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

January-February 2001 Winter Edition Vol. 41. Nos. 1. & 2

Cornell Students and CTC Members Complete Foot Bridges (story and another photo on page 3) President's Message

by Suzanne Cohen

y the time you receive meeting, you will also soon be receiving a membership this newsletter, the win­ renewal form. I hope you will consider renewing your Bter solstice will have membership. One of my goals for the CTC this year was passed, the amount of daylight to increase membership, and we did a great job--we saw will be on the rise again, and a lot ofnew faces, and we exceeded our budgeted amount maybe we'll even have some for dues money which helped offset the costs of projects snow. I sure hope so, because I to improve the trails. took my cross-country skis My other goal was to get our members more involved down from the attic, and I'm in activities that support the club's efforts. There is more ready to go. Every year, I con­ work to be done toward achieving this. We'd like to ex­ sider buying a new pair, and pand the number of outings that we offer, but we need every year I end up getting into people to lead them. We'd like more publicity, but we my familiar boots (with the rubber three-holed extension need people to help spread the news. We'd like to have tip that fits onto the pegs and gets clamped in ... remember more social events, but we need a social committee those?) and saying "maybe next year." chairperson. We'd like to make more improvements to the Speaking of "next year," it's almost time for the CTC trails- getting the people to help with a trail project is Annual Meeting (January 21st), and I hope that you will usually not too difficult (thank you!)-but all of the attend what promises to be a fun and informative event behind-the-scenes work (scouting, conversations with state We'll enjoy good food and entertainment along with land officials and private landowners, paperwork, fund­ reports on the past year's activities from me and our raising, supplies-buying, map adjusting, etc.) takes a lot of committee chairpersons. You can also meet and vote for time. Just let me know that you'd like to help, and I'll find the 2001 slate ofCTC officer candidates and see who will something for you to do. win this year's Oscar Awards for Distinguished Service to I hope you have enjoyed the holiday season and the the CTC. I am excited about sharing our achievements peacefulness that winter can bring. Whether you 're on old over the past year with you and to share ideas about next skis or new skis, snowshoes, or on foot, I hope I'll con- . year (yes, I will be running for a second term as tinue to see you on the trails and also at the annual president). Along with a flyer inviting you to the annual meeting on January 21 ! Food, Friends, and Fun! A Report on the General Membership Meeting

by Suzanne Cohen bout 40 CTC members and guests enjoyed a Vilcanota where the main 20,905-foot glacier-covered delicious array of potluck dishes, lively con­ mountain is called Motmt Ausangate. A versation, and wonderful entertainment at the Ellis We also elected the nominating committee, which will Hollow Community Center on Sunday, November 12. A propose a slate of officers to be elected at the annual meet­ nice variety of slides was presented by four different ing on January 21, 2001. The committee consists ofBetty people: Kurt Seitz on his sllllillier 2000 hike of the entire Hansen, Joan Jedele, and Marsha Zgola. High Sierra Trail; Joe Dabes on the Finger Lakes Trail and Thanks to everyone for coming and for bringing such nearby areas (Joe is currently 50.2% finished with his great food! Thanks especially to Peter and Jim Harriott for fourth end-to-end hike on the FLT!); Phil Davis on the reserving and helping to set up the com.mtmity center. West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island; Simon Catterall on Thanks to John Andersson and Betty Hansen for helping Peru's Inca Trail, which runs from Cusco to Machu with preparation of the CIC-provided food and beverage. Picchu, and also on his climbing trip to the Cordillera Thanks also to the person (I didn't get his name) who came to help us get the water running again!

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Winter 2001 Cayuta Gulf Trail Bridges Completed

by Kurt Seitz, CTC Trails Chairman he Cornell University student chapter of the Amer­ Thank you to the many people who have contributed so ican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the much toward the successful completion of this project. To TCayuga Trails Club have completed construction of get to the bridge site, take Schuyler County Route 6 south two pedestrian bridges on the Finger Lakes Trail in the from NYS Route 79 in Mecklenburg. Continue 3 Y2 miles Town of Catharine in Schuyler County. The bridges were beyond Cayutaville to Gulf Road on the left. Park at the fmished by Cornell students on Sunday, December 3, after trail head (yellow and green FLT sign) a few hundred feet a cold and snowy final weekend of work. down Gulf Road on the right side. The first bridge is 1Yi The bridges were first conceived about three years ago miles down the white-blazed Finger Lakes Trail. The as part of a plan to relocate a three-mile section of the second bridge is a few hundred feet farther down the trail. Finger Lakes Trail to go through the scenic and wild To hike the loop trail, continue following the white blazes Cayuta Gulf, a gorge at the southwestern edge of the another 1 Yi miles to the junction with the orange-blazed 12,000-acre Connecticut Hill State Wildlife Management Van Lone Hill section of the loop. Follow the orange Area. The bridges now provide year-round access on the blazes less than 3 miles back to Gulf Road. nearly six-mile-long loop trail created by combining the For more information on the project, go to the fol­ new and former sections of the trail. lowing Web sites: Planning began in October 1999 when I approached • Cornell ASCE ASCE students for assistance in designing and con­ www. cee. cornell. edulascelbridgepage. htm structing the two bridges, 53 and 40 feet long. Dan Mullins and Mike Tavolaro, two civil engineering students • Black Locust Initiative in their fourth year at Cornell, designed the bridges in www.blacklocust.org accordance with National Design Specification for Wood • Cornell Chronicle article Construction standards. A truss design was chosen due to www.news.cornell.edu!Chronicles/11. 9. 00/bridges.htm the length of the bridges and limit of the budget. The cost • Cornell Daily Sun article of materials totaled just over $5,000 and was paid for by the Cayuga Trails Club. www.cornellsun.comlperllgetArticle.pl? id= I 2 5 5 Black locust was chosen as the construction material for two reasons. It is naturally resistant to decay and extremely strong, therefore an excellent alternative to toxic chemically-treated wood. Also it could be sawn to exact custom specifications by the Black Locust Initiative, Inc., a local non-profit organization that promotes sustainable forestry headed by Dave Gell, a local forester and woodworker. Black Locust Initiative worked with Cornell's Arnot Forest to provide a local supply of black locust lumber. In addition, the Black Locust Initiative worked with Sara Brown, a local horse-logger and farmer, to skid the logs. As many as 25 student volunteers and a dozen trails club volunteers spent much of their free time over the past three months drilling hundreds ofholes in steel plates and hard black locust timbers, transporting construction materials and supplies to the isolated bridge sites, and . ~· helping to build the abutments and bridge structures. Some ofthe 25 Cornell civil engineering students who built the two Challenges included digging through rock to prepare for new foot bridges on the Finger Lakes Trail in the Cayuta Gulf. the abutments, assembling the trusses on uneven surfaces, Bridge designers Dan Mullins and Mike Tavolaro are on Left. moving all four nearly one-ton trusses across the stream Photo by Doris Abbott. beds, and lifting the trusses onto the abutments.

Cayuga Trails - 3 - Winter 2001 Cayuga Trails Club Helps Clear the Black Diamond Trail

by John Andersson hilly air and rain can't keep Cayuga Trails Club gave its name to the elegant passenger train which volunteers inside when there is hiking or trail eventually gave way to the automobile and airplane. C maintenance to do. Several CTC members and Hikers, skiers, and bikers will enjoy the same beautiful guests showed up with tools and rain gear at the first Black Cayuga Lake views as passengers on the Black Diamond Diamond Trail volunteer workday on Saturday, November Train once did. But those who travel by foot will enjoy the 11, at the request ofSue Poelvoorde from the Finger Lakes landscape and wildlife even more than train passengers State Parks. Working with several other groups and in- did. The trail will border active and fallow farm fields, dividuals, the volunteers cleared over one mile of formei: • )lside glens forested with maples, oaks, and hemlocks railroad right-of-way from Jacksonville Road at the -es . ·- "lh some remnant chestnuts), valley forests of cotton- end of Taughannock Falls State Park towards ~~£..l. . wjic'~~:~ nows, and sy~amores, and urban waterways. Creek Road. Blackberry bushes and honeysuckle---Slfrubs ).inafi>lan1> for the trail are expected to be completed in obliterated any sign of the former railroad in many areas, 2002. c~~on of the complete trail wiIJ follow that, but no vegetation is tougher than hikers looking for new but reaches wiIJ •k~ available for use as they are cleared. trail to explore and experience. v,- __ ·,,.:;. _.other v(;llunt~ 'workday may be organized for the When completed, the Black Diamond Trai '~" f; · ~ a'Jmga Trails Club President Suzanne 15-mile multi-purpose trail for bicyclers, l"d e""'_ oppers,J? recommends the experience to cross-country skiers, connecting Taughannock Fa ..,~ __ members. "There is a thrill walking along a path Park in the Town of Ulysses to RobertH. Tremati'.. State .... -- youjustclearedofthomsandwaist-highgoldenrodthatis Park in the Town oflthaca, with links to Cass Park m the hard to put into words. You just have to experience it!" City oflthaca and Buttermilk Falls State Park in the Town Some ofthe information in this article came from issue oflthaca. The trail will follow the tracks constructed in the No. I of the Black Diamond Trail News. For more infor- I 890s for the Black Diamond passenger train of the mation contact Sue Poelvoorde of the NYS Office of Lehigh Valley Railroad that ran through the area from Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, Finger Lakes New York City to Buffalo. Transporting anthracite coal Region, P.O. Box 1055, Trumansburg, NY 14886. The. provided an early source of revenue for the L VRR, and phone number is 607/ 3 87-7041. this hard, lustrous black coal, known as black diamond, Trails Chairman Report

by Kurt Seitz [email protected] 564-7417 he big story at the close of Y2K is the completion of tinue to do on-the-ground trail work and special projects. the Cayuta Gulf foot bridges on the Finger Lakes You can continue to contact me at [email protected] or TTrail. See the article about the bridges on page 3 of contact Betty at [email protected]. this newsletter. Also, progress has been made on installing Thank you to all who have volunteered to work on our stone barriers and a metal gate at selected trail heads on club trails this past year. When all the labor hours are Connecticut Hill. However, with the onset of winter added up, I'm sure they will show an extraordinary weather and cost overruns, installation will not be com­ contribution toward improving hiking trails in Tompkins pleted until spring. and Schuyler counties. But, in order for me to add up these Looking ahead to 2001, Betty Hansen and I will be figures, please send me as soon as possible an estimate of sharing trails chair duties. As a co-chair, Betty will be the number of hours that you have spent working on, as handling the paperwork part of the job, while I will con- well as traveling to and from, your section of trail this year, if you have not already done so. Thank you.

