13 hikers and 6 dogs met in the parking lit at the corner of Comfort and Bald Hill Roads, for a hike of the FLT
Rain fell steadily before the hike started, but eased up as the group proceeded down the trail.
It was an overcast day, with a noticeable amount of humidity.
Stream crossings were obviously a little interesting today due to the quantity of recent rainfall. I personally got to a point where I simply decided that my feet were going to get wet no matter what I did, and so just proceeded across streams without regard to any effort to rock hop.
Other than some issues with slippery rocks and roots on the trail the trail surface was mostly enjoyable for me. Not as much mud as a person might expect given recent rains, and the bed of pine needles made for some comfortable mileage on my feet.
The group emerged from the trail at Michigan Hollow Rd and walked to Hill Rd to walk off the remaining hike time prior to turning around. Hill Rd turned out to have an uncomfortable level of washed out surfaces, including one part that is so damaged as to be impassible to vehicles.
After turning around the group hopped onto the FLT where it crosses Hill Rd and returned to Michigan Hollow Rd, without incident.
AS we made our way back up the trail the rain, which had diminished as we made our outbound leg of the hike, picked up in intensity until we were back near the lean-to area of the Trail.
Esps were out on the trail by the dozen, and at Diane’s Crossing the group had an encounter with a decently sized snake that made its escape before we could photograph it.
All things considered and despite the rain, I believe that the group had an enjoyable hike today.
13 hikers and 5 dogs met for a hike of Kennedy State Forest in Cortland County
The weather was a good improvement from Saturdays hike, being warm and only a small but noticed amount of humidity as the hike progressed.
It should be noted that the logging of the past several months in this portion of the forest is done, and the parking are and the road beyond it have been left a ( for now ) well graveled and flat surface. A far cry from the muddy mess that just a few hikes ago at this location left a hikers car buried to the axle in mud.
Hikers set off down the trail from the parking area. My main concern for this section of trail is always the large number of roots; wet weather usually leaves them a slippery hazard, and today was no exception. Careful navigation around the many roots slows the hike down but is preferred to face planting.
The trail scenically proceeds along Rowland Creek for a short stretch, before starting to cross the Creek a couple of times. Neither crossing was particularly worrisome in terms of water flow or crossing difficulty. After those minor water crossings we arrived to the first color coded fork in the trail; here the groups hike route diverges from the FLT and jumps onto the blue blazed Swedish Loop trail. There are no significant elevation gains or losses anywhere along this route, which is unusual for our hikes.
The walk through the hemlocks was enjoyable, with diffused light filtering down to the footpath except for a few short stretches where direct sunlight was observable off to the side of the Trail but not directly on the trail.
The Trail crosses over one of two of the recently created logging roads within the forest; time will eventually soften the mechanically created dirt roads.
Soon the hikers met the yellow-blazed Stockholm Cutoff Trail, which brings the group back to the FLT. Turning Westerly the group passed through the Two Creek bivouac site before crossing the earlier fork in the trail with the Swedish Loop.
The return trip to the cars was uneventful other than a quick encounter with other day hikers/ dog walkers.
The fast pace of this hike found the group arriving back at our cars at only 90 minutes; we previously extended this abbreviated hike time by road-walking down Daisey Hollow Rd to where the FLT continues Westerly, but the Trail in that direction quickly comes to a significant water crossing that’s not well depicted on the FLT map that stops the groups progress on anything but a dry period where water levels have dropped. I will need to walk the FLT and Swedish Loops ahead of our next hike of this area to find an acceptable route that brings us closer to a normal two hour hike duration.
Eight hikers met to walk a parcel of property that will eventually be a re-routed section of the FLT in the area of Eastman Hill, Town of Caroline. A ninth hiker arrived late and met the group as we were returning to our cars.
The weather was cooler than in recent days, with a touch of mugginess. Some small amount of rain sprinkle had accompanied us to the meeting location, but over the course of the hike there was no rain at all. Some sections of the Trail known to be consistently muddy lived up to their reputation on this hike.
