ithacahikers

Hello Hikers

Tues Sept 21

Hike report by Nancy L. Photos by Nancy/Randy

Connecticut Hill — Cabin Road loop

5 hikers met at the corner of Rowell Hill Rd and Carter Creek Rd to drive the dirt portion of Carter Creek Rd out past Cabin Rd to the start of the hike.  The hike start is about 3 miles SW on Carter Creek from the intersection.  We started the hike by going west up the hill from Carter Creek Rd for a 500 ft climb   through nice mixed pine forest nearly to “Ridge Road” (the north south portion of Connecticut Hill Rd).  This is just about the only climb of the hike so its nice that its at the beginning.

When we reached nearly the top of the ridge,   we turned right on a trail that headed through the woods making a connection  with the finger lakes trail.   It was only a short walk on the FLT before we cut off  on a trail through a nice piece of woods dotted with mushrooms (especially the white corals) over to Cabin.

After crossing Cabin Rd a trail down alongside a ravine went quickly but gently downhill to a beautiful Western branch of Carter Creek.  At the point of intersection of this ravine with the creek there was a steep portion that we scrambled down with the aid of a fixed climbing rope.  At this point along the Western branch of Carter Creek there is a series of very nice cascades that we stopped to appreciate.  We next took a trail on the other side of the creek that followed the creek back down to Carter Creek Rd.  We turned right on Carter Creek road following it South on our way back to the cars.  This involved our final climb up out of the canyon.

One last treat is that we stopped to check out an old dam on the creek.  This ruin is quite elaborate with a big hunk of dam tipped over in the creek and quite a bit of wall standing on the West side of the creek, complete with a series of steps that was built as a spillway.  It was a short walk from there back to the cars.

More photos by Randy/Nancy here

Jim photos:

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Wed Sept 22

Hike report by Jim

Virgil Mountain, Cortland County

Eight hikers met on Odell Rd in Cortland County for a hike to the top of Virgil Mountain.

The morning was cool, and as usual I arrived at our parking area well ahead of the rest of our group.As I waited for the group to assemble I observed the transitioning trees around me shedding their leaves with the approach of even cooler days ahead of us. During the hike much of the footpath was nicely covered in an array of freshly fallen fall-colored leaves.

A couple of section hikers who were doing part of the Cortland cross-county hike arrived and set off down the FLT in the opposite direction.

Our group arrived and after a few introductions we set off up the road to where the Trail enters the woods ahead of a long and steady climb to the peak.

Walking the footpath I noticed that except for a few really wet spots there wasn’t much in the way of real mud; more like  a semi-firm substance that our feet sank into but was clearly supporting the lighter forest animals who ran across its surface and left their footprints behind.

Water crossings were not difficult, with relatively little water flowing in the streambed; just enough to audibly welcome your approach to one of the small handful of crossings on this stretch of the FLT.

At one point we encountered a sign warning hikers of ground bees along a certain stretch of trail, but we passed through without attracting unwanted attention from stinging insects.

Arriving at Van Donsel Rd the group paused before proceeding up the mountain.

Eventually the FLT reached the top of the ski area at Greek Peak. The group paused there to examine the ski apparatus in its off-season hibernation before returning to the FLT and continuing up the hill.

By now a gloom, almost twilight in its depths, had settled over the Trail footpath. Gusting winds warned of rain in the near future.

Beyond the ski resort the hills ease up a bit, although the path continues a slow and steady ascent. Eventually the group passed the actual peak of Virgil Mountain, which is noted by the USGS disk and orange marker found there.

Continuing onwards the group came to its final destination, the overlook area by the line of industrial power lines. The view across the valley was somewhat diminished due to the trees still being leafed out, but there was still enough visible to make the climb worthwhile.

Mindful of the changing weather the group retreated, returning along the same route we had used. By the time we arrived back at Odell Rd a few raindrops had been felt and our windshields bore mute testimony as to the misting precipitation that was passing through the area.

