trail system. The upper loop returns to the parking area. A few minor stream crossings were actively running with that mornings rain.

The group returned to the cars about ten minutes early. Most of the hikers agreed to meet for lunch on the Village of Groton, which made a nice conclusion to the mornings hike.

Warm welcome to Mimi on her first hike with the group!

Saturday, September 28

Bob Cameron Loop, Connecticut Hill, Newfield

Hike report by Jim

Twenty-four hikers and two dogs met on Tower Rd in the Town of Newfield for a hike of the Bob Cameron Loop and part of the near-by Finger Lakes Trail. This is hike #47 on our list of regular hike locations:  https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-47

The day had a hint of rain as we drove to the trailhead, but by the time hikers arrived on Tower Rd there was no immediate sign of precipitation.

The group posed for a quick photo before walking a short distance down Tower Rd to access the Cameron Loop and FLT.

Trail conditions were good overall; this footpath is rarely entirely dry, but today any mud we encountered was minimal. There was no water flowing in the streams we crossed or hiked alongside. There was a minimal amount of freshly fallen leaves on the trail today, but the most brilliant of those fallen leaves were on the FLT after completing the Cameron Loop and crossing Tower Rd to do a short out-and-back on the FLT.

The beginning of this hike consists of a long downhill section, first on the FLT immediately off Tower Rd, and once the Cameron Loop splits off from the FLT it continues that same downward direction for some time before making a final stream crossing and beginning a long uphill return to Tower Rd consisting in some places of switchbacks on the more serious inclines and a meandering trail through the woods in other spots.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable hike; the group paused occasionally to look at one or another natural thing observed along the trail. We did encounter one couple hiking the Loop today but otherwise had the trail to ourselves.

During the uphill return portion of the Loop Leigh Ann took the lead for the remainder of the hike. A steady light rain started to fall, and by the time the group had returned to Tower Rd a few hikers opted to end their hike early rather than continue on the FLT.

About half of the original group crossed Tower Rd and continued on the FLT for about twenty minutes before turning around and returning to Tower Rd and our cars.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, September 29

FLT from Spruce Pond to Jones Hill, including Fellows Hill Loop Trail, Tully

Hike report by Jim

So, I screwed up on today’s hike.

This was supposed to be an out-and back from Spruce Pond in Morgan Hill State Forest in Onondaga County to the hang glider area at Labrador Hollow State Area. We last did that hike in 2021 as one of our Tuesday ” farther away ” hikes, and it’s on our list of hike locations as Hike # 60-1….. but that’s not the hike we did.

I went left instead of right on the Onondaga Trail very early in the hike, as I was operating from memory of the last hike we did at that location. It was a nice out-and-back hike for fourteen hikers and two dogs, to be sure. People who drove a little longer than normal for our hikes, taking a chance that it would be a good hike even after the overnight precipitation. It ended up being a nice woods walk with little in the way of real elevation gain. The group walked along a ravine or two along the way, a couple of extremely minor water crossings that had little in the way of actual water, even after the previous night’s rainfall. I’m not sure that I would list this as its own unique hike on our hikes list, given the distance people drove for what ended up just being a woods hike with little in the way of unique attributes.

We encountered a small group of trail runners early in the hike but otherwise had the trail to ourselves.

Eventually we turned around and walked back to Spruce Pond, where we took the group photo. From there a few hikers drove to another nearby parking area intending to approach the hang glider area from that direction. Leigh Ann opted to do the original hike as I had intended to do it, and a few of us did a short section of the Fellows Hill Loop Trail around Spruce Pond.

For those of you who might want to try this hike and actually pay attention to the map while on the trail, map sheets are available for purchase in paper or electronic formats through the Finger Lakes Trail Conference at : https://fingerlakestrail.org/…/purchase-individual-maps/. This particular map sheet is available there as ” The Onondaga Trail”. Sale of the map sheets helps to defray the costs associated with trail maintenance.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday, September 18

Finger Lakes National Forest

Hike report by Mark Sussman

On Wednesday September 18 twelve hikers and one dog met at the northern terminus of the Interlokin trail in Seneca County. The day was overcast, but otherwise excellent hiking weather. The group headed south until they arrived at Teeter Pond, which is the largest pond in the Finger Lakes National Forest. They then headed back on the No Nan Takto trail. First through the pasture, then woods with many Shagbark Hickory trees. They then entered the area of multiple unmowed meadows with the late summer wildflowers in full bloom. The hikers enjoyed the beauty of the flowers, and even gathered and ate some apples from old apple tree in one of the meadows. They then returned to the Interlokin Trail via a seasonal road and back to their cars. The hike was approximately 5 miles, and took just over 2 hours.