The property is an acquisition of the Land Trust; the area we parked in might possibly eventually be a parking area for the parcel and act as an access point for the FLT as it passes through the area.
Leaving our vehicles on Coddington Rd, the group passed through some high weeds before starting up a long section of logging road. While not a particularly steep grade, the duration of the climb requires periodic pauses to rest. By comparison to some of the hill climbs on the current Eastman Hill FLT sections, this stretch of trail wasn’t too bad. The parcels previous owners had installed small benches periodically along the route; while I didn’t get a chance to test them out today, the benches appeared to be inviting. The previous owners of the parcel also named the various logging roads on the property and utilized a color coded route marking system that still remains.
Reaching the top of the hill the topography flattens out for a while before the future trail route leaves the logging road and plunges into the woodline. This results in a short period of bushwhacking that proved to be no problem
Eventually the route connects into the current FLT, and the group passed over the seasonal portion of Eastman Hill before arriving at Heisey Rd.
From there we did a short lollipop circle before returning along the route we had originally taken.
The benefit to hikers in the long run will be that a long section of the FLT will be preserved from loss, as sometimes happens with parts of the Trail that pass through private lands. I will miss some of the trail sections that this re-route will replace, but that is outweighed by the long term preservation of the Trail footpath. Some of the replaced sections of Trail might still be accessible to day hikers, with continued permission of the property owners. Only time will tell.
Photos by Cian
“I got the time wrong and showed up when everyone was returning – so only one picture with hikers , but I did the newly blazed trail until it intersected the old trail.”
8 hikers met on Ellis Hollow Creek Rd for a hike of the Nature Preserve trails there. The skies had been growing darker after I arrived at the Preserve parking lot, and I was concerned that we’d be rained out of the hike entirely. The last weather reports I’d seen before leaving home indicated only a small chance of rain before Noon.
As the group set off, a small amount of rain was heard falling through the forest canopy, but other than a few random rain drops I never felt any of it. The rain ended quickly and the rest of the hike was uneventful.
The group took a clockwise direction along our usual trail route, first onto the yellow blazed trails, which transitioned to the blue blazed trail section. The first stream crossing has a newer blowdown since my last time on that trail that fills the streambed and blocks the former stream crossing location. The trail footpath and been re-routed slightly upstream, with a sawyer cut through the fallen timber. The crossing was uneventful. The group rain into one or two other blowdowns that probably should be eventually cleaned up, but nothing that negatively impacted our hike this day.
Water levels in the streams were minimal at every crossing. Mud was also minimal
The group ran into a total of two other hikers or dog walkers on the first circuit around the Preserve.
Navigating the hills in the red blazed section went without incident, a section that sometimes can provide some unsure footing for hikers.
Temperatures were not particularly high, but the humidity soon had many of us sweating from the effort of hiking the trail. Despite the humidity it was still a pleasing day to hike; the overcast skies I had seen before the hike started had cleared by the time we were well into the hike.
Completing the first loop I stopped to make a quick trail journal entry.
Several of us opted at that time to call an end to our hike for the day, while several others opted to do a second loop around the trail circuit in the opposite direction.
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Sat Aug 14
Hike report and photos by shesse.
Hammond Hill SF ski trails
Lovely cool, dark and damp morning — such a welcome change from the oppressive heat and humidityEight dogs showed up, two named Chico. They provided a good bit of comic activityWe did the original, classic version of this hike that we’ve been doing for years. Luckily we have Tiger to lead the way — for all the times I’ve done it, I still don’t know the way myselfAs soon as we got into the woods, it was too dark to take photos. In the shadier spots, it actually felt like night was coming on, it was so darkArrival at Canaan RoadHeading back toward the cars on Star Stanton Road. This walk involves a big lollipop. The sun came out near the very end, but as you can see, it was still cloudy pretty late in the game (no shadows)
Official head count: 14H, eight D
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Sun Aug 15
Hike reports by shesse and Nancy L. Photos by shesse
Connecticut Hill — south from the radio tower on the FLT
Report by shesse
Jim was planning to lead this hike but then he decided at the last minute to take the day off to try and fight off a cold. I said I’d write the hike report.
