Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting & Luncheon

Cayuga Trails Newsletter of the Cayuga Trails Club Founded in 1962 “…to explore, enjoy and preserve wild lands and places of natural beauty…”

January-February 2020 Winter Edition Volume 60, Nos. 1&2

Last year’s Annual Meeting, despite the blizzard! (Photo by Curtis Myers)

Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting & Luncheon

Sunday, January 19, 2020 12:00 to 4:00 PM Delaware Ballroom, Clarion Inn (Formerly Ramada), 2310 Triphammer Rd., Ithaca

REGISTER BY JANUARY 12th! Join us for what always promises to be an excellent lunch and a great time meeting and reuniting with your fellow CTC members! Dr. Charles Smith will be giving a special presentation about grassland birds in New York State, their present habitat threats, and what we can do to help! His years of experience as an author, naturalist, educator, conservationist, and Cornell Senior Research Associate guarantee an interesting and varied perspective on our local avian friends.

1 Thank You By Gary Mallow

For the past five years it has been my privilege to serve you as President and to write this column. In January, I will pass the torch to a new President, who brings talent, smarts, and a good work ethic to the job, along with new energy and new priorities. I urge you to give our new President all the support and encouragement you have provided me.

The past five years have been quite a ride. I learned a lot about myself. I got to work with talented, smart, goal-oriented people with a passion for the outdoors. Many of those people serve on our hard working Cayuga Trails Club board. Others work for allied organizations. I am especially indebted to: Andy Zepp of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, Todd Bittner of Cornell Botanic Gardens, John Clancy of DEC, Jodie Vanselow of the National Forest, Jim Brophy of New York Parks, Pat Monahan of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference (FLTC), and their dedicated staffs. All have been cooperative and helpful; all have contributed to our club's fulfillment of its mission.

When I look back on our club's record, and look ahead to our challenges, I am cautiously optimistic. We have an effective trails club, if we can keep it.

Over the past five years, we led nearly 300 hikes, including the popular Tuesday Evening Hikes. We maintained and enhanced our 100 miles of trail through the dogged work of 50 trail adopters and volunteers. We worked on five successive National Trails Day projects, but also on a score of lesser known, one-day projects. We built lean-to's, puncheons, bridges, kiosks, and privies. We opened new trail. We purchased three vulnerable land parcels, thus protecting vital sections of FLT. Members of your club worked hard on these land purchases, but they could not have been purchased without the financial and logistical support of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and the Finger Lakes Land Trust. The conference boldly ponied up over $500,000 for the purchases.

The years ahead pose three daunting, but familiar, challenges. The pressure to sell privately held rural land that the Finger Lakes Trail crosses is the most serious threat to the trail, and to hiking. Second, we will likely struggle to find the best people willing to fill leadership roles that offer no compensation other than our gratitude for those who do step up. Third, we must renew, clarify, and strengthen our relationships with allied outdoor organizations, especially the Trail Conference.

There are very few “thank-you's” in this business. But this is my opportunity to thank you, dear member, for placing your trust in me to lead our club. The credit for our success belongs to your board, especially our Trails Chair and Hike Coordinator, and most especially to our volunteers. This was never a one-man show. When we work together, with a common goal and with common values, we are so much stronger than we are as individuals. It has been my honor to serve you.

2 Trails Report By David Priester, Vice President/Trails Chairman

The end of the year, in fact the end of the decade, is approaching as I write this article. As with many things at this time we reflect back on the last twelve months and what we have accomplished and, yes, what we might have liked to accomplish and didn’t quite get to. My ambitions are always larger than reality generally allows, but I prefer to think big!

The fall hunting season will be concluded by the time this article is published. I want to thank all the hikers who abided by the trail closures and respected the wishes of the land owners who choose to close the trails on their land during hunting. If we do not respect the conditions property owners require then we risk losing permission to cross their property which is never a happy occurrence.

The list of trail issues which have made the action list in the CTC sponsored region numbers 93. And if the number seems large remember these items range from a washed out bridge that needs to be replaced to a blow down that needs cleaned up or a missing sign or blaze. Many have been closed out through the efforts of a great many volunteers. I believe the net number of open tasks is somewhat fewer than this time last year. I thank all of you who helped make this kind of activity possible, and there are a great many of you who contribute to the trail maintenance effort from the folks who report issues to the trail adopters, sawyers and all the others who pitch in and help keep our trails hikeable.

There are a few significant items to mention. Having a new field mower has enabled us to mow places where we never could before and with much less wear and tear on the operators. We finished up the new trail from White Church Road up to the top of Braley Hill. If you haven’t been on that section try it out. It will be good snowshoeing. The failing bridge on the FLT in the Finger Lakes National Forest which was a lingering issue was repaired by a crew a month or so ago. A couple smaller bridges were built last year and a couple more and some sections of puncheon repaired after tree falls and the effects of age took their tolls.

Looking to the next year there is still lots to do. Mark your calendar now, the National Trails Day event will be on Saturday, June 6th, this year. There are a number of projects that are likely candidates to be worked on that day so stay tuned for further details. There are some other larger projects that have to be addressed as well. I keep a list of volunteers who are particularly interested in working on larger trail projects. If you would like to be included amongst those I call on to gather a team please let me know.

A few words about our trail adoption program are in order. We have a small army of volunteers who each maintain their assigned section of trail. That isn’t news to most of you. And I deeply appreciate all your efforts in keeping the woods from taking back the paths and making the hiking experiences in this area such a good one. Early in each new year I check in with all the trail adopters to determine first of all if they intend to continue working on a trail segment. Most of the adopters continue to work their trails. Some people need to drop out of the program now and then. And some would like to work on a different trail segment for a change. What I’m getting at is that there are occasionally segments of our trail network available for adoption and if you have been thinking about volunteering in this way or would like to know more about what that involves please get in touch with me. I keep a list of potential trail adopters against the times I need to fill a slot.

I keep repeating this, so here it is again, but it’s really important. As you hike on our trails, be it in the CTC region or elsewhere, please take note of trail maintenance issues that you see. When you happen upon something needing attention please report what you have seen to the FLTC trail management team. Pictures, detailed location information, and GPS data is very helpful. These reports are received by the trail management team and forwarded to the people who can take action. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Thank you again to all of you who have helped keep our trail network in good condition. You all can be proud of the trail network in our area of responsibility. After all, it’s your work and energy that keeps it clear and hikeable.

If you have questions or comments or to volunteer please contact me, [email protected].

In appreciation of our President, Gary Mallow!

By: The CTC Executive Board

Gary Mallow is retiring from his role as President of CTC as of the Annual Membership Meeting on January 19. He has led our club as President for five years and before that he served as Trails Chair for another five years.

In his Trails Chair role Gary coordinated the construction, maintenance, and “tending” of all the trails our club is responsible for. But he wasn’t an armchair trails chair. He was out there with the chainsaw and picks and shovels as needed, making sure the trails were available for us all.

In his role as President, he has continued to put in many hours taking care of his own adopted trail sections, actively participating in major projects, in addition to overseeing the other activities of the club. He has recruited volunteers to serve in the board positions, made sure we did our jobs, organized board and club membership meetings, and maintained our relationships with partner organizations such as FLLT, FLTC, Cornell Botanic Gardens, and others.

It wasn’t part of the President’s job, but Gary heard members asking for a regular weekly hike series and he took up the challenge, creating and leading the Tuesday Hikes almost every week for five years in addition to everything else. When there wasn’t a board member available to do a certain job, Gary filled in. He made sure our adopted highway section got cleaned up, meeting minutes were taken, and the books were audited. Some of us on the Board have known the CTC before “Gary’s time”, but for many of us, it isn’t possible to think of CTC without Gary right In the middle of the picture.

He has really, for over a decade now, been the mind, heart and muscle of our club. Gary is going to stay on the board serving as an active and engaged Past President and we all look forward to continuing to work with him now in his role as village elder. Gary, we thank you so much for all you have done for CTC and our local trails and hikes.

A New Mission Statement for the Cayuga Trails Club By: Max Heitner

What are the first things that come to mind when thinking of the work of the Cayuga Trails Club? Maybe organizing group hikes, coordinating camping trips, or maintaining the Finger Lakes Trail? Over the years, multiple members of the Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club had noticed that a key component of what the Cayuga Trails Club does, trail work, was not mentioned in our purpose statement.

The existing statement read, “to explore, enjoy, and preserve wild lands and places of natural beauty and interest through informal study of the natural and historical features of the out-of-doors by walks and related activities."

In June of 2019, a Mission Statement Committee was established by the Executive Board consisting of Gary Mallow, Roger Hopkins, Sigrid Connors and myself to propose an updated mission statement.

Workshop sessions took place during the August and October Executive Board meetings to develop a final version of an updated mission statement to propose to the membership at the 2020 Annual Meeting in January.

In December, a resolution was passed in support of proposing the following updated mission to the membership, “to encourage appreciation of nature through hiking, outdoor recreation and the stewardship and conservation of foot trails.”

The Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club recommends adoption of this updated mission statement as a more clear and concise representation of why the Cayuga Trails Club exists and the work that it does.

Please attend the Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting on January 19th, 2020 for the membership vote regarding adoption of the new mission statement.

Below, please find the relevant section of the bylaws being considered to be changed. Visit the front page of our website for a link to the complete bylaws!

Proposed Revision to the Cayuga Trails Club Bylaws at the January 19, 2020 Annual Meeting

Revisions are indicated as follows: a strike through in brackets indicate “eliminations” and yellow highlights in italics indicate “additions”.

CAYUGA TRAILS CLUB BY-LAWS

(Revised November 4, 1964, January 9, 1966, February 27, 1972, November 15, 1987, January 23, 2000, January 24, 2010, January 23, 2011 and January 24, 2016)

I - NAME AND MISSION [PURPOSE] The corporate name of this organization is the CAYUGA TRAILS CLUB. Its mission [purposes] shall be: to encourage appreciation of nature through hiking, outdoor recreation, and the stewardship and conservation of foot trails. [explore, enjoy, and preserve wild lands and places of natural beauty and interest and their plant and animal life; and to encourage the informal study of the natural, historical, and cultural features relating to the out-of-doors through walks and related activities.]

Please welcome our new Cayuga Trails Club members! by Membership Chair - Sigrid Larsen Connors

Life Memberships – Individual Allen Quirk Marsha Zgola

Individual Memberships Ann Furze Norm Trigoboff

Family Memberships Alon Keinen Ann McIntyre ------2019 Cayuga Trails Club Nominating Committee Report

The 2019 nominating committee members: Gundy Lee, Nigel Dyson-Hudson, and Lucy Gagliardo

Meet the Slate of Officers for 2020 – thank you to all those running for office President: Polley McClure Polley is a lifelong hiker/outdoors person, reactivating these interests when she retired from Cornell in 2010. She was a Biology/Ecology professor and administrator at Indiana University, University of Virginia , and Cornell. Polley was a member of the board for The SPCA of Tompkins County and President for about 5 years. She has served CTC as chair of Finance Committee, Secretary, and convener of the Tuesday Hike group. Polley and her husband are stewards of the Lindsay Parsons preserve next to their home in West Danby. she also enjoys gardening, weaving, quilting, and she's learning to play the piano.

Vice- President: David Priester David is currently the Cayuga Trails Club vice president and concurrently is serving as the trails chair. He joined the CTC in 2010 and was recruited as a trail adopter by Gary Mallow a couple years later. Since then he has been an appointed board member managing the highway cleanup project and then took over the trails chair and the vice president positions in subsequent years. In addition to the local club duties David is the Watkins-East Regional Trail Coordinator for the FLTC. He is certified in Wilderness First Aid and as a level II sawyer.David retired from the Park School at Ithaca College three years ago after a long career as a television and radio systems engineer so is now considered to be a “Recovering engineer.” He is a member of the AMC 4000 foot club having hiked the New England 67 peaks and is 22 hikes away from qualifying for the Trailwrights 72 patch.

Treasurer: Allen Quirk Allen is a long time Ithaca resident and CTC member. He has hiked the trails and paddled the rivers of New York and New England for decades. Allen has worked at a number of local organizations as Office Manager, most recently Taitem Engineering, before his retirement last year. Allen looks forward to the opportunity to serve the CTC as its treasurer.

Secretary: Lucy Gagliardo Lucy has previously been our Adopt-A-Highway Chair for two years, a Member-at-Large for 2 years, and is an avid hiker and volunteer, who additionally is a Trail Adopter on the FLT.

Member-at-Large (2 year position): Myra Shulman Myra grew up hiking, camping and backpacking and hasn’t stopped for 65 ears. It’s just so awesome out there! She loves nature, exploring, and building and maintaining trails for everyone to use. She currently serves on the board of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, and is co-adopter of the FLT and other trails on the Lick Brook Preserves. The CTC is full of active, adventurous people –Myra considers it a privilege to be on the board with this group.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible!

Cayuga Trails Club – Come Join Us! by Jim Connors

Hello fellow hikers. The Cayuga Trails Club (CTC) was founded by our charter members in 1962 and soon thereafter was incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Wow, we will be 58 years old in 2020! The years pass by quickly! For 58 years we have been sustained by many people taking leadership roles on the CTC Board. As time marches on the leaders that come and go carry with them the satisfaction of supporting a wonderful organization, lasting friendships, comradery with likeminded people, and memories that fill their minds with experiences for a lifetime of storytelling. Would you like an enjoyable experience by being part of a team and supporting the ongoing history of the CTC? Would you consider one of the following open CTC board positions?

Membership Committee The Membership Committee shall have charge of all duties pertaining to membership. a) Keep a record of the names and addresses of all club members and a list of visitors who attend club functions. b) Distribute application forms to prospective members, including visitors to club functions. c) Notify new members of acceptance into the club. d) Distribute the club brochure as needed. e) Add the names and addresses of new members to the newsletter mailing list. f) Notify IT committee of membership changes. g) Maintain a supply of club patches and distribute them to requestors. h) As a voting member of the Executive Board, the Membership chairperson is expected to attend and take part in Executive Board Meetings.

Publicity Committee The Publicity Committee shall be responsible for newspaper, radio, web site, and other media publicity. a) Issue news releases about club activities. b) Submit articles about the club and its activities for publication in local newspapers and other media. c) Coordinate other publicity efforts such as the designing, printing, and distribution of flyers, brochures, etc. d) Update the club's web site with publicity information, or submit same to IT committee. e) As a voting member of the Executive Board, the chairperson is expected to attend and take part in Executive Board Meetings.

Guidebook Committee Member: Supporting Guidebook Editor Michael (Bodhi) Rogers The Guidebook Committee shall be responsible for the revision, publication and distribution of the guidebook (Guide to Trails of the Finger Lakes Region). a) Work with the Trails Committee to keep informed about and record changes in the location of the trail as they occur. b) Keep a list of sales outlets for the guidebook. c) Maintain records of cost of publication, the number of guidebooks on hand and the number sold. d) Report this information to the Board semi-annually, one of these occasions being the Annual Meeting. e) As a voting member of the Executive Board, the Guidebook Committee chairperson is expected to attend and take part in Executive Board Meetings.

Finance Committee The Finance Committee shall be responsible for keeping current the financial records, financial procedure and policies. The Finance Committee shall include the Finance Chairperson, the Treasurer and one other member of the club. a) Audit the Treasurer's books. b) Prepare the club's annual budget. c) Submit the above to the Executive Board in time for the meeting following the annual business meeting. d) As a voting member of the Executive Board, the Finance Committee chairperson is expected to attend and take part in Executive Board Meetings.

Executive Board Meetings are held every other month and are scheduled for 2 hours each. If you would like more information, are interested in volunteering to fill one of these positions as chairperson, or would be willing to support the chairperson by serving on one of these committees please contact one of the current Executive Board Officers listed below. Gary Mallow, President, [email protected] David Priester, Vice President, [email protected] Jim Connors, Treasurer, [email protected] Polley McClure, Secretary, [email protected] Give it some thought! Opportunities are limitless. Cayuga Trails Club – Come join us and be a part of our history.

Upcoming Hikes and Other Events By Barb Nussbaum

FLTC: First Day Hike on the Dabes Diversion Loop Wednesday, January 1, 2020 • 10:00 am Registration Required!  Hike rating: Distance - 3.3 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate  Event/Trailhead location: Intersection of Hauck Hill Road and Bleck Road, Virgil, NY  Contact: Debra Nero [email protected] (607)227-7957

Join Cayuga Trails Club member Deb and Laurie and Deb's dogs to hike the lovely Dabes Diversion - Kuzia Cutoff Loop on the scenic Finger Lakes Trail in Virgil, NY. This short hike, 3.3 miles through Kennedy State Forest, has old rock fences, large rock piles, a spectacular view to the south, and the Foxfire Lean-to. We will stop at the Lean-to for a snack and a rest break. This hike is one of the family- friendly Finger Lakes Trail/Wegmans Passport hikes. This is a dog-friendly hike. Wear good hiking shoes/boots, hat, gloves, and layers appropriate for the weather. Bring a day pack, water, and snacks. Depending on weather conditions the hike should take about 2 hours. It's a good idea to have dry socks and a change of clothes in your car for after the hike.

For information and registration (required): Deb Niro (607) 227-7957, email [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance so the hike leaders can contact you if the hike is cancelled due to inclement weather.

Passport Hike #1: Upper Robert Treman State Park Saturday, January 4, 2020 • 9:00 am  Hike rating: Hike rating: Distance - 1.2 miles; Terrain - Easy; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Easy.  Carpool meeting place: 9:00 a.m. - EMS Parking Lot at 722 S Meadow St. . Please park in front of the store but at the end of the lot furthest away from the store.  Event/Trailhead location: 9:30 a.m. - Treman State Park upper parking lot off of NY Route 327  Contact: Debra Nero [email protected] (607)227-7957

Join Deb and her dogs (Addie, Kai and Lucille) for the first of five family friendly, dog friendly Passport Hikes. The 36 short Passport hikes on the Finger Lakes Trail system are grouped into 3 sets of 12 hikes each, the Western, Central and Eastern Passport hikes. Over the next several weeks we will do 5 of these hikes, 4 in the Central book and 1 in the Eastern book. Somewhere along each hike is an embossed rubbing plate (provided by Wegmans) with a trail register box all mounted on a post (provided by the CTC and the FLTC). All hikers will be provided with Passport books so you can make a rubbing of the plate in the book. If you complete all 4 hikes in the Central Passport book you can send the rubbing page into the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and receive a beautiful patch!

The destination for Passport Hike #1 is Upper Robert Treman State Park [hike 10 in the Central Passport book]. This hike has historic sites such as the Old Mill and the old CCC camp that existed from 1933 -

1941. Some of the remnants of the CCC camp include a stone stairway, a stately row of old cedar trees and a former swimming hole behind the remains of a dam.