All in all, another successful hike.

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Sat Sept 25

Hike report by Randy. Photos by Randy/Nancy

Connrcticut Hill — Carter Creek loop

Seventeen hikers and seven dogs met at the easy-to-access corner of Boylan and Lloyd Starks Roads.  Plenty of parking and only a short, well-maintained section of gravel road make this an ideal spot to meet-up for a number of hikes. The weather was cool and it felt like the short summer was in our rearview mirror. From the cars it was a short distance to our trailhead, which headed west into the “wedge”.  The trail was a little muddy in spots, but overall, a pleasant way to start off.  We eventually curved southeast, travelling along a lively stream, then crossed over Boylan Road.  After counting heads, we continued. The trail south of Boylan followed Carter Creek gently downhill going due south.  It then made an abrupt turn to the east for a short, but steep, uphill…everyone was warmed up now!  We then picked up an old road that followed the contour of the east-facing slope until we reached Carter Creek Road.  Along the way we spotted what we think might be a fisher den…two cantelope-size holes about ten feet apart.  Nancy had found a fisher skull there a couple of weeks before but it was gone. After regrouping, we took a short walk along the road, crossing the creek and giving the dogs time to clean up and get a drink.  On the east side of Carter Creek we picked up the easy-to-find trail going northerly along what was once a road.  Some sections had dramatic drop-offs to the creek below, but it would be hard to fall unless assisted by a couple of the young dogs that were playing a lively game of “tag” around the hikers. Eventually, we arrived at a gorgeous pond where the red-leafed trees and bright blue sky reflected in the water…nice photo op.  We skirted a muddy spot before finding our way over to Lloyd Starks Road.  It was exactly two hours from when we started, and four miles overall.  In a few minutes we were all back at the cars. Overall, it was a good day for a hike…clear skies, cool temps, some new hikers, and almost zero

More photos from Randy/Nancy here

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Photos by Cian

More photos from Cian here

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Sun Sept 26

Hike report by Jim. Photos by Cian

Level Green Road to Blackman Hill Road and beyond on the FLT, Caroline

16 hikers and 2 dogs met on Level Green Rd for a hike of the FLT towards Blackman Hill RD and beyond. The day was cool but clear.

Hikers found the lower sections of the Trail closer to Level Green Rd to be wet and muddy, but this is its normal state most of the time.

Freshly fallen leaves in places obscured the footpath, requiring close attention to the blazes

The path was a slow gentle climb in elevation, winding its way through the trees and across a couple of water crossings. Soon enough the ground was firmer, the mud being left behind. The pine forests we were walking through seemed a little dark, what some people in the group call “atmospheric”.

Soon enough the group reached Blackman Hill Rd, where conditions seemed to be much sunnier than what we had left just  few minutes earlier.

Plunging back into the woodline the group soon came out into the fields overlooking the valley below in all directions. There air was clear without a trace of haze to lessen visibility.

After pausing for a few quick pictures the group continued onwards, hiking into the woods and down the hillside that eventually brings a hiker out onto State Route 79. This is a section of the Trail that we’ll lose access to during the long months of “hunting season” that start next week. The terrain here was somewhat steeper than what we were hiking earlier, but the forest was more dispersed and lighter than what we had been walking through  in the beginning of the  hike.

Reaching our turn-around point just before the beginning of the steep descent towards Slaterville RD, the group turned around and re-traced our steps without incident.

By the end of the hike everyone seemed to rate this one as a successful hike.

You can see Cian’s complete photo album here

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Eckhart

Our nature photographer Annie created a delightful montage of photos of Eckhart hiking over the years for his 89th birthday a year ago — she sent it to me after seeing this year’s 90th birthday salute in last week’s hike report — it’s a wonderful little tribute, and well worth looking at again this year. Click here.

Hello Hikers!

