ithacahikers

Wednesday November 9

Sessions Hill Road and Forbes Road, Homer

Hike report by Jim

This was a new hike for us, although hike leader Steve S. reported that he often hikes the area roads with his own dogs. Fourteen hikers and one dog met in Homer at the junction of Sessions Hill and Forbes Roads in Homer. This intersection is a nice meeting location, with good views in all directions and wide shoulders for ease of parking. Long-distance visibility was quite clear on this sunny but cool hiking day.

We started the hike by walking down nearby Vern King Rd. until we reached Maxson Rd., which offered a nice, gradual climb past a few houses before turning south and passing through some forested areas. With the leaves now fallen, there were still some good views along this portion of the hike.

Maxon Rd. runs into Sessions Hill Rd., on which we returned to the cars, arriving at just about the two-hour mark.

After the hike, we followed Roger to his nearby business, Beck Equipment, where he gave us an excellent guided tour, fed us pizza and wings, and offered the opportunity to operate some of the heavy equipment on site. Nancy L. was the only one to take up Roger’s invitation to try out the equipment.

Thanks to Steve S. for leading the hike!

Thank you, Roger, for your hospitality!

I enjoyed this new location enough to add it to our hike listings as hike #54-2.

View Mark’s photo album.

Saturday November 12

Eberhard Nature Preserve, Caroline

This hike was cancelled due to weather conditions.

Sunday November 13

Hammond Hill State Forest from Star Stanton Road

Twenty-two hikers and four dogs (+ 5 hikers and 1 dog elsewhere) met on Star Stanton Rd. in Dryden for a hike of the green- and yellow-blazed trails within Hammond Hill State Forest. I chose this hike because we’ll lose our access to the trails there to the skiers for a few months once we get some snow on the ground. It was sleeting as hikers arrived, a foreboding of the cold months ahead of us after the long stretch of warm weather we’ve had this fall.

After an initial descent toward Hammond Hill Rd., we turned onto the green-blazed trails  on the north side of Star Stanton Rd. This trail offered a gentle climb before leveling off into wide loops that make their way through the forest. Although the trail network on this side of the forest isn’t as extensive as those found elsewhere in Hamond Hill, there are still enough junctions and intersections that it is easy to get lost without a firm grasp of the network or a map for guidance.

The green trails gave way to yellow-blazed trails, which we took to the intersection of Canaan and Star Stanton Roads, known as “Times Square” for the convergence of many different trails at that junction.

After a stop at Times Square, we continued on trail Yellow 4. From there, I altered our planned route due to time limits; we turned onto trail Yellow 8, which in turn led to Yellow 5, which took us back to Canaan Rd. Crossing that road took us to Yellow 6, which winds through my favorite part of the forest, with towering and very atmospheric evergreens.

Trail Yellow 6 meets Yellow 1, which took us back to Star Stanton Rd. and our vehicles only a minute past our anticipated end time.

I found out later that a second group of five hikers and one dog were led astray by a Google Maps glitch (see below) and met up elsewhere in the Freeville area. These hikers did their own hike, and so I am adding them to the head count for Sunday’s hike.

View Cian’s photo album.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Other Issues: Google Maps and Timeliness

From Jim

I would like to comment on the Google Maps accuracy issue. On recent hikes, multiple hikers have reported that Google Maps changes its destination en route, switching from a specific address or intersection to a generic pin that marks the town, but not the location of the original pin. Meeting locations that rely on intersections or coordinates seem especially prone to this problem, which often occurs when Google Maps reroutes during the drive. Nancy H and I are aware of this issue and don’t have a solution. However, if you notice that Google Maps is recaluclating your route, you might want to pull over and check that it hasn’t changed your destination. This appears to be a windespread and ongoing problem with the app.

Because of this issue, we have started adding written directions to our hikes. If you are not familiar with a particular meeting location, do not simply rely on Google Maps to get you there. Read the directions before you set out so you can notice if Google Maps sends you a different way. Have the written directions with you, or contact me or other regular hikers for assistance.

Finally, to echo my comments to our email list about being on time, we had a late arrival on the trail Sunday whom I was unaware of until nearly the end of the hike. For accountability purposes, I need folks to show up early enough that we can know during the hike who is hiking with our group. Thanks!