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Winter 2001 Report on Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #446

• Date-November 19, 2000 • location- The Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve in West Danby, Tompkins County • leader-Michael DeMunn very tree has its own story to tell Michael DeMunn, who shared the wisdom of the arbors Ewith ten CTC members and one guest on a bracingly cold but splendid late fall day. Guest trip leader DeMunn, a consulting forester, ecologist, and advisor to the Finger Lakes Land Trust, explained that the rich soil deposited by ice age glaciers created the CTC hikers at the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve. Hike leader Mike DeMunn is 011 right. Photo by Marsha Zgola. ultimate nursery for forests, which thrive in the preserve's hills, valleys, and marshlands. Many trees there also are well over 100 years old, along with some of the thick vines twining their way up through the branches of their hosts. Given lots more time, a small grove of white pine, already tall, should reach a really impressive height in maturity. Humans have played an important, although sometimes detrimental, role in the evolution of this 400-acre woodland, DeMunn explained. Over the decades, coals fallen from the railroad trains rattling through the preserve have left the hillsides scarred and denuded of hardwoods. The pitch pines that subsequently sprang up on the rocky rises had required the fire to germinate their seeds. Exotic shrubs and pests imported purposely or accidentally by humans have interrupted the life cycles of some wooded areas. DeMunn also told hike participants how close this wonderful outdoor classroom came to being clearcut of timber for profit in the early 1990s. He recounted how that sad fate was averted by those who recognized the forest's beauty and educational value. The Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve offers many different lessons on nature and is a worthwhile visit for those who missed the hike. Reported by Jennifer Wilson

Welcome to the Following New Members

Adam Chandler Victoria Nuzzo

Ithaca, NY 14850 Groton, NY 13073

Marielle Higler Chris Proulx & Rachel McGuire

Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850

Sarah Young laura Malczewsla Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850

Cayuga Trails - 5 - Winter 2001 Ner

January Hike to Dedicate Hike Cornell Natural Rogers Hill Lean-to Areas in February

Walk, look, and learn Hike #448 Walk, look, and learn Hike #449 January 28, 2001 (Sunday) February 11, 2001 (Sunday) • Location-Finger Lakes Trail north of Odessa, • location-Cornell natural areas on and Town of Catharine, Schuyler County near campus, Ithaca • Meeting Place-Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Taco • Meeting Place-Cornell Plantations headquarters, Bell across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza , Ithaca One Plantations Road, Ithaca • Meeting Time- 1:00 p.m. • Meeting Time- 1:00 p.m.

ennifer Wilson will lead a hike, ski, or snowshoe om Reimers will lead this 3- to 5-mile-long hike trip--depending on the weather and preference of through several natural areas on or near the Cornell J participants-to the site ofa new lean-to constructed Tcampus. Depending on the weather and snow cover, with donated money and volunteer effort on the property these areas will include Gymnosperm Slope, Beebe Lake, of Carl States north of Odessa, N.Y. Participants will Mundy Wildflower Garden, Slim Jim Woods, Fall Creek travel by foot or ski less than a mile to the lean-to site for Plateau, and McGowan Woods. Four of these places have the dedication which will feature refreshments. Later, the magnificent old growth forests with huge wonderful trees. more intrepid members of the party may either explore the We ' 11 try to identify trees, berries, and wildflowers in Finger Lakes Trail on skis or, in the absence ofdeep snow, winter. For a preview of the areas we plan to visit on this follow veteran hike leader Tom Reimers as he shows how hike, Tom recommends getting a copy ofA Field Guide to to track and interpret the footprints and other signs left Cornell's Natural Areas On and Near Campus by Nancy behind by foraging winter wildlife. Be sure to dress L. Ostrnan and F. Robert Wesley. It is for sale at the appropriately for the weather. For more information, Cornell Plantations Gift Shop. Call Tom at 607/272-8679 contact Jennifer at 607/753-8641 or by email at wilsonj or email him at [email protected] for more information. @cortland.edu. Be sure to dress for the weather! Ski Hammond Hill in March

Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #450 March 4, 2001 (Sunday) Location-Hammond Hill State Forest, Town of Dryden, Tompkins County Meeting Place-Ski trail head at end of Beam Hill Road, south of Village of Dryden Meeting Time-I :30 p.m.

uzanne Cohen and Jennifer Wilson will co-lead a moderate to rigorous 5-mile-long cross-country skiing or hiking trip from the top ofBeam Hill to the summit ofHammond Hill in Hammond Hill State Forest south ofDryden in Tompkins S County. There will be options for those desiring a longer event. The 3,000-plus acre state forest includes many types of woods, creek valleys, and hilltops. Cross-country skiing is a major winter activity on Hammond Hill. The changes in elevation are what make this a somewhat more strenuous outing. If there is no snow, participants will hike instead. Dress appropriately for the conditions and bring a snack and fluids. Contact Suzanne at 607/272-5461 or [email protected] or Jennifer at 607/753-8641 or [email protected].

Cayuga Trails - 6 - Winter 2001 Report on Executive Board Meeting

he Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club met approval from the NYS Department of Environmental on December 5, 2000, for a regular meeting in the Conservation and Finger Lakes State Parks. TScott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail Building, Kurt announced he and Betty Hansen agreed to be co­ 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. Board members present chairs of the Trails Committee next year, if the next were John Andersson, Sara Catterall, Suzanne Cohen, Phil president agrees. Dankert, Betty Hansen, Tom Reimers, Kurt Seitz, Jack Publicity: Suzanne gave out copies of recent articles Van Derzee, and Jennifer Wilson. The following is a about the Cayuta Gulf bridges project that were published summary ofitems discussed and actions taken as recorded in the Cornell Chronicle and the Cornell Daily Sun. by Secretary Andersson. Adopt-A-Highway Program: Phil Dankert reported President Cohen called the meeting to order at 7:30 that the cleanup of NY Route 366 on November 11 was p.m. Treasurer Van Derzee reported that the checking very successful with nine volunteers. account balance was $1,381.83 and the savings account Friends of the Finger Lakes National Forest: Jack balance was $3,702.53. He also distributed the monthly Van Derzee reported the organization is still forming and budget summary through November noting that some there will be a $15 membership fee. expenses exceed the year's budget (e.g., newsletter and Annual Meeting: Phil Dankert distributed a sample menu from Willowood. The cost for meals will be $12.25 Cayuta Gulf foot bridges). However, total expenses are each. It was moved and seconded to subsidize $2.25 per still below the budgeted amount and income is higher than meal so members would pay $10.00. The motion was budgeted. passed unanimously. Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes: After some discussion Other Business: Kurt Seitz was congratulated for led by Jennifer Wilson, January 28 was picked for the completing the Cayuta Gulf bridges project. Tom Reimers dedication of the new Rogers Hill Lean-to with a ski or recommended that a letter be sent to the dean of the hike and ceremony. March 4 was chosen for a Beam Hill College of Engineering and others at Cornell recognizing hike/ski, with the exact ending place to be decided later. the hard work and dedication of the civil engineering Depending on Joan Jedele's schedule, the February hike students to the project. will be either February 4 or 25. If this does not work out, Tom will lead a winter wildflower hike on February 11. Jennifer would like to see more special hikes but needs Special Ski Outing leaders to scout the trails and prepare for the hikes. Suggestions were made for full-day hikes (perhaps a few • Date- February 25, 2001 hours away) or joint hikes with other groups. Membership: Sara Catterall reported that there are 157 • Location - Yellow Barn State Forest members of the Cayuga Trails Club. Suzanne presented • Meeting Place-Dryden Post Office on NY the new membership brochure. Suzanne also stated that Route 13 across from :a_uJJlic library she and Sara will mail membership renewal notices with ~..... - the flyers announcing the annual meeting. • Meeting Time"- 1:30 ~ - '-:; Trails: Kurt Seitz reported the two Cayuta Gulf foot ome expl - nderland in Yellow bridges on the Finger Lakes Trail were finished as of Barn State tofDryden, Tomp- December 3. Suzanne Cohen will organize a dedication C kins Coun en the location of next spring. The stone barriers to keep A TVs off the a Cayuga Trails Club ou memory,. Joan Finger Lakes Trail in Connecticut Hill Wildlife Man­ Jedele will lead this ski the.!: ,ent of agement Area are at the site, but they have not yet been insufficient snow .-='flle~ rou -'11 e suitable for placed in the ground. beginner~nkrmedi;t;-}evel skiers and will be Kurt also discussed the Bob Cameron Trail in Con­ between 3 and 6 miles long. Plan to dress for con­ necticut Hill WMA. The CTC already has responsibility ditions and bring your own snack and fluids. For more for it, and Chris McConkey has been maintaiillng it. Kurt information, contact Joan at 607/539 -6710 or assistant would like to add one-half mile to it to make a three-mile leader Jennifer Wilson at 607/753-8641 or wilsonj loop connected to the Finger Lakes Trail. He will request @cortland.edu.

Cayuga Trails - 7 - Winter2001 Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting & Brunch Buffet Sunday, January 21 , 2001 The Squire Inn at Willowood Campsites and Lodge 28 Rockwell Road, Town of Enfield, Tompkins County Social hour with cash bar and hors d'oeuvres at 12:30 p.m. Brunch buffet at 1 :30 p.m. Annual committee reports Election of officers for 2001 Distribution of patches from the New York State DEC Oscar awards for distinguished service to CTC Hi! I'm Oscar Brown and ... Hi! I'm Oscar Gray a presentation by John and Karen Confer on their wilderness canoe trip down the Waterfound River into the Fond du Lac, near the Athabasca Sand Dunes ------Mail with check to Cayuga Trails Club, c/o Treasurer, P.O. Box 754, Ithaca, NY 14851 Number of reservations _ _ @ $10 .00 = $ ___ Reservation deadline January 15

Mark Your Calendars January 21, 2001 .... Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting and brunch buffet. Use the reservation form above or the one you receive in the mail. January 28 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #448. Dedication of the new Rogers Hill Lean-to on the Finger Lakes Trail north of Odessa, NY. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at the Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Taco Bell across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza, Ithaca. Jennifer Wilson, leader (607/753-8641 or [email protected]). See details on page 6. February 11 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #449. Cornell Natural Areas on and near campus. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at Cornell Plantations headquarters, One Plantations Road, Ithaca. Tom Reimers, leader (607/272-8679, [email protected]). See page 6 for details. February 25 ...... Special ski outing. Yellow Barn State Forest. Meet at 1 :30 p.m. at the Dryden Post Office on NY Route 13 across from public library. Joan Jedele, leader (607/539- 6710). See page 7 for details. March 4 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #450. Ski Hammond Hill State Forest. Meet at 1 :30 p.m. at the ski trail head at the end of Beam Hill Road, Town of Dryden, Tompkins County. Suza nne Cohen {607/[email protected]) and Jennifer Wilson (607/753-8641 , wi/[email protected].), leaders . See page 6 for details.

