On a beautiful cool Wednesday morning, April 9, 16 hikers and 2 dogs met at Lyndsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve. This is one of the most attractive hikes in the area. There are no waterfalls or gorges, but lovely open fields, hills and ponds. The group covered almost all the trails in the preserve walking around the perimeter and weaving our way between the beautiful ponds. We finished in just under 2 hours. A couple of hikers took the south trail after arriving back at our cars for a 10-minute mini-loop.
Photo by JimPhotos by Mark Sussman
Saturday, April 12
Taughannock Falls SP from Rice Hill
There was no hike on Saturday, April 12 due to the rain that lasted through the morning.
Sunday, April 13
Spur trail from upper Lick Brook/Townline Road to upper Buttermilk Falls SP/Yaple Road
Hike report by Leigh Ann
Thirty hikers and three dogs on leash met where Townline Road crosses Lick Brook for this hike. It was a sunny and highly motivating Sunday after a week of rain and snow. Although this is a hike that goes up and over a hill, there were plenty of big puddles to navigate around and the creek was seasonably high – a choose your own adventure to hop across. The group got all the way to the western side of Treman Lake where the washed-out stone footbridge is. This out-and-back hike was five miles and took almost exactly two hours.
South Hill Rec Way/Six Mile Creek, south side, rim trail
Hike report by Jim
Eighteen hikers and one dog met on Crescent Place in the city of Ithaca for a hike of the South Hill Rec Way trail system led by Chip McA. This is hike # 2-1 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-2.
The timing for this hike was good, as the street was signed for street closure starting tomorrow for street work.
Trail conditions were generally good, with little mud on the upper level of trails near the Rec Way trail. I didn’t try to hike the lower level of trails that go down to the waterway, although Nancy L hiked those lower trails on her own separate from the group hike and didn’t report having any difficulties.
The water crossings all had water flowing well enough for this time of year. The group stopped along the route to walk down the old stone stairs and at the second dam overlook.
The group completed the trail loop and arrived back at the rec way. We skipped the short rec way hike we normally do towards Burns Rd and instead headed directly back to the cars. As a result, we arrived back at Crescent Place a full thirty minutes early today.
The south hill rec way itself is due for some TLC work. While the trail surface isn’t muddy, the rock dust surface is either heavily worn or missing entirely. Time, I think, for the Town to invest in some trail upkeep. Hopefully when they extend the Rec Way towards the Town of Caroline in the coming years, the existing trail will get some touch-up work as well.
Warm welcome to Samantha, Margaret R and Jordan on their first hike with the group!
Photo by Jim
Saturday, April 5
Lloyd Starks Loop, Connecticut Hill, Newfield
Hike report by Nancy Lorr
Seven hikers met at the junction of Boylan, Lloyd Stark and Connecticut Hill Rd in Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management on a wet, chilly Saturday morning. The hikers were dressed for the rain in ponchos and rain pants ( I forgot the rain pants) bravely anticipating and game for a hike in the rain. We started off heading up Lloyd Stark Rd. After passing a pond on the right we cut into the bushes on a trail that led up hill to the long plateau top of Rowell Hill. After reaching the North end of the ridge we cut back on the other side, spotting the remains of a foundation. This trail brought us to a trail back to Lloyd Starks rd. We crossed this road and made our way back down to the bottom of the hill where there is a piney beaver pond with several quite evident but old beaver work. It wasn’t far back from there to the cars for a neat 4 miles.
Fifteen hikers and three dogs met on Houghton Rd in the Town of Ulysses for a northerly out-and-back hike on the Black Diamond Trail led by Anne B. This is hike # 58-4 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-58.
The morning was overcast as the group set out, the sun being barely visible behind heavy cloud cover. During our hike the weather alternated between windy, sporadic rain and a short session of sleet.
Despite the weather we encountered several bicyclists and joggers on the rail trail over the course of the hike
With everyone setting their own pace for this hike the distances covered varied within the group, The faster hikers reported having covered a little over 7 miles during the hike.
A warm welcome to Patty on her first hike with the group!
