Author: Benben

Wednesday, February 7

Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve

Hike report by Mary Weiz

Nineteen hikers and zero canine met to circle and loop the Ellis Hollow Preserve until they reached the 1h 52m mark and 4.3 miles. Welcome Nathan who joined us for his first hike with this group. 

Hikers began walking in chilly 27 degree mostly clear, blue air which heated to 36 degrees after two hours. The group enjoyed no precipitation.

The preserve encompasses 111 acres of woodland donated by Barbara Keeton and family to the Finger Lakes Land Trust and is located in the Town of Dryden. Notably, it’s home to the only native magnolia in the region (according to FLLT information)! Look for it Mid-May. Streams in the preserve feed into Cascadilla Creek and were moderately full this morning. There was some visible ice in the streams and only a small amount on the trails. Hikers did well with or without light foot traction. The Dominion Transmission Plant is in operation and still apparent at the onset of the hike. 

Only five hikers completed the final push to cover every inch of walkable area, all yellow, red and blue trails . . . walking each either once, twice or few . . . three times. Near the very end, hikers encountered the only downed tree, which was on the yellow trail. Then, hikers were heading south and close to the kiosk.

Saturday, February 10

 FLT in Danby State Forest

Hike report by Casey

We started from Durfee Hill Road and Route 96-B with 24 or 25 hikers. It was 46 degrees when we started and it seemed to climb quickly as we quickly climbed a seriously steep and long hill on our way to the Tamarack lean-to and beyond.

This was a simple out and back hike on the FLT. Our out and back hikes are purposely designed in a way that absolutely anyone and everyone can hike at whatever speed suits them, whether that is fast, slow, or in-between.

The bunch that were out front most of the time, which I think was more than half of the whole group, managed to get just about to South Danby Road where we turned around and headed back. Much to our surprise, when we got to what seemed like a serious up hill on the way out, was now and even more serious downhill on the way back.

We ended up with 5.84 miles and an elevation gain of 978 feet, and less mud than I expected.

Sunday, February 11

Lloyd Starks Loop, Connecticut Hill, Newfield

Hike report by Nancy Lorr

25 people and 1 dog gathered at the corner of Boylan and Lloyd Starks road in Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area on a spring like winter morning. After the group pic and intro, we headed up Lloyd Stark road.  A trail takes off to the left and heads first through a short piece of sloppy clear cut and up into a piney hillside.  This was our only climb of the hike, approximately 600 ft of elevation gain.  After regrouping at a small pond at the top, we traversed the plateau  top of Rowell hill.  We encountered traces of human settlement like the pit of a foundation and some rock walls.  Next we had a nice view South across a meadow.  Then we headed to another lookout further south which gave us a Northeast view.  Next we crossed over to the other side of Lloyd Stark road and headed gradually downhill to a beaver pond for a quick glimpse.  We successfully traversed a  swampy portion to make our way back to the cars for a hike of 2 hours.

Wednesday, January 31

Monkey Run Natural Area

Hike report by Leigh Ann

Twenty hikers and two hiker dogs met at the corner of Hanshaw and Lower Creek Road for this hike. 

There are many ways to do a hike from this trail head, depending on trail conditions. For today’s hike, we took the red trail south then southeast to Fall Creek, then followed the red trail northwest to intersect the orange trail. Then we took the main orange trail west. Because the trail was thawing and getting increasingly muddy, we chose to take the short cut across the last field before the bluffs. We enjoyed the view at the bluffs for about 5 minutes. Then we returned mostly via fields and arrived at the cars 10 minutes early.  

This hike does not normally include the portion that goes from the Hanshaw parking lot to 13 and back. That portion is only about 20-30 minutes each way. 

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Saturday, February 3

Shindagin Hollow State Forest, Brooktondale

Hike report by Leigh Ann

Twenty-three hikers and one dog met at the snowplow turnaround where north Shindagin Hollow Road turns seasonal for a rim trail/road hike. This hike goes south on the road about 0.2 miles from the snowplow turnaround, then enters the woods going east. It follows the rim of the hollow to where the trail bends back on itself to go steeply down to the creek. 