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. Sara Miller Catterall, Cayuga Trails mailing NON-PROFIT P.O. Box 754 ORGANIZATION Ithaca, NY 14850 U.S. POSTAGE PAID ITHACA,NY PERMIT NO. 94 Newsletter of the Cayuga Trails Club Founded in 1962 "to explore, enjoy, and preserve wild lands and places of natural beauty.. . "

March-April 2001 Early Spring Edition Vol. 41 , Nos. 3 & 4

2001 Oscar Award Winners!

ach year t~e Ca~ga Trails Club awards two "Oscars" t~ me~bers for distinguished service to the club and its_goals. The trophies, which go back many years, are porcelam squirrels. At the Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meettng on EJanuary 21, 2001, the awards were presented to Jennifer Wilson, who received Oscar Gray, and Suzanne Cohen, who received Oscar Brown and Baby Oscar. Jennifer joined the Cayuga Trails Club in 1997, was elected to the Executive Board in 1999, and is in charge of organizing the club's Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes. She also served as acting trails chair last summer. In that role she coordinated construction of the Rogers Hill Lean-to by the Alley Cat trail crew of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference (see early fall 2000 issue of Cayuga Trails for the lean-to story). Cayuga Trails Club President Suzatme Cohen was honored for always being available when needed, keeping the club vibrant, and working to maintain good landowner relations. Jennifer and Suzanne received the awards from the 2000 winners Philip Dankert and Kurt Seitz. Tradition has it that Jennifer and Suzanne will decide who wins next year's awards.

Oscar award winner Jennifer Wilson and Phil Dankert. Photo by Tom Reimers. Oscar award winner Suzanne Cohen. Pholo by John Andersson. Cayuga Trails Club Members Welcome! Finger Lakes Trail Conference Annual Meeting May 4-6, 2001 Seneca Lodge, Watkins Glen, NY

LAKES Great hikes! Beautiful scenery! Great lodging and meals! New trails! New trail foot bridges! LAKES Excellent Saturday night program! New lean-to! Historical walking tour! And much more! For complete information contact Tom Reimers at 607/272-8679 or [email protected]. Hosted by the Adirondack Mountain Club-Finger Lakes Chapter. President's Messag_e

by Suzanne Cohen

hank you for reelecting newsletter editor, Sara Catterall continues as chair of the me as president of the membership committee, and Phil Dankert will continue as TCayuga Trails Club for chair of the Adopt-A-Highway program. 2001. I was so happy to see the I'd like to thank Lois Chaplin for all ofher time serving wonderful membership turnout as the former publicity chair. Lois was in that position at this year's annual meeting on when I first joined the club in 1997, and I'm not sure how January 21. Among other busi­ many years before that she served. Thank you, Lois! ness conducted at the meeting, We have had a great response to our request for mem­ approximately 60 members, bership renewals. If you've already sent in your renewal long-time and new, heard com­ form, thank you. If you haven't, it's not too late. We'll mittee reports outlining the ex­ send out a new membership list with the next newsletter. citing achievements of the past This past Sunday, I went on the Walk; Look, and Learn year. It's amazing how much can be achieved, even as Hike led by Tom Reimers. It was 20 degrees outside, with time flies by so quickly. Annual meeting attendees were weather forecasts predicting harsh wind chills. I hesitated also treated to a slide presentation by John and Karen about going out into the cold, but in the end I was so glad Confer, detailing their whitewater canoe trip down the that I bundled up and experienced the winter beauty with Waterfound River. As I told the Confers, the presentation other brave CTC members. I'm not suggesting that every­ either inspired CTC members to try whitewater canoeing one should be going out into the cold, but, if you're themselves, or it reminded them of why they really want thinking about it and hesitating, it's almost always worth to stick with hiking! Thanks again to the Confers (and to it, isn't it? the Willowood managers for allowing them to bring their nearly 20-foot canoe into the restaurant). I am thrilled to be working with many of the same Executive Board members as last year and also to wel­ come Susan Wiser as a new member-at-large and chair of the publicity committee. Some of last year's board members have new responsibilities, such as Betty Hansen who will be sharing the work of the trails committee with Kurt Seitz and Peter Harriott. John Andersson will be vice president and social committee chair, and Betty Hansen will be secretary (deja vu, anyone?). Jennifer Wilson com­ pleted her two-year term as member-at-large, but will stay on as chair ofthe Walk, Look, and Learn Hike committee. Jack Van Derzee continues as treasurer, Clifford Blizard starts his second year as member-at-large, Betty Lewis continues as chair of the guidebook committee, Fran Lau­ Joe Dabes, Linda Loomis, and Kathy Brennan at the CTC Annual man continues as archivist, Tom Reimers continues as Meeting. Photo by John Andersson.

First Highway Cleanup of 2001 Set

The first Adopt-a-Highway cleanup for 2001 will be on April 14. Volunteers are always needed for these cleanups which occur four times a year between April and November. Meet at the Cornell "O" parking lot at the corner of NY Route 366 and Caldwell Road shortly before 10:00 a.rn. so that administrative matters (signing in, etc.) can be taken care of. We should have everything cleaned up before noon.

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Early Spring 2001 ril WLL Hi ~ Celebrate Earth Day 2001 on the Cayuga Trail Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #451 April22,2001 (Sunday)

•Location-The Cayuga Trail

•Meeting Time- I :00 p.m.

•Meeting Place- Liddell Laboratory at the top of the winding section of Freese Road in Varna

pril 22 marks the 31th anniversary of Earth Day, The Cayuga Trail takes hikers along the high banks and created to commemorate environmental awareness. water's edge of Fall Creek, through forests, pine plan­ ATo mark this very important day, the Cayuga Trails tations, open fields, and interesting areas oflush fems and Club will sponsor the tenth annual Earth Day Hike on the hawthorns. The trail goes through the Monkey Run area Cayuga Trail. This 5-mile loop hike will go through the and deep woods. This hike annually features early spring Cornell Plantations natural areas. Tom Reimers will lead wildflowers, railroad history and lore, magnificent vistas, the hike and include interesting comments about the interesting geological features, and the beauty ofvery wild geology and history of the land the trail passes through. sections of Fall Creek and Cornell's natural areas. The The Cayuga Trails Club started building the trail in 1964; Cayuga Trail is considered one of the most beautiful foot it has been expanded several times in its history. The most trails on a university campus. Wear sturdy footwear and . recent expansion was done last spring after a short section bring rain gear and drinking water. Call Tom at 607/272- of trail along Fall Creek was washed out during heavy 8679 (email [email protected]) ifyou have any questions. rains. The section was replaced by a long, scenic reroute Join Tom and others on this popular hike through the taking in a gorge entering into Fall Creek. spring woods!

Share Your Love of Nature

e part of a unique outdoor program that introduces from orienteering to insects. Instructors can work singly or more than 800 Tompkins County 4th, 5th, and 6th in pairs, volunteering for one or more days. The commit­ Bgraders to the wonders of nature. Called 4-H Envi­ ment is from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Transportation is ronmental Appreciation Days, the program provides kids provided when necessary. with hands-on learning activities designed to expand their Volunteers complete a simple application form and knowledge about and foster a sense of stewardship for attend a training session on April 17. To request a volun­ their natural environment. 4-H Environmental Appre­ teer application, contact Sephra Albert at 272-2292 or ciation Days will be offered May 4, 7, and 8 this year. [email protected]. You also can visit the Web site at Success of 4-H Environmental Appreciation Days www.cce.cornell.edu/tompkinsl (scroll down, click pro­ depends on 70 people to volunteer each year to develop grams, then scroll down and click Environmental Ap­ and present a SO-minute lesson on any environmental topic preciation Days). Applications are due March 12.

Cayuga Trails - 3 - Early Spring 2001 Official Dedication of the Cayuta Gulf Trail Bridges All are welcome on May 5!

wo new pedestrian bridges on the Cayuta Gulf would like to car pool from Ithaca can meet at the Ithaca section of the Finger Lakes Trail, which were Shopping Plaza near Taco Bell across NY Route 13 from Tcompleted on December 3, 2000, by the student K-Mart Plaza at 8:55 a.m. (the meeting person is yet to be chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers and determined). There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Cayuga Trails Club, will be officially dedicated on plaque unveiling, speeches, refreshments, and more! We Saturday, May 5. This dedication will be one of the events also hope that many of the Cornell students who helped scheduled during the Annual Meeting of the Finger Lakes design and build the bridges will be in attendance. After Trail Conference (May 4-6). The dedication will begin at the dedication, all are welcome to continue hiking the Van 10 a.m. There are various options for arriving in time to Lone Loop Trail (about 4.5 more miles from the bridge celebrate. Those attending the FLTC meeting will car pool site). If you haven't seen these bridges, which were . from Seneca Lodge in Watkins Glen at 9 a.m. Those who featured in the winter 2001 issue of Cayuga Trails, this is want to meet at the trail head can join leader Kurt Seitz on an excellent opportunity. For more information contact Gulf Road at the southwest corner of Connecticut Hill Suzanne Cohen at 607/272-5461 or [email protected]. State Wildlife Management Area at 9:30 a.m. Those who