Finger Lakes Trail from White Church Rd., Brooktondale
Hike report by Jim
Sixteen hikers and two dogs met on White Church Rd for an out-and-back hike of the current and former FLT footpath between White Church Rd and Ridgeway Rd. This is hike #26 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-24.
The entirety of this hike took place on map sheet M18. FLT map sheets are available in paper or electronic formats at: https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/purchase-individual-maps/. Proceeds from sale of the map sheets offsets the on-going costs associated with trail maintenance.
There were a lot of large snowflakes falling as hikers arrived at the parking lot on White Church Rd. The chickens at the farm next to the parking lot grew louder and more agitated as the parking lot filled up; I can only assume that they aren’t used to that much activity in their proximity. The snow slowed and eventually stopped once the hike commenced.
After a quick group picture the group set off, crossing White Church Rd and entering the FLT footpath that winds across the open fields towards the wood line. Entering the trees, the FLT snakes towards Wilseyville Creek, making a couple of twists and turns along the way. We passed an observation area for the creek where we’ve often taken our group photos in the past. The wind was visibly roiling the surface of the water, and with the high water levels we saw today there was no sign of the stagnant water we usually see later in the year here.
Turning onto the recently re-routed FLT footpath we proceeded towards the junction of White Church and Coddington Rds, passing along the edges of open fields. The former railbed that is now the FLT passes between some high embankments in this section before arriving at the end of White Church and Coddington Rds.
Trail surfaces were good throughout the hike. I last hiked this section about three weeks ago when there was still a good amount of snow on the ground which has long since departed.
Reaching White Church Rd we immediately turned around and made our way back northwesterly. We by-passed the northerly turn we had hiked on our way in from the cars and continued on the former footpath of the FLT towards Ridgeway Rd that will eventually be re-purposed at an extension of the South Hill Rec Way.
Reaching Ridgeway Rd we paused for a minute before returning towards the FLT and the footpath back to our cars.
We arrived back at the parking lot about ten minutes earlier than planned. This was fortunate, as no sooner had we departed the parking lot but a heavy sleet began to fall.
For those who are trying to earn their FLT50 or FLT100 patches, today’s hike is estimated to have covered 2.8 FLT miles.
A warm welcome to Jenny on her first hike with the group!
Leigh Ann led the hike today, with the overall group breaking down into fast and slow groups over the duration of the hike. During the hike we encountered equestrians, bicyclists, dog walkers, trail runners, other hikers, etc Hammond Hills trails were very busy today!
Weather was cool, and we only encountered intermittent rain during the second hour of the hike. Trail conditions were excellent.
This is one of the rare hikes we do that I intentionally plan to run beyond our normal two-hour hike duration. I believe that there are so many really nice sections of trail on this route that I hesitate to cut any of them from this hike. Because it IS a hike that runs longer than average, I try to not schedule it very often.
The trail route today was as follows: from Star Stanton Rd the group took trail G1 to Y1 to Y2. Y2 comes out at the junction of Star Stanton and Canaan Rds, otherwise known as ” Time Square”. Passing through Time Square the group took Y4 until it merges with the FLT footpath. The hike continued on the FLT until we reached the junction with Y5, which we took back to Canaan Rd. Crossing Canaan Rd we jumped onto Y6, which passes through some stands of large pine trees just west of Canaan Rd; this is easily my favorite area on all of Hammond Hill State Forest. Y6 transitions to Y1, which we took back to Star Stanton Rd and our cars. Leigh Ann estimated that the fast subgroup of hikers was finished and at the cars about 20 minutes later than normal.
For those hikers attempting to get their 2025 FLT50 or FLT100 patches, todays hike included only approximately .5 FLT miles.
Warm welcome to new hikers Lynn, Renee and her K9 hiking partner Sammy, Christina, Israel and Jay on their first hike with the group!
The day was overcast, and intermittent rain fell during the morning.
Our hikers posed for photos before traversing the wooden bridge at the parking lot to access the Bear Trail. The group hiked to the dam at Treman Lake, where we found access to the path across the top of the dam still closed for the season. Continuing on the Treman Lake loop trail the hikers walked to Yaple Rd, then walked to Comfort Rd and walked back into the state park from the access road into the park. The group hiked to the base of the long set of wooden stairs before turning around.