Hike report by Jim

Twelve hikers and one dog met on Parmenter Rd in the Town of Lodi, for a loop hike consisting on parts of the Interloken and No Tan Takto Trails within the Finger Lakes National Forest, led by Mark and Ellie. This is hike # 42-6 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-42. The Interloken Trail is part of the Finger Lakes Trail System; the Interloken Trail is FLTC map sheet I1 and is available for purchase in either paper or electronic formats at https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/…. Sale of the map sheets helps to defray the costs associated with trail maintenance.

Weather conditions were good during the hike, if only a little humid.

The group left the parking area, hiking the Interloken Trail across Wilkens and Seneca Rds, leaving Seneca County and entering Schuyler County in the process. Views across the valley were excellent, if a bit hazy. Trail conditions were good, with very little mud or elevation changes along our route. Arriving at Teeter Pond the group paused for a while before turning around for the return portion of the hike.

Mark initially led the group back on the No Tan Takto Trail before taking a slight detour to rejoin the Interloken Trail for the last portion of the return leg of our hike.

Our group mostly had the trails to ourselves today, although we did encounter one couple and their dog very close to the end of our hike.

We had one new hiker, Doug B, on today’s hike. Welcome to the group, Doug!

Saturday, September 21

Kennedy State Forest, Spanish and Ukrainian Loops

Hike report by Jim

Twelve hikers and two dogs met on Owego Hill Rd in Cortland County for a loop hike within James Kennedy State Forest. This is hike # 40-5 on our list of regular hike locations:. hike #40 – James Kennedy State Forest – Multiple Trailheads – ithacahikers Todays looping route consisted of parts of the Spanish and Ukranian Loops as well as a section of the Finger Lakes Trail. This hike included trails that appear on Finger Lakes Trail Map sheet M19, which is available for purchase at: https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/…. Purchase of the map sheets helps to defray costs associated with trail maintenance.

Leaving the trailhead, the group descended on the Spanish Loop before making the first of many creek crossings. The streams were mostly dry today, with an occasional pool of water but no flowing water at all. Other than one utility pole right-of-way and the final road walk, the group was entirely under the forest canopy today. There are still plenty of leaves on the trees, but the first leaves to fall are blanketing the footpath and making the trail a little hard to follow.

That part of the Spanish Loop has a few mild uphill sections early in the hike, as the trail switchbacks up the hill. It crosses the intersection with the new German Trail as well as the more easterly end of the Ukrainian Loop.

The group stopped for a quick journal entry before making our way westerly on the FLT which in that section is largely a mild descent back towards Owego Hill Rd.

Crossing Owego Hill Rd we continued on the FLT, passing a side trail or two along the way as we hiked along another streambed over a nice layer of old pine needles before arriving at the more westerly end of the Ukrainian Loop.

From this point on the FLT the Ukranian Loop starts out as a steady uphill climb as it follows a streambed that was as dry as the others we’d found today. The footpath begins a switchback up the hillside, repeatedly crossing the same dry creek bed before finally coming to another trail register box; beyond that box the trail levels put and then begins a gradual descent until the trail arrives back at Owego Hill Rd. From that road crossing it was a ten minute road walk back to our cars. Lots of flowers blooming along the road that drew positive comments from hikers.

Other than two solitary hikers our group encountered on our hike, we had the trails entirely to ourselves today.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, September 22

Monkey Run Natural Area

Hike report by Jim

Fourteen hikers met at the dead end of Monkey Run Road in the Town of Dryden, for a loop hike of the Cayuga Trail on the south side of Fall Creek. This is hike # 6 on our list of regular hike locations:  https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-6.

The Cayuga Trail map is map sheet ” The Cayuga Trail” and is available on the Finger Lakes Trail Conference website in both paper and electronic formats: https://fingerlakestrail.org/…/purchase-individual-maps/. Purchase of the FLTC map sheets helps to defray the costs associated with trail maintenance.

Hikers did a loop of orange and yellow blazed trails, initially hiking westerly towards the hamlet of Varna and crossing the open fields of Tailby Flats to return to the wood line. Stops for pictures and extended viewing were made at the shoreline of Fall Creek and on the bluffs high above the stream.

There’s been some more trail erosion in places along the Fall Creek shoreline that I wanted to avoid today, so I deviated from our normal route on this hike and had the group walk to the Dryden Rail Trail. Once there the group did an out-and-back walk to route 13, finishing at our cars a few minutes behind schedule.

There was a decent number of other hikers sharing the trails with us today. Weather conditions were sunny and warm, so I can understand why people wanted to get out and hike on a great day like today

Welcome to Debbie on her first hike with the group!

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

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!

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

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!

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.