Robins Report on Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #447 uestion: I recently got a bad case of cabin fever, so my husband and I went to a nearby park for a Qwalk in the woods. We were both surprised to see • Date-December 17, 2000 several robins. I thought they went south for the winter. So • Location-Connecticut Hill Wildlife much for the "sure sign of spring" theory. Were these just Management Area, Tompkins County birds that are too old to migrate, or are they just getting a late start? • Leader-Peter Harriott Answer: Some robins migrate to warmer climes to avoid lthough a cold prevented him from leading in per­ our harsh winters, so you usually don't see them until they son, long-time member Peter Harriott lec:lan in­ return in the spring. But others stick around, braving the Avigorating expedition in spirit for five members elements rather than making the long trip south. The and two guests. On the somewhat dreary afternoon outing, reason you rarely see them at this time of year is because stand-in trip leaders Suzanne Cohen and Jennifer Wilson we are as affected by the weather as the birds. When the l}Sed Peter's map and instructions to guide the participants cold winds blow, we change our habitats. Human beings for several miles. The beautiful still-life landscape was spend more time indoors during the winter months. Robins almost devoid of snow, which made this into a hike retreat to more sheltered areas as well. Woods and thickets instead of a ski outing. Although the hike was advertized not only provide them with a place to get out of the wind, as an eight-miler in the newsletter, this was actually a they also provide them with food. Obviously, ~ou won't four-mile route cut shorter still by the waning late-autumn see robins pulling worms from your lawn this time ofyear. sunlight. As the p;rty followed the Finger Lakes Trail Those "harbingers of spring" that stayed behind have from th~ Connecticut Hill Road crossing, hikers enjoyed changed to a vegetarian diet, eating fruits and berries that the solitude and stillness unique to the time of year. A can best be found in thickets and second growth forests. rural cemetery inspired the walkers to meditate on the fate When their more familiar diet of worms and insects be­ of a long-vanished community or-settlers. As the dayliglit comes available again, they will return to the open spaces swiftly faded, the group opted to make a speedy road walk where you're used to seeing them. Robins are a sign of back to their vehicles parked beside the radio tower. spring, but only when you see them in your yard. Report submitted by Jennifer Wilson from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Region 8

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Early Spring 2001 Hikes Across Report on Walk, Look, Chenango County and Learn Hike #448

ack Van Derzee will lead a series of hikes across • Date-January 28, 2001 Chenango County this summer. All hikes begin at • Location-Finger Lakes Trail north of Odessa, 10:00 a.m. For additional information call Jack at J Town of Catharine, Schuyler County 607 /3 87-5 810 or send email to [email protected]. Fin­ ger Lakes Trail (FLT) maps can be ordered from the Fin­ • Leaders-Jennifer Wilson and Tom Reimers ger Lakes Trail Conference Service Center at P.O. Box he views from Rogers Hill are fantastic, even on a 18048, Rochester, NY 14618 or online at www.finger lakes brisk winter's afternoon. In late January, 15 hikers . net/trailsystern. Tand skiers gathered there to dedicate the new Rogers • April 22 Hill Lean-to. They installed a plaque thanking the volun­ Meet at Ridge Road trail crossing north of South teers and organizations that enabled this wayfarer's stop Otselic (FLT map M-22). Hike from Paradise Hill along the lengthy Finger Lakes Trail. Construction of the Road to Ridge Road. 8.4 miles. lean-to last summer was a work project of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference (FLTC). The project was coor­ • May 20 dinated locally by the Cayuga Trails Club and funded Meet at Church Hill Road trail crossing east of South through the FLTC with a Challenge Cost Share Grant from Otselic (FLT map M-23). Hike from Ridge Road to the National Park Service. Volunteers from around the Church Hill Road. 10.6 miles. state contributed their free labor and expertise during a • June 10 beautiful August week in order to match the federal Meet at north end of Tower Road (FLT map M-24). contribution. Landowner Carl States had kindly cleared, Hike from Church Hill Road to Tower Road. 11.9 leveled, and graveled the lean-to site. He attended .the miles. dedication event, as did Margery Clauson, the long-time maintainer of this section ofFinger Lakes Trail. The cele­ • July 15 brators agreed the project came out very nicely. Meet at junction of Fred Wilcox Road and Stone Later, participants split into two separate groups. Those Quarry Hill Road (FLT map M-24). Hike from on foot followed Tom Reimers on a woodland foray for Tower Road to Fred Wilcox Road. 12.l miles. signs of winter animal comings and goings. The skiers • August 19 discovered, and repeated, an easy and beautiful trail Meet at DEC motor vehicle trail crossing (FLT map through the woods, which ended in a very long but slight M -25). Hike from Fred Wilcox Road to DEC motor downhill coast connecting back to the main trail. vehicle trail.12.3 miles.

• September 9 Welcome to the Following Meet -at Case Road and NY Route 206 intersection New Members (FLT map M-26). Hike from DEC motor vehicle trail to Case Road. 8.7 miles. Ann Beyer Michael Engle • October 14 Meet at NY Route 8 and Butts Road intersection Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 (FLT map M-26). Hike from Case Road to NY Route 8. 9.2 miles.

Celia Bolyard Margie Peech

Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850

Early Spring 2001 Cayuga Trails - 5 - Report on Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #449

Date-February 11, 2001 Location-Cornell's natural areas on and near campus Leader-Tom Reimers

~ It was a cold (20 degrees), windy day when Tom Reimers == led 11 hardy Cayuga Trails Club members and one quest on a challenging hike through natural areas on and near the - Cornell University campus. Light snow that morning provided ·"" new stuff for animals to record their tracks. However, the cold <...... ,._ .. ~ and snow also offered dangerous walking in many places because of large areas of ice hidden beneath the snow. A . ~ Bundled-up, but smiling, hikers braved the cold and wind on WLL couple hikers slipped and fell; no one was hurt. Hike #449 through Cornell 11atural areas. Photo by John Andersson. The 3.5-mile long hike began at Cornell Plantations head- quarters. The group headed westward and admired the old­ growth forest on the slope south of Be~be Lake. At that time the tree identification quizzes began, later to include wildflowers in winter. Mist from water of Beebe Lake falling over the dam by the Triphammer foot bridge coated all the vegetation growing precariously from the cliff sides with thick ice. After walking around Beebe Lake, the group visited The Byway in Forest Home to admire the circa 1850 Greek Revival homes in the neighborhood. Mundy Wildflower Garden was next followed by the F.R. Newman Arboretum. Hikers cautiously (remember the ice?) entered Slim Jim Woods, a north-facing slope with marvelous old-growth trees. They emerged from the woods near the top of a popular sledding hill to admire a huge red oak (see photo above) and several unusually large aspen trees. From there the group explored a lovely old-growth forest between Fall Creek and Forest Home Drive. Leader Tom then decided that legs and backs had had enough of a workout on the ice and snow and the group headed back to Plantations headquarters using Forest Home Drive as the hike route. It had been salted and was mostly ice-free. Hikers were back at their cars at 4:00.

Bears in New York

uestion: I heard that black bears are migrating from Pennsylvania into western New York. What is the current population in western New York, and how widely are they Q distributed? Answer: Most bears in New York State live in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, but a significant population has existed in western New York for some time. Most are in the more heavily forested Southern Tier region, but they have been known to wander into some of our mo.re northern counties. The Department of Environmental Conservation estim(!tes about 200-600 black bears live in western New York. Some people are fearful ofhaving bears in their area, but most black bears are not as dangerous as people think. Problem bears are usually the result of people feeding them or inadvertently leaving food where bears can get it. When bears start associating people with food, they lose their natural fear ofhumans and that's when the trouble begins. Most complaints about bears come during the warmer months. During winter, New York black bears den up and spend most of their time sleeping. from New York State Department ofEnvironmental Conservation Region 8

Cayuga Trails - 6 - Early Spring 2001 Report on Executive Board Meeting

he Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club met spent on trail work in 1999. Randall Brune, past president for a regular meeting on February 6, 2001, in the of the central New York chapter of the North Country TScott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail Building, Trail Association and a leader in the original design and 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. Present were Suzanne Co- construction of the Finger Lakes Trail and Onondaga hen, Phil Dankert, Betty Hansen, Tom Reimers, Kurt Trail, died recently. Bill Menke, National Park Service Seitz, Jack Van Derzee, and Susan Wiser. The following manager fo r the North Country National Scenic Trail, will is a summary of items discussed and actions taken as re- retire on March 1. The Tompkins County Chamber of corded by Secretary Hansen. President Cohen called the Commerce has published new maps of the county that meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Treasurer Van Derzee re- very nicely depict the route of the Finger Lakes Trail. ported that the checking account balance was $1,976.63 Betty Hansen reported that six more members signed and the savings account balance was $4,069.66. The up for the New York State Department of Environmental budget summary for 2000 was reviewed; income was Conservation'sAdopt-A-NaturalResourceProgramatthe greater than anticipated because of an increase in mem- annual meeting. Shoulder patches will be mailed to them. berships and greater guidebook sales. Expenses matched Publicity: Susan Wiser, new member-at-large, volun- the budgeted amount. teered to serve as the publicity chair. Suzanne explained Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes: Tom Reimers will that WLL hikes should be advertised in the Ithaca Jour- lead WLL Hike #449 through Cornell natural areas on nal,Ithaca Times, and Ithaca Today. Reminders ofmonth - February 11. Jennifer and Suzanne will lead the March ly hikes should be sent to members via email. hike or ski in Hammond Hill State Adopt-A-Highway: P.Jiil Dan- Forest. The April hike will be the kert reported that the first 2001 tenth annual Earth Day Hike on Cayuga Trails Club members and others highway cleanupofNYRoute 366 the Cayuga Trail led by Tom worked approximately 3,300 hours on will be on April 14.. Reimers. the 75 miles of Finger Lakes Trail the Cayuta GulfBridges: Suzanne Finance: The audit committee club maintains. is working on a letter to be sent to consisting of Betty Hansen, Jack .....______. administration of the Cornell Col- Van Derzee, and Suzanne Cohen met on January 7, 2001, lege of Engineering recognizing the engineering students to review the financial records ofthe club. Betty submitted for their dedication and hard work designing and building an audit report stating that the treasurer is keeping the new Cayuta Gulf foot bridges on the Finger Lakes accurate and complete records. The checking account and Trail. The bridges will be dedicated on Saturday, May 5. savings account balances matched the balances reported The hike and dedication will be part of the Annual on the monthly treasurer's reports and all expenses seemed Meeting of the Finger Lakes Trail Conforence being held appropriate. at Seneca Lodge in Watkins Glen. Guidebook and Publications: Betty Lewis, guidebook Annual Meeting Report: Jack Van Derzee reported chair, reported at the annual meeting that the new edition that 61 people registered and paid for and 59 people of Guide to Trails of the Finger Lakes Region would be attended the luncheon, plus the two speakers. The club available for the spring hiking season. The cost of publi­ subsidized $2.25 per meal totaling $136.55. cation is still unknown. Suzanne will check with Betty on Budget 2001: Suzanne and Jack presented the pro­ the status of the guidebook. posed budget for 2001 . The budget was approved as pre­ Trails: Kurt Seitz reported the following: Cayuga sented with an additional $500.00 allocated for special Trails Club members and others worked approximately projects, such as installation of boulders at trail heads in 3,300 hours on the 75 miles of Finger Lakes Trail the club Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. maintains. These included 1,600 hours by Cornell civil National Trails Day: John Andersson announced that engineering students who built the Cayuta Gulf foot the Finger Lakes Trail Conference will be holding the bridges, 377 by the Finger Lakes Trail Conference's trail grand opening of its new headquarters at the Mt. Morris crew that built the Rogers Hill Lean-to, 48 by Cornell Dam site on National Trails Day, April 22. The head­ Outdoor Education students, 40 by Boy Scout Troop 4, quarters office is located at the north end of Letchworth and 1,250 by CTC volunteers. This total is triple the hours State Park in western New York.