Special update — our oldest active hiker Eckhart turns 90

He hasn’t been able to do our official hikes recently — plantar fasciitis, can’t walk for two hours straight — but he’s been aggressively doing a shorter hike all along, the killer climb up the Lick Brook trail, several times a week.

He’s also had two major demands on his time. His wife Dorothea, who’s just a few years younger, had to stop driving because of eye problems, so Eckhart now does all the chores she used to do. And he’s really gone all in this year on his garden. He moved out of town a few years back to a farm neighborhood in Enfield, and began to create a fruit and vegetable garden. The soil is terrible — hard, rocky and poorly drained — so Eckhart had to do a massive soil enrichment and drainage project before the garden could begin to flourish. This year the work began to really pay off, and the garden is now producing heavily. But the time demands are tremendous, Eckhart said. “I always have 30 things to do at any one time,” he said Saturday when Tiger and I visited him.

Here’s Eckhart, Dorothea and his son Martin and Martin’s family in from Chicago for the big birthday.

Eckhart’s enthusiasm, energy and optimism are a wonder to experience.

shesse

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Wed Sept 15

Hike report by Jim

Roy Park Preserve to Hammond Hill SF, Dryden

7 hikers and 3 dogs met in the North parking lot of the Park Preserve on Irish Settlement Rd in the Town of Dryden.

Weather was nice although somewhat humid, with omens of the approaching storm that would arrive later in the morning just as the hike concluded.

The group walked along the boardwalk; a recent addition to the end of the boardwalk provides a gradual ramp rather than the former abrupt end which necessitated a quick jump back to terra firma. I prefer the additional section of boardwalk over the previous arrangement.

The walk through the pines was relatively mud-free, which is never a sure thing on this particular hike.

Climbing the hill, the trail soon brought the group out onto Hammond Hill Rd. After a quick pause there, hikers continued onto the Hammond Hill trails, burning up the remaining out-bound hike time until the appropriate turn-around time was reached.

The return leg of the hike was uneventful, with the group running into a couple of other recreational trail  users but otherwise having the forest to ourselves.

Passing over the boardwalk back to our cars the first drops of approaching rain were seen to be falling into the surface of the flowing stream beyond the wooden concourse; another perfectly timed hike for the group.

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Sat Sept 18

Hike report by Jim. Photos by Cian

Level Green Road to Old 76 Road, Caroline

16 hikers and 4 dogs met on Level Green Rd for a hike of the FLT towards ( Old ) 76 Road.This section of trail is often quite wet and muddy , and with recent rains this hike was no different.

An initial stretch of the Trail just off Level Green Rd is actually quite nice and draws positive comments from new hikers, but soon the footpath turns Southerly and heads downhill. This portion of the Trail is often an active stream with the accompanying mud which, by the end of the serpentine group of passing hikers, is a churned up mess that sucks at your boots and slows your progress along the footpath.

A couple of stream crossings were notable for recent blowdowns that at least partially blocked the Trail and obscured the trail route on the return leg of the journey.

As the hill climbs away from the last of the stream crossings, the Trail passes through tall patches of person-high weeds that obscure a footpath that acts as an eroded streambed during rainy times.

Eventually the Trail breaks out of the weeds and into some nice stands of trees. The official FLT footpath turns downhill again towards ( Old ) 76 Rd, but that section of Trail is so heavily eroded and we reach that point so late in the hike that I find it better to use a near-by field with some nice views of the surrounding countryside as the turn-around point.

The return trip to our cars was unremarkable except for a chance encounter with a solitary section hiker who spoke to the group for a while.

Arriving back at our cars somewhat early, hikers made a short road-walk down the recently paved Level Green Rd to burn up the remaining hike time.

