History of the Finger Lakes Trail 1962–2002 The Early Years: Part 1 of 5 by Tom Reimers “A Brief History of the Finger Lakes ment of the approximately 100 meet- Trail” was written by Tom Reimers in representatives in Congress urging ing registrants, the swimming pool 1992 to commemorate the 30th anni- support for the Wilderness Bill, which below Buttermilk Falls was closed versary of the Finger Lakes Trail eventually established the national because of the summer’s drought. System. It was updated in 2002 for the policy for wilderness preservation. 40th anniversary. The following article It was agreed at the meeting of trail is the first of five based upon these The second annual meeting of the organizers in 1961 that they would build a new trans- hiking documents. FLTC was held at Camp Duffield in western New York on May 18 and 19, trail across the scenic southern ends n the summer of 1961 Wallace D. 1963. The featured speaker was Mr. of the Finger Lakes to connect hiking Wood of Rochester, New York, Owen Allen, one of only 25 people at trails in with I hiked portions of the Appalachian the time who had hiked the entire those in the Catskills. The precise and Long Trails in Vermont. It in a single three- route of the main FLT was left for the occurred to him that a similar trail month hike. A substantial treasury local clubs to decide. Spur trails to system might be possible in New York. balance of $371.53 was reported. In spots of similar interest not on line of He presented the idea to the Genesee its second year of existence, the con- the main trail also were to be built or Valley Hiking Club, and a committee ference already had over 100 adult included in the FLT System. was formed to investigate prospects for and family memberships, 10 student In 1962 the FLTC accepted sponsor- cooperation of regional outdoor clubs memberships, 10 organizational to build a long-distance trail in New ships for 70 miles of the main FLT memberships, and one commercial each from the Cayuga Trails Club and York. A meeting of 12 people was held membership. The constitution and in Rochester in November 1961 to Foothills Trail Club. Soon after, spon- bylaws, which were approved at the sorships by the Genesee Valley discuss the idea of a trail system. second annual meeting, established Hiking Club, the Adirondack The following year, approximately 100 the purpose of the conference as Mountain Club-Onondaga Chapter, people met in the auditorium of Keuka “promoting, planning, construction, and the Cornell University Outing College near Penn Yan, New York, on and maintenance, directly or through Club were presented to the Board of Saturday, March 17, for the opening other organizations and individuals, Managers and approved. session of the first annual meeting of of a continuous footpath...across part the Finger Lakes Trail Conference of New York State in a generally east- The Cayuga Trails Club used an air- (FLTC). The FLTC was organized at west direction south of the Finger plane in 1962 to scout for trail route. that meeting to promote and coordinate Lakes with or without lateral exten- Cruising at 80 mph, Fred L. Hiltz the building and maintenance of the sions north or south of the main east- reported to the club that he had flown Finger Lakes Trailway, as the system west part.” Other purposes for the “at 500 feet or a bit higher, because I was called in those days. Participants organization stipulated in the consti- don’t like to be too low in narrow discussed classes of membership, tution included encouragement and spaces like Michigan Hollow.” Hiltz approved annual dues, voted for promotion of educational uses of the explained, “Visibility at that altitude incorporation of the FLTC, and elected FLT and the conservation of natural is good enough to see animal tracks in the first FLTC Board of Managers and resources. the snow. Even at higher altitudes, you can see whether trail clearings officers. Wallace D. Wood was elected The FLTC Fall Campout is another president. The name of the conference will be brush-whip work or power annual event drawing many members saw work.” Hiltz was a graduate and name of the trail also were and guests from all over New York approved at this meeting. The new student in the College of Veterinary State. It includes a Board of Managers Medicine at Cornell University and Board of Managers met for the first meeting, hikes, and evening entertain- time after adjournment of the general one of several members of the Cornell ment. The newly formed FLTC did Outing Club who assisted the Cayuga meeting of the conference on Sunday. not waste any time getting things or- Trails Club in routing trail. A 10- The first issue of Finger Lakes Trail ganized. The first Fall Campout was minute flight over Connecticut Hill in News was published in April 1962. It hosted by the Cayuga Trails Club on Tompkins , with the fold- consisted of eight pages covering the September 7 to 9, 1962, at Buttermilk down door of his Piper PA-11 open first annual meeting, outings, the Falls State Park near Ithaca, New for better viewing, did the work of “Message from the President,” a report York. A hike on the FLT on Saturday walking for several days. Fred also from the trails committee, and went up Lick Brook gorge, still an un- piloted a Tripacer on June 6, 1964, for descriptions of two branch trails, spoiled and undeveloped gorge the FLTC to scout 350 miles of among other items. It also included a owned and protected by the Finger possible trail route in the area of the request that readers write to their Lakes Land Trust. To the disappoint- . □