It was another gorgeous morning, sunny and in the low 60s when we met up.
Randy and Nancy (left) have been doing a lot of independent hiking on Connecticut Hill and they’re really learning these obscure and poorly marked trails quite well. But today’s trail was one of the very few up here that are clearly marked for those not familiar with the area
The lighting was terrible for taking photos — dappled sun-and-shade and tremendous bright and dark contrasts
As you can see, the woods were a mishmash of sun and shade — very pretty but basically impossible to photograph in
As some of you know, I developed a balance disorder some years back, and then I suffered nerve damage when I took a big fall three years ago, and that worsened my balance even more. But I’ve recently bounced back to the point I can keep up with the group — in most circumstances.
This was a group of super-regulars and they tend to race along at top speed. I managed to keep up for the first 40 minutes — then the trail conditions got really hairy and I had to turn back. Nancy L filled in whatr happened after Tiger and I dropped out.
Report by Nancy L
We all took off together to hike South on the Finger Lakes trail from the radio tower at the top of tower road. The trail was easy to follow and quite pleasant, woody and shady. It went gently downhill for most of the hike South to the hump shaped part of Connecticut Hill Road. The trail continued in a southerly direction from the road. We worked our way uphill until we had hiked most of the way up Hulford Hill (from the north this time). In an attempt to provide a circuit I turned sharply north on an alternate trail a relatively short way north of where we would have reached Boylan. I led a group back on a rather mucky slog down hill and across a creek. After a bit the group had tired of the crummy trail conditions and took a blazed remnant of what use to be the FLT back to the current FLT. They returned to the cars in a timely fashion by retracing their steps on the FLT. Meanwhile Randy and another hiker took a different and clearer alternate route back to the car. Their trail went north first crossing Connecticut Hill Road. They then followed a trail on the other (west) side of Tower Rd for a bit, before intersecting Tower Road, which they took back to the cars. Meanwhile, I and one other were looking for Randy, since there was no phone reception. Eventually we made contact with Randy who picked us up on Boylan Rd so that no one was left behind in the woods. Nancy
Farm road walk — Chicken Coop Road, town of Hector, Schuyler County
Gorgeous morning , 63 when we started, lovely clouds and a nice cooling breeze
Jack V lives just a few minutes walk from where Chicken Coop Road begins. Where is (or was) the chicken coop the road was named after, I asked him. No one knows. But there is this wonderful barn just as the road begins that creates a great rural feeling.
I’ve never done this walk in summer, and it didn’t occur to me the big fields that flank the road in the first stretch would be grown up. In the off seasons they provide a delightful farm-country vista.
Normally this road is almost untraveled, since it doesn’t really go anywhere. But we had the bad luck to arrive during a ditch improvement project, and there was a good bit of heavy dump truck traffic back and forth. It did ruin the peaceful setting a little.
The road climbs steadily as it herads west toward the Finger Lakes National Forest, and the views to the east and south get really pleasing. You can see to the other side of the lake from the higher parts of the walk.
Despite the big trucks, I had a great time. There is just a fantastic country feeling to this neighborhood that I love.
Official head count: 7H, four D. Final temperature as we wrapped up: 72
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Wed Aug 4
Hike report by Jim
Upper Treman SP — various trails
9 hikers and 3 dogs met on Woodard Rd outside of upper Robert Treman, for a hike of area trails.
Walking South on the FLT, the group soon encountered the CCC trail that connects the FLT to the parking area near the Old Mill inside Upper Treman. Most of the times the group has hiked the CCC trail its been from the opposite direction, so traversing the trail from the direction of the FLT was a nice change for me.
Despite being the first week of August, normally a dry time of the year for area waterways, the wet summer we’ve had ensured a good quantity of water was flowing in Fish Kill Creek as we passed along it.