Cayuga Trails - 7 - Early Spring 2001 Mark Your Calendars

Tuesday, April 3 Executive Board meeting. Scott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail Building, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. 7:30 p.m. Members welcome. Saturday, April 14 ...... Adopt-A-Highway Program. Spring cleanup of two miles of NY Route 366. Meet just before 10:00 a.m. in Cornell's "O" parking lot at the intersection of Route 366 and Caldwell Road . Garbage bags and safety equipment will be provided. Phil Dankert, leader (607 /257-2578, [email protected]) . Saturday, April 14 ...... Deadline for submitting material for the late spring issue of Cayuga Trails. Submit to Tom Reimers at 3C Wildflower Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850 or by email to [email protected]. Sunday, April 22 ...... Tenth annual Earth Day Hike on the beautiful and wild Cayuga Trail (Walk, look, and Learn Hike #451). Meet at Liddell laboratory at the t op of the winding section of Freese Road north of NY Route 366 in Varna at 1 :00 p.m. Details on page 3. Tom Reimers, leader (607/272-8679, [email protected]). Friday- Sunday, May 4-6 Annual Meeting of the Finger lakes Trail Conference, Seneca lodge, Watkins Glen, NY. Hosted by Adirondack Mountain Club­ Finger Lakes Chapter. For information contact Tom Reimers at 607 /272-8679 or [email protected]. Saturday, May 5 Official dedication of two new foot bridges on the Finger Lakes Trail in the Cayuta Gulf. See page 4 for details and meeting places. Saturday, June 2 National Trails Day. For information see the American Hiking Society's Web site at www.americanhiking.org.

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. NON-PROFIT Sara Miller Catterall, Cayuga Trails mailing ORGANIZATION P.O. Box 754 U.S. POSTAGE Ithaca, NY 14851-0754 PAID ITHACA,NY PERMIT NO. 94 Newsletter of the Cayuga Trails Club Founded in 1962 "to explore, enjoy, and preserve wild lands and places of natural beauty... "

May-June 2001 Late Spring· Edition Vol. 41, Nos. 5 & 6

A American Cayuga Trails Club Receives A American Hiking Hiking Society National Trails Endowment Grant VSociety

' n March 3, 2001, the Amencan Hiking Society, a Association (WA), Pine Mountain Trail Conference (KY), ~ational recreation-based conservation organiza­ Mountain Club (N-11), Rivanna Trails Foundation (VA), 0 tion awarded 15 trail clubs with National Trails and Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (CO). Endowment grants. The 15 grant recipients were chosen The National Trails Endowment is a permanent fund from a group of 79 applicants and will receive between created by American Hiking Society to provide grants to $1,000 and $5,230 each for projects nationwide. The hiking groups, land trusts, and other non-profits. The Cayuga Trails Club received one of the grants for $3,000 group has awarded 63 grants since the program's inception to help fund the construction of the two footbridges on the in 1997 and plans to build a fund of several million Cayuta Gulf section of the Finger Lakes Trail. (See the dollars. Nearly 73 million Americans hike at least once January-February 2001 issue of Cayuga Trails for the every year, the second fastest growing outdoor activity in story about the bridges). The ~ant proposal was written America. by CTC President Suzanne 0 hen. For more information on this year's other grant Other recipients of the 200: grants and the states where recipients, the National Trails Endowment, or American they are located are: Benton I facKaye Trail Association Hiking Society's trail conservation programs, visit www (GA), Colorado Mountain C lub (CO), Colorado Trail .americanhiking.org. American Hiking Society is dedi­ Foundation (CO), Foothills Trail Conference (SC), cated to establishing, protecting, and maintaining the Hoosier Hikers Council (IN), Kekekabic Trail Club (MN), nation's footpaths. With nearly 13,000 individual mem­ Long Island Greenbelt Trails Conference, Inc. (NY), New bers and over 150 member organizations, American Hik­ York-New Jersey Trail Conference (NY-NJ), North ing Society represents more than half a million outdoors Country Trail Association (MI), Pacific Northwest Trail people and serves as the voice of the Alnerican hiker. 'iii' Earth Day Hike 2001

Walk, Look, and learn Hike #451 April 22, 2001 he day was perfect, very appropriate for the 10th heavy spring rains. Everyone seemed to agree that this annual hike on the Cayuga Trail to commemorate new reroute added more scenic beauty to the already TEarth Day:--partly cloudy and upper 70s. Sixteen beautiful Cayuga Trail. Cayuga Trails Club members and 13 non-members led by Eventually the group returned to Fall Creek, crossed the Tom Reimers enjoyed a wonderful hike along Fall Creek highway bridge on NY Route 13, and headed to Varna on and in Cornell's natural areas. The hike started at the long-established trail. From there, hikers walked up Freese Liddell Laboratory on Freese Road and headed east along Road to return to their cars. the high north bank of Fall Creek. From there hikers The weather was great as were the early spring wild­ descended to shoreline and followed the trail until it flowers. Coltsfoot, bloodroots, and hepaticas were in changed course away from the creek and up a deep, bloom in sunny spots. Soon-to-be-blooming trilliums and attractive gorge. This gorge section was created last spring cut-leafed toothworts were abundant in certain areas. It because the original trail route had been washed away by was a wonderful way to spend the 31st Earth Day. ~ President's Message

by Suzanne Cohen

he cross-country skiing organization on the AHS Web site, subscriptions to AHS and snowshoeing were a publications, eligibility for "Volunteer Vacations" trail Tlot of fun, but it was with maintenance crews to work on our trail, and special no great sorrow that I moved consideration for National Trails Endowment applications my skis back up into the attic for grants. this past weekend. It feels great Speaking of National Trails Endowment grant appli- to have the soles of my feet cations, we submitted an application last October to help back on the trails. Of course, fund the Cayuta Gulf bridges project and recently found there's a lot of cleanup to do, outthatwewereawardedagrantof$3,000! You can read and Kurt Seitz and Betty Han- more about it in this issue and at the AHS Web site sen are busy identifying work (www.americanhiking.org). If the date has not already projects and coordinating with passed, I hope you'll be able to join us for the official trail section adopters. If you know anyone who might be dedication of the Cayuta Gulf bridges on May 5 at 10:00 interested in the role of trail crew leader, please contact a.m. at the bridges site. Details were published in the last Kurt ( [email protected], 607/564- 7 417). · issue of Cayuga Trails and are also available from our There is a lot of exciting trail development happening Web site (www.lightlink.com/ctc). in our area. Tom Reimers will represent the Cayuga Trails Inserted into this issue, members will find the 2001 Club on the advisory committee for the planned Cayuga i\ Cayuga Trails Club membership list. Thanks to Sara Waterfront Trail, and many of our members are involved ~ 0 Catterall for her redesign and all of her work keeping up with the development ofthe 15-mile-longBlackDiamond S __ with our membership ch~s. Please notify Sara of any Trail. The plan is to link these two trails in the future. eorrectiens or ehanges<{§JJ][email protected] or 607/273- There are also potential changes to current trail systems. 0191). As you can see from the list, we are strong in Bythetimeyoureadthis,wewillhaveheardmoredetails numbers, but we can always be stronger! We'll be re- about the New York State Department of Environmental printing our membership brochure again, so let us know if Conservation's plans for the Shindagin Hollow State you'd like some to distribute. Forest area. Please share comments and information that In response to all of your inquiries about the new you may have about these or other projects with any edition of the Guide to Trails ofthe Finger Lakes Region, member of the CTC Executive Board so we can represent it's not available yet, but it will be coming soon. I promise your views. that we will notify the membership as soon .as it's To show our commitment to our mission "to preserve available and use . its publication as another wonderful wild lands and places of natural beauty and interest," the publicity tool. Thanks to Betty Lewis for her continued Executive Board recently voted to join the American work on this project. Hiking Society's Alliance of Hiking Organizations. The I hope you'll be able to join us for some of our Walk, Finger Lakes Trail Conference is a member, and we Look, and Learn Hikes, Adopt-A-Highway cleanups, and decided it was time to show our support for the only trail maintenance sessions now that the hiking season is in national recreation-based conservation organization full swing. As National Trails Day (June 2) approaches, dedicated to establishing, protecting, and maintaining foot let's celebrate our trails, work to preserve them, and help trails. Membership benefits include promotion of our others to discover the joy in our ''wild lands and places of natural beauty." <§?

Cayuga Trails is published six times each year and is edited and published by Thomas J . Reimers. Comments and original contributions are welcome. Deadline for the summer issue is June 15, 2001. Send to 3C Wildflower Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850 or [email protected].