Passport Hike #2: Spanish Loop - Irvin Trail Saturday, January 11, 2020 • 9:00 am  Hike rating: Hike rating: Distance - 2.2 miles; Terrain - Easy; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Easy  Carpool meeting place: 9:00 a.m. - EMS Parking Lot at 722 S Meadow St. . Please park in front of the store but at the end of the lot furthest away from the store.  Event/Trailhead location: 9:30 a.m. - NY Route 38 to Daisy Hollow Rd. This intersection is approximately 5 miles south of Dryden, and just north of Harford. Turn onto Daisy Hollow Rd (in a northerly direction) for approx 2.6 miles till you reach the second ('southern') FLT trailhead .  Contact: Debra Nero [email protected] (607)227-7957

Join Deb and her dogs (Addie, Kai and Lucille) for the second of five family friendly, dog friendly Passport Hikes. The 36 short Passport hikes on the Finger Lakes Trail system are grouped into 3 sets of 12 hikes each, the Western, Central and Eastern Passport hikes. Over the next several weeks we will do 5 of these hikes, 4 in the Central book and 1 in the Eastern book. Somewhere along each hike is an embossed rubbing plate (provided by Wegmans) with a trail register box all mounted on a post (provided by the CTC and the FLTC). All hikers will be provided with Passport books so you can make a rubbing of the plate in the book. If you complete all 4 hikes in the Central Passport book you can send the rubbing page into the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and receive a beautiful patch! The destination for Passport Hike #2 is Spanish Loop – Irvin Trail near Dryden [hike 12 in the Central Passport book]. This hike has hardwoods, conifers, a waterfall, a campsite, stone benches and a view to the west! We will hike a portion of the Spanish Loop Trail which is part of the International Loop!

Winter Outing # 4 - Virgil Mountain Loop Saturday, January 18, 2020 • 9:30 am  Hike rating: Distance - 4.7 miles; Terrain - Moderate to Difficult (800 ft elevation gain); Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate to Difficult (in snow). (Note: depending on the number of hikers, we may divide into faster and slower paced groups.)  Carpool meeting place: 9:30 a.m. - Finger Lakes Library System Parking at Inersection of Rt. 13 and Rt 366  Event/Trailhead location: 10:00 a.m. - Virgil Mountain Loop Parking on Odell Road South , Pull off parking for 3 vehicles  Contact: Myra Shulman [email protected]

The Virgil Mountain Loop features spectacular views from near the top of the highest peak (2132’) in the neighborhood! The trail winds through the eastern section of Kennedy State Forest, passing through upland forests of oak, pine, and maple and across a stream as we near the end of the loop. The terrain is rolling, with a total elevation gain of 800’. If the snow is deep, this will be a moderately difficult hike. It’s winter hiking, so come prepared! Wear waterproof hiking boots, layered warm clothing, and use hiking poles. Bring both snowshoes and traction footwear (Microspikes, Stabilicers, Nanospikes, etc) – we will determine at the trailhead which are appropriate. There will be a lunch/snack break – bring food, water, and, if you like, something waterproof to sit on.

Some of the hiking group, exploring Watkins Glen in the winter! (Photo by Carol Mallison)

Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting & Luncheon - 2020 Sunday, January 19, 2020 • 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Reservations due by January 12!  Contact: Marsha Zgola [email protected] 607-546-7367

All are welcome!

Members, watch your mailbox for the 2020 Annual Meeting and Luncheon flyer and membership renewal form. CTC Members, guests and the general public may reserve the buffet lunch for $19 per attendee. Reservations, and membership renewals, may be made by mail or online at http://cayugatrailsclub.org/join/ See program details below.

Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting

Sunday, January 19, 2020 Clarion Inn, Delaware Ballroom, 2310 Triphammer Rd., Ithaca Program

12:00 — 12:45 pm – Social hour: coffee, tea, Cash bar

12:45 — Buffet Lunch Gluten free entree available with advance request - please request "gluten free" on registration.

Entrees Honey Basil Chicken Eggplant Parmesan Accompaniments Rosemary Roasted Potatoes Green Beans Salads Garden Salad with House Dressing Sweet Pea Salad Dessert Chocolate Cake Lunch includes – dinner rolls w/butter, Coffee, Tea, Decaf & Iced Tea 1:30 — Annual Meeting

 Committee Reports  Election of 2020 Officers & Member-at-Large  “Oscar” Awards for Distinguished Service

2:15 — Special Presentation by Charles Smith

Importance, Status, and Management of Grassland Birds in New York State

Dr. Smith will describe the national, regional, and local status for a group of birds that require open, grassy areas for nesting and raising their young. Twenty-five years ago, the presenter was the senior author for the first published paper reporting the declines of grassland birds in the Northeast. At least 9 different kinds of grassland birds still occur in NYS, some of them now among the rarest of breeding birds in New York. Our speaker is a Naturalist, Educator and Conservationist and retired Cornell University Senior Research Associate with interests in plants, terrestrial vertebrates, butterflies and dragon/damselflies.

Winter Outing # 5 - Abbott Loop West Saturday, January 25, 2020 • 9:30 am - 3:00 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 6 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate  Carpool meeting place: 9:30 a.m. - EMS Parking Lot at 722 S Meadow St. . Please park in front of the store but at the end of the lot furthest away from the store.

 Event/Trailhead location: 10:00 a.m. - FLT trailhead on Michigan Hollow Road, about 2.4 miles south of Route 96B in Danby near Diane's Crossing .  Contact: David Priester [email protected] 607-280-5074

Join David Priester for a 6 mile winter hike. Starting on the Finger Lakes Trail on Michigan Hollow Road near Diane's Crossing we’ll hike to the Chestnut lean-to and will continue to Bald Hill Road, walk on Bald Hill Road to pick up the orange blazed Abbott Loop trail, head up to Thatchers Pinnacles (1.700 ft.) and back around and down to Bald Hill Road and back to Michigan Hollow Road where we started. Thatcher’s Pinnacles provide a scenic overlook over West Danby, the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve and the forested hills beyond. While this hike is listed as moderate, there are some steep pitches to be negotiated.

Passport Hike #3: Bob Cameron Loop Saturday, February 1, 2020 • 9:00 am  Hike rating: Hike rating: Distance - 2.6 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate  Carpool meeting place: 9:00 a.m. - EMS Parking Lot at 722 S Meadow St. . Please park in front of the store but at the end of the lot furthest away from the store.  Event/Trailhead location: 9:30 a.m. - Take the access road to the radio tower off of Tower Road, 0.7 miles south of Cayutaville Road. The trail head is about 200 yards south of the radio tower . There is only shoulder parking at the trailhead; best parking is near the radio t ower  Contact: Debra Nero [email protected] (607)227-7957

Join Deb and her dogs (Addie, Kai and Lucille) for the third of five family friendly, dog friendly Passport Hikes. The 36 short Passport hikes on the Finger Lakes Trail system are grouped into 3 sets of 12 hikes each, the Western, Central and Eastern Passport hikes. We will do 5 of these hikes, 4 in the Central Passport book and 1 in the Eastern Passport book. Somewhere along each hike is an embossed rubbing plate (provided by Wegmans) with a trail register box all mounted on a post (provided by the CTC and the FLTC). All hikers will be provided with Passport books so you can make a rubbing of the plate in the book. If you complete all 4 hikes in the Central Passport book you can send the rubbing page into the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and receive a beautiful patch! The destination for Passport Hike #3 is Bob Cameron Loop [hike 9 in the Central Passport book]. This hike is in the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area and begins near the highest point in Tompkins County and the radio tower found at the highest point. The trail travels through beautiful hardwood, pine and hemlock forests.

Winter Outing # 6 - Abbott Loop East Saturday, February 8, 2020 • 9:30 am - 2:00 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 4 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate  Carpool meeting place: 9:30 a.m. - EMS Parking Lot at 722 S Meadow St. . Please park in front of the store but at the end of the lot furthest away from the store.  Event/Trailhead location: 10:00 a.m. - FLT trailhead on Michigan Hollow Road, about 2.4 miles south of Route 96B in Danby near Diane's Crossing (.  Contact: David Priester [email protected] 607-280-5074

Join David Priester for a 4 mile winter hike. Starting on the Finger Lakes Trail on Michigan Hollow Road near Diane's Crossing we’ll hike the Finger Lakes Trail for nearly two miles through some picturesque woods and steep hillsides to the junction near Curtis road, and then continue on the Abbott Loop to its southern crossing of Michigan Hollow Road Where we will either have spotted cars or will hike the 1.6 mile road walk along Michigan Hollow Creek back to Diane’s Crossing depending on the groups preference.

Winter Outing #7: Van Lone Hill Loop Saturday, February 22, 2020 • 9:15 am - 4:00 pm  Hike rating: Length - about 6 miles; Pace - Moderate; Terrain - Strenuous  Carpool meeting place: 9:15 a.m. - EMS Parking Lot at 722 S Meadow St. . Please park in front of the store but at the end of the lot furthest away from the store.  Event/Trailhead location: 10:00 a.m. - Gulf Road trail-head of the Finger Lakes Trail, in the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area, Newfield, just off of Schuyler County Road #6 near the Cayuta Lake outlet, south of Cayuta Lake. There is a small parking lot about 200 yards down Gulf Road .  Contact: David Priester [email protected] 607-280-5074

Join David Priester for a special winter hike on the Van Lone Loop, which is comprised of partly main white-blazed Finger Lakes Trail and the orange-blazed trail to complete the loop in the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. We will begin and end at the Gulf Road trail-head. The primary natural features of this hike include the beautiful, narrow Cayuta Outlet, which could be running with fast water. We will pass through a small stand of old growth trees of various species, some up to 150 years old. A long footbridge built out of black locust is a highlight, along with the site of an identical bridge lost in a flood a few years ago. We will begin on the orange blazed Van Lone Loop trail hiking up Connecticut Hill on woods trail and old roads to Todd Road to meet the Finger Lakes Trail then returning back down hill via the Finger Lakes Trail.

The Connecticut Hill Wildlife Managment Area is owned by the people of New York and managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation. At 11,645 acres, it is the largest wildlife managment area of its kind in New York State.

Passport Hike #4: Shindagin Hollow Saturday, February 29, 2020 • 9:00 am  Hike rating: Hike rating: Distance - 2.8 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate.  Carpool meeting place: 9:00 a.m. - EMS Parking Lot at 722 S Meadow St. . Please park in front of the store but at the end of the lot furthest away from the store.  Event/Trailhead location: 9:30 a.m. - FLTC trailhead, South Road in Brooktondale near Shindagin Hollow Lean-To, shoulder parking  Contact: Debra Nero [email protected] (607)227-7957

NOTE: we will be doing this hike in the reverse order from the description in the Central Passport Book Join Deb and her dogs (Addie, Kai and Lucille) for the fourth of five family friendly, dog friendly Passport Hikes. The 36 short Passport hikes on the Finger Lakes Trail system are grouped into 3 sets of 12 hikes each, the Western, Central and Eastern Passport hikes. We will do 5 of these hikes, 4 in the Central Passport book and 1 in the Eastern Passport book. Somewhere along each hike is an embossed rubbing plate (provided by Wegmans) with a trail register box all mounted on a post (provided by the CTC and the FLTC). All hikers will be provided with Passport books so you can make a rubbing of the plate in the book. If you complete all 4 hikes in the Central Passport book you can send the rubbing page into the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and receive a beautiful patch! The destination for Passport Hike #4 is Shindagin Hollow [hike 11 in the Central Passport book]. This hike is in the Shindagin Hollow State Forest. WE WILL DO THIS HIKE IN REVERSE FROM THE DESCRIPTION IN THE CENTRAL PASSPORT BOOK. We will start at the west end of the hike on South Rd and hike in a southeasterly direction to the seasonal Shindagin Hollow Rd. We will then turn around and hike back to South Rd. The trail has conifers, hardwoods, views into a deep gorge and the lovely Shindagin Lean-to sited among huge white pines and hemlocks.

Nature is always about with the CTC! (And a wildlife rehabilitator on the hike) (Photo by Gundy Lee)

“Thank You” to Our Trail Landowners Please accept the appreciation of the Cayuga Trails Club Board members for your continuing permission to route local trails through your property. Perhaps your trail's caretaker has said so directly. Please know that we are all grateful for the privilege of enjoying your back woods, streams, and fields. On behalf of all hikers and CTC members, we acknowledge that, without your generosity, we would simply never have a continuous trail to enjoy in our part of the Finger Lakes.

Mark Your Calendar Wed, Jan 1 *FLTC: First Day Hike on the Dabes Diversion Loop — Debra Nero Registration Required! Sat, Jan 4 Passport Hike #1: Upper Robert Treman State Park — Debra Nero Sat, Jan 11 Passport Hike #2: Spanish Loop - Irvin Trail — Debra Nero Sat, Jan 18 Winter Outing # 4 - Virgil Mountain Loop — Myra Shulman Sun, Jan 19 Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting & Luncheon - 2020 — Marsha Zgola Reservations due by January 12! Sat, Jan 25 Winter Outing # 5 - Abbott Loop West — David Priester Sat, Feb 1 Passport Hike #3: Bob Cameron Loop — Debra Nero Sat, Feb 8 Winter Outing # 6 - Abbott Loop East — David Priester Sat, Feb 22 Winter Outing #7: Van Lone Hill Loop — David Priester Sat, Feb 29 Passport Hike #4: Shindagin Hollow — Debra Nero

Check our website at CayugaTrailsClub.org for events that may not be listed in this issue. Also check the website before the hike for any last minute changes, cancellations, etc.

Cayuga Trails is published six times a year and is edited and published by Curtis Myers. Comments and original contributions are welcome. Deadline for the next edition is February 15,2020. Send contributions to [email protected] or PO Box 161 Locke, NY 13092. Visit Cayuga Trails Club website at www.CayugaTrailsClub.org

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. P.O. Box 754 Ithaca, NY 14851-0754

Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board

Officers President Gary Mallow, Vice President David Priester, Secretary Polley McClure, Treasurer Jim Connors Member-at-Large Lucy Gagliardo, ’18-’19, Ross Creagan, ’19-’20, Past President Roger Hopkins

Committees Trails David Priester, Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes (WLL) Barbara Nussbaum, Adopt-a-Highway Lucy Gagliardo, Archives Barbara Morley, IT/Website Roger Hopkins, Landowner Relations Max Heitner, Membership Sigrid Connors, Newsletter Editor Curtis Myers, Publicity Vacant, Social Marsha Zgola, Finance Chair Vacant, Guidebook Bodhi Rogers * Ad-Hoc

Board meeting are on the first Tuesday of even months. Members are welcome to attend (email [email protected] for meeting place and time). Next Board meeting: February 4, 2020

Cayuga Trails Newsletter of the Cayuga Trails Club Founded in 1962 “…to encourage appreciation of nature through hiking, outdoor recreation, and the stewardship and conservation of foot trails.”

March-April 2020 Early Spring Edition Volume 60, Nos. 3&4

The first Tuesday hike of 2020! (Photo by Norm Trigoboff)

Tuesday Hikes have begun again!

Had a long day at work on a Tuesday? Looking to get outdoors and shake the office off? Aiming to explore new parts of our area, and meeting some people that share a passion for nature? Or just want to get some exercise with a good, supportive group of people? Join us on Tuesday nights! Schedule of hikes are in the last half of this newsletter.

1 CTC Newsletter President’s Column By: Polley Mcclure

It‟s a new year! The CTC Executive Board has had its first meeting. Board meetings happen on the first Tuesday evening of every other month at 7:00pm. Meetings are open to any member of the club. Members of the board include Myra Shulman (Member at Large and Chair Membership Committee) Ross Creagan (Assistant Chair Trails Committee), Marsha Zgola (Chair, Social Committee), Curtis Myers (Chair Newsletter Committee), Lucy Gagliardo (Secretary and Chair Highway Cleanup Committee), Roger Hopkins (Chair Technology Committee and Member of FLTC Board), Max Heitner (Chair Landowner Relations Committee), Barbara Nussbaum (Chair Walk, Look and Learn Committee), Bodhi Rogers (Chair Guidebook Committee), Allen Quirk (Treasurer), Gary Mallow (Past President and Chair Finance Committee), David Priester (Vice President and Chair Trails Committee), and Polley McClure (President).

Perhaps you noticed that every member of this board has a job to do! Some of you, like me, have probably served on boards for other nonprofits where the job was to approve (or not) proposals from the staff. This board is different from many of the others in that since there is no staff in CTC, the board is really a working board that does the jobs needed to build and keep the trails in good shape and make sure there is a variety of interesting hikes for folks who like to hike with other people. If you would like to help with trail work, lead a hike, or help with any of the chores of making the club work, we would love to hear from you. It really does take all of us working together to make it all happen.

At the Annual Meeting in January the membership approved a new mission statement for the club: “…to encourage appreciation of nature through hiking, outdoor recreation, and the stewardship and conservation of foot trails.” This is not in any way a change in what the club is here to do, but just an updating of the focus we have always had on creating and maintaining trails and then hiking on them.

At its April meeting the CTC Board will compile a list of priorities for this year. Some of the ideas being discussed include: How can we do a better job of recruiting members to help with the work of the club? Are there changes needed to the by-laws and standard practices documents? Should we try to offer a subsidy to help offset the cost of Wilderness First Aid training for hike leaders? Is there still a need for the CTC Guidebook and if so, what form should it take? Are there ways to improve our relations with allied organizations like the DEC, National Forest, FLTC, Cornell, and the Land Trust? Do we need a Privacy Policy at least with respect to members‟ personal information? Do we need an informal online discussion group (like the now defunct Yahoo Group)? These are a few of the topics that will come up this year, but please let us hear about any others you think should be on the list.

It‟s a new year…your board is at work, the Trails committee has a longer list of projects than anyone could possibly finish, the Tuesday Hikes are planned for the season, and other hikes are being posted as we go. It promises to be a great year. I hope you will be able to put many miles on your hiking shoes!

2 Trails Report By David Priester, Vice President/Trails Chairman Happy New Year, hikers and friends of the trails. We are finally experiencing a little taste of winter. I hope everyone is out enjoying that special beauty that is winter in the forests and fields. It‟s a very different look so enjoy it while it lasts. Winter hiking requires some different precautions, clothing, and equipment, as opposed to the other three seasons so be prepared, be safe, and have fun!

The Trails committee has proposed quite a lot of activity for this upcoming hiking and trail maintenance season. There are a lot of volunteers who have expressed interest in working on some of the larger projects and there is always the ongoing foot path maintenance and upkeep. The number of projects proposed to be worked on is larger than usual with a few lingering from past years. There are three bridge projects scheduled for construction and several trail reroutes. Each of these projects will have a project manager taking direct responsibility for the planning and construction of the specific project. I keep a list of volunteers who are particularly interested in working on larger trail projects. If you would like to be included amongst those I can call on to gather a team, please let me know. This list will be distributed to the managers of the major projects so they can reach out for volunteers as well.