The only item of interest along this section of trail was a fairly large blow-down tree that we had to climb over or around
On the return leg of the hike Leigh Ann led the group, re-tracing the same route we had taken in the first hour. A small group of hikers opted to not remain with the main group and instead ford the stream by the stone arch bridge that’s still too damaged to use.
Arriving back at the cars with some time to spare Leigh Ann opted to take the group across West King Rd and hike towards the lower park on the Rim Trail for a few minutes to use up some remaining hike time.
We were sharing the trails today with a good number of other hikers and dog walkers while we were on the trails.
Water levels were high and the streams were flowing well.
Welcome to new hikers Elanore and her K9 hiking partner Ez, Will, Romaine and K9 hiker Suki on their first hike with the group!
Over the course of the hike the group walked almost all trails within the Sapsucker Woods complex (about 4 miles total, if I remember correctly ). Most of the trail system consists of well-defined and wide trails with a deep base of wood chips. The newer loop trails that loop around the open fields are mowed. With the exception of the newer trails on the East Loop in the open fields, all trails were in good condition. The East Loop trails had some long stretches of standing water, so I don’t think that anyone finished the hike with dry feet (contrary to Steven Eaton‘s claim!).
There were a very small number of other patrons sharing the trails with us today.
Warm welcome to K.T., who joined us today for his first hike with the group!
Photo by Jim
Saturday, March 22
Black Diamond Trail
Hike report by Jim
Twenty-five hikers and eight dogs met on Houghton Rd for a very flat south-bound out and back hike of the Black Diamond Trail. This is hike # 58-4 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-58.
Weather conditions were good; the threat of late morning rain never materialized. Lots of water flowing in the streams the trail passed over. There were a good number of other bikers, runner and dog walkers sharing the trail with us.
Warm welcome to Chris and his K9 hiking partner Moli on their first hike with the group!
Sixteen hikers and two dogs on leash met at the Shady Corners parking lot for a westward hike into Lower Treman. We stayed on the Finger Lakes Trail because we expected that the State Park trails were still closed. As usual for this steep hike (about 78 floors worth of elevation gain), the group spread out a bit, but people looked out for each other. The light snow that had fallen earlier that morning quickly melted in the bright sun, and the weather almost felt warm by the end.
Twenty-two hikers and one dog met at the Sims Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs in the Town of Lansing, for a hike of the trail system within the preserve. This is hike # 54 on our list of regular hike locations: https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-54.
The weather was good; cool and sunny but otherwise a great hiking day which, I suspect, was partially responsible for the sizeable turn-out for a Wednesday hike. The group has only done one or two hikes here in the past, so it’s a relatively new location for many of our hikers.
The small parking lot filled up quickly; one reason I scheduled this location for a Wednesday hike. Late arriving hikers had to double park behind the cars of other hikers in the group. I’d like to remind everyone that we DO try to start our hikes on time; late arrivals only delay a prompt start to the hike for the remainder of the group.
Lines of sight across the open fields and through the bare trees gave the group a good view of the lake below as well as portions of the shoreline on the opposite side of the lake.
The group set off from the parking area after a quick group photo, taking the white blazed entrance trail to the intersection with the blue blazed Dannys Trail loop. That loop trail gives a good view of two different ravines that feed into the lake, as well as a long straight section of trail that allows hikers to admire the lake from afar. There is no lakeshore access from Sims Jennings, but with the springtime lack of foliage there are still some good views.
Trail conditions were generally good; it was cold enough at the start of the hike that the ground underfoot was semi-frozen, but by hikes end there were only a few short muddy areas along the trails.
Completing Dannys Loop our hikers paused for a short while at the small viewing area at the end of the white blazed trail before continuing on.
The yellow blazed trail runs southeasterly towards Fiddlers Ridge Rd from the white blazed entrance trail. Our group did an out-and-back hike on that section, during which we crossed over a couple of streams that had a good quantity of water flowing today. A red-blazed trail runs off the yellow blazed trail and loops around the perimeter of some open fields that take around thirty minutes to complete a loop of.
After the field loop the group took the yellow blazed trail back to the entrance trail and from there back to the parking lot.