Reprinted from the Finger Lakes Trail News, Spring 2009

History of the Finger Lakes Trail 1962–2002 Early Trail Building: Part 2 of 5 by Tom Reimers

“A Brief History of the Finger Lakes extends 175 miles north from the the close of the sixth annual meeting Trail” was written by Tom Reimers in Pennsylvania-New York border to its of the FLTC. The original lean-to was 1992 to commemorate the 30th anni- current northern destination, the replaced in 1997. Also on May 7, versary of the Finger Lakes Trail Rainbow Bridge on the U.S.-Canada 1967, the Adirondack Mountain Club- System. It was updated in 2002 for the border. Its southern portion, dedicated Onondaga Chapter celebrated the gala 40th anniversary. The following article on September 18, 1965, serves as the opening of the Onondaga Trail. The with minor 2009 updates is the second western section of the main FLT. trail then was only 3.5 miles long. of five based upon these documents. Today this branch trail is 46 miles The third branch trail—the Bristol he origins of two major branch long heading north from the main Hills Branch—was officially accepted FLT near Cuyler, New York, through trails, the Interloken and into the FLT System on June 9, 1962. Conservation Trails, go back to , Labrador T This 55-mile trail was planned Hollow Unique Area, Highland Forest the late 1950s and early 60s. The initially by Wallace Wood and County Park, DeRuyter State Forest, Interloken Trail runs down the “Hector representatives from the Otetiana Backbone” between Cayuga and and Tioughnioga State Wildlife Council of Boy Scouts, Seven Lakes Management Area to northeast of Seneca Lakes from Butcher Hill near Council of Girl Scouts, and Penn Yan New Woodstock. Interlaken (spelled with an “a,” not an Senior Girl Scouts. “o”) through the Finger Lakes National A ceremony in December 1970 Forest to Bennettsburg. Alec Proskine In the fall of 1965 the Cayuga Trails attended by state park officials, of Trumansburg, New York, got the Club and the Adirondack Mountain private landowners, and Cayuga idea for the Interloken Trail while Club-Onondaga Chapter acquired two Trails Club members highlighted the climbing the west side of Butcher Hill. trail shelters from the New York State opening of a spur trail connecting the On January 2, 1960, 72 Boy Scouts and Conservation Department (now called FLT in Robert H. Treman State Park leaders and members of the NYS Department of Environmental with the upper section of Buttermilk Trumansburg Rotary Club started work Conservation). The Tamarack and Falls State Park near Ithaca. The on the trail. After only one month all Hemlock Glen lean-tos were Letchworth Trail, another branch of 12 miles of the trail had been dismantled and moved piece-by-piece the main FLT, was dedicated in completed! The Interloken Trail from near Lapeer, New York, in November 1980. This trail is 25 miles follows a north-south direction off the Cortland County to their present long and runs along the east bank of main FLT through forests, open fields, locations on the FLT south of Danby the gorge in Letch- in Tompkins County and on Morgan and wetlands. worth State Park. The fairly level trail Hill near Truxton, Cortland County. Planning for the Conservation Trail, passes through an ever-changing The cornerstone of Tamarack Lean-to variety of woodlands. It provides another north-south foot trail to was laid on October 10, 1965, in a connect the Buffalo, New York, area spectacular views of the “Grand ceremony described by a local radio Canyon of the East.” In 1985, the with Allegany State Park, began in station as “perhaps the first time in January 1961 with actual work starting Queen Catherine Marsh Trail near the history of the world that a Watkins Glen south of Seneca Lake in November of that year. A six-mile cornerstone was laid for a lean-to.” portion of the Conservation Trail was was added to the FLT System. It is a The cornerstone contained a Cayuga 8-mile loop trail around and through dedicated on May 5, 1962, in a Trails Club emblem, an FLTC ceremony sponsored by the Foothills the Queen Catharine Marsh which is emblem, the October issue of the owned by New York State and man- Trail Club and the Buffalo Museum of club’s newsletter Cayuga Trails, two Science. On May 24, 1964, dedication aged by the NYS Department of 1964 pennies, some trading stamps, Environmental Conservation as a fish ceremonies at the southern end of the and orange and white flags used to Niagara Escarpment Trail were held at and wildlife management area. The mark the trail. Soon-to-follow shelters trail is maintained by MarshFellows the international bridge over the in the area were Shindagin Lean-to of the FLT. Niagara River between Lewiston, New (fall of 1966) and Chestnut Lean-to York, and Queenston, Ontario, with (fall of 1967). From September 21, A ribbon-cutting ceremony on erection of a large sign stating that this 1967, to July 21, 1968, almost 200 November 1, 1992, marked the offi- trail was a connecting link between the people had signed the register at cial opening of a new loop trail of the Bruce Trail of Canada and the Chestnut. FLT System, the orange-blazed Conservation Trail of western New Abbott Loop located in Danby State The Hemlock Glen Lean-to was York. After extensive rerouting in Continued …. 1995, the Conservation Trail now properly dedicated on May 7, 1967, at