The list of trail issues which have made the action list in the CTC sponsored region numbers 36. And if the number seems large remember these items range from a washed out bridge that needs to be replaced to a blow down that needs cleaned up or a missing sign or blaze. Thank you to the sawyers and swampers who handled the blowdowns in January! I thank all of you who help make this kind of activity possible, and there are a great many of you who contribute to the trail maintenance effort, from the folks who report issues, to the trail adopters, the sawyers and all the others who pitch in and help keep our trails hikeable. I know I‟m overly fond of saying it, but “It takes a village.”

Mark your calendar now, the National Trails Day event will be on Saturday, June 6th, this year. There are a number of projects that are likely candidates to be worked on that day so stay tuned for further details.

Our trail adoption program is a small army of volunteers who each maintain a section of trail. That isn‟t news to most of you. And I deeply appreciate all your efforts in keeping the woods from taking back the paths and making the hiking experiences in this area such a good one. I have been in touch with all the trail adopters as I do this time every year and inevitably there are some folks who will not be continuing.. Most of the adopters continue to work their trails but some people need to drop out now and then. And some would like to work on a different trail segment for a change. At this point I am aware of as many as 12 trail sections where I need a new or an additional volunteer. These are spread from the National Forest in Hector where the Interloken Trail needs four new adopters, to the Cayuga Trail where at least one volunteer is needed to assist the current adopters, some in between. I have a list of individuals who have expressed interest in adopting a trail section who I will be reaching out to, but I can always use more candidates. So if you are interested in adopting a trail section or want to get more information about what this involves please contact me.

As you hike on our trails, be it in the CTC region or elsewhere, I urge you to take note of trail maintenance issues that you see as needing attention. When you happen upon something needing attention please report what you have seen to the FLTC trail management team. Pictures, detailed location information, and GPS data is very helpful. These reports are received by the trail management team and forwarded to the people who can take action. One trail issue that may become much more apparent in winter with snow on the ground is the blazing coherency. With no footpath to follow the blazing is much more important to find your way. If you are out and see sections where you find the trail hard to follow in the snow please let me know. Thank you in advance for your assistance and thank you again to all of you who have helped keep our trail network in good condition. You all can be proud of the trail network in our area of responsibility. After all, it‟s your work and energy that keeps it clear and hikeable.

If you have questions or comments or to volunteer please contact me, [email protected].

Not even the cold and a thick layer of snow can slow some hikers down! (Connecticut Hill/Photo by David Priester)

Please welcome our new, supporting, and returning Cayuga Trails Club members! by Membership Chair – Myra Shulman

Supporting Membership Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Family Memberships Marcie Robinson Quinton Schubmehl

Individual Memberships Sandra Bird Ann Boyer Krestia DeGeorge Timothy Johnson Gopi LaBranch Wendy Robertson River Santina Caroline Spellman Mary Weiss

Help Wanted: FLTC County Hike Leader CTC has been asked to organize and lead the FLTC Tompkins County Hike Series in 2021. Several Board members are willing to serve on a steering committee and help, but cannot lead the effort due to travel plans. We are negotiating with the FLTC to get clarity about how our leader and the FLTC staff will divide up the work, but we‟re sure the main tasks for CTC will center on organizing the actual hikes and FLTC will take care of administration. The person we are looking for should be familiar with the FLT as it passes through Tompkins County and know members of CTC who would be able to lead these hikes. If you, or anyone you know of, might be interested in helping out, please contact Polley McClure ([email protected], (607)279-7150)

The CTC Executive Board has an opening for Chair of Publicity Committee. This person is responsible for getting the word out about CTC activities, hikes, and trail projects using the CTC website and all other available media. The Publicity Chair will become a member of the Executive Board and work directly with others to identify activities and communicate with our community about them. To be effective the Publicity Chair should be able to create effective written and other descriptions of activities, identify channels of communication and deliver the communications in a timely fashion. As a member of the Executive Board, the person is expected to attend bimonthly board meetings, the Annual Meeting and other Board sponsored activities. All CTC Executive Board members work independently, using their own creativity to accomplish their purpose. Contact: Polley McClure , President.

Jim Connors awarding Oscar Gray onto Polley McClure

Oscar Brown awarded to David Priester, only slightly after our annual meeting!

CTC Tuesday Hike Series Planned for 2020 Season By: Polley Mcclure

Tuesday Hikes began for the 2020 season on February 25. But it‟s not too late to join in on the next one! Dust off your hiking boots and come out with us.

Gary Mallow originated the Tuesday Hikes 8 years ago and led almost every one until the 2019 season. He has continued to lead several hikes and also participates in the Tuesday Hike Team which is picking up most of the organization and leading. Members of the Tuesday Hike Team are Gary Mallow, Gundy Lee, David Priester, Charlie Stroman, Ross Creagan, Iris Milich, and me, Polley McClure. Any of us can answer any questions you might have about the hikes.

Gary found a great formula for the Tuesday Hike series. The formula included a regular time so we can plan and create a happy/healthy habit of hiking every week. The hikes are close to town so we don‟t waste a lot of time driving, or staying overnight. It‟s an opportunity to learn about the landscape near where we live and it gets you out to spend quality time with a group of like- minded folks. That the series has lasted so long and the regular hikers would not allow the series to languish when Gary needed to step aside is because it really fits an important niche in our lives.

Tuesday Hikes happen on Tuesday evenings between late February and the week of Thanksgiving. This is the time of the year when the days are long enough to squeeze in a hike when some folks can attend after work. Late November also brings hunting closure to many of our trails.

Most of these hikes are in or near Tompkins County. All are announced on CTC‟s website well in advance. Most of them are modest distances of 3-6 miles. The terrain is what it is around here, some totally flat and others with steep stretches. Each hike description contains an indication of the difficulty. Early in the season, hikes start at 4:00 pm, changing to 4:30, and then by the first of April, 5:00. Beginning in early September the start times go back to 4:30 and then 4:00. The first few hikes of the season are close to town and fairly flat. We try to visit areas with waterfalls and wildflowers in the spring, and plan longer hikes and those with longer drives for the days in summer with lots of daylight in the evening. Start times for all hikes are posted on the CTC web site and the posted time is when the leader will lead hikers onto the trail from the trailhead. Hikers should allow time to get to the trailhead and have their gear ready by that time.

So please join us next Tuesday and every week thereafter for the Tuesday Hikes. You can make friends with some nice folks, enjoy the many beautiful natural areas near here, and rack up some exercise credits at the same time.

You do not have to be a member of CTC to hike with us, but we do hope you will join!

Adopt-a-Highway Clean Up 2020 By: Lucy Gagliardo

The first clean up is scheduled for Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, at 5:30 pm. What a great thing to do on Earth Day; pick up the trash along the road and in the ditches before it breaks down even more and washes into the streams and lake. The tiniest bits of plastic are detrimental to the organisms in the lake, the creatures that live along and in the ditches, and all of that contamination works its way through the food web.

If that doesn‟t convince you to join in the clean up, think of this. There an adopt-a-highway sign at each end of our section with the “Cayuga Trails Club” name on them! When people see us cleaning the roads four times a year, they will smile and think happy thoughts of the Cayuga Trails Club and you can be proud! This is another way we contribute to the community. Reason number 3 is a bit more eclectic, but might be the best reason yet. Every piece of trash has a story behind it. If you have a creative mind, you will finish your road clean up with enough material to start a novel, or build a go-kart!

Our section is NYS Route 366 from Pine Tree Rd through Varna, about 2 miles. The dates are: Wed, April 22, Wed. June 10, Wed. August 5, and Sun. Oct 18. We meet in the Cornell “B” parking lot, in the south east corner, where Caldwell and Route 366 meet. On Wednesday we will meet at 5:30 pm. It usually take about 1 ½ hours. The Club provides grabbers to pick up the garbage and bright orange vests for your safety! We have nitrile gloves for you to use or you could bring your own work gloves. NYSDOT provides us with heavy duty bright orange bags. We work in teams of 2, and to do the entire stretch, it is helpful to have 8 people. The work session on Sunday in October will meet at 1:30 pm at the same place.

This is my 3rd year as Adopt-a-Highway chair. I inherited the supplies and a nice notebook prepared in 2006. Already that is 14 years of club dedication to this section of road, but we may have adopted it earlier than that.

Route 366 will never be as lovely as any section of trail, but for some community members this is their association with the Cayuga Trails Club. Help keep it clean!

FLTC 2020 Cortland County Hike Series Invitation By: Sigi Schwinge

Each year the FLTC leads a series of hikes along the Finger Lakes Trail, named after the county you are mainly hiking through. Each series continues where the previous series ended. In nine years, all of the main FLT has been covered.

Join us in 2020 for the Cortland County Hike Series. Hike 63 miles across Cortland County on the Finger Lakes Trail, enjoying rolling hills, and serene forests with stone fences. The hikes will range from 9.5 to 11 miles. The hike series is for everyone: young and old, fast hikers, slow hikers. The best of it is that you will meet many like-minded hikers, who will become your friends over the years of County hikes and before you know it you are an “End-to Ender” and have hiked the whole 585 miles of the main Finger Lakes Trail.

We are walking - using FLT hike maps M22 to M19 - starting at the east (Rt.12/Lincklean Rd, where we ended last year) and we‟ll be walking west most of the time until we end the county near Dryden Lake., except the last hike on M20, where FLT trail crews will work hard during spring and summer to build a new trail and a bridge to reduce a 7 mile road walk to 2 miles.

We meet at the end point of the hike before 9 am, check in, travel via buses (there is a fee for this) to the beginning of the hike, where we meet our hiking group of about 12 hikers. Because the county hike series are very popular and usually more than 100 hikers from all over New York State sign up, the whole hiking crowd is split into different speed groups, ranging from very fast, to medium, and slow. Each hiking group is led by experienced hike leaders who will take us back to our cars. Near the middle of the hike we have a SAG wagon where water and snacks are available.

County Hike days are April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, and September 12. Registration and more detailed information for the 2020 County Hike Series is online at FingerLakesTrail.org under the heading “What‟s Happening” hiking programs/cross county hike series.

Don‟t wait for too long to sign up. The total number of hikers is limited and available spots can fill up quickly. Once you are signed up (deadline is April 10), you will receive the hike plot, be put on an e-mail list, receive updates each month, and can contact other participants for carpooling to the meeting place. I look forward to seeing you on the Cortland County trail.

Winter isn't all snow and ice, especially in NY! (Fall Creek/Photo by David Priester)

Upcoming Hikes and Other Events By Barb Nussbaum

Tuesday Evening Hike: Cayuga Waterfront Trail West Tuesday, March 3, 2020 • 4:00 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 4.6 miles; Terrain - Easy; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Easy  Event/Trailhead location: From Rt 13 in downtown Ithaca, go west on NYS 79 across the flood control channel bridge and turn left onto Floral Avenue. In 0.3 mile, park at the southern parking lot at the start of the Waterfront Trail.  Contact: Polley McClure [email protected] (607) 279-7150

Quick Hike Details This is an out-and-back hike of 4.6 miles rated easy. There is no change in elevation. We will hike the Cayuga Waterfront Trail - West section. The hike begins and ends at the south parking area for the Waterfront Trail on Floral Avenue in Ithaca. Dress in layers appropriate for late winter weather, including wind, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the start point, email Polley at the address above. Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or cancellations.

Tuesday Evening Hike: Jim Schug Trail Tuesday, March 10, 2020 • 4:30 pm  Hike rating: Length: About 4 miles; Terrain: easy; Pace: Moderate  Event/Trailhead location: Dryden Lake Pavilion picnic area at the north end of Dryden Lake, on W. Lake Rd. near Chaffee Rd. Chaffee Rd is off of NY Rt. 38, 2.1 miles south of the Village of Dryden.  Contact: David Priester [email protected] 607-280-5074

Quick Hike Details This is an out-and-back hike of 4 miles rated easy. There is no change in elevation. We will hike part of the Jim Schug Trail. The hike begins and ends at the Dryden Lake Pavilion picnic area at the north end of Dryden Lake, on W. Lake Rd. near Chaffee Rd. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the start point, email David at the address above. Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or cancellations.

Tuesday Evening Hike: Six Mile Creek/Mulholland Wildflower Preserve Tuesday, March 17, 2020 • 4:30 pm  Hike rating: Length: About 4 miles; Terrain: rough, narrow trail with steep pitches; Pace: Moderate; Overall: Strenuous  Event/Trailhead location: Mulholland Wildflower Preserve parking lot by the bridge just off Giles Street, Ithaca.  Contact: Ross Creagan [email protected] (607) 351-1573

Quick Hike Details This is an out-and-back hike of 4 miles rated strenuous. There are significant steep uphill pitches on narrow trail. We will hike part of the Six Mile Creek/Mulholland Wildflower Preserve trail. The hike begins and ends at the Giles Street parking lot for the preserve in Ithaca. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the start point, email Ross at the address above. Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or cancellations.

Tuesday Evening Hike: Roy H. Park Preserve Tuesday, March 24, 2020 • 4:30 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 4.5 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate  Event/Trailhead location: Roy H. Park Preserve of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, on Irish Settlement Road in Dryden, about 0.5 miles south of Hammond Hill Road. There are two FLLT parking lots about 1 mile apart. This is the one nearest the intersection of Hammond Hill Road and Irish Settlement Road.  Contact: Iris Milich [email protected]

Quick Hike Details This is an out-and-back hike of 4.5 miles rated moderate, which incorporates a short car shuttle. We will hike on trails in the Roy Park Preserve, Town of Dryden. The hike begins at the North preserve parking area on Irish Settlement Road in Dryden. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the start point, email Iris at the address above. Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or cancellations.

Snow presents many challenges, but great rewards! (Danby State Forest/Photo by David Priester)

Walk, Look and Learn Hike # 400 : Trees in Winter (#1) South Side of Fall Creek Saturday, March 28, 2020 • 9:30 am  Hike rating: Distance - 2 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Relaxed; Overall rating - Easy; This is a leisurely nature walk.  Event/Trailhead location: Cayuga Trail parking area next to Fall Creek at Rt 13 near the intersection of Rt 13 and Rt 366.  Contact: Myra Shulman [email protected]

Without their summer greenery, our local trees can be hard to identify. But clues are to be found in the colors and texture of bark, patterns of branching, buds, and the habitat in which a tree is found. Come learn how to tell an ash from a hickory, a red oak from a white oak, and so much more! Though spring will officially be here, the trees – and we – know that it’s still winter in the Finger Lakes! Wear waterproof hiking boots, traction footwear (Microspikes, Stabilicers, Nanospikes, etc), layered warm clothing, and carry water and a snack. Hiking poles are strongly recommended. Remember that you will need more clothing than when you are out for a moderate-fast hike. Please email Myra if you have any questions about this nature walk or our meeting location.

Tuesday Evening Hike: Black Diamond Trail South Tuesday, March 31, 2020 • 4:30 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 6-7 miles; Terrain - Easy; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Easy  Event/Trailhead location: Cass Park Children's Garden parking lot, Route 89 (Taughannock Blvd.), Ithaca.  Contact: Gundy Lee [email protected] 607-279-3719

Quick Hike Details This is a 6-7 mile hike, rated easy. We will hike the southern section of the Black Diamond Trail in Ithaca. The hike begins at the Black Diamond Trail trailhead near the Children's Garden parking lot in Cass Park, Ithaca. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the start point, email Gundy at the address above. Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or cancellations.

Walk, Look and Learn Hike # 401 - Trees in Winter #2 - South Side of Six Mile Creek Saturday, April 4, 2020 • 9:30 am  Hike rating: Distance - 2-3 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Relaxed; Overall rating - Easy  Event/Trailhead location: Mulholland Wildflower Preserve parking lot by the bridge just off Giles Street, Ithaca.  Contact: Myra Shulman [email protected]

Without their summer greenery, our local trees can be hard to identify. But clues are to be found in the colors and texture of bark, patterns of branching, buds, and the habitat in which a tree is found. This week we will explore the forests along the steep southern slope above Six Mile Creek, comparing the tree species and communities with those we found last week along Fall Creek.

Though spring will officially be here, the trees – and we – know that it’s still winter in the Finger Lakes! Wear waterproof hiking boots, bring traction footwear (Microspikes, Stabilicers, Nanospikes, et c), layered warm clothing, and carry water and a snack. Hiking poles are strongly recommended. Remember that you will need more clothing than when you are out for a moderate-fast hike. Please email Myra if you have any questions about this nature walk or our meeting location.

Tuesday Evening Hike: Cayuga Trail East to Freese Road Tuesday, April 7, 2020 • 5:00 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 6 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate  Carpool meeting place:  Event/Trailhead location: Flat Rock parking area, Forest Home Drive.  Contact: Charlie Strohman [email protected] 607-272-1751

Quick Hike Details This is a 6 mile hike rated moderate. We will hike the eastern end of the Cayuga Trail on the Cornell campus in Ithaca. The hike begins at Flat Rock, Forest Home Drive, on the Cornell campus, Ithaca. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the start point, email Charlie at the address above. Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or cancellations.

Walk, Look And Learn Hike #402 : Explorations at Lime Hollow - Nature Walk Saturday, April 11, 2020 • 10:00 am  Hike rating: Distance - 2-3 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Relaxed; Overall rating - Easy  Event/Trailhead location: Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture visitor center parking lot at 338 Cortland-McLean Rd. in Cortland.  Contact: Myra Shulman [email protected]

Is it spring yet? Lime Hollow Nature Center encompasses over 400 acres of pure joy for the nature-loving hiker! With its kame-and-kettle hills, ponds, bogs, forests, and meadows, it is a wonderful place to explore year around. Today we will look and listen for signs of spring: green sprigs rising from the ground, leaves on understory plants, swelling and opening flower buds, singing birds, signs of life in the warming ponds. Wear waterproof hiking boots and layered warm clothing, bring traction footwear (Microspikes, Stabilicers, Nanospikes, etc), and carry water and a snack. Hiking poles are strongly recommended. Remember that you will need more clothing than when you are out for a mode rate-fast hike. Please email Myra if you have any questions about this nature walk or our meeting location.

Tuesday Evening Hike: Logan Hill Preserve and Woodcock Mating Ritual Tuesday, April 14, 2020 • 5:00 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 5 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate

 Event/Trailhead location: 5:00 p.m. at the trailhead on Logan Hill Rd. (known as Water Street in the Village of Candor).  Contact: Polley McClure [email protected] (607) 279-7150

Quick Hike Details This is a 5 mile hike rated moderate. We will hike the Logan Hill Preserve hiking trail near Candor. The hike begins at the preserve trailhead on Logan Hill Road (called Water Street in the village of Candor). Because we are attempting to observe woodcock mating displays this evening, we will be in the area at dusk, leaving after dark. Be sure to bring FLASHLIGHTS or HEADLAMPS tonight. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the start point, email Polley at the address above. Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or cancellations.