Once at the Old Mill the group passed over the bridge that crosses over Enfield Creek, and walked to the near-by trailhead for the Red Pine Trail.
In my time with the group we haven’t hiked this particular trail, although Stephen has since told me that in past earlier years this was one of the groups regular hike routes.
The Red Pine Trail, compared to other trails inside Robert Treman State Park, is a little more in a worn condition. The quantities of loose rocks encountered and the overall incline of the trail in places makes it a more difficult trail to hike on at anything faster than a very slow pace.
There’s an initial steep climb out of what used to be the Upper Treman camping area, long since converted to picnicking space; the trail passes through some nice stands of pines ( not surprising, given the trails name ). The middle portion of the trail is nicer than either end, with only moderate elevation gains and loss. Approaching the Gorge Trail, the Red Pine Trail makes a seriously steep plunge downhill, especially given the quantity of loose rocks encountered and overall poor trail conditions previously noted. This would be a good place to improve the trails footpath with a series of switchbacks, I would think.
Reaching the Gorge Trail the group took a minute to admire the waterway, then pointed towards Upper Treman and began the trek back towards the Old Mill via the Gorge Trail.
I used to race up and down this trail loaded down with tools and gear with hardly a thought in my early 20s; something seems to have happened to me in the intervening decades. The multitude of stone and wooden stairs are a slower trip than I remember.
We passed a number of other day hikers enjoying the Gorge trail and the scenery around Lucifer Falls. We had encountered no other hikers on the CCC and Red Pine Trails.
Reaching the Old Mill the group jumped back onto the CCC trail, returning to the FLT. Since the hike had taken the group much less time than I had originally planned, some of us turned South on the FLT, continued across the wooden bridge over Fish Kill Creek and onwards to Butternut Creek Rd. Once on Butternut Creek Rd the group walked to Van Ostrand Rd before turning around and re-tracing our steps back to our cars. This resulted in a total hike time a few minutes short of the desired two hour hike time.
Since the group hadn’t done this particular route in a long while, I hadn’t really known what to expect as far as an accurate assessment for hike duration. If I were to do it again I would have hiked South on the Gorge trail along the stream for a few minutes to burn up some time. The appeal of this hike was primarily in its newness for most of the current group of hikers. I might keep it in reserve as a very infrequent back-up hike, but in the interest of hiker safety I think that the condition of parts of the Red Pine Trail really preclude me from using that trail as a regular hike location for the group.
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Sat Aug 7
Reports by Leigh Ann and Jim. Photos by Cian and shesse
Morning hike through Treman SP — Cook-out at Roger’s
Hi, everyone.Jim and I agreed to write two hike reports about this morning’s hike at Lower Treman because, as is usual for this annual hike before the hiker cookout at Roger Beck’s, the group got very spread out.
The nine hikers and one dog started from the FLT parking lot on 13, crossed under 13 and stayed on the FLT for a bit. Then we came to what might be the funniest and best-bang-for-the buck piece of advertising ever: a green trail marker on which someone had written an arrow and “ice cream” with a sharpie. The arrow pointed at a little side trail that ended up at the mothership of Dennis’s Ice Cream (right where 13 and 34 separate), which, sadly, was not open yet. It was sad because the day was already quite hot and humid. This was by about 9:45.
Because it was hot and humid, the cliff of insanity on the FLT just to the west of the picnic shelter where we had last summer’s socially distanced hiker picnic was not as appealing as usual. So, we collectively chose to get onto the Treman State Park rim trail, took that west to the bridge that crosses the creek, and came back on the gorge trail.
By the time we got down into the gorge, the day was warm and hazy, like a North Alabama day in June. This is where we got so spread out that we were hiking in our own little groups.
From the gorge trail, we saw at least a dozen people enjoying splashing around in the stream, or walking slowly up the stream bed, or sitting in the stream under one of the many small waterfalls. The trail became more populated the closer we got to the lower falls parking lot. When the advance trio of hikers from our group arrived at this parking lot, it was packed. Not in a bad way: more in a collectively effervescent way.