Reprinted from the Finger Lakes Trail News, Summer 2009

History of the FLT ...

Continued …. The first detailed map of a portion of began accurately mapping the route of the main FLT appeared as an the FLT using Global Positioning Forest in Tompkins County. After the enclosure in the October 1963 issue System equipment with the aid of ceremony, the 8.5-mile-long loop was of Cayuga Trails, the newsletter of the satellite and computer technologies. hiked by about 30 people. The loop Cayuga Trails Club. It showed the At present the FLTC offers 52 maps trail is named after Cliff and Doris route of the trail from the crossing of of the FLT System and 10 detailed Abbott who started scouting and Cayuta Creek just south of Cayuta trail guides with maps. □ flagging the trail in November 1988. Lake, over Connecticut Hill to Next: The Finger Lakes Trail and The Abbotts were assisted in Willowood Camp (now Pinecreek development of the trail by many Campground), west of Robert H. members of the Cayuga Trails Club Treman State Park. Local geographic and students enrolled in the Cornell and cultural features, trail access University Outdoor Education points, and landmarks along the route Program. were included. In 1996 the FLTC

Reprinted from the Finger Lakes Trail News, Summer 2009

History of the Finger Lakes Trail 1962–2002 Part 3 of 5: The Finger Lakes Trail and North Country Trail by Tom Reimers