*FLTC: Cross County Hike Series 2020 in Cortland County #1 Saturday, April 18, 2020 • 8:00 am Registration Required by April 10!  Contact: Sigi Schwinge [email protected] 315-437-6906

Looking for a challenge this summer? How about joining us on the Finger Lakes main trail hiking through Cortland County? What better way to see the trail then with a group of like-minded individuals all hiking together and not having to worry about transportation or knowing the trail in advance. The FLT Cross County Hike Series does the work for you and you just have to show up and enjoy the hike, oh yeah, and register in advance. The hike series is for everyone. Young and old, fast hikers, slow hikers and even what are called “half - hikers.” Some hikers use the series as a way to complete their end-to-end hike. Others just want to get out and enjoy the beauty and fun of hiking. Everyone is invited to come join the fun. Hikers are split into groups based on how fast or slow they hike. Each group is led by an experienced hike leader. Buses are provided to pick up the hikers at the end point of the hike and drive them to the start of the hike. Near the middle of the hike, a SAG wagon is set up, so hikers can refresh themselves with drinks and snacks. Or choose to stop for the day, completing the “half hike” and making arrangements with other half-hikers to complete the other half. The longest hike in the series is approximately 11.7 miles and the shortest approximately 9.3 miles.

Our club isn't just hikes and fun. We do so serious work to keep our trail system passable and a joy for others to explore! (Snyder Hill/Photo by David Priester with Ross Creagan’s assistance)

Tom Reimers Earth Day Hike on the Cayuga Trail Sunday, April 19, 2020 • 1:00 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 4.4 miles; Terrain - Moderate to difficult; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate  Event/Trailhead location: Cornell Community Gardens, our meeting place, are located east of Freese Road about halfway between NY Route 366 and Hanshaw Road. To get there turn onto one end of Freese Road from NY Route 366 or onto the other end from Hanshaw Road. Watch for an obscure driveway entering the parking area.  Contacts: Jim Connors [email protected] 607-201-9474  Sigrid Connors [email protected] 607-227-3786

Earth Day (April 22) marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year. The Cayuga Trails Club will sponsor the 31th annual Earth Day Hike on the Cayuga Trail on Sunday, April 19. The Earth Day Hike will follow a 4.4-mile-long section of the Cayuga Trail in the beautiful Monkey Run Natural Area of Cornell Botanic Gardens. Jim Connors and Sigrid Connors will lead the hike from the community gardens beginning at 1:00 p.m. Car shuttles will be available at the end of the hike to take participants back to the beginning. The Cayuga Trails Club started building the Cayuga Trail in 1964; it has been expanded several times in its history. This trail takes hikers along the high banks and water’s edge of Fall Creek, through hardwood forests, pine plantations, and interesting areas of lush ferns and hawthorns. This hike features early spring wildflowers, birds, breathtaking vistas, interesting geological features, and the beauty of very wild sections of Fall Creek and one of Cornell’s off-campus natural areas. Wear sturdy footwear and bring drinking water and rain gear if needed. Be prepared for steep ups and downs and muddy trails; the trail is challenging in some places. The Cornell Community Garden Plots, our meeting place, are located off Freese Road about halfway between NY Route 366 and Hanshaw Road. To get there turn onto one end of Freese Road from NY Route 366 or onto the other end from Hanshaw Road. Watch for an obscure driveway entering the parking area on the east side of the road. Contact Jim if you would like more information.

Tuesday Evening Hike: FLT in Treman State Park Tuesday, April 21, 2020 • 5:00 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 6 miles; Terrain - Difficult; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Strenuous  Event/Trailhead location: The DOT parking lot off of the northbound lane of NY Route 34/96 in the NY Route 13 and 34/96 interchange, about about 4 miles south of Ithaca. If coming from Ithaca, go through the interchange on Route 34/96 toward Spencer and then use the marked U- Turn to go back north. The DOT parking lot is on the right, just before the bridge over Enfield Creek.  Contact: Charlie Strohman [email protected] 607-272-1751

Quick Hike Details This is a 6 mile hike rated strenuous. We will hike the Finger Lakes Trail in Treman State Park in Enfield/Newfield. The hike begins at the lower parking area for Lick Brook Preserve near the intersection of NY State Routes 13/34/96, four miles south of Ithaca. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the start point, email Charlie at the address above. Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or cancellations.

Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 1 miles; Terrain - Easy; Pace - Relaxed; Overall rating - Easy  Event/Trailhead location: Cornell University B-Lot parking lot, at the intersection of Route 366 and Caldwell Road. Enter the lot from Caldwell Road and then go to the south-east corner of the lot closest to the Route 366 and Caldwell Road intersection. (Parking is free weekends and evenings. Cornell parking permit is not required at these times.)  Contact: Lucy Gagliardo [email protected] 607-539-6313

Join us on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, for our first highway clean up of 2020. our 2 mile adopted section of Route 366 goes from Pine Tree Rd through Varna. This is a public service project of Cayuga Trails Club. It's one way for us to show our appreciation to the community that provides so much support to hikers and access to the hiking trails we travel in Tompkins County. Bring work gloves. We'll provide trash bags, safety vests, and trash grabbers. You need have no prior experience; you'll be matched up with a partner and will be assigned a section to clean up. This is a simple way to donate some volunteer effort to the club, particularly if you are not involved in trail maintenance or other committee activities. It usually takes a bit over one hour to clean up a section, and is not arduous. Your time and effort will be appreciated!

Passport Hike #5: Dabes Diversion - Kuzia Cutoff Loop Saturday, April 25, 2020 • 9:00 am  Hike rating: Hike rating: Distance - 3.3 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate  Carpool meeting place: 9:00 a.m. - EMS Parking Lot at 722 S Meadow St. Please park in front of the store but at the end of the lot furthest away from the store.  Event/Trailhead location: 9:30 a.m. - Shoulder parking area at the intersection of Bleck Rd and Hauck Hill Rd, Virgil. FLT map M19.  Contact: Debra Nero [email protected] (607)227-7957

Join Deb and her dogs (Addie, Kai and Lucille) for the fifth of five family friendly, dog friendly Passport Hikes. The 36 short Passport hikes on the Finger Lakes Trail system are grouped into 3 sets of 12 hikes each, the Western, Central and Eastern Passport hikes. We have done 4 hikes in the Central book and this hike is in the Eastern Passport book. Somewhere along each hike is an embossed rubbing plate (provided by Wegmans) with a trail register box all mounted on a post (provided by the CTC and the FLTC). All hikers will be provided with Passport books so you can make a rubbing of the plate in the book. If you complete all 4 hikes in the Central Passport book you can send the rubbing page into the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and receive a beautiful patch! The destination for Passport Hike #5 is Dabes Diversion – Kuzia Cutoff Loop [hike E01 in the Eastern Passport book]. This hike is in Kennedy State Forest. You will see old rock walls, large rock piles, the Foxfire Lean-to and a spectacular view to the south! This is a loop hike. Bring sturdy, broken-in hiking boots, water and a snack. Dress in layers for the weather. Be aware that there is very likely to be more snow and/or ice on this trail than in Ithaca. The hike leader will attempt to post information on the trail conditions the day before the hike to help hikers decide what equipment to bring. Contact the hike leader if you are not sure about how to equip yourself. If you're hiking with your dog, bring a leash. For those unsure of navigation, call or email Deb.

Tuesday Evening Hike: Lick Brook Preserve and Buttermilk Spur Tuesday, April 28, 2020 • 5:00 pm  Hike rating: Distance - 3.8 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate. We will divide into two groups. Group 1: 3.8 miles, 650 ft elevation gain, Group 2: 3.0 miles, 520 ft elevation gain, more leisurely pace.  Event/Trailhead location: The DOT parking lot off of the northbound lane of NY Route 34/96 in the NY Route 13 and 34/96 interchange, about about 4 miles south of Ithaca. If coming from Ithaca, go through the interchange on Route 34/96 toward Spencer and then use the marked U- Turn to go back north. The DOT parking lot is on the right, just before the bridge over Enfield Creek.  Contacts: Myra Shulman [email protected]  Polley McClure [email protected] (607) 279-7150

Quick Hike Details This is an out-and-back hike of 3.8 miles rated moderate. We will hike through several preserves on the Finger Lakes Trail. The most widely known is the Sweedler Preserve at Lick Broo k. The hike begins at the lower parking area for the Lick Brook Preserve, near the interchange for NY Routes 13/34/96, four miles south of Ithaca. If you will have trouble navigating to the start point, email Polley at the address above.

Not all CTC adventures are even outdoors! (Photo by Marsha Zgola)

Mark Your Calendar Tue, Mar 3 Tuesday Evening Hike: Cayuga Waterfront Trail West — Polley McClure Tue, Mar 10 Tuesday Evening Hike: Jim Schug Trail — David Priester Tue, Mar 17 Tuesday Evening Hike: Six Mile Creek/Mulholland Wildflower Preserve — Ross Creagan Tue, Mar 24 Tuesday Evening Hike: Roy H. Park Preserve — Iris Milich Sat, Mar 28 Walk, Look and Learn Hike # 400 : Trees in Winter (#1) South Side of Fall Creek — Myra Shulman Tue, Mar 31 Tuesday Evening Hike: Black Diamond Trail South — Gundy Lee Sat, Apr 4 Walk, Look and Learn Hike # 401 - Trees in Winter #2 - South Side of Six Mile Creek — Myra Shulman Tue, Apr 7 Tuesday Evening Hike: Cayuga Trail East to Freese Road — Charlie Strohman Sat, Apr 11 Walk, Look And Learn Hike #402 : Explorations at Lime Hollow - Nature Walk — Myra Shulman Tue, Apr 14 Tuesday Evening Hike: Logan Hill Preserve and Woodcock Mating Ritual — Polley McClure Sat, Apr 18 *FLTC: Cross County Hike Series 2020 in Cortland County #1 — Sigi Schwinge Registration Required by April 10! Sun, Apr 19 Tom Reimers Earth Day Hike on the Cayuga Trail — Jim Connors, Sigrid Connors Tue, Apr 21 Tuesday Evening Hike: FLT in Treman State Park — Charlie Strohman Wed, Apr 22 Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup — Lucy Gagliardo Sat, Apr 25 Passport Hike #5: Dabes Diversion - Kuzia Cutoff Loop — Debra Nero Tue, Apr 28 Tuesday Evening Hike: Lick Brook Preserve and Buttermilk Spur — Myra Shulman, Polley McClure

Check our website at CayugaTrailsClub.org for events that may not be listed in this issue. Also check the website before the hike for any last minute changes, cancellations, etc.

Cayuga Trails is published six times a year and is edited and published by Curtis Myers. Comments and original contributions are welcome. Deadline for the next edition is April 15,2020. Send contributions to [email protected] or PO Box 161 Locke, NY 13092. Visit Cayuga Trails Club website at www.CayugaTrailsClub.org

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. P.O. Box 754 Ithaca, NY 14851-0754

Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board

Officers President Polley McClure, Vice President David Priester, Secretary Lucy Gagliardo, Treasurer Allen Quirk Member-at-Large Ross Creagan, ‟19-‟20, Myra Shulman ‟21-„22 Past President Gary Mallow

Committees Trails David Priester, Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes (WLL) Barbara Nussbaum, Adopt-a-Highway Lucy Gagliardo, Archives Barbara Morley, IT/Website Roger Hopkins, Landowner Relations Max Heitner, Membership Myra Shulman, Newsletter Editor Curtis Myers, Publicity Vacant, Social Marsha Zgola, Finance Chair Gary Mallow, Guidebook Bodhi Rogers * Ad-Hoc

Board meeting are on the first Tuesday of even months. Members are welcome to attend (email [email protected] for meeting place and time). Next Board meeting: April 7, 2020

May-June 2020 Spring Edition Volume 60, Nos. 5&6

Your Cayuga Trails Club Board, hard at work! (Virtually)

We are in this together! Written by Curtis Myers

Although we have all been impacted to various degrees by COVID-19, the Cayuga Trails Club is still here for you! Our official events are suspended, but Tompkins County is covered by walking trails, waterfalls, parks, and other places to enjoy nature and step out from isolation. Myra has a great article further in about new places to check out, and resources to find them. But if hiking alone, please be safe! One of the reasons the CTC does group hikes is that many people working together can aid each other, scout and observe trail conditions before they become dangerous, and in general be a helping hand if something goes wrong. We are all in this together, so stay safe and stay healthy!

1 CTC Newsletter President’s Column

By: Polley Mcclure

Here we are two months past the last CTC newsletter and our hiking and trailwork world could hardly be different. None of us imagined as we worked hard to organize our schedule of hikes for the year that we might not be able to enjoy those group experiences. Our Trails Chair was considering WHICH of the big projects would take place on National Trails Day and today it isn‟t looking certain that there will even BE a National Trails Day project this year. At the same time, I have never seen so many people enjoying our trails. That‟s good for our physical and mental health and I hope they continue to make time to enjoy the outdoors when we find the world opening up a bit more.

The CTC Board met on April 7 courtesy of Zoom. This was a new experience for us, but we accomplished our agenda within the allotted time and, while everyone would have preferred to see each other in person, under the circumstances, we did our work and enjoyed seeing faces and hearing each other‟s voices. We decided to set up an informal discussion group for club members. Barbara Nussbaum and Roger Hopkins will make that happen. We agreed to develop a simple Privacy Policy to make clear how information (mostly names and contact information but also casual pictures taken on hikes) provided to the club will and will not be used and how members can “opt in or out”. Myra Shullman, Gary Mallow, and Roger Hopkins are leading that effort. We conducted a poll of board members to determine the relative priorities of the issues to work on for the year. The result in order highest to lowest is: Publicity, Guidebook, Website Review, Conservation and Protection of Trails, Recruitment of Leadership, Improving Relationship with FLTC, Website Administration Section Cleanup, Work with Allied Organizations, Review of Bylaws and Standard Practices, Privacy Policy, WFA Subsidy, Newsletter, Informal Discussion Group, Hike Description Nomenclature. Members interested in working on any of these, please speak up!

The FLTC County Hike series for 2020 was to have been held in Cortland County this year. Unfortunately the start of the hikes had to be postponed for two months already and now the whole series is postponed until 2021 out of concern for the coronavirus pandemic.

In the last newsletter we broadcast an appeal for “Help Wanted” to join the board and chair a Publicity Committee. No hands went up, so we are continuing to beat the bushes!

Sometimes we don‟t appreciate things in our lives as much as we should until things change. That has been true for me as our group hikes have been cancelled. I‟m not going to publish how many pounds I‟ve gained since we quit hiking at Thanksgiving, but it‟s a positive number for sure. I have the good fortune to live next to the Lindsay Parsons Biodiversity Preserve, so I do get out and appreciate the birds returning for the breeding season and the plants waking up, but I don‟t have a substitute for the weekly meet-up with people who I have come to regard as friends. These hikers spur me to walk longer or faster or up steeper hills, visit trails I didn‟t even know existed, and also to slow down and stop to learn the names of wildflowers, count salamander efts crossing the trail, and to learn to recognize birds by call. And those things come as a result of being with like-minded individuals out on the trails. Our Earth Day hike was cancelled and I think all of us are sensing a big empty spot in our hearts left by that time when we used to hike with Tom Reimers or just remember him in one of his favorite places.

2 Trails Report By David Priester, Vice President/Trails Chairman

When I wrote the last newsletter message who knew our country, and our world, would be in the situation we find ourselves. Above all, I hope everyone is staying safe and is well.

In some ways the trails activity is the same, and in some ways different. The same challenges are still present, keeping our trail network maintained, and clear of obstructions. But also we are prevented from taking on the larger projects that we had intended to work on this spring, summer, and into the fall. No one knows when it will be safe to get even small groups together to work on some of the larger projects.

I extend my thanks to all the trail adopters who are out there in the woods and fields keeping up their sections of trail. Back in the winter I was getting concerned that we would have quite a number of “Orphaned” trail sections. However a couple people I was afraid had dropped out of the program have not, and other volunteers stepped up and it looks like we will be in good shape. I will certainly be still looking for trail sponsors for the Interloken Trail in Hector, in the National Forest. If you are interested in working on a section of that trail please contact me, especially if you live out that way. The adopters will start to get busier as spring moves on and things start to grow.

I keep adding to my list of special projects volunteers. Thank you all. As we all know for the moment the projects that are not an individual effort are necessarily in a holding pattern. As soon as it is safe and prudent we will begin working on the planned projects and I will be reaching out to those on that list particularly. If you would like to be notified of project volunteer opportunities let me know and I will add you to the email list.

There will not be a National Trails Day project, at least not on National Trails Day….. There is a short reroute on the Abbott Loop I had in mind to construct that day. At some time in the future we will see about that. Hopefully we can have a delayed NTD event to recognize the significance of trails nationwide.

Occasionally there are trail issues that need to be brought to the attention of the hiking community. One of the ways the trail management team does this is to post “Trail Condition Notices” on the FLTC and CTC web pages. These are often announced on the Facebook pages or Google email lists as well. I want to encourage hikers to check these trail notices when you are planning a day out in the woods. They are sorted by map so it is relatively easy to find the ones that might be relevant to your plans. The notices for the Cayuga Trails Club area which generally means trails on maps M-15 through M-18 are duplicated on the CTC web page as well as the FLTC trail notices section. Note that the trail closure in Potato Hill State Forest has been removed as the logging operation there is concluded. And remember that there are a small number of trail segments that will be close for hunting as usual for the month of May.

Thank you again to all of you who have helped keep our trail network in good condition. You all can be proud of the trail network in our area of responsibility. After all, it‟s your work and energy that keeps it clear and hikeable. Enjoy the outdoors safely, look for less traveled areas especially trails you might not yet have explored.

If you have questions or comments or to volunteer please contact me, [email protected].

The Trail Register from Hammond Hill between 9/11/16 and 4/2/20 Submitted by Ross Creagan from the Cayuga Trails Club, the Hammond Hill FLT Trail Adopter.

The Rite in the Rain ALL-WEATHER UNIVERSAL Trail Register booklets can be found in the mailboxes along the Finger Lakes Trail. I retrieved the trail register for the trail that I maintain on Hammond Hill on April 7, 2020. On the inside cover of the register is a template which provides the location and directions for use of the register and emergency contact information.

FLT Map: M-18 Nearest Road East: NYS Route 38 2.4 Miles Nearest Road West: Harford-Slaterville Road 1.3 Miles Contact information for reporting trail conditions, emergencies and the County Sheriff is provided.

A note: We hope you enjoy the trail as much as our maintainers do! Please sign the register and let us know how many of you are here, how you are enjoying the trail (overnight, hunting, etc.) and include a few thoughts for us and other users.