Thoughts on the cook-out
Speaking of collective effervescence, the hiker’s cook-out at Roger’s was popping with it. The whole summer feels different after it for me, in a good way. Roger and Gunilla have such beautiful flowers around their ponds, the cooking crews did such a tasty and big job, and it’s always so fun to taste everyone’s favorite potluck dishes. Most of all, it was great to see people I haven’t gotten to see in the past 17 months and catch up. The weather was warm and nice, and it was a great, mellow time. Thank you, Roger and Gunilla, for your hospitality, and to everyone who headed up the cooking and set-up. Best wishes,Leigh Ann
8 hikers and 1 dog met at the FLT pull-off near Shady Corners at the base of Newfield Hill, where State Routes 13 and 34/96 split.
This hike was announced at the parking lot as being unusual from our normal hikes, as I expected some hikers to leave early to attend Rogers picnic near-by.
The group set off on the FLT, entering lower Robert Treman State Park.
An oddity we noticed and commented on almost immediately was a short stretch of trail on the flats that has had some water intrusion. This stretch of trail, normally dry, was wet from water runoff from the surrounding hillside.
The group proceeded up the first short hill from the lower flatlands of the park camping area; after that the trail continues a gradual climb until it reaches and crosses the access road to the YMCA camp.
A short distance further up the FLT we encountered the side trail that runs off into the distance, offering the hiker a chance to buy some ice cream. As it was a hot and muggy day and we’ve never explored that trail, we followed it to Dennis’ Ice Cream at Decker Pond. Unfortunately the ice cream place was closed, so we returned empty handed to the FLT and proceeded Westerly.
Reaching the YMCA camp I made the decision to alter the hike, leave the FLT and jump onto the near-by Rim Trail for a change of surroundings from our normal FLT hike.
The group proceeded up the Rim Trail, meeting a few day hikers and having an enjoyable hike ourselves.
Reaching the turn-around time the rest of the group chose to proceed onwards for a few extra minutes of hiking, while I opted to remain behind waiting for their return. The rest of the group in fact did not turn around and continued on for a loop hike; I’m having Leigh Ann document this part of their hike separately.
After waiting a few minutes and not seeing the group returning, I continued onwards, running into Cian along the way. We continued on the Rim Trail until we reached the bridge below Lucifer Falls that connects the Rim and Gorge Trails. We opted to cross the bridge and take the Gorge Trail back to the lower park.
Here the frequency of other hikers on the trail picked up, with numerous observed swimmers, day hikers, dog walkers etc
The Gorge Trail was very attractive as it proceeded along the waterway. Stopping to dip my hat in the running stream gave some relief from the heat of the day. I was extremely surprised at the number of people I saw on the trails who brought no obvious hydration supplies with them.
Reaching the lower park area we walked back to our cars and headed to the picnic at Rogers. Total hike time was about thirty minutes longer than our normal two hour duration.
There is some retaining wall and footbridge damage along the Gorge Trail. A couple of trees on the park trails requiring sawyer work were observed, but nothing that posed a hazard to hikers.
Report on the cook-out
Arriving at Rogers I found the party well under way. Chicken and other various food items were available in quantities to suit anyone’s tastes. Multiple cold beverage options were also available. A few hardy souls braved the cooler temperatures of the pond to swim. Clusters of people spread around the yard, the buzz of numerous conversations going on throughout the day.
As the afternoon wore on the bulk of the attendees slowly left, leaving a dozen or so remaining people along with a good number of their dogs standing by. Roger broke out the clams as the final food course of the picnic; those were quickly decimated to everyone’s satisfaction.
While people came and went through out the party, I could not get an accurate head count. I can safely estimate attendance at 61 people, but I am sure that even that number is too low for the actual number of hikers and family members present throughout the afternoon
shesse photos:
The chicken crew — Jack V, Bud, Randy and EckhartOnly the toughest people went in
Eight people met at the radio tower on Tower Rd on Connecticut Hill for a hike of the Bob Cameron Loop Trail.