You can see Cian’s complete photo album here

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Sun Sept 19

Hike report by Jim. Photos by Cian

Eastman Hill Road at the Tompkins/Tioga County line

16 hikers and 4 dogs met on the end of Eastman Hill Rd at the Tompkins and Tioga county lines, for a hike of the FLT on Eastman Hill. This hike was significant because it is one of the trail sections we will lose access to in October with the arrival of hunting season. With a planned re-route of this part of the FLT in the next year or so, we will also lose access to a part of the Trail that has some nice scenery. That’s assuming that the property owner will no longer allow hikers access to their property and the old sections of the FLT.

It was  a great day for a hike; the sun was out and temperatures were just about perfect. Bugs were at a minimum.Hikers crossed into the seasonal portion of Eastman Hill Rd, walking through DEC posted land. Passing the junction of Eastman Hill and the FLT, the group continued down the abandoned part of Eastman Hill Rd towards Coddington Rd.

Here the old road surface is heavily eroded in places, making the going somewhat difficult. With recent rains some portions of the roadway were an active streambed.

Soon we encountered the uphill portion of the FLT, and veered off into some steep inclines and hill climbs. This part of the hike is always the most difficult for me personally, and by the time the group reaches to actual summit of Eastman Hill, I feel like I’ve had a pretty decent workout. This hike proved to be no different. Reaching the summit doesn’t mean that there is no more climbing left on the route, just that the climbs ahead are shorter and less severe.

The group continued on the Trail, looping through some nice areas of pines and mixed hardwoods, interspersed with face-high stretches of goldenrod.

Approaching the crossing of Eastman Hill we ran into the only muddy part of this hike that I’ve ever known to be a muddy stretch. We got through that area and soon had plunged back into the woods on the other side of Eastman Hill Rd, heading towards Heisey Rd.

Reaching our turn-around point on Heisey Rd opposite a residence whose occupants have decorated the rock at the end of their driveway with a shamrock, we turned around and re-traced our route to the seasonal end of Eastman Hill Rd. From there it was a quick walk back to our cars, ending at just about the perfect two hour mark.

Some members of the group (such as Cian, who took a slightly slower pace in the interest of his photography efforts) made their own route for the hike.

Cian passed along this note: “Amadou & I did this as a helicopter hike  – so we took an altered route”

You can see Cian’s complete photo album here

Hello Hikers!

Wed Sept 8

Hike report by Jim

Comfort Road toward Bruce Hill Road on the FLT, Danby

Six hikers met on Comfort Rd for a hike of the FLT from Comfort Rd towards Bruce Hill Rd. This hike continues the month-long September focus of hiking area trails that we will lose access to once hunting season begins in October.
Our group, to my understanding, has not hiked this section of the FLT since around 2006.

The day was cool, with little in the way of swarming bugs to distract hikers.
There was a short section of trail immediately off Comfort Rd bordering a near-by field that was relatively muddy, but the group quickly got through that area and onto firmer ground.

On the outbound leg the trail was largely a gentle downward sloping footpath that wandered through some nice stands of pine trees alternating with hardwoods. 

A few streambed crossings were relatively easy due to the low water levels, but I assume that some of those would be much more challenging if this hike was being attempted during  the spring thaw. One crossing in particular was more difficult than the others due to the trail dropping down into the streambed, but hikers navigated the crossing safely.

Eventually the trail arrives at the first of several small fields and meadows. We hiked along the edge of the first meadow, after which the trail plunges back into the woods.

There are a series of old logging roads or grown-up farm lanes that the footpath crosses in this part of the Trail. Unfortunately the surrounding area is entirely posted for no trespassing, so we were unable to explore any near-by paths or woods beyond the trail footpath. There is one three way split in the trail at which hikers will need to pay attention to blazes so as to not unwittingly stray from the Trail.

Soon we arrived at a series of larger meadows, which we quickly crossed in rapid succession. By now the sun was out, and temperatures and humidity were rising. Birds screeched at the group from the cover of near-by brush and trees. There was enough wind to keep the hike pleasant despite the rising temperatures.