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Late Spring 2001 National Trails Day Celebration: CTC Members Welcome June 2, 2001 Madoaal 8:00 **Introduction to birding: slow walk TrailaDay he Finger Lakes Trail Conference will hold through quickly varying habitats from bushy its National Trails Day celebration on Sat­ field to deep forest overlooking Letchworth Turday, June 2, 2001, at the new conference State Park gorge. Leader will help beginners office located at the Mt. Morris Flood Control learn to spot which birds live where, and Dam at the north end of Letchworth State Park. recognize clues to identification. Bring your The new office was the dam manager's house. binoculars! Back by 10:00. Members ofthe Cayuga Trails Club are invited 9:30 **Bear Hollow Trail north on Finger JWle 2, 2001 to participate in this important event. John Lakes Trail (FLT) Letchworth Branch to darn: Andersson will arrange carpools. Meet at the fairly level hike 5+ miles through forest with some great Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Taco Bell across NY overlooks into gorge. Route 13 fromK-MartPlaza at7:30 a.m. or 10:30 9:30 Genesee Valley Greenway (GVG) from Sonyea to dam: 7 a.m. The early group will arrive in time for the miles, first on level old towpath/railbed along former Genesee 10:00 hike or tour inside the Mt. Morris Dam. Valley Canal then abrupt uphill followed by slightly climbing The later group will arrive in time for the Grand woodswalk on FLT Letchworth Branch Trail. Meet at 9:30 at first Opening Ceremonies. Contact John in advance to private (not prison) right turn off NY Route 36 north of exit 6, make sure he has enough drivers and to organize Interstate 390, immediately after signs on left for Ridge Road, timing (phone 607/898-3058, emailjandersson Keshequa Golf, and return to 55 speed limit after prison. @juno.com orjandersson@tompkins -co.org. He 10:00 **Livingston County Park down to GVG then up FLT to needs t~ know who is willing to drive, how many dam: 3-4 miles, big down and up again, with level railbed trail riders they can take, and when they wish to leave and gentle slopes in between. Views and forests. for the return trip to Ithaca. It is a 2Y2-hour ride 10:00 Meet at Mt. Morris Dam Visitors Center for tour inside from Ithaca to Mt. Morris. Returning to fthaca dam, the second largest in the east. wil1 be up to the drivers; the earliest arrival in 11:00 **Livingston County Park to FLT to darn: see breath­ Ithaca would be about 5:30 p.m. and the latest taking trees of county office building campus, followed by level about 8:00 p.m. or gently sloping trail with views through forest. Two+ miles, an · The full schedule of events is to the right. introduction to hiking trails and how to follow them. Hikes with double asterisks (**) start at Mt. 12:00 Hogsback parking area and overlook on Visitor Center Morris Dam Visitors Center parking lot (where Road, on FLT to the darn: 1 mile, level, beautiful woods, great carpools will arrive). <§? views into deepest part of gorge. Meet at the parking area for this children's hike: price of admission is one adult who will nag you to stay away from the edge. 12:00 **Steph's Snake Show: introduction to local amphibians and reptiles by a Letchworth State Park naturalist. 1:30 **Grand Opening Ceremonies for new offices of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. 2:00 **Chicken barbecue: $9.00 2:45 Repeats: Darn Tours Steph's Snakes II , . . . . 3:00 **Hike back to the village: 2 miles downhill through forests, an introduction to followmg hiking trails. 3:00 **Hike back to the Hogsback parking area: 1 mile level children's walk. 3:00 **Hike on the FLT southward to park's "Powerline Trail," 4+ miles of forest along FLT, views.

Cayuga Trails - 3 - Late Spring 2001 Report on Executive Board Meeting

he Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club met Betty Hansen reported that all trail-section adopters for a regular meeting on April 3, 2001, in the Scott from last year have agreed to continue their Adopt-A-Trail THeyman Conference Room, Old Jail, 125 East Court commitments this year. In addition, two other members Street, Ithaca. Present were John Andersson, Clifford have inquired about adopting sections. Peter Harriott said Blizzard, Suzanne Cohen, Phil Dankert, Betty Hansen, he was investigating two possible relocations ofthe Finger Peter Harriott, Tom Reimers, Kurt Seitz, Jack Van Derzee, Lakes Trail off roads. and Jennifer Wilson. The following is a summary ofitems Adopt-A- Highway Program: Phil Dankert indicated discussed and actions taken as recorded by Secretary Betty that the first scheduled date for highway cleanup in 2001 Hansen. will be April 14. A reminder will be sent to the CTC email President Cohen called the meeting to order at 7:30 list. The next highway cleanup was scheduled for June 9. p.m. Treasurer Van Derzee reported that the checking Cayuta Gulf Bridges: Dedication of the two new account balance was $1,805.28, and the savings account footbridges on the Finger Lakes Trail in the Cayuta Gulf balance was $4,818 .94. Jack distributed a budget summary will take place on May 5 during the Finger Lakes Trail for review. Conference's annual meeting. Jack Van Derzee volun­ Walk, Look and Learn Hikes: Jennifer Wilson re­ teered to provide some refreshments for the event. A ported that Clifford Blizard will lead the May hike on volunteer is needed to meet people at 9:00 a.m. at Taco Mother's Day in Lime Hollow. This area features some Bell in Ithaca to provide a shuttle to the trail head. Presi­ interesting geological features and should have a nice dent Suzanne Cohen sent a letter of appreciation to the display of wildflowers. There are a couple of possibilities director of the Department of Civil and Environmental for the June hike. Kara Ott and Sean McGee are con­ Engineering at Cornell. Copies were sent to the student sidering leading a hike on the Abbott Loop or Vicki leaders and others. Nuzzio, a new member and naturalist, may lead a hike in The American Hiking Society awarded the Cayuga an area yet to be selected. Peter suggested it might be Trails Club a $3,000 grant to help fund the Cayuta Gulf interesting to explore the loop trail that includes the old bridges project. Suzanne Cohen noted the excellent plans railroad bed of the South Hill Recreation Way. He will and the detailed budget provided by the Cornell-engi­ explore this area and can lead a hike later this summer. neering students were most likely major contributors to the Guidebook and Publications: The status of the success ofour application. A progress report with an item­ guidebook is unknown. Peter Harriott will check with ized list of expenditures will need to be submitted. Betty Lewis on the anticipated publication date. The de­ Tom Reimers suggested the CTC should become a mand for the guidebook continues to grow. If there is member of the American Hiking Society. The society is a going to be a further delay, a plan to distribute maps only strong advocate of hiking trails and hikers. That the will need to be established. There have not been any Cayuga Trails Club become a member of the American changes in road crossings, and the new sections oftrail are Hiking Society was moved, seconded, and passed by the blazed adequately. Executive Board. Trails: Kurt Seitz reported that he will send an email National Trails Day: National Trails Day is Saturday to the general membership looking for someone who is June 2. The CTC will provide shuttle service to the grand interested in becoming a crew leader to organize and opening of the new office of the Finger Lakes Trail supervise monthly trail maintenance sessions. A list of Conference located at the Mt. Morris Dam site on the potential trail projects and their priority was handed out to Genesee River south of Rochester. Hikes, entertainment, the board. At the landowner's request, there will be a and a barbecue are planned. John Andersson will be the relocation of the Finger Lakes Trail off Black Oak Road contact person for arrangements. near Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. 'There Cayuga Lake Waterfront Trail: Tom Reimers was will be logging done in Shindagin Hollow State Forest. appointed to the advisory board for the Cayuga Lake However, the location is far enough from the Finger Lakes Waterfront Trail. This new 6-mile trail will go along the Trail that there should not be a big impact. The bridges at east side of Cayuga Lake from Lake Shore Drive south to Trumbull Comers Road, which were scheduled for com­ the Farmer's Market, Stewart Park, Cornell and Ithaca pletion last year but were not, will be constructed this College boat yards, then north along the west side of the year. Hikers on the Finger Lakes Trail will be able to use lake to Cass Park and Allan Treman State Marine Park. temporary footbridges that will be constructed for use by The trail will connect with the Black Diamond Trail.

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Late Spring 2001 Report on Walk, Look, and Trails Chairman Report Learn Hike #450 by Kurt Seitz [email protected] • Date-March 4, 2001 607/564-7417 • Location-Hammond Hill State Forest, Town of warm welcome to spring and the start of a new Dryden, Tompkins County season of hiking and trail work. This is a time of • Leaders-Suzanne Cohen and Jennifer Wilson Ayear when I'd like to be spending every sunny hour alancing the dire warnings of an impending of the day doing trail work. Then I come to my senses and Nor'easter against the reality of a long-awaited realize that I need a paycheck, so getting out on the trails Bfresh base of snowfall on Beam and Hammond has to wait until I'm done working a job that may not be hills, eight club members and eight guests met at 1 :30 p.m. as satisfying but is going to pay the bills. Every summer I at the snowplow turnaround where Beam Hill Road, am tempted to move into a tent so I can afford to devote approached from the west, effectively ends. Tree branches my time to trails. Keeping this in mind, it is very grati­ sagged under their white burdens and the tracks through fying that last year was such a successful one working on deep snowdrifts beckoned. The relatively large ski party trails. Volunteers contributed a whopping 3,300 hours decided to break into three separate groups so participants toward maintenance and trail improvements in Y2K in the could choose easy, moderate, or difficult levels of terrain. Suzanne Cohen and one member explored the maze of club's region within Tompkins and Schuyler counties. serene winter trails crowning Beam Hill. Jennifer Wilson This includes 1,600 hours contributed by Cornell ASCE and six skiers snowplowed their way off Beam Hill to Star students on the Cayuta Gulf footbridges, 3 77 hours by the Stanton HilI Road, a route that posed one especially mem­ Alley Cat Trail crew on the Rogers Hill Lean-to, 48 hours orable steep drop veering abruptly at the bottom. The by Cornell Outdoor Education students, 40 hours by Boy group then herringboned its way back up Beam Hill, re­ Scout Troop 4, and over 1,250 hours by Cayuga Trails moving skis briefly to relax at an inviting trailside lean-to. Club volunteers. Meanwhile, Lois Chaplin and seven individuals shuttled Although there are no huge projects planned for 2001 , to Hammond Hill, where they explored the many trails there is stiII much work to be done and we could use help. there before making the descent along some new state I'm looking for a volunteer to lead trail work trips this forest trails which provided the party with some excellent year. It would require only basic knowledge of trail main­ downhiII runs! Lois and company then explored trails tenance and construction or the willingness to learn. through the valley between the two hills before making the Ideally there would be one work session each month trek up Beam Hill and back to their cars. As weary skiers through October. Typically the leader would bring the departed, the snowstorm's first gentle traces completed the tools necessary for the day, be a contact person for those peaceful winter scenery. But hot drinks, homemade interested in working, and be able to give directions to the brownies, and social chat were the reward for those who crew ofvolunteers. Ifyou are interested, please contact me delayed the ride home for a visit around Lois's kitchen table at her Beam Hill home. 'iil> at [email protected] or 607/ 564-7417. Thank you to the following volunteers who worked on Welcome to New Members CTC trail crews last year: Tom Reimers, Bill Bergmark, Donna Bergmark, Kara Ott, Sean McGee, Greg Wooster, Betty Hansen, Marsha Zgola, Jennifer Wilson, Cliff Louise Buck Paul Pratt Abbott, Doris Abbott, Betty Lewis, Jack Van Derzee, Peter Harriot, Michael Kazarinoff, Suzanne Cohen, Jay Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14851-6845 Zitter, Bill Fair, Tze-Hei Yong, Jim Connors, Laura Tan­ ski, Oskar Schmidt, Robin Schmidt, John Andersson, Paul Sirois, Barb Morley, John Chamberlain, Galen Morley, Chris Tate, Ed Hart, Gail Blake, and Phil Davis. 'iil> Leonard Cohen & Linda Frank