Wednesday November 2

Bob Cameron Loop, Connecticut Hill, Newfield

Hike report by Jim

Six hikers met by the radio tower on Connecticut Hill for a hike of the Bob Cameron Loop.

En route to the parking area the morning fog had been dense, and it didn’t disappear until I reached Black Oak Rd.

Hike conditions were good; it hadn’t rained that I was aware of, but the leaves underfoot were still wet from some recent precipitation. Trail conditions were good, much less muddy than I have seen them in the past.

We encountered only a couple of other people along the way but otherwise had the trail to ourselves.

After completing the loop, the group jumped onto the Finger Lakes Trail to use up our remaining hike time.  We crossed Cayutaville Rd. and reached Griffin Rd. before turning around to retrace our steps back to the parking area.

For anyone tracking their FLT miles toward an FLT60 patch, I would say that we hiked about 2.25 FLT miles today, based on the mileage on the back of the FLT map sheet.

Saturday November 5

Tuller Hill State Forest, Cortland County

Hike report by Jim

Saturday’s hike was an unusual one, as the Ithaca Hikers had been invited by Wendy and Gary Wakula (who often join our group when we’re hiking in or near Cortland County) to do a joint hike with the Triple Cities Hiking Club. Triple Cities was planning an all-day figure-8 hike in Tuller Hill State Forest, but would stop for lunch at the parking area midway. Their lunch stop was an opportunity for us to end our hike at about our normal two-hour mark.

In all, I counted 24 Ithaca Hikers, who met approximately 11 Triple Cities hikers in the equestrian parking area on Clute Rd.

The day was moderately warm, certainly warm enough that a hiker would heat up considerably during the hike. Lots of layers were being shed at the pauses along the route. It was overcast, although around the time the group came to the upper part of our route arc the sun briefly broke free of the clouds long enough to light up the foliage and cast a few brief shadows before once again disappearing.

We started from the parking area and completed a loop route in the western portion of Tuller Hill Forest, using a combination of red-, yellow-, and blue-blazed trails.

There was only a small amount of mud along the way. Stream crossings had a slight amount of water flowing but were easily traversed. The fallen leaf cover was thick underfoot, the leaves already having lost their golden hue and reverted to a dull tan. The terrain was enjoyable, both visually and in the amount of hill climbing involved. There were some decent views along the utility lines we followed for a brief time, although there was some haze in the far distance.

Thanks to Gary and Wendy for the hike invitation, and the Triple Cities hikers we shared the trail with. A special thanks to Triple Cities member Larry Blumberg, who stepped in to lead the hike  on short notice when Wendy sustained an injury before hike day. Hoping that you make a full recovery, Wendy!

Welcome to Maureen, Stephen, Barbara, and Lisa on their first hike with the group!

View Cian’s photo album.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Sunday November 6

Comfort Rd. and Bald Hill Rd., Danby

Hike report by Jim

Eighteen hikers and two dogs met in the parking lot at the corner of Comfort and Bald Hill Roads in Danby for a loop hike. The weather was enjoyable, around the mid-60s with intermittent sunshine throughout the hike. Very pleasant for the first week of November!

The hike started with a quick and steeply descending road walk down Bald Hill Rd. At the Dove trail, near the junction with Station Rd., we quickly ascended the hillside, following the older pale pink blazes.

In a few minutes we reached the junction of the older Dove Trail and the new loop portion of the Dove Trail, identifiable by the newer, more pink blazes. We stopped for a quick entry in the almost-new trail journal found there.

In the past I’ve found that the new Dove Trail section is a nice bypass of the muddy portion of the Abbott Loop, with the benefit of going through some very nice scenery along its route.

The path underfoot was concealed by a blanket of leaves, but the newer blazing helped us navigate the hillside.

Eventually we reached the Abbott Loop, where we hiked an enjoyable section of that loop that leads to Diane’s Crossing.

We paused for a group photo and then plunged forward on the Finger Lakes Trail, climbing gradually upward as the trail wound through old roads, along dried-up swamps, and past old foundations along its route back to Bald Hill Road.

We stopped briefly to make a visit to the lean-to so that I could explain to the newer hikers about our tradition of a mid-winter party at that location, but the lean-to was occupied so we didn’t spend much time there before moving on.