It was a great day to hike; not quite as warm nor as muggy as Saturday.
The group set off down the trail from Tower Rd; reaching the split in the FLT and the Cameron Loop, we veered off to follow the orange blazed trail. Despite recent rains the trail was not hazardous at all; damp but not muddy on the downhills. Given my past history of wiping out on the downhill portions of this trail it is always a concern for me. There were a few sections of muddy trail along the way, but nothing that constituted a hazard to the hikers.
Lighting conditions were excellent, with the forest being well lit and a play of shadows and light from the sunlight coming to the forest floor from above.
I’ve always found most of this route to be an enjoyable mix of minor hills and flat areas. The majority of the footpath on the loop is a nice bed of needles, which I’ll take any day over a sometimes active streambed that’s filled with loose rocks or roots.
Water crossings were not difficult; while there was some minimal amounts of water flowing, it was not in such a quantity to create hazards.
Coming up out of the ravines on the return leg of the hike there was a nice breeze that made the hike more enjoyable.
The group moved along at a good pace that found ourselves back on Tower Road after only 90 minutes. We crossed the road and plunged into the woods on the FLT, quickly making a thirty minute out and back hike there to burn up our remaining hike time
The Cornell Chicken team got 55 ordersTemperature of the pond: low 60sRoger! He stayed in for about two minutes
We’ll have posts from Leigh Ann and Jim about the cook-out in Monday’s regular weekly hike roundup, including Jim’s estimate of the turn-out. We used to have everyone RSVP, so getting a pretty accurate head count wasn’t hard. This year, the only RSVPs were for the chicken.
Carson Road to the Woodchuck Hollow Lean-to on the FLT, Virgil
Six hikers and 1 dog set off on the FLT from Carson Rd in the Town of Virgil, headed Northerly towards the Woodchuck Hollow Lean-to.
The trail initially rises from Carson Rd at a steady pace. Passing by the remnants of an old stone wall, the footpath is a comfortable walking surface of layers of old leaves. The trail passes close to one of the recent DEC logging efforts, but not too close to the trail as with the Kuzia cut-off in near-by Kennedy Forest.
It was a great day for a hike, with the sun shining down through the layers of leaves, creating a patchwork of light and shadow on the forest floor.
Soon after passing the stone wall hikers had to clamber over the first of many recent blow-downs that are obstructing the trail in this area.
Reaching the crest of the hill the trail begins a gradual plunge downhill, the surrounding forest transitioning to stands of pine trees, and the footpath surface transitioning to layers of old needles.
There are quite a few stream crossings in this stretch, some are entirely dry, some with minimal amounts of water flowing, but none so full as to make the stream crossing difficult.
A couple sections of muddy footpath were also encountered along this portion of trail, but nothing seemed excessive or out of the norm from what we’ve come to expect from other local trails.
The trail soon comes to a split, with a blue blazed trail heading Northwest while the FLT continues Southwest. The group continued on the FLT, which skirted a fairly decent sized streambed for much of the remaining trail distance before the Woodchuck Hollow Lean-to.
Reaching the lean-to the group paused for a group picture.
Continuing onwards beyond the lean-to, the group reached the other end of the blue blazed trail. Hiker June agreed to lead the group for the return leg of the journey, allowing me to backtrack and photograph several areas I’d seen along the trail.
I returned to Carson RD and found several members of the group waiting for me; they reported that the blue blazed trail on the map did not conform to the trail on the ground, resulting in the group having to backtrack and take an alternate route to get back to the cars. I will keep this in mind for any future group hikes of the area.
I enjoyed this hike and will consider it for a hike location for the remainder of the group. The parking situation on Carson Rd will likely dictate that this be a Wednesday hike with a lower number of hikers participating.