Once the group returned to the woods beyond the meadows I estimated that it was time to turn around. In fact we had gone too far on our out-bound leg, as the return portion of the hike by comparison was almost all uphill and slower going. The group ended up arriving back at our cars a full 30 minutes past our normal hike time.

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Sat Sept 11

Hike report by Jim.

Lake Road east into Cortland County on the FLT, Dryden

18 hikers and 2 dogs met on Lake Rd at the crossing of the Jim Schug Trail in the Town of Dryden for a hike of the FLT towards Cortland County

While I had intended to have the entire group do the FLT route, most of the group opted to hike the Jim Schug Trail as an alternative to climbing Havington Hill.. I can’t provide a hike report for that group.

The hike route my subset of the group hiked is on AllTrails at the following link, for those who may want to do this route on their own:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/new-york/finger-lakes-trail-from-lake-road?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map

As with most of our hikes in September, this route will be unavailable to the group over the winter due to hunting season-related trail  closures.

The weather was sunny and warm, but with a decent breeze that made the hike tolerable.

The group walked up Lake Rd from the Schug Trail, turning into the field that leads to the bottom of the mountain that always looks so impressive when viewed from Lake Road.

Five people chose to take the FLT route; that group climbed Havington Hill with relative ease and descended the other side of the mountain to where it opens up with abroad vista overlooking the valley and surrounding farmlands. This is always one of the favorite parts of this hike for me.

The group followed the FLT to where it continued in a broad arc that brought us out to another observation point for the same vista.

After reaching the second overlook area the group turned around and re-traced our steps up the mountain and back to the vehicles without incident.

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Photos by Tiger

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A former infant hiker returns to the trail nine years later

It’s very rare for us to get a hiker with an infant strapped on her back — with one notable exception. In 2012 two Canadian professors were working at Cornell and they hiked a number of times carrying their infant son Sydney. It seemed pretty exhausting to me but they would take turns carrying, and they always managed to keep up. Sydney ended up seeing a lot of our trail system.

Here they were in Kennedy SF, a very vigorous hike thas’s tricky to handle even without a kid on your back.

I was sorry to see them head back to Toronto because I liked the novelty of having such a junior hiker. Then I got a note saying they were back for another visit at Cornell.

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Cian’s photos

You can see Cian’s complete photo album here

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Sun Sept 12

Hike report by Jim

Spur trail from upper Lick Brook to upper Buttermilk Falls SP, Danby

Sixteen hikers and three dogs met on Townline Rd for a hike of the Sweedler Preserve red and blue trails as well as the FLT spur trail to Buttermilk Falls State Park.Two additional hikers and four dogs arrived late and did their own hike route in the same general area.

As with many of our September hikes, portions of this route will become unavailable to the group from October to January due to hunting season related trail closures.

The entirety of the locale for this hike may be viewed at the following All Trails link, for those who may want to attempt all or portions of our route on their own:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/new-york/lick-brook-falls-3-falls

The group left Townline Road a couple of minutes late due to the later arrival of a couple of hikers.

Taking the red blazed trail we followed the stream until it turned away from the water to climb the hill back towards Sandbank Rd.

From there the trail follows the ridgeline towards West King Rd, popping out into a field before returning to the woods.

Arriving at a utility pole right of way the trail make a final turn towards West King Rd.

After arriving at West King Rd the FLT jogs slightly on the road before the spur trail returns to the woods in the general direction of Yaple Road.

There were a couple of good field crossings en route to Yaple Road; the goldenrod was higher than I anticipated and there were portions of the trail where the footpath was almost consumed by the undergrowth around it.

Arriving at Yaple Rd I decided that the remaining time did not warrant having the group continue on the spur trail to BFSP; instead we turned around and re-traced our steps towards West King Rd and beyond.

Reaching the blue blazed trail within the Sweedler Preserve we took that route to the waterway, where we had one of the easiest water crossings I can recall at that location due to the greatly diminished levels of water in the streambed.