When we reached Bald Hill Rd., we found that we still had 20 minutes of hiking time, so we crossed the road and continued toward Comfort Rd. A quick road walk on Comfort Rd. got us back to our cars about five minutes past our normal deadline.

Based on my FLT map sheet and the Dove Trail miles of the loop, I come up with 2.25 FLT miles for Sunday’s hike.

View Cian’s photo album.

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

Wednesday October 26

Jim Schug Trail toward Lake Rd., Dryden

Hike report by Jim

Fifteen hikers met in the parking area of the Kenny van Sickle ballfield in the village of Dryden for a hike of the Jim Schug Trail.

The morning was cool, and very soon we split up into fast and slow subgroups on the flat, wide rail trail.

The slow group moved, well, slowly, stopping to look at things along the way and talk to people we encountered. At the hour mark, we turned around and made our way back to the parking area.

The fast group reappeared soon after, reporting that they had made it almost all of the way to Lake Road before turning around.

Saturday October 29

Dabes Diversion Loop, Virgil

Hike report by Jim

Twenty two hikers and four dogs met for a loop hike of the Dabes Diversion Loop, the Finger Lakes Trail, and Kuzia Cut-off. Warming temps meant a pleasant, sunny day for a hike. We encountered a few other day hikers along the way but otherwise had the trails to ourselves.

I found as I climbed the hillside from the parking area that the thick, noisy layer of freshly fallen leaves on the ground drowned out the hikers’ voices behind me as I pressed ahead on our route.

Along this bit of trail I particularly enjoy the stone walls and passing through a nice section of pine trees with a thick cushion of pine needles underfoot.

When we reached the junction with the FLT, we paused for some pictures in the open field and to admire the views across the valley on what was proving to be a clear, sunny day.

We returned to the trail and descended the FLT, the stone walls to one side and the stream ahead. Crossing the stream offered minimal difficulty, and soon we’d crossed the road and met the Kuzia cut-off. I found that this area, which was spot-logged by DEC as part of their recent efforts to replace the monoculture forests of the CCC era, was finally starting to look a lot less like a jagged, wounded bit of countryside that it did when the work was done a couple of summers ago.

We successfully traversed the cut-off and, upon reaching the seasonal roadways, returned to our cars with a few minutes to spare.

Welcome to Greg on his first hike with the group!

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

View Cian’s photo album.

Sunday October 30

Halloween Cemetery Hike, Ithaca

Hike report by Jim

Twenty hikers and one dog met on a cool morning in the Ithaca High School parking lot, for a Halloween hike of the city cemeteries, Cascadilla Gorge, and the Fall Creek area.

Unknown to me, there was a fairly significant lacrosse event going on at the high school, so upon arrival at the meeting place hikers found ourselves trying to find parking spaces in a nearly full parking lot. This delay caused us to start a few minutes late.

We left the school property, crossed Lake Street and started climbing the entry road into Lakeview Cemetery. We paused briefly along the way so the group could reconsolidate, then we gathered for a group picture at Sunset Park

Here, the hike for me took an unexpected turn: the boots I was wearing as part of my costume were literally falling apart as I walked, after a decade of so of disuse. Leigh Ann took over leading the group, and Casey went back for his car to get me back to MY car for different footwear.

By the time all of that was sorted out, we contacted  a few hikers by phone to let them know we’d meet them at Ithaca Falls below Gunshop Hill. There, I learned that the hikers had made their way through the cemeteries only to find that the Cascadilla Gorge trail was already closed for the year.

We spent a few minutes at Ithaca Falls, then walked back to our cars at the high school.

Welcome to Beth and Eileen on their first hike with the group!

View Leigh Ann’s photo album.

View Cian’s photo album.

Wednesday October 19

 Six Mile Creek and Mulholland Wildflower Preserve

Hike report by Jim

Eleven hikers meet at the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve in Ithaca. The day was cool and overcast, but I was still hopeful for a good hike of the trails.

We made our way along the trail as it snaked alongside the creek, which seemed to have a decent amount of water flowing on this hike day. We climbed the hillside and soon reached the second dam access road, which we followed to the overlook area above second dam. We paused for a few quick photos on a cool day, we soon started back the way we’d come.

On our return hike, we diverted to the blue-blazed trail that follows the upper water supply pipe as it runs along the hillside.