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Wed July 28
Hike report and photos by Jim
Texas Hollow SF, Bennetsburg
Seven hikers met in Schuyler County for a hike of the FLT in Texas Hollow.
It was a cool but sunny day.
The trail was slightly muddy in areas but not too bad.
The open meadow near the pond was overgrown, the footpath not having been mowed back recently.
Portions of the FLT we passed through were somewhat overgrown, prompting me to focus the hike mainly on the blue blazed trail that loops around one of the bogs.
The hikers set off on the FLT from the parking area, passing through the first woods walk portion with little difficulty. Walking through the overgrown grasses by the pond the group soon came upon and took the blue blazed loop that travels through stands of evergreens, the forest floor a cushion of evergreen needles.
Soon a short hike the group came to the junction where the blue blazed trail rejoins the FLT
Crossing a few small but flowing streams the group soon was climbing the hill out of Texas Hollow.
Reaching the hour mark the group turned around, re-tracing our steps back to the blue blazed side trail which we again hiked in preference to the much more overgrown FLT.
Passing the small pond again, the group walked to Texas Hollow Rd for a short road walk back to our cars.
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Sat July 31
Hike report by Leigh Ann. Photos by Cian
Logan Hill Preserve, Candor
Eleven hikers and two dogs met at the Candor middle/high school parking lot on Saturday morning to hike in Logan Hill Preserve. It was a cool, clear day that looked like high summer and felt like early fall.
We hiked southwesterly on Water Road, which turns into Logan Hill Road where it becomes a steep, seasonal, one-lane road – one that’s much better for hikers and the occasional ATV than for a car. The steepest part of this roughly 4.2-mile hike is front-loaded on this stretch of Logan Hill Road.
About a mile into the hike, Logan Hill Road makes a 90 degree turn to the west, and about 100 feet past the turn is the eastern trailhead. The well-marked yellow trail heads north from the road through deciduous forest. Then the trail heads up through wide fields with beautiful ponds and enters hemlock forest. The trail winds around at the edge of a small gorge and turns back to the south. Then the forest becomes deciduous again, and the trail comes out at the top of another beautiful field with views of hills to the southeast. The trail returns to Logan Hill Road about 1/2 mile west of the eastern trailhead. Because this is a lollypop-shaped hike, the last mile of it is a long, lovely downhill on the same stretch of Logan Hill Road/Water Road that we came in on.
Fair-weather cumulus came in over the course of the hike, but the weather never got hot, and the views from the fields at the top of the hill were expansive. There hadn’t been rain for a few days, but there clearly had been a lot of rain before then. The undergrowth in the forest wasn’t dusty, so it shone in the sun. Tiny toads were hopping all over the place in the woods, and mushrooms were everywhere. When we returned to the cars, Cian mentioned that there’s a goat dairy called Side Hill Acres about 3/4 miles from the school. Many of us drove over to the little store, which is a neat place to visit after a Saturday hike.
Ten hikers and two dogs set off on the Dabes diversion loop in Cortland County.
It was a warm, sunny day throughout the hike.
The threat of rain is the distance came in the form of far-away thunder, but no rain fell and darker clouds in the distance did not appear until the hike was completed.
The trail was dry throughout, with minimal amounts of water to contend with in the water crossings.
There was little to no mud on the footpath, and the dry bed of old needles and relative lack of roots on much of the trail made for a comfortable hike; those and the weather all combined to make a particularly fast hike pace for the group today. The group finished the hike with a good fifteen minutes left, but no one complained about ending the hike early.
Hikers made the first gradual ascent on the diversion loop to the observation point by the field, which was particularly enjoyable today due to the clear skies. This first portion of the hike to the observation point is one of my favorites.
The group then followed the FLT to the Kuzia cut-off. Here the recent handiwork of the CTC sawyer crews was obvious to everyone, as the trail wound through the large numbers of recent blowdowns was efficiently cleared of debris.
Once clear of the Kuzia cut-off the group made its way back to our cars, another hike successfully completed.