The group took the blue blazed Toms Trail back to Townline Rd; from there we still had around twenty minutes of hike time remaining, so we took a short in and out into the Lick Brook gorge area to end the hike at the proper time.

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Photos by Tiger/shesse

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Photos by Cian

You can see Cian’s full photo album here

Hello Hikers!

Tues Aug 31

Hike report by Jim

Connecticut Hill Rd and Cabin Rd, Town of Newfield

Seven hikers and four dogs met at the junction of Connecticut Hill Rd and Cabin Rd in the Town of Newfield. The FLT crosses Connecticut Hill Rd a short distance away, but the parking area at the trail crossing can only accommodate a couple of vehicles; it was easier to meet at Cabin Rd and walk the short distance to the FLT.

The weather was perfect for hiking, with little in the way of humidity, some decent temperatures and plenty of sunshine.

As the FLT leaves Connecticut Hill Rd and heads West towards the Schuyler County line, hikers found themselves to be walking through one of the stands of CCC pine tree plantations that we often find on state forest land. This particular stretch of trail is pleasant to hike on, and is a gradual descent down the Southwest corner of Connecticut Hill.

Eventually the Trail takes a turn to the South and hikers found ourselves walking in a gentle arc through a section of hardwood trees. There were some short stretches of mud in this part of the hike, but nothing too bad.

Finally, just before reaching Todd Rd, the Trail comes out into a small open field that was bursting with goldenrod on the day of our hike.

Crossing Todd Rd, it’s a short jog to the North to pick up the continuation of the FLT. Passing through some fairly significantly sized boulders, hikers soon found ourselves at a split in the trail between the FLT and the Easterly end of the Van Lone Loop Trail.

Hikers jumped onto the Van Lone Trail, gradually descending towards the flowing stream below us.

Eventually the Van Lone travels along the streambed; before reaching Todd Rd again, there is an unofficial side trail that crosses the stream and comes out onto a small bivouac area identified by the stone benches and fire pit found there.

The group stopped at the bivouac area and then took a short trail back to Todd Rd.

I had intended to walk Todd Rd back to the FLT crossing, but Randy and Nancy were on the hike and volunteered to show the group some of their unofficial trails they hike in the area that lead back towards Connecticut Hill Rd. Taking them up on the offer we found ourselves following old rutted wagon trails as we climbed Connecticut Hill Rd back towards our cars. The group stopped periodically to examine various fungi and mushrooms, of which there were multiple examples.

Stopping at a small homestead cemetery we examined the worn engravings and then continued on towards Connecticut Hill Rd and our vehicles.

The group seemed to enjoy this new ( to the group ) section of the FLT, and I think that I will be adding it to our roster of regular hike locations

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Wed Sept 1

Hike report by Jim

Mulholland Wildflower Preserve toward Potter’s Falls, north side of Six Mile Creek

Nine hikers and 3 dogs met in the parking lot of the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve in the city of Ithaca. Parking was somewhat constricted because of the heavy equipment associated with an unfinished construction project that is underway ( but not actively being worked on ) in the Preserve area.

It was a cool but sunny day, with rain predicted for later in the day after the hike. Weather during the hike was pretty much perfect, however.

The group set off down the trail; Six Mile Creek was flowing well as we walked along its bank.

The group moved at a pretty good pace and soon we found ourselves turning off onto the blue blazed side trail that climbs the bank to the graveled road that serves as an access road to Second Dam.

After a short break the group continued onwards; arriving at the Second Dam Jack V led part of the group out onto a promontory overlooking the dam area.

The group continued on to the open field area that overlooks the southern end of the Second Dam reservoir. There we climbed the hill to the memorial bench that oversees the Second Dam area, and then turned around.

The group re-traced our steps to the parking lot, then crossed Giles Street and took the access path to the “ Businessman’s Lunch” nature area around Wells Falls. As always that area was impressive for being in the heart of the city of Ithaca. The trash situation around the falls had some of us discussing taking a morning to go into the Falls area with trash bags to do a clean-up.

