Lime Hollow Nature Preserve, McLean
Meet up: Dirt parking lot on the east side of Gracie Road about 1/2 mile south of the intersection with Lime Hollow Road, or 1 1/2 miles north of Route 13.
Click here for the Google Maps page showing the location of the meet-up. It’s easy to drive right past the lot without recognizing it if there’s no one there — so I will get there early — look for the cars — the lot’s slightly below the road grade.
Above is a trail map that clearly shows the parking spot – it’s off Gracie Road immediately south of the old Lehigh Valley railroad right of way, and a little southeast of Gracie Pond. The trail map’s also good for getting an introduction to the fairly elaborate trail system here.
This is a wonderful place to hike — with two drawbacks — except for the Lehigh Valley Trail, dogs are officially banned in Lime Hollow (though in fact we always do see other hikers with dogs here, under the radar), and it’s a longer drive from Ithaca than some people like. We only come here a couple times every year, most often during the fall and winter hunting seasons. It has a great variety of attractions — large rolling fields, ponds, bogs and wetland areas, lovely pine woods, lively ups and downs, and a very nice visitors’ center with an eco-friendly toilet (not sure how it actually works). It’s definitely worth the trip.
Last edit 11/24/2022 JFR