On our Thursday pre-hike, Leah Vosko, Gerald Kernerman, and I placed additional rocks in the stream to make the crossing easier. To paraphrase Jim Rolfe, the stream crossing on Saturday proceeded without incident. 

The trail then follows the creek south to Gulf Road. At the appropriate place on that section, we stopped to admire the incongruous golden shoe. After turning right on Gulf Road, we crossed the creek on Shindagin Hollow Road where the creek flows into a pond. This is where we first saw blue sky on Saturday’s hike. 

The route then heads north up Shindagin Hollow Road, which you can take directly back to the cars or which you can step back into the woods for about ½ mile of the outbound section. When we arrived at the cars at 11:30, the sun finally was starting to break through clouds and show what a beautiful day it would become.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, February 4

 Hammond Hill State Forest

Hike report by Nancy L.

23 people and 1 dog met on Star Stanton as reached from Rt 38, ie from the East side.   Another person joined us at the finger lakes trail (FLT)  junction with Star Stanton. Star Stanton is not maintained and was snow covered starting  about a half mile west of route 38 where we parked.  After a group pic, we headed steeply up hill along the road, the hardest work out of the hike.  The snow was quite evident and still crunchy and beautiful especially when we arrived at the FLT which turned left into the woods. We were greeted with a wintry picturesque scene that was effective in clearing the mind.  Occasionally we would dip down to cross a small ravine.  A short way in we encountered ski tracks which were not really disturbed by the hikers because the snow in the tracks was quite firm.  The challenge was to find the white trail markers, the only way to stay on track since we were quite spread out.  A few people turned back early and found it challenging to follow the markers back.  Most of the group made it past the tower at the top of the hill before turning back to retrace their steps at the hour mark.  We all arrived safely back at the cars in a timely manner.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

View Nancy’s photo album.

Wednesday, January 24

Finger Lakes Trail from White Church Road

Hike report by Mary Weiz

Nine hikers (no dogs) met at the FLT parking lot on White Church Road in the Town of Caroline to hike approximately 4 miles in a westward direction from White Church into Shindagin State Forest and over to Brailey Hill Road. The onset of this hike requires a steep uphill climb (about 800ft – 1200ft elevation gain). One hiker even suggested that this particular hike be labeled a climb! 

Hikers reached Brailey Hill Road in an hour’s time at which point they chatted a bit and then traced their footsteps on the FLT in an eastward direction and back down the hill to the starting point. The trail was well marked with no blowdown obstacles impeding forward momentum. The pace was moderate, and the forest a pleasant canvas of greys, whites and greens. The morning was fully overcast, 33 – 37 degrees fahrenheit. The trail was covered with about 3-5 inches of moist snow blanketing a carpet of layered wet leaves. While this could have been a tale of slips, tumbles and slides, however, no such calisthenic can be reported given the deftness of a limber and thoughtful bunch.

Saturday, January 27

Loop Trail from Bald Hill Road to Dove Trail and back on the FLT, Danby

Hike report by Jim

Twenty-eight hikers and two dogs met in the Town of Danby at the junction of Comfort and Bald Hill Roads for a loop hike consisting of parts of the Dove Trail, the Abbott Loop and the FLT. This is hike # 20 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/298-2.

The day was fairly wet at the outset; most of the snow on the forest floor was gone, ice was entirely absent, and the fog was prevalent in the early morning hours around the time of the hikes start.

The group posed for a quick group photo at hikes start–we had several new hikers who missed the picture due to late arrival- and then the group set off down the unpaved portion of Bald Hill Rd heading towards Station Rd, to jump onto the Dove Trail. The streams and ditches were running well, and this was obvious no later than arriving at the Dove Trail, as the roadside ditches were running with so much water that it caused one of our dogs to be skittish about crossing over it.