Register maintained by the Cayuga Trails Club for the Finger Lakes Trail Conference 585-658- 9320 www.fingerlakestrail.org and www.cayugatrailsclub.org (Andersson, J.) The 46 page, 5”x7” register, beginning 9/11/16 and ending 4/2/20, has 233 entries. Here is a sampling. The writers‟ names are not included to protect privacy.

9/18/16 - Nice morning for a long trail run. 11/6/16 - Hiking from 79 to 38 & back. Will be a continuous 100 miles of the FLT for me. 2/18/17 - Good snow base while it lasts. Great wet t-shirt ski, but damn the climate change deniers: 67℉ in mid Feb.? Come on! Would be nice to see snow fall until April 1 like the good old days. 5/26/17 - We‟re the best forking birches this side of the FLT! 6/22/17 - From Troy, NY, making progress W to E on FLT thru-hike, heading to Foxfire from Kimmie (Iean-to‟s). Nice day but expecting thunderstorms tonight. Thanks for maintaining! 7/8/17 - Alabama to Adirondacks. Can you really see a soul? 7/26/17 - Perfect weather, sunny and low 70‟s - wish there was a bench 7/30/17 - We‟re enjoying this beautiful forest & great trail! 10/7/17 - Making our way to Shug from 79. This is the best section of the FLT yet! Great maintenance and such a nice topo! 10/15/17 - Wake up early/ Live your life/ Go to sleep late/ Catch up on zzz‟s when 6‟ under. 1/20/18 - First post on the new year! Beautiful, sunny and warming up to 40℉. Decent snow coverage but probably won‟t last for too long--warm front with rain a-comin‟. Enjoy it while it lasts. Ok, turning around, back to Star Stanton Rd. 2/24/18 - Getting lost in this section of the woods for the first time. Looking forward to doing it again. 3/12/18 - Snowshoeing at its best! 28℉ in 6” snow. 8/5/18 - I can feel the microwaves in my skull; good thing I brought my tinfoil hat. On to Shindagin! 8/6/18- Stayed at the new Kimmie Lean-to last night. Thanks to the Alley Cat volunteers! 8/13/18 - Came out for the chanterelles and the woods did not disappoint! 9/24/18 - I‟m old, sad and tired, but the woods and the world are beautiful. 1/4/19 - 40℉ and sunshine! Happy to see that the recent logging operation kept clear of the trail! 1/10/19 - Pen frozen! 20℉, 8-10” of snow. Beautiful, alone, solo tracks. Continued on Page 5

Continued article “The Trail Register from Hammond Hill between 9/11/16 and 4/2/20)

3/24/19 - First section in my E2E quest and 100 m. challenge. Great day to be on the trail! 5/17/19 - Beautiful day! Beautiful hike! Beautiful soldiers, pulpits & trilliums. Starting out this Summer of hiking with good vibes! 5/21/19 - Sky, clear, blue, breezy & cool, 55℉, So Beautiful! Violets & trilliums in full bloom! Garter snake (newly shed) sunning on log. Thank you! 5/24/19 - Rain holding off, last of trillium; now false Solomon Seal ready to open. Cool. 8/11/19 - Fresh from escarpment & Virgil Forest frolic. Forge th‟ Gorgeous-- oooh Happiness, love and peace to all who wander these wonderful woods of ours. 9/18/19 - “Beauts. Toots. Boots. Roots. Fruits. No Suits. Koots. Poots.& Loots.” - FLT 9/27/19 - Visiting my old haunt, haven‟t been in these woods in almost 15 years! 9/27/19 - Sunny, clear, cool. Woods are sparkling in the sunshine. Sky pale blue. So fine. 2/1/20 - Snow clings to the trees like winter clings to these hills. Quiet woods, quiet winter. Let‟s get loud winter, c‟mon! 2/9/20 - Life without cheese It‟s a life without the breeze, Some say it‟s do-able with ease, But to that I just say, PLEASE ! 2/12/20 - 30℉. Fresh breeze out of SW. No fresh prints on the FLT. Snowshoe tracks on Red #2. Glad to be alive, alone in woods in winter, snow-packed powder. 72 this year!! Go figure. 3/18/20 - Getting away from covid19, enjoying Nature!

This assortment of thoughts from the 233 written in the register book are chosen because they‟re more than the list of names and dates of people signing in. I assume that if there was an emergency or if people were missing or lost, that the names of the hikers and the dates would be the most important information to have. I‟ve put my name and date and the names of my hiking companions in this book a few times, but have only noted what kind of maintenance I did, usually re-blazing sections of the trail. After looking through all the entries over 42 months, I felt more connected to all the people who have hiked this trail; and next time might write down more than I have in the past. One of the entries wished there was a bench. Maybe we‟ll decide to put a bench next to the mailbox at the top of Hammond Hill; then perhaps more than 10% of hikers (according to R.H., the proportion of FLT hikers over the years who take the time to write in the register) would decide to rest and write something in the register.

Please welcome our new, supporting, and returning Cayuga Trails Club members! by Membership Chair – Myra Shulman

Family Membership Jeff Saracco

Individual Memberships Anne Czymmek Scott Williams

Upcoming Hikes and Other Events By Barb Nussbaum

All official Cayuga Trails Club events and hikes are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Go Hiking, Keep Healthy, & Enjoy the Red Maples!

In the Time of COVID, we‟re all out hiking to keep up our physical and mental health. And watching spring unfold brings joy and pleasure during this very stressful time. Here‟s a bit of nature to look at and wonder about… Have you noticed all the Red Maple trees in flower? You can see them as a red blush across a hillside. Up close the tree is full of small red ornaments along the branches. Red Maple sex is fascinating! Most plants have flowers with both male and female organs, and each flower can be both a mother and a father. Hermaphrodites, we animals would say; perfect flowers, the botanists call them. But not Red Maples! Nope, most Red Maples are strictly male or strictly female (but a few mix it up). The male flowers and female flowers look quite different. Take a close look at low-hanging branches and check out the flowers. Can YOU tell the boys from the girls? Here is a picture to help.

A photo of an old Earth Day hike! Even though we could not do it this year, we will be able to again!

New CTC Discussion Group!

Have a question about a trail, the best hiking poles, looking for a good place to see wildflowers? Do you have a hike report to share, ideas about new routes for CTC hikes, info on a new trail you discovered, or an incredible waterfall you saw? The new CTC Discussion Group is the perfect place, designed to allow members to share anything related to the CTC and local hiking.

An email invitation to join the Cayuga Trails Club Discussion Group (at groups.io) will be sent to you soon.

We hope that this group will help our members keep in touch during this time when we cannot hike together. Hiking and being in nature are good for you, both physically and mentally. Sharing these experiences through this discussion group allows us to enjoy our outdoor adventures even more, and cheer on our fellow hiker-explorers! The discussion group is private: only CTC members can join, and only group members can read and write posts. When signing up, you can opt to get all emails as they come in, get them once a day, or once a week. You can leave the discussion group at any time or change your preferences.

The Cayuga Trails Club website remains the authoritative source for information about club hikes, work parties and other events.

Continue to consult cayugatrailsclub.org for event schedules, including detailed information, updates, and messages from hike, work- party, and event leaders. The CTC Facebook and CTC Instagram will stay in place, but are public and not all our members use these platforms. In contrast, the discussion group allows for communication among CTC members only.

If you have any questions or have trouble joining this group, please email Barbara Nussbaum at [email protected].

Taughannock Falls look great any time of year! Make sure you visit the upper ones as well. (Photo by Gary Mallow)

New Places to Hike in the Time of COVID-19 By Myra Shulman

Americans are out in parks and other wild places across the country. Crowding – and resulting virus transmission - has resulted in closing of trails, beaches, and parks in many areas.

Fortunately for us, the Finger Lakes region is rich in nature preserves and public lands that are still open for us to explore. If your experience is like mine, you‟ve probably noticed the increased number of fellow humans at many of your go-to hiking places. The woods, streams, waterfalls, and wildflowers are still beautiful, but the “Social Distancing Dance” around other hikers can be distracting and make you long for less crowded trails.

View this as an opportunity to explore new places! Here are resources I‟ve been using to find new places to hike that are within a 45 minute drive of Ithaca (60 min in a few exceptional cases).

GoFingerLakes.org This website, created by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, is a wonderful guide to places to hike, birdwatch, and paddle in our region. By just looking at their map, it‟s easy to find new places to explore. Bahar Preserve & Carpenter Falls and Steege Hill Nature Preserve are currently top of my long list.

Fingerlakestrail.org The Finger Lakes Trail System (FLT plus other trails) includes lots of hikes that are not that far away! If you don‟t own the paper maps (and even if you do), there is a great interactive map on the website that is very useful. Be sure to check the “TickMarks” box in the legend – you‟ll then be able to see mileage marks, which is extremely helpful in hike planning. (Thanks to our own Roger Hopkins for getting those half-mile tick marks calculated and on the maps!) More lightly traveled trails include the FLT sections through Treman State Park, Robinson Hollow State Forest, and Shindagin Hollow. A little further out, there are the “international loops” near Virgil and the Interloken Trail in the Finger Lakes National Forest.

Ithacatrails.org An awesome resource - just explore the map and you‟ll find Tompkins County trails you didn‟t know existed!

NY State Forests We have quite a few State Forests in our neighborhood with both mapped and unmapped trails, as well as seasonal roads that often are wonderful for hiking. We are located in Region 7, and you can scroll down the website to look at the complete list of State Forests in our area. Here are some of my favorites: Hammond Hill State Forest: DEC Map, and Multiuse Trail Map (with numbered/colored trails, but does not include FLT or trail from Roy H. Park Preserve up to Hammond Hill Rd.) Andersen Hill State Forest: DEC Map. No trails, but the dirt forest road (Big Pine PFAR) makes for a nice hike. You can park ¼ mile in from where this road starts at Anderson Hill Rd. And while you‟re in the neighborhood, you should visit the King Nature Preserve and hike the lollipop trail that includes “Tom‟s Loop,” named for our greatly-missed friend Tom Reimers. Yellow Barn State Forest: DEC Map shows a snowmobile trail, but does not show numerous user trails that have been created by cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and hikers. Lots to explore.

HIKE SAFETY! Be sure to carry your cell phone, backup battery for phone, paper maps, compass, flashlight or headlamp, snack, water, first aid kit, some warmer clothes and an emergency rain jacket (or large garbage bag). Let someone know where you are hiking and when to expect you back. Know your limits – be prepared to turn around if the terrain is more difficult or hike more strenuous than you are comfortable with. I recommend using hiking poles – they help with stability on slopes, muddy/slippery footing, creek crossings, as well as taking pressure off your knees and giving you an upper-body workout. With all our concern about the coronavirus, please don‟t forget about Lyme disease. Use insect repellents (permethrin on clothing and/or DEET on exposed skin) and be sure to inspect yourself and household members for ticks after your hike.

Simpler times! Exploring Fischer Old Growth Forest. A nice, lightly trafficked spot. (Photo by Gundy Lee)

A beautiful vista waiting outside for you to experience! Virgil Mountain Loop. (Photo by Barba Nussbaum)

Mark Your Calendar All official Cayuga Trails Club events and hikes are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Check our website at CayugaTrailsClub.org for events that may not be listed in this issue. Also check the website before the hike for any last minute changes, cancellations, etc.

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. P.O. Box 754 Ithaca, NY 14851-0754

Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board

Officers President Polley McClure, Vice President David Priester, Secretary Lucy Gagliardo, Treasurer Allen Quirk Member-at-Large Ross Creagan, ‟19-‟20, Myra Shulman ‟20-„21 Past President Gary Mallow

Committees Trails David Priester, Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes (WLL) Barbara Nussbaum, Adopt-a-Highway Lucy Gagliardo, Archives Barbara Morley, IT/Website Roger Hopkins, Landowner Relations Max Heitner, Membership Myra Shulman, Newsletter Editor Curtis Myers, Publicity Vacant, Social Marsha Zgola, Finance Chair Gary Mallow, Guidebook Bodhi Rogers * Ad-Hoc

Board meeting are on the first Tuesday of even months. Members are welcome to attend (email [email protected] for meeting place and time). Next Board meeting: June 2, 2020

July-August 2020 Summer Edition Volume 60, Nos. 7&8

The view across the meadow in the new Summerland Farms section of the FLT! (Photo by Barbara Nussbaum)

State of the Cayuga Trails Club Written by Curtis Myers

Although summer has arrived, the rains have fled, and the sun is bright and high on the horizon, we at the CTC have decided to extend our suspension of all sponsored activities. In the meantime, we have not been lazing about! We have worked with a number of organizations to come up with a way to safely perform maintenance work, establish new trails, and work on outstanding issues that are our trails are facing. In fact, the photo above is of a brand new section of the FLT we worked to open, safely and while exercising proper social distancing!

While we may not be doing any big group hikes soon, please go out and explore all the amazing places we have around us, and the new trails that are still be created with your help!

1 CTC Newsletter President’s Column

By: Polley Mcclure

As we have been carefully emerging from our homes, many of our fellow humans have been finding deep pleasure in the time we have now to enjoy the natural world. It seems like our whole attention has been absorbed by the corona virus pandemic and the civil unrest in our communities. Yet as awful as those things are, we see that the natural world around us doesn‟t care one whit. The beavers keep building their dams, drowning our paths, the birds keep singing and endlessly bringing bugs to their young, and the wildflowers are as beautiful as ever. No wonder we seek solace in their world.

The Cayuga Trails Club has remained “closed” with no group activities since the first of the outbreak. The board has reconsidered this decision several times, most recently at its meeting on June 2. The decision to cancel all group activities (social and group hikes) was unanimous. We understand a bit about how this virus is spreading and we don‟t want to knowingly contribute to spoiling the excellent record of our community so far. We will continue to reevaluate as things change, but for now, we‟re doing everything we can to keep the trails in good shape and help members find safe ways to enjoy them in small, socially distanced private groups.

One thing that has not been on lockdown is the maintenance and improvement of our trails. Trails Chair David Priester, the individual trail adopters, and several other hardy souls have been hard at work. In addition to the huge effort that goes into just fighting back entropy, major improvements have been made to the Abbott Loop and a significant reroute of the FLT at Blackman Hill Road has taken advantage of the new Summerland Farm Preserve of the Finger Lakes Land Trust. More about both of these projects in other articles in this newsletter!

The CTC Board is welcoming Krestia DeGeorge as our newest At-Large member. Krestia will be serving as Chair of Publicity, which was the highest priority need expressed by the board in February. Krestia was raised in the Capital District area and grew up hiking the trails of the southern Adirondacks. After stints living in northern New York, Rochester, Alaska and Maine, he moved to the Ithaca area in 2013, where he lives with his wife, two daughters, two indoor cats, and a precocious puppy. He serves as editor-in-chief of the news site Arctic Today, which publishes news and commentary about the circumpolar Arctic. He has previously worked at newspapers and news sites in New York and Alaska, and took a professional detour to work as a stay-at-home dad and complete a master‟s degree in English Literature. We all look forward to Krestia‟s leadership and working with him to bring greater visibility to the cub activities.

So for now I hope that everyone can continue to hike and join small project teams and share information about happenings out in the real world through safe channels. I know we are all looking forward to being more together, but, for now, let‟s keep being responsible.

2 Trails Report By David Priester, Vice President/Trails Chairman

The COVID-19 virus situation when I wrote the last newsletter message is improving, but not fast enough and still limits our activities to some extent. So, above all, I hope everyone is staying safe and is well. In the last couple months we have found ways to take on some of the bigger projects we have been planning for some time, often with significant individual efforts in keeping with social distancing requirements.

There is good news on the trail adoption front. Essentially all our trails have an adopter at this point. We have added half a dozen new trail adopters to our program in the last couple months. Thank you all for volunteering! As I have said many times, the woods will take the trails back in a remarkably short time if we are not vigilant. If you see the trail maintainers out there working, please stop and thank them.

One notable issue to hikers we are working on through various avenues is the beaver caused flooding at “Mallow Marsh,” otherwise known as the Finger Lakes Trail just west of NYS Rt. 79 in Caroline. At the moment you may have to wade through up to two feet of water, depending on the day. It‟s not so bad on a warm day! Note also that the spring hunting closures are no longer in effect.

As we all know for the moment the projects that cannot be an individual or small group effort are necessarily in a holding pattern. As soon as it is safe and prudent we will begin working on the projects which will require a group effort beyond two or three at a time and I will be reaching out to those on that list particularly. If you would like to be notified of project volunteer opportunities let me know and I will add you to the ever growing email list.

A lot has actually been accomplished in the last couple months in spite of not being to gather big crews. There is a new bridge and trail re-route on the Abbott Loop, and the Finger Lakes Trail has been rerouted across and east of Blackman Hill Road. The details of these projects are expanded upon in other articles. The Shindagin Hollow Bridge was repaired by trail adopter Joe McMahon and Trails Chair David Priester, adding a ten foot exit ramp to the east end of the bridge. And lots of brush and minor issues have been worked on.

Occasionally there are trail issues that need to be brought to the attention of the hiking community. One of the ways the trail management team does this is to post “Trail Condition Notices” on the FLTC and CTC web pages. These are often announced on the Facebook pages or Google email lists as well. I want to encourage hikers to check these trail notices when you are planning a day out in the woods. The FLTC had a moratorium in place for chain saw work for a couple months but that has now been lifted so the sawyers will get back to work. If you are hiking and notice trees that need to be cleared or similar impediments please report those to the FLTC trail report email. And if you want to contact me directly in addition to the FLTC email please do so. I keep a running spreadsheet of all the trail issues, large and small.

If you have questions or comments or to volunteer please contact me, [email protected].

New FLT segment at Summerland Farm! By: Polley Mcclure

David Priester, Trails Chair, has announced the opening of a new segment of the FLT at the Summerland Farm Preserve of the Finger Lakes Land Trust. This trail segment replaces an older segment that traversed several properties, involved seasonal hunting closures, was characterized by many muddy sections, and ran very close to residential property. For now parking is limited to the sides of Blackman Hill Road although there are plans to create parking space for the preserve. It is important to NOT park in the private driveway adjacent to the Preserve.

The new section of trail through the Summerland preserve begins at Blackman Hill Road and heads north through a lovely open beech-maple forest. This part is gently uphill and it emerges after about ¼ mile into the most gorgeous 43 acre hilltop meadow. Continuing along a mowed path to the highest point, you can see “forever” in several directions. The FLLT plans to place a bench here which will make for a lovely picnic spot. During the breeding season you can see and hear bobolinks which are nesting in the meadow. From there the mowed trail crosses to the edge of woods and continues along the edge until it turns into another open wooded area. Through these woods, the trail heads gently downhill for another roughly ¼ mile until it joins the existing FLT which continues on to NY 79.