“A Brief History of the Finger Lakes tionships with landowners that it among the chapters, individuals, Trail” was written by Tom Reimers in always had. At the FLTC board of clubs, and other groups associated 1992 to commemorate the 30th anni- managers meeting of June 10, 1973, with the NCT. The board also versary of the Finger Lakes Trail President Laura McGuire established appointed Bill Ehling of Syracuse, System. It was updated in 2002 for the an ad hoc committee to recommend to New York, as its representative on the 40th anniversary. The following article the board a formal position regarding NCTA board of directors and decided with minor 2009 updates is the third of the NCT. At a special board meeting to send Mr. Ehling to the NCTA five based upon these documents. on October 14, 1973, the committee meeting in Pennsylvania in 1982. n February 8, 1965, President presented its report. After long and Also in 1982, Secretary of the Interior Lyndon B. Johnson sent to heated debate, the following motion James Watt appointed FLTC Trails Congress a message on was offered to the board: “That the Chairman Ervin Markert to be one of O the four private-sector members of the conservation of natural beauty. In the FLTC endorse the idea of the North message the president said, “The Country Trail and of the NCT making new NCT Advisory Council. The forgotten outdoorsmen of today are use of sections of the FLT; further, council consisted of 14 members, one those who like to walk, hike, ride that insofar as is consistent with NCT each nominated by the governors of horseback, or bicycle. For them, we participation, the FLTC maintain its the seven states through which the must have trails as well as highways. present relationships with private NCT would pass, three from cooper- Nor should motor vehicles be permitted landowners and its present arrange- ating federal agencies, and four to tyrannize the more leisurely human ments for decision-making; further, private-sector members. The council traffic.” The president then asked the however, that the FLTC make clear was to consult with the secretary of secretary of the interior and his now to its members and its private the interior on matters such as trail colleagues in federal, state, and local property owners the immediate and routes, standards for trail markers, governments to recommend to him a long-range implications of the and administration of the trail. cooperative program “to encourage a decision to join the NCT.” The In 1983 the FLTC finally signed a national system of trails, building up motion was passed in a mail ballot of memorandum of agreement with the the more than a hundred thousand the board by a vote of 14 to 3. National Park Service to operate, miles of trails in our National Forests Concern and discussion about develop, and maintain those portions and Parks.” landowner relations and autonomy of of the FLT that become official In President Johnson’s second message the FLTC continued despite the vote. segments of the NCT. The first to Congress on February 23, 1966, he Many FLTC members felt that after section of the FLT certified by the said he would submit legislation “to years of planning and building the National Park Service is located near foster development...of a nationwide FLT, it should not be turned over to Virgil Mountain in Cortland County. system of trails.” The North Country any other persons, groups, or It received certification in November National Scenic Trail (NCT) was first governments who could become 1985 and was officially dedicated in a mentioned by specific name in the managers or administrators of the trail ceremony on December 12. Certifica- summer 1966 issue of Finger Lakes without having contributed to its tion of the FLT in Birdseye Hollow Trail News in reference to a Senate bill development. Debate intensified when Park in Steuben County in 1992 broke to provide immediate protection for the the Green Mountain Club of Vermont the 1000-mile mark for officially Appalachian Trail and to create at least went on record in 1975 as being certified NCT. As of December 2008, nine other long-distance foot trails opposed to the NCT or any other trail there were 277 miles of certified NCT within the continental United States. that would draw more hikers to its and 249 NCTA members in New On October 2, 1968, Public Law 90- heavily used trails. Fortunately, York. Former FLTC President Tom 543 established the National Trails experience has shown that none of Reimers was elected president of the System. these worries had any validity. NCTA in 1987, 1988, and 1989. Besides Bill Ehling and Tom Inclusion of part of the Finger Lakes On January 16, 1982, the FLTC board Reimers, FLTC members Doris Trail into the NCT became a topic for of managers decided to join the North Abbott, Cliff Abbott, Howard Beye, lively discussion among FLTC mem- Country Trail Association (NCTA) as Mary Coffin, Joe Dabes, Al Larmann, bers and within the board of managers an organizational member. The Laura McGuire, Ed Sidote, Harmon during the 1970s and 80s. From the NCTA is the organization of beginning, the FLTC insisted that it volunteers promoting development of have the right to keep the same rela- the NCT and fostering cooperation Continued …

Reprinted from the Finger Lakes Trail News, Fall 2009

History of the FLT ...

Continued ... presentations by Steven M. Newman Cazenovia College in 2001 and 2008. Strong, and Irene Szabo have served on and Bill Irwin with his Seeing Eye® Both were organized and sponsored the NCTA board of directors. dog Orient. Steve Newman, author of by the FLTC and co-sponsored by the Four NCTA national conferences have Worldwalk, was the first person to Central New York NCTA chapter and been held in New York. The first was walk around the world alone. Bill the Adirondack Mountain Club- in Ithaca in 1988. The second FLTC- Irwin, author of Blind Courage, was Onondaga Chapter. The FLTC’s own sponsored NCTA conference was held the only blind person to have Howard Beye was awarded the in August 1995 at the Watson Home- completed the 2,168-mile-long NCTA’s highest honor, its Lifetime stead Conference Center, Coopers Appalachian Trail. Achievement Award during the 2001 Plains, New York. Special events for The most recent NCTA national conference. □ that conference included evening conferences held in New York were at