Over the course of today’s hike we had the entire preserve to ourselves with the exception of one dog walker early in the hike.
Welcome to Kevin Y on his first hike with the group!
Photo by Jim
Saturday, March 16
The “Chunks” Hike, Stone House Rd., Enfield
Hike report by Jim
Thirty-five hikers and six dogs met on Stone House Rd in the Town of Enfield for a loop hike that stitched together the Margarets Woods trail, with parts of the Finger Lakes Trail, as well as the CCC and Rim Trails in upper Robert Treman State Park. This is hike # 56 on our list of regular hike locations https://www.ithacahikers.com/hike-56.
Today’s hike took place entirely on FLT map sheet M16. 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 help to defray the on-going costs associated with FLT trail maintenance.
The morning was cool and breezy as the group arrived on Stone House Rd for the hike.
Hikers posed for a quick group photo, and we were soon on the Margarets Woods loop trail. Conditions on that loop were generally good, although there are a few muddy spots near the junction of the loop that could use some additional drainage work. The loop trail has clearly had more use since the first time the group hiked there when the footpath was brand new and not so obvious as it circles through the woods.
After completing the Margarets Woods loop, hikers crossed Stone House Rd and took the connector trail that links up with the FLT and the CCC trail. Part of this connector trail that cross the open fields will need additional trail work. Once on the FLT our group crossed the wooden bridge over Fishkill Creek. We climbed a short section of seasonal Butternut Creek Rd before returning to the woods where the FLT followed the ridgeline through the trees towards Thomas Rd. Trail conditions were good, and we encountered only a few trail runners and dog walkers on this section of the hike.
Entering the grounds of Robert Treman State Park the hikers took the FLT to the junction with the Rim Trail; from there our group hiked down into the upper park. Arriving at the upper park we did a short loop within the picnic area of the park, which offered the best view of the currently closed Gorge Trail. This area had the only remaining ice we encountered at any portion of today’s hike.
Walking to the Old Mill, we took the CCC Trail back to the junction of the FLT and the access trail to Stone House Rd that we had hiked earlier. This in turn took the group back to our cars.
For those hikers who are tracking their FLT miles to apply towards the 2025 FLT50 or FLT100 patches, today’s hike included .7 FLT miles
Welcome to Andrew H, Margaret, Frank R, Jennifer and Jordan on their first hike with the group!
Photo by Jim
Sunday, March 17
Finger Lakes Trail from Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park, Alpine
This hike took place on the FLT entirely within map sheets M15 and M16. FLT map sheets are available in both paper and electronic formats at: https://fingerlakestrail.org/store/maps-and-gps/purchase-individual-maps/. Sale of the maps helps with on-going costs related to maintenance of the Finger Lakes Trail.
The day was overcast, and with the longer drive to today’s trailhead as well as the forecast of rain, we had a smaller group than on Saturday.
After the group photo the hikers set off into the woods, the first section of trail weaving through the forest, crossing one dry creek bed as it makes its way towards county route 6 and Gulf Rd. One of the small ponds we passed in this area had some remaining ice, but with the exception of one very small patch of trail ice in the Gulf, the footpath was entirely clear today.
Reaching County Route 6 it’s a short road walk across the bridge and down Gulf Rd before the trail veers away from the road into Hendershot Gulf. Here the trail follows the bank of Cayuta Creek. The portions of trail closest to the creek are in a quiet section of the creek. As the trail climbs the hillside to follow the creek from a higher vantage point, the creek becomes more active, flowing faster until we reach our turn-around point at the junction of several creeks very near the westerly end of the Van Lone Loop trail.
Reaching the turn-around point Leigh Ann took the lead on the return portion of the hike; everyone made it back to the cars without incident. During the return part of the hike I saw the first rain drops beginning to fall as we neared Gulf Rd, the drops appearing on the calm surface of Cayuta Creek.. By the time I had crossed the bridge on County Route 6 and re-entered the woods, there was a light rain that fell periodically for the remainder of the hike.
For anyone tracking their FLT miles for a 2025 FLT50 or FLT100 patch, today’s hike consisted of 5.4 FLT miles.