Arriving at the Dove Trail register the Dove Trail footpath splits into two separate branches. Casey led the main body on the lower branch, which leads to a portion of the Abbott Loop which can be quite wet during parts of the year. Those of us towards the back of the conga line missed the arrow that Casey had left for us, and after making a quick trail register entry for the hike we headed up the hill on the dark pink section of trail that circles higher ground and avoids the mud.

My subgroup ran into some substantial blowdowns on our section of trail and the main group, once we rejoined them further down the Abbott Loop, reported that the mud in their section hadn’t been too bad. The reunited group hiked the Abbott Loop to Dianes Crossing where we joined the FLT. From there we hiked the FLT past the Chesnut Lean-to back to the paved portion of Bald Hill Rd and our cars. We found that the FLT portion was the wettest section of trail we hiked today, as portions of that trail footpath consisted of running streams.

Welcome to new hikers Ana, Vandana, Abi, Rob, Michael and Christine. I believe there’s one hiker I’m leaving out of that list as my notes page didn’t survive the hike unscathed.

Sunday, January 28

Dabes Diversion Loop, Kennedy SF, Cortland County

Hike report by Jim

Ten hikers and a single dog met at the junction of Bleck and Hauck Hill Roads in Cortland County, for a hike in James Kennedy State Forest. The hike we ended up doing changed mid-hike; we wound up doing hike # 40-3 from our list of regular hikes: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-40.

The day was rainy prior to the start of the hike, with the precipitation changing to a light snowfall near the beginning of the hike that persisted throughout the morning. Overall it was a gloomy day, as the sun never once broke out from behind cloud cover to make an appearance.

Hikers set out from the parking area, almost immediately encountering some very wet trails on the Dabes Diversion Loop and active stream crossings with much more water flowing that what we normally find on this hike. There was a moderate amount of snow cover on the forest floor, as well as some remnants of ice that didn’t create much of a hazard; many in the group had opted to wear foot traction as a precaution.

The group encountered one blow-down on the Diversion Loop, but it was minor enough that it will require only a bow small for removal.

Hikers arrived at the scenic overlook at the field found at the junction of the Dabes Diversion Loop and the FLT. After a short pause there the group proceeded east on the FLT towards the Irish and Lithuanian Loops, passing by the Firefox lean-to and making a stream crossing along the way before turning around at the agreed upon time.

Upon a group discussion it was decided to change our original plans from doing a loop hike that included utilizing the Kuzia cutoff to return to our cars, to now making it an out-and-back hike by directly returning to the parking area via the Dabes Diversion Loop.

Thanks to everyone who braved the elements to hike today!

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday, January 17

FLT from Woodard Road to Hines Road and beyond, Enfield

Hike report by Leigh Ann

Fourteen hikers met at Woodard Road, and two more hikers joined the main group near the end. As predicted, the temperature was COLD (wind chill 0 to 5), and the sky was completely clear and dark, dark blue.  

This was a fast, four-mile hike that warmed everyone up on seasonal roads before heading into the woods. We took the FLT east from Woodard to Butternut Creek Road and went clockwise to Van Ostrand Rd. and Thomas Rd. The views were astonishing where the roads crossed the hilltop. 

This next part is different from the normal route for Hike 12 because snow-covered ice can make taking the Rim Trail to the Upper Treman parking lot less than appealing. At the northern end of Thomas Road, we entered the woods on the FLT and took that to Butternut Creek Road. Then we went over to the CCC Trail, which we used to go to Upper Treman, over to the (closed) Red Pine trailhead for mileage and views, and back to the cars via the CCC Trail and FLT.

Because this hike is partly on roads, this is a fast hike that gets everyone back to the cars in a little less than two hours, even with snow and ice.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Saturday, January 20

Connecticut Hill Homesteads Loop

This hike was cancelled due to weather conditions.

Sunday, January 21

Cayuga Trail from Freese Rd.

Hike report by Casey

It was cold and windy. We had approximately 15 hikers and approximately one dog if I counted correctly.