Reprinted from the Finger Lakes Trail News, Fall 2009

History of the Finger Lakes Trail 1962–2002 Assorted Historical Highlights: Part 4 of 5 by Tom Reimers “A Brief History of the Finger Lakes The FLTC board of managers an individual or pair of individuals Trail” was written by Tom Reimers in formally established the FLTC who have made a significant 1992 to commemorate the 30th anni- Service Center on January 19, 1975, contribution over a period of time as versary of the Finger Lakes Trail to do routine business and to guide trail workers. Harry Clar and Edward System. It was updated in 2002 for the conference officials in carrying out Willis, for whom the award is named, 40th anniversary. The following article their duties. The first service center were two outstanding examples of with minor 2009 updates is the fourth was in Wallace Wood’s home in great dedication and longtime service of five based upon these documents. Rochester. From Wally’s home, the in the building and maintenance of he familiar FLT shoulder patch Service Center moved to Ervin many miles of the FLT System. The was introduced in the fall of Markert’s ranch in Pittsford in the first recipient of the Clar-Willis 1964. Designed by William H. summer of 1976. It moved again to Award was Ed Frank for all the work T the home of Howard and Dorothy he had done on the Conservation Trail Davis of Rochester, New York, the patch is octagonal in shape with a beige Beye in Rochester in 1984. Finally, in on behalf of Foothills Trail Club. background. The border and large April 2001 the FLTC Service Center The Ervin Markert Distinguished “FLT” and the words “Finger Lakes moved into a new office at the Mt. Contribution Award is given to an Trail” are orange. The pine trees are Morris Dam within Letchworth State individual, group, or organization in dark green. Park. The FLTC Service Center the public or private sector that has distributes maps and guide books, The FLTC Library began operation in made a significant contribution answers the many inquiries about the toward improvement of hiking and/or March 1966. The first librarian, Susan FLT System, and provides a home Tucker, began accepting contributions hiking trails in New York State. Ervin base for many other diverse functions Markert served as chairman of the of books on hiking, camping, climbing, for the trail and the conference. and other outdoor activities. One of the FLTC trails committee for nearly 20 first donations was an autographed In the spring of 1978, The Nature years. The first recipient of the Erv copy of My Wilderness, East to Conservancy deeded the beautiful Markert Award was George Fraley of Katahdin by William O. Douglas, Riemen Woods in Tompkins County Naples, New York, for his extraordi- former associate justice of the U.S. to the Cayuga Trails Club. The FLT nary efforts to improve hiking and Supreme Court. The FLTC was runs through the woods. This tract of skiing access to Hi Tor Wildlife declared tax exempt by the U.S. land was originally purchased by The Management Area. Treasury Department and the State of Nature Conservancy in 1969 with In 1991 Edward J. Sidote from New York in 1966. This designation money raised by the conservancy, Norwich, New York, started an allowed for federal tax deductions for Cayuga Trails Club, and interested annual cross-county hike series in contributions, bequests, legacies, individuals. Henry and Marie Forbes Chenango County near the eastern transfers, and gifts to the FLTC. In of Irving, New York, donated to the end of the FLT. This series helped addition, state, county, and community FLTC a 1.3-acre parcel of land beginning and veteran hikers alike sales taxes did not have to be paid on located along Sixtown Creek in the overcome logistical obstacles to hik- purchases by the conference. Town of Centerville in 1997. John ing in remote areas. Transportation, Cobb from Snyder, New York, The first statewide hike sponsored by hike leaders and sweeps, and greeters donated 45 acres of land northeast of at road crossings were provided by the FLTC was held on October 19, Ellicottville to the FLTC in 1998. 1968, on the Mt. Roderick section of series organizers. Early transportation the FLT near Cortland. The section was The Wallace D. Wood Distinguished consisted of volunteers’ automobiles. built by the Adirondack Mountain Club Service Award was established in By the time the series ended in west- -Onondaga Chapter. Constant rain 1984 to recognize annually a member ern New York in Cattaraugus County accounted for a poor turnout. Today, or members of the FLTC who had in 1997, school busses were used there are three regular FLTC-sponsored made outstanding contributions to the routinely. These cross-county hike hikes each year: the Wallace Wood FLTC. Mr. Wood, whose idea in 1961 series were enjoyed by nearly 1,000 Founder’s Hike in the spring, the Ed became the FLT System, was the first participants. Many of them became Sidote Hike (originally called the recipient of the award in May 1984. new FLTC and local hiking club FLTC President’s Hike) in the summer, Two additional FLTC awards were members, trail stewards, and FLT end and the Erv Markert Memorial Hike in created by the board of managers in -to-end hikers. This series started the fall. 1997. The Clar-Willis Distinguished again in 2002 in Chenango County. Trail Volunteer Award is presented to Continued ...