This new section of trail was constructed like most in this part of the state. Many of you may be all too familiar with the process of making a new trail, but for those who aren‟t, I‟ll briefly summarize. First the Trails Chair decides the route the new trail will follow. David has a very good sense of direction and knows where the new trail should start and where it either ends, or in this case joins an existing trail. He usually “scouts” the new route, placing flagging approximately where the trail will go. At this point he will check with the agency to which the property belongs to ensure that the proposed route is acceptable to them. Then he usually fine-tunes the path, marking exactly how it winds through the landscape. After traipsing along on a couple of these trips I‟ve learned that there is a real art to the details of trail siting. David creates a functional, but also very aesthetic path, not just the most direct route between the ends. At this point a crew usually joins the fun. The crew generally comprises about 3-6 people. If 3, they tend to work together end to end. If 6, they might start at opposite ends and meet at the middle. In wooded areas each group may have one member with a chainsaw to remove large logs, another with a brush cutter to remove smaller vegetation, and another with loppers to cut off lateral branches impinging on the trail space. The goal is to clear a “tunnel” through the woods at least 3 feet wide by about 8 feet high. After the above-ground passage is cut, the crew uses fire rakes to remove the ground layer vegetation and duff, which makes the footpath easily visible. When the trail is to go through meadows, 6 foot locust stakes are pounded into the ground to mark the path, and the path is mowed if accessible by mower; if not the path is cleared with a brush-cutter. The Trails Chair records the GPS track for the trail and if the trail is part of FLT, sends the GPS track to the map section of FLTC so the official maps can be updated.

(Continued on Page 5)

(Continued from Page 4) In the case of the FLT reroute through Summerland Farm Preserve, the exit of the trail from the Blackman Hill Road woods into the hilltop meadow needed to pass through a large, jumbled pile of rocks thrown from the field over the years by farmers. Ross Creagan was a member of the trail crew and he volunteered to construct a very nice, sturdy hand-made stone stairway leading from the woods into the meadow.

The last step is usually to mark the new trail with paint blazes on trees and stakes and remove blazes on the section being replaced. Trail signs are planted and the new trail is announced.

Thank you to Colden Knapp, Jason Gorman, Chris Olney (for FLLT), Penny Ciccone, Ross Creagan, David Priester, and Polley McClure for work creating this new trail section.

The entire new section of FLT through Summerland Farm Preserve is about 0.6 mile. In total we worked on it over a span of a couple of weeks. The scouting and fine-tuning of the route took about 4-5 hours for two people. Cutting and raking the wooded sections of the trail took 2-3 people about 5-6 hours. Building the stone steps took about 6 hours. Mowing, blazing, signing and unmarking took 3 people about 3-4 hours. All told, the 0.6 miles of trail required about 34-46 person hours. It was great fun and good exercise, all outdoors and safely socially distanced.

As David was making the last pass with the mower across the meadow, the very first hiker came out into view. Toby, the smiling pooch and his human were enjoying the broad vista, the wildflowers, and birds and inaugurated the new trail section.

When the Trail is on Private Land By: Roger Hopkins Approximately one-third of the Finger Lakes Trail System is on private property. Private landowners receive no compensation; they offer this out of love of the land and their willingness to share. This fact is most surprising to people getting to know about the FLT. At first, they assume that the FLT is government-run entity with taxpayers supporting the cost of hiking across New York State. In fact, the FLT is a private, non-profit, volunteer built and maintained footpath. The trail exists because of the dedication of members and volunteers of the FLT and affiliate hiking clubs like the Cayuga Trails Club, the cooperation of state agencies responsible for our public lands, and the generosity of the private landowners who have shared the use of a small piece of their land with hikers. If you are a hiker, be aware of when you are hiking on sections of the trail on private property. Unless you are certain that you are on public lands, assume that it is private property.

Trail Closed for Hunting Some landowners choose to close their section of trail during hunting seasons, which may include spring and fall seasons. These, and other closures, are listed on maps and guidebooks published by the FLTC and in the Trail Condition Notices on the website. You must respect these closures in the interest of preserving good relations with our landowners. If you hike on a closed section of trail without permission, you may be trespassing.

Be a Good Guest! Here are some common-sense “Guest rules” you can practice:

 Stay on the trail.  Leave all gates open or closed the way you found them.  Hike quietly; respect landowner privacy.  Absolutely no fires or camping unless explicitly permitted.  Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.  Remove any litter you find.  If you encounter the landowner or family members, greet them, and thank them for hosting the trail.  If you encounter hikers who are not aware of the rules, and if you can do so without confrontation, please say something.  If you see something that is not right, please report the details to the FLT Office at (585)658- 9320 or by email at [email protected].

Be the kind of guest you would welcome if you owned the property. And don’t forget to be a good guest on public lands too. Remember, we are all landowners of our State Forests and public parks.

Improvements to the Abbott Loop! By: Polley Mcclure

Late in the day, on June 14th, the west half of the Abbott Loop is open with two major improvements. The bridge at about ¾ mile west from the south trailhead on Michigan Hollow Road has been replaced. The trailhead has been relocated to a location about 150 yards south of the old trailhead and a new section of about ½ mile has been constructed.

Charlie‟s Bridge was designed and constructed by Charlie Strohman with a bit of help from several of us carrying what seemed like tons of lumber to the site. It began last winter when David Priester, CTC Trails Chair, convened the “trails committee” and reviewed the big spreadsheet of all the projects awaiting attention. We each signed up for one or more that we thought we would be able to tackle. One of Charlie‟s was the Abbott Loop bridge. I think we all believed that the big construction projects like this would be done by his organizing a “large” work party, but the corona virus put an end to that possibility at least for the time being.

So it was a bit of a surprise when, as David and I came up to the old bridge site one day, we found Charlie, all alone in the woods, at work on his project. Now the stringers for this bridge, the long beams that support the structure from bank to bank, had been cut by David (with Charlie as the swamper) from trees picked out by a DEC forester two years ago. David and Charlie had de-barked them and they were left to dry about 40 yards on one side of the stream. These logs were about 10-12 inches thick and about 35 feet long each, hemlock, estimated to weigh about 1000 pounds each after drying. Charlie had a come-along and tow-straps, which he fastened to various trees to tug each of the stringers down the hill and into position across the stream. He leveled them as much as possible upon the log abutments which were placed on both banks.

Then he needed to provide a level surface on the top side of the stringers (which, being trees, varied in both straightness and diameter from one end to the other) so that the locust decking boards would all be level across the top. He did this by cutting “notches” (by hand) into the stringers and securing cedar shims to the specified height.

(Continued on Page 8)

(Continued from Page 7)

Then 2 X 4 boards screwed over the shims formed the base for the decking boards. The ends of the stringers were cut to form steps down to the trails. The last construction was of a very nice, exceptionally sturdy handrail. I estimate that Charlie hiked the 1.5 mile round trip to the site at least a dozen times, backpack full of close to 50 pounds of tools and supplies. He spent almost 5 full days at the site. The various porters made about 25 trips all told, about 40 miles, transporting the lumber in and waste materials out.

I have worked on other trail bridge projects in the past executed by groups of 10-12 skilled workers, but I never even imagined that a project like this could be done by one person. Everyone associated with the project has unofficially named the structure “Charlie‟s Bridge” acknowledging his outstanding accomplishment.

The second improvement to this segment of trail was construction of a new link to bypass the sometimes very wet, muddy section that started at the old trailhead. This was also an area frequently blocked by downed trees that required sawyer work. David wanted to move the trailhead about 150 yards south and route the trail up through the woods to get it out of the wet valley. We scouted a possible new route, flagging as we went and ended up at the Abbott Loop trail at about the point David had in mind. He checked with the DEC forester who inspected the flagged route and approved. On the day referred to above, David and I “fine-tuned” the route and hiked on to where we met Charlie at work. Then about a week later, Gary Mallow, David, and I cut the trail, David with chainsaw, Gary with brush cutter, and me with loppers and fire rake. We all ended up raking. Barbara and Michael Nussbaum, the trail adopters for that section of trail, blazed the section and David GPS‟d it and changed the signage. The new section was open!

Thank you to Gary Mallow, Charlie Strohman, Cindy Massicci, Allen Quirk, My Shulman, Jim Rundle, Barbara and Michael Nussbaum, June Myers, Lincoln Brown, David Priester and Polley McClure for your work on this project.

I tell the story of the Abbott Loop improvements this spring as a personal narrative because it helps to bring out the human side of our trails. Not only these very visible projects, but many more that you might not even notice, get done by volunteer members of this club because they bring certain skills to the table and it gives them pleasure to help create and keep the trails open, safe, and pleasant for us all to enjoy. Get out and enjoy the new Abbott Loop improvements!

Please welcome our new, supporting, and returning Cayuga Trails Club members! by Membership Chair – Myra Shulman

Family Membership Tony Henderson

Individual Memberships Christopher Doe Rachel Odhner

Upcoming Hikes and Other Events By Barb Nussbaum

All official Cayuga Trails Club events and hikes are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Figure 1Enjoying a nice sunny day at Shindagin Hollow! (Photo by Barbara Nussbaum)

One of the best views on the Abbott Loop! (Photo by David Priester)

2Slightly more afield, but a look at Montezuma Aubudon Center!

Mark Your Calendar All official Cayuga Trails Club events and hikes are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Check our website at CayugaTrailsClub.org for events that may not be listed in this issue. Also check the website before the hike for any last minute changes, cancellations, etc.

Cayuga Trails is published six times a year and is edited and published by Curtis Myers. Comments and original contributions are welcome. Deadline for the next edition is August 15, 2020. Send contributions to [email protected] or PO Box 161 Locke, NY 13092. Visit Cayuga Trails Club website at www.CayugaTrailsClub.org

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. P.O. Box 754 Ithaca, NY 14851-0754

Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board

Committees Trails David Priester, Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes (WLL) Barbara Nussbaum, Adopt-a-Highway Lucy Gagliardo, Archives Barbara Morley, IT/Website Roger Hopkins, Landowner Relations Max Heitner, Membership Myra Shulman, Newsletter Editor Curtis Myers, Publicity Krestia DeGeorge, Social Marsha Zgola, Finance Chair Gary Mallow, Guidebook Bodhi Rogers * Ad-Hoc

Board meeting are on the first Tuesday of even months. Members are welcome to attend (email [email protected] for meeting place and time). Next Board meeting: August 4, 2020

September-October 2020 Early Fall Edition Volume 60, Nos. 9&10

David Priester demonstrating how steady his new bridge is!

Recognizing David Priester by Gary Mallow

If you are traveling across the FLT near Danby State Forest, around Curtis Road you‟ll find a beautiful new locust-decked trail bridge across the little seasonal creek about 500 yards east of the Curtis Road trailhead. It was finished about a month ago.

This project started two years ago with a request for permission to cut the stringers - two large hemlocks that were standing about 100 yards uphill. The DEC agreed to the project and flagged the trees. David Priester led the process of chainsawing them, cutting to size, stripping bark, dragging them into position, and decking them. He carried all materials and tools in on his back. He did the majority of the work alone over the course of a few days to be sure other trail workers were not put at risk for COVID-19.

This is in addition to his assistance on the new bridge on Abbot Loop, working on the massive Tug Hollow Bridge project, more work on Connecticut Hill, and the multitude of smaller but no less important projects he tackles every day as Trail Chair! If you see David on the trail, give him a friendly elbow bump and tell him how much you appreciate his hard work.

CTC Newsletter President’s Column

By: Polley Mcclure

There has been a huge amount of progress on several big projects for the club this year. In these challenging times, our club has continued to maintain and build trails and encourage individual, household, and private small-group hikes. Our regular board meetings continue, now on Zoom, and we are making plans for online fall and annual meetings. Stay tuned…

The board met on August 4 and re-confirmed the prior decisions to not sponsor group hikes while supporting and encouraging individual and private group activities, to continue to hold board meetings via Zoom, and to maintain trail projects limited in size and carefully managed. We also decided to not hold the August picnic, to hold the fall member meeting (usually a dish-to-pass) via Zoom, and probably to hold the January member meeting via Zoom as well.

Myra Shulman, membership chair, has converted the weekly email schedule of hikes into a platform to help members identify and enjoy hikes on their own. She would appreciate submissions from members describing interesting hikes, personal hiking experiences, observations about local environments, and natural history - anything other hikers might enjoy. If you would like to contribute, get in touch with Myra at [email protected].

During this season so far David Priester, Charlie Strohman, and helpers have installed a beautiful new bridge on the Abbott Loop, rerouted the west end of the north section of the Loop to avoid the wet bottomland, built a new bridge on the FLT near Curtis Road, repaired and extended the bridge at Shindagin Hollow, and are in the planning and early stages of building a large, sturdy bridge (that will hopefully withstand the periodic flooding) on the FLT where it crosses the Tug Hollow Creek. Lucy Gagliardo and a small group of members keep up with the constant application of trash to the club‟s Adopt-a-Highway section of 366 near the Vet School.

Most importantly, 120 miles of trail continue to be maintained by over 60 members of CTC! Hiking, and being outside in nature, has been so important to us and our community for physical and mental health. My heartfelt thanks to all our Trail Adopters and their families and friends who help them keep our trails in good shape!

The annual member meeting in January is the venue for election of officers, but we also hear reports from committee chairs and officers about the year‟s activities, and enjoy learning from a keynote speaker. In recent years we have heard about local geology, the Dryden Rail Trail, and grassland bird populations. I will be working on the plan for this meeting to include identifying a speaker. If you have either a topic or an individual that you think would interest the membership, please share your ideas with me.

Many of us are familiar with the group, Ithaca Hikers, led by Steve and Susan Hesse for many years. The group has grown and includes both humans and canines, hiking 3 times weekly for 2 hours each time. It would be interesting to calculate the physical and psychological benefits of this activity. Ithaca Hikers recently announced that the Hesses will be retiring from their fulltime roles and passing the baton to a team of four who will share leadership duties. We know from our own experience what a transition like this is like from two years ago when Gary Mallow turned over the reins of the CTC Tuesday Hike Series to a group of 6. Even with that many experienced hikers; those boots are hard to fill. Thank you, Steve and Susan, for the good fellowship and healthy times you‟ve shared with others all these years.

2 Trails Report By David Priester, Vice President/Trails Chairman

The COVID-19 virus situation when I wrote in the last newsletter continues to affect how we do things and still limits our activities to somewhat. I hope everyone is staying safe and is well.

Currently all our trails have are adopted at this point. Thank you all for volunteering including those of you who I haven‟t found a trail section for yet! As I have said many times, the woods will take the trails back in a remarkably short time if we are not vigilant. If you see the trail maintainers out there working please stop and thank them.

“Mallow Marsh,” otherwise known as the Finger Lakes Trail just west of NYS Rt. 79 in Caroline, continues to be flooded so you will likely have to wade through up to 2 feet of water, depending on the day if you choose to cross that marsh. Be careful if you do, as there are boardwalks under the water you may not be able to see. It‟s not bad on a warm day which we have had a few of recently. There are currently 72 items on the trails project list, 30 of them are open or being worked on currently. This seems like a big number, but some are big like a trail reroute or building but most tasks are smaller like fixing some blazing or clearing a blow down.

There is another new bridge across what is this summer a dry stream just east of Curtis Road. Like the one on the Abbott Loop, the main beams for this one were cut two years ago in the forest nearby. Check it out if you haven‟t been out that way. It‟s beautiful quiet forest in that area. The bridge site is a good picnic spot not far from the road.

The DR mower has been out here and there. If you happen to know of a trail section which needs mowed and is actually accessible for the mower, please let the trails chair know.

The Trails Committee is working on the Tug Hollow bridge project over in Hector near Logan Road. Landings for both ends are under construction and will be in place by the time this article gets out. In September we will be gathering small groups to work on the construction of the bridge itself so stay tuned. We will be reaching out via our email communications for help when the time comes. We have permission from the DEC to renovate the foot bridge near Todd Road over on Connecticut Hill so that will take place in the next month or so. Joe McMahon and I scouted possible trail relocation just east of the Shindagin Lean-to with the intention of avoiding some difficult to cross gullies. The DEC has to give their approval for that project before we take any further action.

If you have questions or comments or to volunteer please contact me, [email protected].

Tug Hollow Bridge Progress by Ross Creagan

On August 18 & 19, eight members of the Cayuga Trail Club joined Tug Hollow landowner Neal M. and his trusty Kubota front-end loader to install the large pier for the new Tug Hollow Bridge, located on the Finger Lakes Trail, off Logan Rd. in Burdett. The new bridge, designed by Charlie S., will be stronger and higher than the previous three bridges, which were lost to floods over the past two decades. The bridge is an important FLT link, particularly during or after rainy periods. Only during droughty summer months is it possible to stone-hop across Tug Hollow Creek.

David P. and Ross C. picked up 14 pieces of eight foot long 6"x6" black locust from the locust mill in Newfield, and Ross followed Charlie's design to precut and assemble the diamond-shaped pier in his driveway. A volunteer crew moved the pieces to the bridge site and assembled the pier on one of the cooler days of summer. Other volunteers filled Neal's front-end loader with cobble-sized stone from the banks of the creek to fill in the pier. The base of the pier is 5'x8'. It ascends in pyramidal shape, over four feet high. A floor of locust planks between the bottom and second courses of the large pier, weighted down by two tons of stone, surrounded by 1400 lbs. of locust, will hopefully resist the inevitable flood waters. Ten 4 ft. long rebar secure the bottom course of locust to the bank, and the first two courses of the pier are below the bank surface.

A smaller, four-course pier on the opposite side of the creek will support the other end of the 36' long by 32" wide bridge, which is designed to clear maximum flood height by 24". The pressure treated lumber necessary to construct the bridge is drying in a warm barn until mid-September. Charlie and a small crew will cut the 2x8's, 2x6's, 2x4's and 4x4's to his specifications; the bridge will be constructed on flat staging ground just above the creek, then hauled and raised into place, no doubt with the help of Neal's front-end loader.

Many thanks to the volunteer crew of Tom F., Bruce C., Myra S., Lucy G., Allen Q. and Marsha Z. for catering a welcomed lunch perfectly timed just after we finished. Special thanks to Neal, without whom the stone hauling would have taken much longer.

If the weather cooperates during the second half of September, the bridge could be done by early October.