Back at the parking lot, some hikers opted to end their hike there; the rest of the group crossed Giles Street and descended the blazed trail to Wells Falls, AKA Businessman’s Lunch. The pause there was also a brief one.

As we returned to Giles Street, part of the group wanted to check out the Giles Street pedestrian bridge, as we still had a considerable amount of time left.

A couple of us opted to check out a blue-blazed trail that snakes up the hillside above Wells Falls, a blazed trail that the group had never followed before. This trail comes out above the falls and winds around the hill, coming out just below the current bridge above the falls.

A wait of a few minutes found the main group returning from the pedestrian bridge, and we ended the hike with a short walk back to the parking area.

Saturday October 22

Lime Hollow Nature Preserve, Cortland

Hike report by Steve S.

Twenty hikers enjoyed splendid fall weather for a hike including three loops at Lime Hollow Nature Center in Cortland, NY. We followed the Lehigh Valley Rail Trail west from Gracie Rd. to the High Vista Trail that circles remote-seeming Baldwin Pond. 

After returning to the Rail Trail, we did the Hermit’s Way connecting to the Fenway and back to the Rail Trail. We returned via the Rail Trail to the parking lot on Gracie Rd. at one hour and 15 minutes, where hikers gratefully dropped off their jackets and sweaters at our cars. 

We then continued east on the Rail Trail to Maple Run and the stunning Esker Connecter with its dramatic drop-offs on both sides. We tried to pin down exactly what an esker is, but we know it was deposited by glaciers almost 12,000 years ago. 

Vicky showed us how much the area is browsed by deer. They make for lovely open forest but are ecologically damaging. 

We proceeded to the Chicago cranberry bog and enjoyed the peaceful views before returning to Gracie Rd. 

The Lehigh Valley Rail Trail is the backbone of your hiking in the Lime Hollow area. It is easy to put together a hike or gentle walk following loops off the Rail Trail. The elevations are moderate, the trails are mostly well marked, although some were tricky given that the ground was covered with brightly colored leaves, and most of the trails are smooth and wide.  There are many water views.  Baldwin Pond and Chicago Bog are particularly charming.  

• Distance: 4.4 miles
• Time:  2:05 hrs
• Elev gain:  276′
• Number of hikers:  20
• Number of dogs:  0 (not allowed at Lime Hollow)

View Annie’s photo album.

View Cian’s photo album.

Sunday October 23

Hinchcliff Family Preserve, Spafford, Onondaga County

Hike report by Jim

While en route to Sunday’s hike, I noticed an early morning frost on the field grasses and trees of the farms I was passing. As I drew closer to my destination the sun came out, the frost-dulled leaves quickly losing their sheath of frost. As I turned onto Vincent Hill Rd., the forested hills across the valley shone in full fall brilliance; while we’re now a week past peak colors, this gave me hope that Sunday’s hike of the Hinchcliff Family Preserve would still be enjoyable.

Ten hikers and two dogs set out from the parking area, finding our way through the forest along the red-blazed connector trail between Vincent Hill Rd. and the main yellow-blazed loop within the preserve. The trail was covered in a freshly fallen carpet of ankle-deep leaves; other than the random blazes there wasn’t much to show the way for the group. A few of us had come here on a Tuesday hike this summer when the trail was much clearer to hikers. Jeff, who lives in the area, remarked that he had just hiked this preserve the week prior and it had looked nothing like it did on our hike day.

The connector trail snakes through the woods for a little over a mile, with a few minor elevation changes and some water crossings with barely any water flowing in them along the way. Casey, who was here for the first time,  remarked on the various gullies we were travelling through, and the general lack of mud that we find on many of our hikes.

Soon we reached the junction with the yellow-blazed loop trail, where we started a downhill hike. When we reached the ruins of the former Wickwire “cottage,” the group paused for some picture taking and general speculating about the history of the area.

Past the ruins, we began our uphill climb, finally stopping at the derelict hulk of a former CCC 1930s era pickup that lies in a moldering state of slow decomposition near the trail. From there, we entered the field portion of the loop, stopping to admire the lake below us as it came into view.

Beyond that viewing area the loop rejoins the connector trail, and we made our way back to the cars.

Casey would like to revisit this hike in the winter, when he believes that the leafless trees would give us even better views of the surrounding area.