Reprinted from the Finger Lakes Trail News, Winter 2009

History of the FLT ...

Continued ... The first 11 badges were awarded on hike all of the branch trails of the FLT In the fall of 1992, Ed Sidote, the third September 12, 1992, during the FLTC System. person to hike the whole FLT, began Fall Campout. By the end of 2009, The American Hiking Society writing the “End-to-End Update” for more than 270 end-to-end hikers had launched its first National Trails Day the Finger Lakes Trail News. His completed their goals of hiking the on June 5, 1993. The purpose of updates continue today in each issue of whole FLT and had received their NTD, which has continued on the first the News and are anticipated by end-to- badges. Ed Sidote reported in the Saturday in June since then, is to raise enders and other News readers. In that spring 2000 Finger Lakes Trail News public awareness of hiking and hiking same year, J. Robert Muller, FLT end- that John Kubinski was the oldest trails. For the first National Trails to-end hiker #5, established the FLT male end-to-ender at age 77, Mary Day the FLTC cosponsored a series end-to-ender badges. To this day, each Years was the oldest female at 75, Jed of hikes on the FLT System to foster FLT end-to-ender is presented with a Bloom was the youngest male at 12, a spirit of unity among the different custom-made “walnut” Formica name and Nicole Sweeney was the youngest hiking organizations in New York badge with an enamel FLT pin female at age 10. In 1995 the FLTC State and to demonstrate the FLTC’s attached. The hiker’s name, mileage, Board of Managers authorized the commitment to trails systems date of completion, and sequence awarding of patches for people who throughout the state and nation. □ number are engraved on the badges.

Reprinted from the Finger Lakes Trail News, Winter 2009

History of the Finger Lakes Trail 1962–2002 A Few Loose Ends: Part 5 of 5 by Tom Reimers