There was  a fair amount of other hikers/ dog walkers on the trails today; not unexpected, given the trails location within the City of Ithaca.

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Thu Sept 3

Hike report and photos by shesse

Farm country road walk — N Shuler Road, Schuyler County

Official head count: 6H, three D

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Sat Sept 4

Hike report by shesse. Photos by Tiger

Lindsay Parsons Preserve, West Danby

Official head count: 21H, five D

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Photos by Cian

You can see Cian’s complete photo album here

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Sun Sept 5

Hike report by Jim. Photos by Cian

The Pinnacles look-out from Bald Hill Road

18 hikers and 3 dogs ( including late arrivals ) met at the junction of Station Road and Bald Hill Rd, for a hike of part of the Abbott Loop in Danby State Forest.

Weather was intermittent rain and a general overcast gloom during the hike. Despite the weather very little of the hike involved walking through areas of mud as is sometimes the case.

Hikers set off down the seasonal portion of Bald Hill Rd; making the initial climb from the flats, he group quickly  encountered the  Abbott Loop turn to the West that leads to the Pinnacles. That climb was steady but enjoyable; the group soon dispersed on the upwards climb, some members of the group never catching up with the main body again. Soon the group found itself at the Pinnacles. Visibility was not too good, so after a brief pause for  a partial group photo we were soon pressing onward and down the other side of the mountain.

Reaching the more Southerly crossing point of the Abbott Loop on Bald Hill Rd, the group split into two elements, with half choosing to turn around and re-trace their route back to the cars via the Pinnacles. I took the second group and set off North on Bald Hill Rd, intending to take the Abbott Loop to the East when we reached that more Northerly loop crossing.

My group soon reached the Northerly crossing of the Abbott Loop across Bald Hill Rd. Turning East we were soon hiking downwards along the streambed. Crossing over the waterway the group climbed the hill on the opposite side. We soon reached the junction of the Abbott Loop with the Dove Trail. Jumping onto the Dove Trail we took that to its terminus on Bald Hill Rd near where we parked our cars. A few minutes later the Pinnacles group arrived at the cars, another hike successfully completed.

You can see Cian’s complete photo album here

Hello Hikers!

Tues Aug 23

Hike report and photos by Jim

Oakley Corners State Forest, Tioga County

Five hikers and one dog met in Tioga County for a hike of some of the trails in Oakley Corners State Forest

Let me start out this report by stating that unless you know the trail system there well, consider it to be something along the lines of the Hammond Hill trail system. This was my first time on these trails, and the only person in the group who had any  previous experience with this trail system was Norm.

We ended the day thinking that we had the system worked out, but who knows.

The DEC map I linked to in the hike announcement was barely helpful in that the trails are numbered, and that numbering system wasn’t reflected on the DEC map.

Norm later sent me these links

Oakley Corners State Forest, Owego Mountain Biking Trails | Trailforks

Oakley Corners State Forest (andyarthur.org)

Thanks for the links, Norm

Those linked maps do show the trail numbering system.

Overall this was an enjoyable hike; temperatures were pleasant under the forest canopy, and bugs while present were not intolerable. The group stayed with the more Southerly trail loops, as my primary sightseeing interest were the several ponds in that part of the forest. Its my understanding that if you want hikes with elevation gain, you should go with the more Northerly trail loops.

Being a weekday there were minimal numbers of other trail users; I’ve been told that on weekends this trail system sees a lot of use; for those who are concerned about possible covid exposures, plan your trip accordingly.

Much of the trail system we saw replicates many of the other trails we hike often; much In the way of stands of pines, some nicely flowing streams. Water levels were adequate. There were some stretches of muddy trail but nothing out of the ordinary. Lots and lots and lots of roots. This was a very root-y hike. Also, if you’re into ants, a tremendous number of ant mounds along the trails.