I will say that this was what I call a challenging hike. Anytime the uphills are easier than the downhills, you know you have a challenging hike. Part of the challenge, especially at the front was a series of steps that were snow-covered enough that I wasn’t even aware that we were on steps at first. My intention was for the front of the pack to get all the way to route 13 before turning around, but the one hour in mark came before we were even close to that spot. So we did the right thing and turned around to complete the out and back hike on time.

It was a fairly slow going hike in that we only got 3.57 miles in 2 hours. And of course the cold and wind didn’t make things any easier. But as usual, it was still fun to get out on such a nice sunny day.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday, January 10

Dryden Rail Trail vicinity of Monkey Run

Hike report by Jim

Eighteen hikers and a single dog met on the unnamed solar farm road off of Stevenson Rd ( near Dodge Rd ) for a walk of the Dryden Rail Trail and Monkey Run area sections of the Cayuga Trail. This is hike # 49B on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-49.

Right away we ran into one issue, as since our last hike here someone has seen fit to sign one side of the solar farm access road (the side we normally park on) as no parking, while the other IS marked as rail trail parking but could be an issue for weekend hikes here for the group due to limited parking on that side. I’ve contacted Cornell Uni PD for some clarification on who has towing authority on that section of road. One side is the Game Farm, while I’m not sure if Cornell controls the solar farm side of the road. I’ll let hikers know what I find out.

On today’s hike temps were warm, which meant that the snow from recent days was actively melting and turning to slush. The Cayuga Trails sections we navigated were quite muddy and slippery, although safe enough if hiked with care. The Rail Trail sections were a mix of bare ground, standing water or slushy snow.

The group encountered three blow downs between the trailhead and Monkey Run Road, one serious enough that we had to enter private property along the trail to navigate the blowdown. The attached photo of Leigh Ann and the last blowdown was the smallest of the three.

Crossing over Monkey Run Road the group continued on the Cayuga Trail until we returned to the Dryden Rail Trail which we walked to Route 13. Due to conditions I scrapped my plan to make a loop on the Cayuga Trail and opted for a return to the cars via the Rail Trail.

On the return leg of the hike, I spoke to a heavy equipment operator who was busy tearing up an open field near the FH Fox bridge (the field where we were chased by a skunk last year) . He advised that the project entails the construction of yet another apartment complex. At least one of our hikers tried to put a positive spin on the construction by saying that residents there will have a hiking trail outside their back doors, but I do hate to see more open land near trails built on.

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

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Saturday, January 13

Texas Hollow

Hike report by Casey C

I believe we had 22 hikers and two dogs. A few of the hikers showed up just as the train was leaving the station, but they knew their way. This was an out and back hike with the optional blue loop on the way back. Just 4 of us made it all the way to Newtown Road and we were just seven minutes beyond the stated turnaround time of one hour in.

The trail was wet, sloppy, and muddy on the flatter early part of the hike. As we gained elevation, the trail became quite snow covered and extra slippery. None of us had spikes because it was 42 and muddy where we started.

In fact at higher elevation the trail was slippery enough that I had what I thought was a rather spectacular crash on the way down the hill. Fortunately I somehow escaped real injury aside from some bumps and bruises.

The front pack managed 5.32 miles with 879’ of elevation gain and we did take the optional blue route loop on the way back.

It was a fun hike with weather that improved as the hike went on.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday, January 14

Van Lone Loop

Hike report by Casey C

We did what I call the Van Lone Loops because we split into two different groups with one group of ten doing the complete loop at 6.04 miles and 938 feet of elevation gain. And the other group of 5 and one dog, led by Nancy L. doing a shorter version which included some special variations that might have made it about as long as the regular loop.

Either way the shorter version group got back just a little before us, and we got back at about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Both groups encountered quite a snow squall just as we crested the first set of serious hills. Otherwise the conditions were, muddy in some places, icy in others and sometimes both. I was happy that I wore the spikes that I should have worn the day before. Given the amount of rain we have had recently, all of the stream and creek crossings were a bit of a challenge. I believe Leigh Ann won the competition for most falls including a good one before the hike even started.

Given the challenges it still looked like a lot of smiles on hikers’ faces.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.