“A Brief History of the Finger Lakes trail of the FLT System, begins its completed by early November thanks Trail” was written by Tom Reimers in northern end where the Genesee to the NYS Department of 1992 to commemorate the 30th anni- Valley passes through Mt. Environmental Conservation and versary of the Finger Lakes Trail Morris. The Letchworth Trail again volunteers from the Mid-Hudson System. It was updated in 2002 for the meets the greenway on River Road Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain 40th anniversary. The following article east of the state park. The two trails Club and the Finger Lakes Trail is the last of five based upon these are coincident for 5.1 miles south Conference. documents. from there to Whiskey Bridge over allace Wood, Father of the the Genesee River. The first “Trail Medicine” article Finger Lakes Trail, passed appeared in the Finger Lakes Trail W away on August 19, 1996. In 1997 Frank Bianco of Lisle, New News in summer of 1998. It was In an article published in the March York, set a record by thru-hiking the written by Bob Michiel, M.D. Bob 1974 issue of Finger Lakes Trail News, FLT in a mere 24 days. This speed has recruited other writers in the he wrote, “It was August of 1961 and record is even more amazing when medical professions to write articles the bus was on its Sunday night run you consider that Frank was legally for this popular column in every issue from Boston to Rochester. Suddenly blind at the time of his hike. In a of the Finger Lakes Trail News since there welled up from my subconscious report written by Debra Barnell for then. the thought: Why not a hiking trail the Finger Lakes Trail News, Frank across New York State, south of the said, “I was never scared. I made The first year of the new millennium Finger Lakes.” Erv Markert wrote in some stupid mistakes. Once I almost (2001) was a banner year for the the News in 1976 on Wally Wood’s suffered hypothermia. Another time I FLTC. On April 27 the FLTC Service retirement from FLTC activities, was lost in the Catskills for 4 to 5 Center was moved from the home of “Wally stands among the very few who hours because I had wandered off the Howard and Dorothy Beye in have had the dream of creating a trail. I can’t see to read a compass, so Rochester to a new office at the Mt. beautiful experience for others and the unless the sun’s out it’s hard to orient Morris Dam north of Letchworth courage to guide volunteers into myself once I’m lost. I walked State Park. The trail operations office starting the Finger Lakes Trail.” downhill until I came to a road where remained at the Beyes’ home. The I flagged down a motorist and learned grand opening of the new service Ravens (Corvus corax) were forced exactly where I was. I believe that if center was celebrated on June 2, into secluded woodland habitats in the you keep your head and don’t panic, National Trails Day, with over 100 late 1800s. But in 1994, Cornell you’ll be fine.” Frank has completed people from the FLTC and Friends of University ornithologist Kevin three end-to-end hikes of the FLT. the Genesee Valley Greenway McGowan found a raven nest in a Hot on Frank Bianco’s heels was Joe enjoying barbecued chicken, a live cliffside nook above a waterfall in Lick Dabes from Dryden, New York. In reptile show, brief speeches, and Brook gorge in Tompkins County. Its 2001, Joe completed backpacking the guided tours of the office. To staff the nest, made of sticks and sheep’s wool, FLT in a record 23 days, averaging new service center, the FLTC hired its was clearly visible from the Finger 24.4 miles per day. first paid employees: Executive Lakes Trail on the other side of the Director Gene Bavis and Office gorge. McGowan found the nest in Ten years of planning, months of Manager Gert Hauck. March and later counted five young scouting, and weeks of brushcutting ravens in the nest. However, he and marking carried the FLT to new The FLTC commemorated its 25th believes only two survived through heights in the Catskill Mountains. anniversary during a weekend fledging. Nine miles of road walk for the FLT celebration at Ithaca College in were eliminated in 1997 with a new Ithaca, New York, on May 22 to 25, Governor George Pataki announced trail route through the heart of the 1987. A variety of hikes, workshops, acquisition by New York State of the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest. tours, and lectures were on the 90-mile Genesee Valley Greenway in The new route climbs steadily to the program. The featured speaker of the September 1996. The greenway will summit of Balsam Lake Mountain. At weekend, Anne LaBastille, drew connect the city of Rochester’s trail 3,720 feet it is the highest point along hundreds of members and non- system to and the FLT’s 555-mile route. The members to the college auditorium. ultimately to the Olean, New York, project, including construction of the Continued ... area. The Letchworth Trail, a branch Beaver Meadows Lean-to, was

Reprinted from the Finger Lakes Trail News, Spring 2010

History of the FLT ...

Continued ...

Anne is a noted lecturer and the author speakers, workshops, and tours. The 40th anniversary was held at Mt. of Woodswoman, Beyond Black Bear Featured speakers included Cindy Morris, New York, from April 26 Lake, Mama Poc: An Ecologist’s Ross, a thru-hiker of the 2,100-mile to 28, 2002. Besides the 40th anniver- Account of the Extinction of a Species, Appalachian Trail and the 2,500-mile sary of the FLTC, the weekend and Women and Wilderness, among Pacific Crest Trail. She has written celebration also commemorated the others. She is a strong supporter of the two books on her experiences: A 1st anniversary of the new FLTC “forever wild” concept for the Woman’s Journey and Journey to the Service Center at the Mt. Morris . Henry Williams, Crest. Other speakers included Bill Dam. Fran Gotcsik, director of commissioner of the New York State Ehling, author of the well-known Friends of the Genesee Valley Department of Environmental Fifty Hikes in Central New York and Greenway, and Joe Dabes were Conservation, presented several awards Fifty Hikes in Western New York, and featured evening speakers. A special to trail sponsors and a special volunteer Rick Marsi, noted outdoor writer. A “Old Timers’ Fireside Chat” award—the first ever given by the special ceremony near Hoxie Gorge enchanted listeners as early FLT department—to Ervin Markert. in Cortland County commemorated builders and FLTC members told how the completion of the main FLT and they scouted and built the FLT and its The 30th anniversary also was the realization of Wallace Wood’s fledgling organization. □ celebrated at Ithaca College during a dream of a continuous hiking trail special weekend gathering in June 1992. This 4-day event included hikes, across New York State.

Reprinted from the Finger Lakes Trail News, Spring 2010