We stopped to check out the various small ponds that the southerly trail system circles. The largest of these was by far the most attractive ( and appeared to be the cleanest ). Norm stopped at a few to collect samples, which we dutifully documented for posterity.

We ended up running over the normal hike time, but that was as much caused by our unfamiliarity with the trails as anything else. All of the hikers agreed that it was a hike location worth returning to.

Addendum: The more southerly parking area on Hullsville Rd is not well-marked. The Google link I sent out in the original hike announcement is accurate, but unless you are actively looking for the parking lot, you’ll drive right by it as a couple of drivers in my group did ( myself included )

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Wed Aug 24

Hike report by Jim

Bike trails, Shindagin Hiollow SF

Four people hiked the bike trails in Shindagin Hollow as well as a road walk to and from those bike trails.

This hike was supposed to be primarily a hike of the Shindagin Rim trail system

The weather was hot and humid, with many swarms of bugs to accompany the group. I think that this deterred many potential hikers from the Wednesday hike.

A road detour due to a bridge replacement along Central Chapel Rd the usual route to the trailhead confused some of the attending hikers, and the group waited several extra minutes in case there were late arrivals due to the detour

Walking down Shindagin Hollow RD, I missed the turn-off into the woods for the trail, and by the time we realized that the group was so far past the turn that we opted to walk to the other end of the trail and walk back from there.

Reaching the small parking area at the end of the rim trail, the group decided to take the side trail for the mountain bike trail rather than walk the Rim trail back to our cars.

The descent to the stream area went well, and a decent amount of water was flowing. Nothing so significant as to make crossing hazardous. The bike trail area was more pleasant than what i expected the Rim trail to be , probably due to its proximity to the stream. The bugs were much less of a problem as well.

The replacement gold shoe on the stump along this trail was still where we’d placed it a number of months ago.

Reaching the end of the trail we returned to Shindagin Hollow Rd and walked up the road back to our cars. Passing the parking lot at the end of the Rim trail the group opted to stay on the road and expedite our return to our cars. The missed turn onto the trail was observed and found to be overgrown; unless you were standing right next to it, it was easy to miss. Between the bugs and humidity and sun in the open areas of the road walk  it was less of an enjoyable hike than what we normally have on this particular hike.

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Sat Aug 28

Hike report and photos by shesse. Additional photos by Cian

Stevens Suspension Bridge, Forest Home

Official head count: 17H, three D

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Cian’s photos

You can see Cian’s complete photo album here

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Sun Aug 29

Hike report by Jim

Bock Harvey Forest Preserve and Riemen Woods, Enfield

Fifteen hikers and five dogs met for a hike of the Bock Harvey Preserve in Enfield

In comparison to recent days the weather was cool, with occasional breezes that helped make the hike more enjoyable

Hikers left the parking area, climbing the hill through fields of goldenrod and towards the shelter.

The path itself was slightly overgrown but not enough to cause a problem.

After pausing at the shelter for the group to consolidate, we pushed forward up the blue blazed trail towards the FLT.

Reaching the FLT we turned and hiked Westerly. Once at Porter Hill Rd we crossed the pavement and entered into the Rieman Woods. Quickly completing the short circuit of the FLT within Rieman Woods the group returned to Porter Hill Rd, at which time we walked up the road to meet the FLT again.

Re-entering the woods the group traveled Easterly along the FLT, through woods over streambeds and across fields, until we reached Rockwell Rd. It wasn’t until this very last stretch of trail that we encountered any mud, but as this stretch o0f trail is historically muddy, this was no surprise to me. Some people chose to call an early end to their hike here, while others walked Easterly on Rockwell to re-enter the woods and continue Easterly on the FLT until rehang Hines Rd before turning around.

The group encountered only a small number of other hikers and dogs along todays route.

It was an uneventful return trip to the cars.

Photos by shesse

Photos by Cian

You can see Cian’s complete photo album here