Homer, NY 13077

Cayuga Trails - 5 - Late Spring 2001 • WLL I

Taughannock Falls State Orchids and Other Flora Park for Mother's Day of Mclean Bog

Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #452 Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #453 May 13, 2001 (Sunday) June10,2001 (Sunday) • Location-The Rim Trail, Taughannock Falls State • Location- McLean Bog, Cortland County Park, Tompkins County • Meeting Place-Empty comer of Lansing P&C lot • Meeting Place-Lower Gorge Trail parking lot, near Pizza Hut off Triphammer Road about 7 miles north oflthaca on NY Route 89. The lot is located on the west side of Route 89, immediately • Meeting Time- 1:00 p.m. before the Taughannock Creek bridge. Ifthat lot is full, he word "orchid" conjures im­ park in the east lot (directly across Route 89). ages of tropical jungles, hot­ houses full of frail vegetation, or • Meeting Time- 1:00 p.m. T even nightmarish scenes from Little lifford Blizard, geologist and teacher, will lead an Shop of Horrors with its carnivorous approximately 4.2-mile hike along the north and and very orchid-like plant, Audrey. In Csouth rims ofTaughannock Gorge. We will gaze at fact, the diverse representatives in the Taughannock Falls (vertically descending 215 feet into a orchid family are found on every con­ 30-foot plunge pool) from numerous viewpoints. Along tinent except Antarctica, including upstate New York. the way, we will also read the region's rich geologic his­ And, they don't devour anything living, even insects, tory, written in rock and river. Taughannock Creek flows although some have very interesting pollination tricks. A over shale and limestone, formed 360 million years ago, few of the most beautiful and interesting species reside in when Upstate New York was a shallow tropical sea. The this small and remote Cornell biological field station and gorge itself is very young, and owes its existence to the will likely be in bloom. Cayuga Trails Club member and Laurentide Ice Sheet, which blanketed the area as recently longtime tropical orchid hobbyist Jennifer Wilson has as 15,000 years ago. The North and South Rim trails are obtained permission to lead a short foray to this non­ well-marked and maintained. They include two very steep public research site. She will also share photos oforchids , sections, with plenty of steps. Bring fluids and a snack if orchid look-alikes, and bog plants found growing in this desired. For more information about this hike, call Clifford and other upstate bogs. Walking on at 607/277-1588. 'fl ~..,:'I. boardwalk over the quaking bog may be a little tricky, but the hike is otherwise very short and easy. Bring cameras. The exercise-conscious may walk later at the Lime Hollow Nature Center. For more information, contact Jennifer at 607/753-8641 or via email at wilsonj @cortland.edu. 'i>

Cayuga Trails - 6 - Late Spring 2001 Hike the Bristol Hills and Special CTC Hike Letchworth Trails June 9, 2001 (Saturday) et's hike the beautiful Bristol Hills Branch Trail this • Location-The Abbott Loop Trail, Danby State summer. The Bristol Hills Branch Trail is a major Forest, Tompkins County Lnorth-south branch trail of the Finger Lakes Trail • Meeting Place-Danby Park and Ride lot on comer System. The northern terminus of this 52-mile-long trail of NY Route 96B and Gunderman Road, six miles is in Ontario County Park just west ofBristol Springs, NY. south of Ithaca The southern terminus is on the main Finger Lakes Trail • Meeting Time-12:00 noon about midway between Avoca and Hammondsport. Hikes will be lead by Linda Mattice. For more infor­ TC members Sean McGee and Kara Ott will lead mation contact Linda [email protected] or an invigorating Saturday morning special hike of 716/768-4999. The hikes will take place rain or shine. The C the full Abbott Loop, a premiere Finger Lakes-area maps indicated below are produced and sold by the Finger trail that features a scenic overlook of the Inlet Valley in Lakes Trail Conference Service Center, P.O. Box 18048, the Town ofDanby. Created and maintained by long-time Rochester, NY 14618- 0048. Ifyou have questions or need CTC members Doris and Clifford Abbott, the trail is 8.6 more information about the trail or maps, contact the miles long and includes 1.9 miles of the 560-mile-long service center by phone at 716/288-7191 or email at fltc Finger Lakes Trail. Participants will climb to a spectacular @frontiernet.net. ledge called Thatcher's Pinnacles at an elevation of 1, 700 feet. The Pinnacles overlooks the Lindsay-Parsons Bio­ • June 3, Sunday diversity Preserve owned by the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Map B-1 , access point 1 to access point 5. 12.8 miles. Fairly rugged climbs and descents are hard to avoid on Meet at 9:30 a.m. in parking area on NY Route 245 in this hike, although it may be shortened by placing "bailout Naples just over the Naples Creek bridge. cars" at strategic intersections in advance. The Danby Park • July 1, Sunday and Ride is on the west side of NY Route 96B just past Maps B-1 and B-2, access point 5 to Pulver Road. 13.2 Gunderman Road. Those commuting from the south may meet at the trail head on Michigan Hollow Road, allowing miles. Meet at 9:30 a.m. in the off-road parking area on time for the main group from Danby to show up. Partic­ Pulver Road. ipants are advised to bring plenty of fluids and snacks for • August5,Sunday this outing, which could last 4 or more hours on the trail. Maps B-2 and B-3, Pulver Road to access point 14. For more information, contact Sean and Kara at 607/ 13.3 miles. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at access point 14 on 272-0489 or [email protected]. Prattsburg-Pultney Road. • September 16, Sunday Cayuga Trails Club Map B-3, access point 14 to access point 19 and a 2001 Executive Board smidgen of the main Finger Lakes Trail. 14.0 miles. President ...... Suzanne Cohen Meet at 9:30 a.m. at junction of NY Route 53 and Vice President ...... John Andersson Larue Road. Treasurer ...... Jack Van Derzee Secretary/Finance ...... Betty Hansen Something special for the long-distance hiker: 21.5 Walle, Look, & Learn Hikes . . .. Jennifer Wilson miles on the Letchworth Trail, also a branch trail of the Trails ...... Kurt Seitz FLT System in Letchworth State Park south ofRochester. Betty Hansen Almost all of this trail follows the east side of the massive Trail Landowner Liaison ...... Peter Harriott Guide Book & Publications . . . . Betty Lewis Genesee River gorge. The fairly level trail traverses more Membership ...... Sara Miller Catterall varieties of woodlands per mile than any comparable sec­ Newsletter ...... Tom Reimers tion of the Finger Lakes Trail System. Archives/Historian ...... Frances Lauman Social ...... John Andersson • September 2, Sunday Publicity ...... Susan Wiser Hike leader: Linda Mattice (see above for information). Adopt-A-Highway ...... Phil Dankert Maps L-1 and L-2/M-7. 21.5 miles. Meet at 7:30 a.m. At-Large Members ...... Clifford Blizard where trail crosses NY Route 436 in Portageville. 'iii' Susan Wiser

Cayuga Trails - 7 - Late Spring 2001 Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, May 13 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #452. Rim Trail in Taughannock Falls State Park. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. in the lower Gorge Trail parking lot about 7 miles north of Ithaca on NY Route 89. Clifford Blizard, leader (607 /277-1588). Details on page 6. Saturday, June 2 ...... National Trails Day Celebration. Grand opening of new headquarters office of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. Mt. Morris Flood Control Dam, Mt. Morris, NY. CTC members are welcome. Carpools leave Ithaca at 7 :30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Contact John Andersson, carpool coordinator, in advance {607/898-3058 or [email protected] or jandersson @tompkins-co.org. Details on page 3. Tuesday, June 5 ...... CTC Executive Board meeting. 7:30 p.m. Scott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail Building, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. Member are welcome to attend. Saturday, June 9 ...... Adopt-A-Highway Program. Second 2001 cleanup of two miles of NY Route 366. Meet just before 10:00 a.m. in Cornell's "O" parking lot at the intersection of Caldwell Road and Route 366. Garbage bags and safety equipment will be provided. Phil Dankert, leader (607 /257-2578, prd2 @come/I.edu).

Saturday, June 9 ...... Special CTC hike on the Abbott Loop Trail. Meet at 12:00 noon at Danby Park and Ride lot on corner of NY Route 968 and Gunderman Road, Danby. Sean McGee and Kara Ott, leaders (607/272-0489, ottmcgee@email .msn.com. Details on page 7.

Sunday, June 10 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #453. Mclean Bog in Cortland County. Meet at 1 :00 p.m . at the empty corner of Lansing P & C lot near Pizza Hut off Triphammer Road. Jennifer Wilson, leader (607 /753-8641, wilsonj @cortland.edu. Details on page 6 .