What’s In Your Pack? By Myra Shulman, David Priester, Lucy Gagliardo, and Polley McClure Have you ever wondered what other people regularly carry in their packs when hiking? At a recent Zoom social gathering several of us got the idea to actually share the contents of our summer day hiking packs. We all add to this basic pack for longer hikes, especially overnight, and for even short winter hikes. But the contents described here form “the basics” that we always take. You‟ll see that the four of us have quite different strategies for organizing and packaging our “stuff”, but the level of consistency in content is quite high. This consistency may come in part from our adherence to the widely publicized “Ten Essentials” https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28708.html and also from what we learned in our Wilderness First Aid training . Here is what we found: Ten Essentials Myra Shulman David Priester Lucy Gagliardo Polley McClure Navigation Paper map, compass, Phone (Gaia GPS), Phone with Alltrails, iPhone (Gaia GPS, phone (Gaia GPS, FLT InReach GPS, paper compass, paper map maps downloaded at Online Map), external maps, compass home), InReach, battery compass, paper maps Insulation Waterproof jacket, Rain jacket and pants, Hat, gloves, light Rain jacket and pants, Buff, hand/foot extra socks, and shirts fleece, rain jacket and socks, hand/toe warmer, knit hat pants, hand/foot warmers, vest, hat warmers Light Headlamp, extra Headlamp Headlamp, extra Headlamp, tactical batteries batteries flashlight, extra batteries First Aid Tissues, face mask, First Aid Kit SAM splint, 2 large WFA "cheat sheet", gloves, Band-Aids, (Bandages, alcohol cloth squares, 2 Ace large and small SAM moleskin, tweezers, wipes, OTC bandages, gauze splints, Epinephrine scissors, triangular medications, cleaning bandages, Band-Aids, auto injector, "Israeli" bandages, gauge wrap, syringe, etc.), SAM moleskin, scissors, trauma bandage, CPR Leukotape, tourniquet, splint, CPR kit, tape, insect bite kit, tick kit, First Aid anti-chafing & anti- surgical gloves medication, liquid kit, Sting Kill, several itch ointments, honey, Benadryl, ibuprofen, triangular bandages, ibuprofen, cyclobenzaprine, exam gloves acetaminophen, Mucinex, nitrile Benadryl, First-Aid gloves, pint of Poland Guide, patient Spring water, documentation page, disinfectant wipes, pencil hand sanitizer, WFA Guide Emergency Kit Personal Locator Multi-tool, spare Rope & string, whistle, Spare power source, Beacon (Spot), Swiss batteries, bootlaces, Swiss army knife, eye stuff sack, multi-tool, Army knife, bootlace, emergency contact info glass repair kit tie wraps, string, duct short rope tape, Swiss army knife, whistle Fire Matches, candles Fire starting supplies Dry matches, tinder (dryer lint) Food Powerbars (plus Snack bag, hard Protein bar, fig bars Hard candy, honey, planned meals) candies, lunch peanut butter, electrolyte, fig bars, planned meals Water 2 liters 2 or 3 liters 1-2 liters 2 or 3 liters Shelter Space blanket Bivy sack, space 2 space blankets Bivy sack, space blanket, blow up sit blanket, Situpon pad Sun + Insect Sunscreen, hat, Handkerchief, Sunscreen, hat, bug Permethrin treated Protection Permethrin treated Permethrin treated repellent, Permethrin pants, shirt, socks, shirt, pants, socks pants, shirt, hat treated pants sunglasses, bandana, hat, insect repellent Personal Wallet (ID, health Wallet with money, Back brace, toilet Hiking poles, potty kit, insurance, cash), poles, certification cards, paper, hiking poles, notebook, pencil, car tissues, hankies, bags pencil, notebook, ID, money, pencil, key for mushrooms, wild bathroom kit, hiking notebook leeks (ramps) poles (Photos and further descriptions continue on pages 6,7,8, and 9)

Myra: My mother used to take hiking trips around the world with the wonderful tour company Country Walkers. She was such a great customer they sent her a free Outdoor Products backpack. Mom preferred a fanny pack, so I absconded with the backpack which I love for its very comfortable hip straps and back padding. With all the items above (excluding water & lunch), it weighs 10 lbs. Two liters of water weigh about 4 lbs. and lunch is probably 2-3. So, in summer, I‟m carrying about 17 lbs. Taking Wilderness First Aid added some items to my previous First Aid kit: tourniquet, triangular bandage, honey. I divide my First Aid kit into two: the most often used items (Band-Aids, tweezers, ibuprofen, Benadryl tablets, anti-itch ointment), which I have in a Ziploc bag in a convenient outside pocket, and the rest which are for serious medical emergencies, which are in the bottom of my pack. Hopefully I‟ll never have to use those!

David: On local hikes I usually carry an Osprey Talon 32, though sometimes in the summer drop back to a 22 liter pack and at other times move up to a 48 liter pack. My packing objective is to be able to take care of myself and self-rescue as nearly as possible. I try to be prepared to involuntarily spend the night in the woods if that becomes necessary. During the hot weather I fill my water bag with ice and then with water. This actually keeps the water cold most of the day, but the bag does sweat into the pack some. The reality is that much of what I carry in my pack I hope I never use, but if I do need it for me, or someone else on the trail, it‟s all there. To be able to easily switch between packs without forgetting something most of what I carry is collected in stuff sacks or plastic bags inside the pack which also helps with waterproofing.

Lucy: For local/shorter hikes I carry an Osprey Talon 22 pack, which weighs about 13 lbs. when packed with everything pictured, but I might leave rain gear behind if the weather isn¹t threatening or it is a short hike.

I carry everything I think I might need for first aid, but would I be able to find it? I am learning from my fellow hikers that I could benefit from a packing strategy! I also should pack a way to create a fire, and a camping pad to provide a comfortable place for an injured person to rest.

For longer hikes and Adirondack hikes I carry a 33 liter pack and include a full change of clothes.

Polley: I usually carry my Osprey Tempest 30 pack for local hikes. I weighed it with the pictured items and it weighed in at just a little less than 10 lbs. which is not too much for me. I sometimes add a hand clipper and sometimes do not carry the epinephrine or the Israeli trauma pack, but I always have the latter if there is chainsaw work involved and the former during “bee season”. I learned several things from this exercise. From Myra I learned about Leukotape which I‟d never heard of. From David I realized that leaving my wallet, ID, and contact information in the car at the trailhead might not be as good an idea as I‟d thought, and from Lucy I realized I should add a small bottle of sterile water to flush out wounds.

Now I can just hear some of our fellow hikers thinking that “You guys are crazy to carry all of that stuff!” And certainly if all four of us are on the same hike that is probably true since any of our packs would supply at least the First Aid necessities. But all four of us do lead hikes and take some responsibility to make sure people we hike with can be as safe as possible. We all just have our standard local pack all mostly set up and so it has become almost part of us.

I do think, however, that all hikers should think through the Ten Essentials and consider how they would function in an emergency if the situation depended on them. Hiking alone or with other hikers who may not carry a pack, that becomes all the more important. The weight represented by the items we all carry is certainly not a burden if you have a good, well fitted pack.

Please welcome our new, supporting, and returning Cayuga Trails Club members! by Membership Chair – Myra Shulman

Supporting Membership Ashley Johnson

Individual Memberships George Aiken Sue Smith

Upcoming Hikes and Other Events By Barb Nussbaum

All official Cayuga Trails Club events and hikes are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

A reminder about the importance of bringing a map! (Photo by Curtis Myers)

Mark Your Calendar All official Cayuga Trails Club events and hikes are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Check our website at CayugaTrailsClub.org for events that may not be listed in this issue. Also check the website before the hike for any last minute changes, cancellations, etc.

CTC Diversity Cayuga Trails Club welcomes everyone to join our hikes, work parties, and social events, including people of all races, ages, genders, sexual identities, religious affiliations, or national origins. We strive to make our hiking trails and our activities safe and welcoming for all.

Cayuga Trails is published six times a year and is edited and published by Curtis Myers. Comments and original contributions are welcome. Deadline for the next edition is October 15, 2020. Send contributions to [email protected] or PO Box 161 Locke, NY 13092. Visit Cayuga Trails Club website at www.CayugaTrailsClub.org

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. P.O. Box 754 Ithaca, NY 14851-0754

Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board

Committees Trails David Priester, Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes (WLL) Barbara Nussbaum, Adopt-a-Highway Lucy Gagliardo, Archives Barbara Morley, IT/Website Roger Hopkins, Landowner Relations Max Heitner, Membership Myra Shulman, Newsletter Editor Curtis Myers, Publicity Krestia DeGeorge, Social Marsha Zgola, Finance Chair Gary Mallow, Guidebook Bodhi Rogers * Ad-Hoc

Board meeting are on the first Tuesday of even months. Members are welcome to attend (email [email protected] for meeting place and time). Next Board meeting: October 6, 2020

November-December 2020 Fall Edition Volume 60, Nos. 11&12

Celebrating the end of construction!

The completion of the Melveney Bridge at Tug Hollow

After 600 hours of work, 10 solid days of constructions, and many, many hands and machines, the biggest construction project in recent CTC history has come to an end! After having had many bridges destroyed by the drainage into Seneca Lake, our best and brightest put their heads together to construct/engineer something to weather the torrents. And it is named after Neal and Diane Melveney, who are not only the land owners that the bridge sits on, but provided essential help with every step of construction!

You can read about the trials and tribulations from Ross Creagan, the Project Manager, on page 11 of this newsletter. And hopefully this will keep many people safe and hikers‟ feet dry for years to come!

1 CTC Newsletter President’s Column

By: Polley Mcclure

The fall colors and weather have been exceptional this year and the board voted to reopen group hikes so we could enjoy it all with each other. Hikes are being held under some common--sense conditions with advance registration to ensure a maximum of ten hikers per group. The first hike was held on September 22 at Lindsay Parsons Biodiversity Preserve with a full group of 10 hikers. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to see each other and everyone obeyed the COVID rules! Other hikes are scheduled and new ones will be added, so check the club web page and sign up! If you are interested in leading a hike this fall, contact Barbara Nussbaum at [email protected]

We will be having the Annual Member Meeting in January 2021 via Zoom. I hope everyone will participate since we are planning a very interesting program. Stay Tuned….

Two policies were adopted by the board at its meeting on August 4. The Privacy Policy is similar to policies adopted by some of our sister clubs and basically sets out our position with respect to member information that we collect. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy was also adopted at this meeting, indicating that the club is welcoming to all people with an interest in joining hiking and trail work. Both policies have been posted on the web site.

2020 has been “The Year of Bridges” for CTC. The trails team has been very busy, repairing, maintaining, improving, and constructing new bridges to take our hikers across the many streams, ponds, and muddy spots on our trails. Charlie Strohman stepped up as Chief Engineer and Construction Manager to design and build a new bridge on the west section of the Abbott Loop and also one to cross the Tug Hollow Creek. To look at these beautiful structures this summer as they span the nearly dry creek beds probably leaves people who have not seen the raging torrent that has washed out several crossings in the past wondering what were we thinking…just wait! Ross Creagan was Project Manager for the Tug Hollow project and Charlie was PM for the Abbott Loop. David Priester single handedly built a new bridge near Curtis Road and he also repaired and enhanced several other bridges. Quite a number of CTC members helped on all of these projects. Another improvement this summer has been draining the pond created by a beaver project that flooded the boardwalk at Mallow Marsh on SR 79. Hikers can now cross without wading in water up to their knees!

The CTC board is not like many local nonprofit boards in that it really is just a dedicated working team that figures out what we need to make trails and hikes happen and then do whatever it takes. I mean actually doing work. One long time board member has tendered her resignation. Barbara Nussbaum has been a member of the team for about 10 years, serving as Chair of Membership and Hikes at various times. These are both big important jobs. I haven‟t dared to count the number of hikes she has personally led over the last decade, but I‟m sure the number is huge. On top of that she and her husband, Michael, maintain sections of the popular Abbott Loop Trail. I want to thank Barbara for her many and fine contributions to CTC hiking. We will miss you at board meetings, but I‟m sure we‟ll see you on the trails! Myra Shulman has agreed to assume the role of Hikes Chair starting in 2021. Of course this opens up the job of Membership Chair. If anyone in the club is interested in pitching in to fill this role, please contact either Myra or me ([email protected] , [email protected])

2 Trails Report By David Priester, Vice President/Trails Chairman

The COVID-19 virus situation still weighs on us and to some extent affects our ability to maintain our trails. None the less, with care, we are getting the job done. I hope everyone is staying safe and is well.

More will be said about the hunting season precautions in another article, so I won‟t go on about it here. But please remember that hunters are in the woods now. Not only are the large game bow seasons going on, but there is gun hunting for birds and so on which explains the proliferation of gun shots one hears. So if you are out on the trails, make noise, wear bright orange, and be sure not to hike on trails posted as closed during the hunting seasons.

As the trail work season begins to wind down there will be the usual and inevitable realignment in trail adopters and where they are working and who wants to take a break and who wants to get to work. I am keeping a list of people I have heard from who are interested in adopting trail sections and working on projects. In fact we have more volunteers than we can find work for at this point, which is a wonderful thing. As I have said many times, the woods will take the trails back to the natural state in a remarkably short time if we are not vigilant. If you see the trail maintainers out there working, please stop and thank them.

“Mallow Marsh,” update; the Finger Lakes Trail just west of NYS Rt. 79 in Caroline is at this writing no longer flooded, yeah!, as some volunteers working under state permits breached the dam in several places and continue to be vigilant in trying to keep the dam from being effectively repaired by the local beaver family in a continuing battle with beavers in a war of perseverance. The winner is still undetermined though. There are currently 81 items on the trails project list for the year, 25 of them are open or being worked on currently. This might seem like a big number, but to add some perspective some are big like a trail reroute or building something but most tasks are smaller like fixing some blazing or clearing a blow down. Some of the projects are major and most of those are on hold pending the resolution of background issues. The trails committee is now thinking about what we will be taking on next year. We are open to suggestions for projects that might make the regional hiking experience better.

There is big bridge news. This will be reported upon more fully in another article, but the bridge over the creek in Tug Hollow is finished and was officially opened on October 22. Thank you to all those who took part in this project which involved over 600 person hours of effort and many other pieces of well-organized puzzle solving falling into place. This is the biggest single construction project the CTC has taken on in my memory. In addition, on a smaller scale, the small bridge on the Van Lone Loop near Todd Road has been renovated with a wider deck and railing making it much safer and a better hiking experience especially for winter hikers on snowshoes. Another significant trail improvement has been finished in the vicinity of the Shindagin Lean-to. Joe McMahon who maintains that section and some friends relocated part of the trail just east of the lean-to to avoid some precarious gully‟s and the new section passes some truly spectacular large trees including one enormous beech. Thank you to Tim Day from the DEC for supporting this effort.

Thank you again to all of you who have helped keep our trail network in good condition. You all can be proud of the trail network in our area of responsibility. After all, it‟s your work and energy that keeps it clear and hikeable. Enjoy the outdoors, be safe during this COVID-19 influenced time and hunting season, look for less traveled areas especially trails you might not yet have explored.

If you have questions or comments or to volunteer please contact me, [email protected].

Please welcome our new, supporting, and returning Cayuga Trails Club members! by Membership Chair – Myra Shulman

Individual Memberships Alicia Bouseman Ellen Harrison Joshua Teeter Kaela Klapan Marsha Acerra Paul Wrobleski Susan Baehre

Family Membership Ann Manzano

Want Ad - Membership Chair

The CTC Board Membership Chair is responsible for maintaining a list and directory of all current members, mailing welcome packets to new members, managing the member renewal process, and emailing weekly announcements of upcoming hikes and other activities to the membership. The Membership Chair will be an appointed member of the CTC Board and is expected to participate in bimonthly meetings. Some facility with computer use and Excel are necessary. If you might be willing to fill this role or if you would like more information contact Polley McClure ([email protected]) or Myra Shulman ([email protected]).

David taking care of a PRETTY big blowdown!

Book Report: “From Here to There” (2020) by Michael Bond Review by: Polley Mcclure

I just finished reading a fascinating book that I think would be of interest to many members of our club. A short excerpt from the book appeared in https://www.wired.com/story/why-humans-totally-freak-out-when-they-get- lost/

Michael Bond has given us a multidimensional picture of how humans find our way through space and why we may want to practice and preserve those skills. Bond is an award winning science writer who has digested and compiled most of what we know about the history, developmental biology, and neurobiology of way finding. The book is a very readable balance of research reporting and storytelling.

A theme throughout the book is that the ability to find one‟s way from place to place and back again would have been developed early in the evolution of our species, as we needed to find food, water, and other humans when these were located far from home. The mechanisms enabling way finding may even form a foundation for other cognitive skills and may play a key role in the decline of cognitive ability associated with dementia.

I had an experience recently in trying to discuss a set of local trails with my husband in which I noticed that he was describing the trails as if he was seeing them on a map while I was describing them as they unfolded like a movie as one walks alone past landmarks. Bond reports that humans use both of these methods of understanding spatial relations. Individuals seem to use one method or the other more commonly but most are able to use both. The visualized map approach is definitely better when one ventures into completely new territory while the visualized movie approach can be more efficient in frequently visited situations.

For me the most compelling story told in the book is that of Geraldine Largay who lost her way in 2013, when she took a short trip off the Appalachian Trail for a “nature break”, became disoriented, and was unable to communicate because there was no cell coverage. She wandered for at least 19 days while search and rescue teams combed the area before she died of starvation and exposure, about ½ mile from the trail. Her body, her journal and phone with unsent text messages told the story over 2 years later when her body was found by a surveyor. Even the woods we hike near here can claim us as “lost”. That state of being lost can rob us of our sense of place, fill us with a sense of terror, and lead us to predictably irrational and counterproductive behavior.

Bond cautions about overuse of GPS devices instead of exercising our natural navigational mechanisms. He cites studies showing that people who make serious use of their way finding skills actually build the parts of the brain responsible for navigation, much like lifting weights increasing muscle mass and physical fitness. At the same time, if Geraldine Largay had been equipped with a satellite navigation device like InReach or Spot, her life may have been saved.

Whether you are a neuroscience/psychology geek, a search and rescue volunteer, or just interested in how it is we know where we are and figure out how to get somewhere else and back, I think you will enjoy “From Here to There.”

If you wanted an excuse to visit the Van Lone Loop, the bridge is newly revamped and secured! (Photo by David Priester)

HIKING IN DEER HUNTING SEASON By Myra Shulman, Membership Chair

DEER IN THE ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE White-tailed deer are an important component of our northeastern landscape, browsing on grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, saplings, and low-hanging branches of trees. Prior to European colonization of North America, deer were important food for humans, wolves, mountain lions, and bears, and their carcasses fed foxes, raccoons, other small mammals, and carrion-feeding birds. Fast forward to today: wolves and mountain lions were extirpated from eastern North America and the range of bears reduced. Currently, the only common predators of deer in our area are humans (and our vehicles) and coyotes, which have expanded their historical western range across the continent. With human-wrought changes in the landscape, habitat for deer has improved and – with greatly reduced natural predator numbers – population sizes have exploded. Our plant communities are now severely overgrazed: few tree saplings survive; understory shrubs and our beloved wildflowers are greatly reduced. Hunting plays an important role in controlling deer populations and allowing plants to flourish. However, our current hunting regulations still do not bring deer numbers down to an ecologically healthy number. In addition to deer overpopulation having negative effects on the local ecology, more deer also means more ticks (and associated Lyme disease) and more deer-vehicle collisions. For all these reasons, I support reduction of deer populations through hunting and other means. As a hiker, fall is a time to know when, where, and what type of deer hunting is going on and to choose trails accordingly. WHEN IS DEER HUNTING SEASON? Deer are hunted with various weapons: bow & arrow (bow hunting), crossbows, “regular firearms” (rifles, shotguns), and muzzleloaders. The NY Department of Conservation (DEC) provides different dates for these different hunting methods: 2020 Deer Hunting Season in New York’s Southern Region Oct 1 - Nov Nov 7- Nov 21 - Dec Dec 14 - 7 20 13 22 Jan 9-31 Bow hunting Crossbow Regular Firearms Muzzleloaders

Tompkins Co. DMFA*

*Due to high deer populations in central Tompkins County, the DEC has established a special "Deer Management Focus Area" (DMFA) that has an extra hunting season in January. It excludes the City of Ithaca and Villages of Cayuga Heights, and Lansing, as well as the State Forests and Wildlife Management Areas (which get sufficient hunting during the regular season). Bow and crossbow hunting are allowed in RH Treman and Buttermilk State Parks, and private landowners in the DMFA can choose whether to allow hunting (of any type) on their lands. Some Cornell Botanic Gardens’ (CBG) Natural Areas and Finger Lakes Land Trust preserves allow gun hunting and are closed to hikers during these dates.

(Continued on Page 8)

(Continued from Page 7)

Deer Damage Permits: If recreational hunting is insufficient to limit deer populations, landowners can apply for a Deer Damage Permit that allows for special conditions and dates for taking deer. Some Cornell lands have these permits, and can be closed to the public; notices will be posted at trailheads.

HUNTING SEASONS FOR OTHER GAME Are you hearing gunshots outside of the Regular Firearms and Muzzleloaders deer-hunting season? There are hunting seasons for smaller game: see the DEC Summary of Hunting Seasons available at this link.

IS IT SAFE TO HIKE IN DEER HUNTING SEASON? Hiking always has risks: during hunting season there is the added risk of being shot by a hunter. Though rare, it does happen and the chances vary depending on the type of hunting weapon being used. Additionally, there are things we hikers can do to lower the risk of being mistaken for a game animal (see below). Every hiker will have a different sense and tolerance of this risk. What I discuss here is solely my comfort level with hiking during hunting season. Each hiker must make their own decision – neither I nor the Cayuga Trails Club is responsible for the decisions you make about when and where to hike. BOWHUNTING AND CROSSBOW HUNTING SEASONS Hunting with these generally requires that the hunter be much closer to the deer than when shooting with a gun. With a much closer look, it is far less likely the hunter will mistake a hiker for a deer. Thus, I feel pretty safe hiking during this part of the hunting season.

REGULAR FIREARMS AND MUZZLELOADERS HUNTING SEASONS I don’t hike in areas/times when gun hunting is permitted. So I’ve researched the places that don’t allow gun hunting to know where I can hike during the Regular Firearms, Muzzleloaders, and Tompkins County DMFA hunting dates – check out my list below.

OUT ON THE TRAILS IN HUNTING SEASON – WHAT EVERY HIKER SHOULD DO Wear Blaze Orange hat, vest and/or jacket: To reduce the likelihood of hunting accidents, the DEC strongly recommends that hunters wear fluorescent orange or pink (required for hunters aged 14-15 and their mentors). When out hiking during any part of the hunting season, I wear a fluorescent orange “construction safety vest” (from Agway’s) that can be adjusted to fit over my backpack, and any number of layers of clothing. (I also wear this when walking on roads, particularly during twilight and at night – it has reflective stripes.) And make sure your doggy companion (if any) is styling a Blaze Orange vest, and keep it leashed so it’s not bounding through the woods like a fawn. Hike with others: people talking, laughing, and moving together are less likely to be mistaken for a game animal. During the pandemic, hiking in small groups is the best approach for both hunting and COVID safety. Respect hunting closures: Some private landowners who allow the Finger Lakes Trail to cross their properties, have hunting closures during the fall deer season. These closures are posted at trailheads, and trail notices are available on the Cayuga Trails Club and Finger Lakes Trail Conference websites. Please show your appreciation to these FLT hosts by respecting the hunt-season closures on their land. The Finger Lakes Trail in the Sweedler Preserve at Lick Brook is closed to hiking during this period.

(Continued on Page 9)

(Continued from Page 9)

WHERE TO HIKE (AND NOT HIKE!) DURING DEER GUN HUNTING SEASON Below is a list of local public lands and accessible-to-public places we all love to hike, with information on whether they allow gun hunting. (Please be aware that private landowners may or may not allow gun hunting on their property. When road- or rail-trail walking, consider whether gun hunting may be allowed on the adjoining public and private lands.)

DON’T ALLOW GUN HUNTING NY State Parks Our local state parks allow bow, but not gun hunting. Cornell Botanic Gardens Arboretum, Park Park, Beebe Lake Monkey Run & Fall Creek Natural Areas Includes the Cayuga Trail and other trails in these areas. Bow hunting allowed. Campbell Meadows Cornell Lab of Ornithology trails Palmer Woods Natural Area South Hill Recreation Way Six Mile Creek Natural Area (including Mulholland Wildflower Preserve) Cayuga Waterfront Trail; Lighthouse Point; Fuertes Bird Sanctuary City of Ithaca Cemetery Walk Some Finger Lakes Land Trust Preserves Steege Hill (near Big Flats) and the Roy H. Park Preserve. Jim Schug Trail & CBG Pervis Road Wetlands Natural Area Black Diamond Trail Cayuga Nature Center Cascadilla Gorge & Cascadilla Meadows Natural Areas Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve Durland Preserve/CBG Hirshfeld Memorial Natural Area East Ithaca Recreation Way (including Cascadilla Natura Area) Eldridge Wilderness Preserve Dotson Park (Danby)

ALLOW GUN HUNTING NY State Forests; NY Wildlife Management Areas; Finger Lakes National Forest All of these are open to all forms of hunting, including guns, subject to the dates shown above. Most Off-Campus Cornell Botanic Gardens’ Natural Areas If gun hunting is allowed, trails are closed during those dates. More information on the types of hunting allowed and whether trails are closed can be found at the Cornell Botanical Garden website. Most Finger Lakes Land Trust Preserves Information on individual preserves and closures due to gun hunting can be found at the FLLT website. Dryden Rail Trail Much of the trail crosses private land where hunting is controlled by the landowner. Thus, during the Regular Firearms and Muzzleloaders seasons, gun-hunting may be taking place along the Rail Trail.

Enjoying the fall colors near Burnt Hill Road (Photo by Tom Formanek)

The Melveney Bridge at Tug Hollow By Ross Creagan

For a few years, before the Cayuga Trails Club had to adjust its trail maintenance routines due to COVID, David, Gary, and I would begin our trailwork days at Panera with coffee and something good. The fate of the most recently destroyed Tug Hollow Bridge would frequently come up during our discussions. Gary and David have seen a few Tug Hollow Bridges wiped out by the perennial floods which channel through that drainage to Seneca Lake. The first time I accompanied David and Gary to Tug Hollow (which is part of the Finger Lakes Trail just to the West of Logan Rd. in Burdett), we went out to search for the bridge sections to see if we could recover any usable materials. We found pieces of 24” wide pressure treated decking screwed to 2x8x12‟ beams, which were almost completely buried in the creek bed gravel. It was then that I started to imagine what kind of flood it would take to stir up that much stone to bury knocked-apart sections of bridge.

That‟s when we asked Charlie Strohman if he could design a stronger bridge which would be elevated two feet higher above flood waters than previous attempts. In theory, a higher, stouter bridge could deflect tree stumps roaring downstream back into, and under the bridge. While Charlie worked on his bridge design, David and I sketched the two bridge support piers which would withstand the force of raging Tug Hollow floods. We came up with a diamond shaped pier design, with a 67 degree angle pointing upstream and downstream. The pier would be constructed from eight courses of 6”x6” black locust stock, the first two courses installed below ground level of the existing eastern creek bank, a part of the stream landscape which had not moved much over the past several years. The smaller pier on the opposite, higher bank would be built in a box shape, four courses high. This pier was spotted at the highest point of the stream bank; so in theory flooding waters would level out at that point, two feet below the bottom edges of Charlie‟s bridge trusses.

Neal Melveney, who owns the land with his wife Diane, was with us every step of the process, and provided the primary tools needed to do most of the hauling labor. All the material for the piers and the bridge were loaded on Neal‟s John Deere Gator, and delivered to a point approximately 50 yards from the bridge site. Neal‟s Kubota front-end loader cleared out the weeds (including masses of toxic wild parsley), filled in the black locust piers with river stones (as ballast against future floods) and eventually raised up each of the 600 lb. trusses onto the two piers.

Charlie‟s trussed design is not only aesthetically pleasing with its series of A-shaped 2x6 triangular braces, it‟s very rigid; from an engineer‟s perspective, capable of supporting fifteen 300 lb. hikers over a 36‟ span! “A Truss bridge is one with its load-bearing structures composed of a series of wooden or metal triangles, known as trusses. ... Given that a triangle cannot be distorted by stress, a truss gives a stable form capable of supporting considerable external loads over a large span” (www.britannica.com).

Our bridge construction crew of Charlie Strohman, David Priester, Tom Formanek, Gary Mallow, Neal Melveney, and myself had a great time building the bridge. Charlie had ordered all the necessary quantities of wood and hardware, including the ingenious new fasteners called ThruLOK‟s and HeadLOK‟s, which completely eliminated the time consuming task of hand-ratcheting nuts tightly onto bolts. We needed to stack the pressure treated wood in the FLLT barn to dry for a while, and are grateful to Jason Gorman for allowing us use of the barn from mid-August to mid- September.

Roger Hopkins, Polley McClure, and David Priester cleared away the honeysuckle brush to open up for the eventual bridge stairs to the Finger Lakes Trail. We also had help the day we finished the large pier from Lucy Gagliardo and Myra Schulman, who gathered stone from the stream, put them into Neal‟s bucket loader, which were then dumped into the piers for added ballast. Marsha Zgola was always a welcomed sight, as she catered lunch during long construction days.

Charlie‟s final step after the construction was finished, done so “he could sleep at night,” was to run two 50‟ ⅜”steel cables from each pier through the bases of the 4x4 railing supports on both sides of the bridge deck. These cables will prevent the bridge from collapsing even if the trusses were to somehow fail. Charlie fashioned a lever to tighten the length of the cables so there is not a centimeter of give over the 36‟ span.

There were several stages of prep work done off site, such as building the truss segments in John Smith‟s well-tooled garage. John also transported the trusses to the site. Before that John also unloaded the delivery of pressure treated bridge wood to the FLLT Barn with his front-end-mounted grabber tool, so that we could more readily slide the many pieces into place, spaced for air-drying. Charlie pre-cut all the 2x6‟s, 2x4‟s and 4x4‟s to his engineered specs in his home workshop, and David pre-cut all the black locust decking, including the two-piece, cleated-together treads for the two stairways.

All together the piers and bridge required about 12 days of construction labor, which spanned over a 10 week period due to the challenges of scheduling mostly retired people (who tend to be very busy) to come together on dry days. This was one of the upsides of the drought we had. All the labor added up to approximately 600 hours.

Our final get together was The Golden Spike Ceremony on October 22, hosted by our CTC President, Polley McClure, who drove in and tightened the last piece of hardware. Polley then treated us all to the best cold bubbly refreshment, from South Hill Cider, and toasted our completion of the Melveney Bridge. We capped off the afternoon with a group hike into the sunset (literally), where we enjoyed hazy views of a sun setting over Seneca Lake from Satterly Hill Rd.

The completed Melveney Bridge, in all its glory! (Photo by Ross Creagan)

Upcoming Hikes and Other Events

Tuesday Evening Hike: Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve Tuesday, November 3, 2020 • 4:00 pm Registration Required.  Hike rating: Distance - 4 miles; Terrain - Moderate; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Moderate  Event/Trailhead location: Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve parking area.  Contact: David Priester [email protected] 607-280-5074

Quick Hike Details This is a loop hike of 4 miles rated moderate. We will hike the trail at the Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve. The hike begins and ends at the parking area for Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve on Ellis Hollow Creek Road, Dryden. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the start point, email David.

Tuesday Evening Hike: Black Diamond Trail - Northern Section Tuesday, November 10, 2020 • 4:00 pm Registration Required.  Hike rating: Distance - 4 miles; Terrain - Easy; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Easy  Event/Trailhead location: Kraft Road trailhead of the Black Diamond Trail, Town of Ithaca.  Contact: Gundy Lee [email protected] 607-279-3719

Quick Hike Details This is an out-and-back hike of 4 miles rated easy. We will hike the northern end of the Black Diamond Trail, Ithaca. The hike begins and ends at the Kraft Road trailhead of the Black Diamond Trail, Ithaca. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the trailhead, email Gundy. Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or cancellations.

Detailed Hike Description Tonight we pursue an out-and-back hike on the northern section of the Black Diamond Trail, beginning at the the Black Diamond Trail trailhead on Kraft Road, and heading north. When we reach the upper falls at Taughannock Falls State Park, we will turn around and retrace our steps back to the cars. The Black Diamond, envisioned as a connector between Taughannock Falls and parks to the south, was under discussion, and then under construction, for many years. Under the leadership of the New York Parks (OPRHP), two very substantial bridges, brush clearing, logging, creation of a stone dust trail tread, and extensive guardrails finally made this section of the BD a reality in 2016. You can now hike from Taughannock to Cass Park on a wide, flat multi-use recreation trail. The BD exhibits all the characteristics of a typical rails-to-trails project: a former rail bed, it is a very tame trail with few turns and, although there is a slight change in elevation, it is not noticeable to hikers. The trail is not physically challenging for most, making for a pleasant evening walk - or bike, or run - with plenty of opportunity for conversation.

Cayuga Waterfront Trail East Tuesday, November 17, 2020 • 4:00 pm Registration Required.  Hike rating: Distance - 5 miles; Terrain - Easy; Pace - Moderate; Overall rating - Easy  Event/Trailhead location: Chemung Canal Trust Company parking lot, corner of Taughannock Boulevard and Buffalo Street, Ithaca.  Contact: Gundy Lee [email protected] 607-279-3719

Quick Hike Details This is a loop hike of 5 miles rated easy. We will hike the eastern section of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, Ithaca. The hike begins and ends at the Chemung Canal Bank parking lot, intersection of Buffalo Street and Taughannock Boulevard, Ithaca. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water. If you will have trouble navigating to the parking lot, email Gundy. Following tonight's hike, we will have a dish-to-pass celebration hosted by one of our regular hikers. Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or cancellations.

(Cayuga Waterfront Trail East - Continued) Detailed Hike Description The hike begins and ends at the Chemung Canal Trust Company parking lot, corner of Taughannock Boulevard and Buffalo Street. Please use public parking along Taughannock Boulevard or the public lot just off Taughannoock Boulevard.

Tonight's destination is the eastern half of the Waterfront Trail. This is long loop route of about 5 miles. We will hike up the trail from the Cayuga Inlet, past the Farmer's Market, over Cascadilla Creek and along the perimeter of the golf course, then over Fall Creek and through Stewart Park to the south end of Cayuga Lake. It's likely to be cold and blustery there, but if the weather is clear, we'll be able to see at least ten miles north. We'll stop at the Visitors Center, hike through Renwick Woods Bird Sanctuary on the return trip and retrace our steps back to the cars. If you want to do the hike but don't feel up to the 5 miles, get together with a friend and stash a car at Stewart Park and hike one way with us.

Dress in layers according to the weather, wear sturdy boots and bring water.

This is bow season for deer. Wearing blaze orange jacket or vest and hat are a good idea to make yourself more visible to hunters.

Following tonight's hike, we will have a dish-to-pass celebration hosted by one of our regular hikers.

If you will have trouble navigating to the parking lot, email Gundy.

Labor Day weekend Camping Trip 2021 - Camp Little Notch in the Adirondacks

Friday, September 3 - Monday, September 6, 2021 • 1:00 pm postponed from 2020  Event/Trailhead location: Camp Little Notch, 744 Sly Pond Road, Fort Ann NY 12827 Phone: (518) 793-9700  Contact: Barbara Nussbaum [email protected] 607-257-6906 This year's Labor Day Camping trip will bring us again to Camp Little Notch which is located within the Adirondack Park in Fort Ann, New York, not far from Lake George, see https://www.camplittlenotch.org/

We have rented the entire Pine Point site, which includes a 4 sided unit house with electricity, microwave and refrigerator and an open field with fire circle to share with all tents. There are 9 canvas platform tents. Each of them has four cots with mattresses on them plus a bookcase to store stuff.

Group Size is limited to 20. Cost for the whole weekend is $50 per person for a spot in a platform tent with 2 - 3 occupants in each tent.

You need to bring your own bedding, towels, food, cooking equipment and hiking gear. We usually plan Saturday and Sunday dinners together. There are plenty of hiking opportunities nearby or further away.

Please, let Barbara know at [email protected] or 607 257 6906 if you are interested in this year's trip.

Mark Your Calendar Tue, Nov 3 Tuesday Evening Hike: Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve — David Priester Registration Required. Tue, Nov 10 Tuesday Evening Hike: Black Diamond Trail - Northern Section — Gundy Lee Registration Required. Tue, Nov 17 Cayuga Waterfront Trail East — Gundy Lee Registration Required.

Check our website at CayugaTrailsClub.org for events that may not be listed in this issue. Also check the website before the hike for any last minute changes, cancellations, etc.

Cayuga Trails is published six times a year and is edited and published by Curtis Myers. Comments and original contributions are welcome. Deadline for the next edition is Dec. 15, 2020. Send contributions to [email protected] or PO Box 161 Locke, NY 13092. Visit Cayuga Trails Club website at www.CayugaTrailsClub.org

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. P.O. Box 754 Ithaca, NY 14851-0754

Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board

Officers President Polley McClure, Vice President David Priester, Secretary Lucy Gagliardo, Treasurer Allen Quirk Member-at-Large Myra Shulman ‟20-„21 Past President Gary Mallow

Committees Trails David Priester, Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes (WLL) Barbara Nussbaum, Adopt-a-Highway Lucy Gagliardo, Archives Barbara Morley, IT/Website Roger Hopkins, Landowner Relations Max Heitner, Membership Myra Shulman, Newsletter Editor Curtis Myers, Publicity Krestia DeGeorge, Social Marsha Zgola, Finance Chair Gary Mallow, Guidebook Vacant * Ad-Hoc

Board meetings are on the first Tuesday of even months. Members are welcome to attend (email [email protected] for meeting place and time). Next Board meeting: December 1, 2020