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. Sara Miller Catterall, Cayuga Trails mailing P.O. Box 754 Ithaca, NV 14851-0754 Newsletter of the Cayuga Trails Club Founded in 7962 "to explore, enjoy, and preserve wild lands and places of natural beauty... "

July-August 2001 Summer Edition Vol. 41, Nos. 7 & 8

CTC Member Ed Sidote Receives Volunteer of the Year Award for New York!

by Irene Szabo

t last: Edward Sidote, who has nominated many others for the American Hiking Society's Volunteer of the AYear Award given in each state for National Trails Day, who has tirelessly promoted NTD events, who still selflessly aids and encourages Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) end­ to-end hikers in their quest for maps, car-spotters, and food drops, who tirelessly publicizes and promotes the FLT in the eastern half ofNew York, who has committed endless hours to fastidious trail maintenance and encouraged other people and groups to do the same, who was pioneering FLT end-to­ ender #3 at the age of70-sornething back in 1990, has finally received his own long-deserved Volunteer ofthe Year Award for 200 l for all of New York State. New members ofthe Finger Lakes Trail Conference [and Cayuga Trails Club] may have only begun to hear ofEd , first ·perhaps because of his regular column [in the Finger Lakes Trail News] updating end-to-end hiker ambitions, and second, because our trail protection fund is named the Sidote Stew­ ardship Fund in his honor. He was president of the FLTC Board of Managers just over l 0 years ago, still serves as publicity chair, and helped build trail to complete the next-to­ Summer Social Event! last gap in the main trail on FLT map M-12 in Steuben County, a long way from his home in Chenango County. Ed August 1 invented the idea of the cross-county hike series, especially those which included a majorpublic outreach component, and has thereby been personally responsible for untold numbers ome enjoy fellow Cayuga Trails Club members at of new memberships in the FLTC. Ed continues to contribute upper Buttermilk Falls State Park on Wednesday, new ideas regularly to the officers of the board, most ofthem CAugust 1. We have reserved the pavilion for shade about publicity for the trail or fund-raising, and most of them or in case ofrain. Bring a dish to pass, tableware, a drink, before 7:00 a.m. by phone. He's a pip, and a giant of a and something to grill for yourself. The CTC will provide contributor to our own home-grown volunteer-fueled Finger charcoal. We'll plan to eat about 6:00. Come early or stay Lakes Trail! Mr. Sidote, we salute you and thank you. With­ later for unorganized hikes down the gorge or around Lake out you, we would be more pale an organization. Treman. Bring friends and introduce them to the CTC! Reprinted with permission from Finger Lakes Trail News. Reservation not required! Preside.nt's Message

by Suzanne Cohen

just ate some freshly Americans, and hiking grew by 48 .4 percent to 73 .1 picked strawberries that million. We have to keep working to provide places for all Itasted like they had been of these people to hike (and to also get all of these hikers dipped in sugar- I think it's to help us)! The survey can be found at www.'-srsjsfed.us going to be a good summer! ltrendslnsre. html. Of course, eating fresh fruits While on vacation, I recently met a couple who had and vegetables is just one of relocated to Florida because of job opportunities. They the joys of the season. Walk­ complained that they needed to drive everywhere, that ing and hiking on warm sum­ there were very few natural areas within a 60-mile radius mer days ranks right up there from their home, and that their quality oflife had seriously with eating. There was a lot of declined since leaving their home state oflowa. Going out walking and hiking going on for a walk just wasn't that easy to do with all of the traffic, this past weekend, with three concrete, and noise that they found themselves surrounded Cayuga Trails Club events getting some great attendance by. I think all of us, from time to time, probably take for and new member participation. Special thanks to the event granted the peaceful places and wonderful opportunities leaders. We know that our members are looking for action, for recreation that Tompkins and surrounding counties and we are going to try to provide that in the form of provide. Let's continue to enhance those opportunities and Walk, Look, and Learn hikes, some faster/longer hikes, help to create new ones. trail maintenance sessions, and social events. Please look Although the annual meeting ofthe Finger Lakes Trail for details in this issue of the newsletter and join us. Conference this past May in Watkins Glen was hosted by I was reading the latest issue of American Hiker the Adirondack Mountain Club-Finger Lakes Chapter, I magazine and discovered some interesting statistics taken and others wanted to give CTC member Tom Reimers from the 2000 National Survey on Recreation and the credit for organizing great hikes, a wonderful program,' Environment from the USDA Forest Service. In 1960, 131 and a perfect location at Seneca Lodge. I know that many million Americans over the age of 16 said they partic­ CTC members enjoyed the conference weekend. ipated in some form of outdoor recreation. In 2000, the I hope you all have a wonderful summer, and I hope number rose to 220 million. From 1982 to 2001 , partic­ to see you at one of our scheduled events. ipation in walking grew by 85.4 percent to 179 million Woodchucks

uestion: I was walking along the edge ofa woods good look around. I guess we can also add picking apples (a last fall when an apple almost fell on my head. I favorite food) to the list. Tell your friends to keep their heads Qlooked up and there was a woodchuck sitting on a up when walking in open areas with trees around. They branch eight feet above me. The tree was straight with no might see for themselves. Ground Hog Day not withstanding, limbs for the first six feet. I told several friends, but no woodchucks (the more common name for ground hogs in our one believes me. They say woodchucks can't climb trees. neck of the woods) usually don't emerge from their winter Can they? hibernation until the end of Feb­ Answer: Yes they can. Although they are most ruary or the beginning of March. comfortable on solid ground, and their chunky body does From New York State Depart­ not look agile enough for such things, woodchucks are ment of Environmental Con­ good climbers. And they don't need a sloping trunk or servation, Region 8 conveniently located branches to do it. The books tell us they will climb trees to escape predators or just to take a

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Summer 2001 Railroads, Gorges, Fungi on and Reservoir Connecticut Hill

Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #454 Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #455 July 8, 2001 (Sunday) August19,2001 (Sunday) • Location-South Hill Recreation Way, Town of • Location-Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management ·· Ithaca Area, Tompkins County • Meeting Place-East Hill Plaza near P & C, Pine • Meeting Place-Ithaca Shopping Plaza by Taco Tree Road, Ithaca Bell across NYS Route 13 from K-Mart Pla.za, Ithaca • Meeting Time-1 :30 p.m. • Meeting Time-1 :00 p.m. eter Harriott will lead this walk along the route of the DL&W railroad built in 1832 and abandoned in or a third year, Cris McConkey will lead a hike in P1956. Hikers will start at Bums Road and walk the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area that towards the City oflthaca with a side trip for a view ofthe Ffocuses on the edible fungi that can often be found Ithaca reservoir. Learn more about this railroad and in the woods this time ofyear, especially ifthere has been several others that once served Ithaca. For additional recent rain. A portion of the hike will repeat last year's information call Peter at 607 /273-6049. route, which follows a tributary to Cayutaville Creek that starts near the top of Connecticut Hill and continues westward. The route includes one or more wildlife ponds, remnants of an old steam-powered sawmill, and the entrance (now closed) to an old coal mine. Additionally, Cris may lead participants along a new spur to the Finger Lakes Trail that significantly extends the existing Bob Cameron Loop (named for the former caretaker of Connecticut Hill), depending on whether the necessary trail building is completed in time. For that reason, it is advisable to be prepared for a moderately difficult hike of up to six miles in length. Bring fluids, a snack and, if desired, a small basket or bag and knife in case edible fungi are found. For more information, contact Cris at 607/387-9830 or [email protected]. Connecticut Hill is the largest wildlife management area in New York State, totaling 11,045 acres. It's located 16 miles southwest of Ithaca and 1 mile northeast of Alpine, astride the Tompkins-Schuyler county line.

Cayuga Trails - 3 - Summer 2001 Report on Walk, Loo.k, and Learn Hike #452

• Date-May 13, 2001

• Location-Rim Trail in Taughannock Falls State Park • Leader--Clifford Blizard

ighteen intrepid hikers, ranging in age from young adolescents to seasoned charter members of the ECayuga Trails Club, hiked the North and South Rim Trails at Taughannock Falls State Park. The sky was crystal clear, the temperature in the pleasant lower 60s with a moderate wind. Our walk began with an overview of Finger Lakes geology. We then strolled to the lower falls near the park entrance where Taughannock Creek flows over the Tully Limestone. The Tully Formation,

Cayuga Trails Club Vice President John Andersson led this group of hikers learned, dates to the Devonian Era, around 360 hikers on the Finger Lakes Trail during the annual meeting ofthe million years ago, and provides evidence that the Ithaca Finger Lakes Trail Conference in Watkins Glen in May. Photo by region was once a tropical inland sea. Marsha Zgola. After ascending about 150 steps, we walked gradually uphill along the North Rim Trail, pausing at gaps in the trees to watch the creek flowing over a smooth limestone layer in its bed far below. Views looking down the gorge toward Cayuga Lake were stunning. We approached the falls and paused at the upper overlook. Taughannock Gorge, we decided, might easily be classified as a canyon, reminiscent of a landscape in the western U.S. Cayuga Trails Club Continuing along the North Rim Trail, we crossed the 2001 Executive Board creek well above the falls. Wild orange columbine President ...... Suzanne Cohen bloomed profusely along rocky ledges in the upper gorge. Vice President ...... John Andersson We headed back toward the lower parking lot along the Treasurer...... Jack Van Derzee South Rim Trail. Along the way back, we observed an Secretary/Finance ...... Betty Hansen Walk, Look, & Learn Hikes .... Jennifer Wilson optical illusion: when viewed from the trail, looking Trails ...... Kurt Seitz down-gorge, Cayuga Lake appeared to be above Betty Hansen Taughannock Creek, as if the creek were somehow Trail Landowner Liaison ...... Peter Harriott flowing uphill toward the lake! Guide Book & Publications ... . Betty Lewis Membership ...... Sara Miller Catterall Newsletter ...... Tom Reimers Archives/Historian ...... Frances Lauman Social ...... John Andersson Cayuga Trails is published six times each year Publicity ...... Susan Wiser and is edited -and published by Thomas J. Adopt-A-Highway ...... Phil Dankert Reimers. Comments and original contributions At-Large Members ...... Clifford Blizard are welcome. Deadline for the early fall issue Susan Wiser is August 15, 2001. Send to 3C Wildflower Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850 or [email protected].

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Summer 2001 Trails Report Special CTC Hike by Kurt Seitz September 8, 2001 (Saturday) ummer is upon us and with spring maintenance of trails completed we can concentrate on several • Location- Shindagin Hollow and Potato S projects that are in the works. Several relocations of Hill State Forests and lands in between, the Finger Lakes Trail will take place on Connecticut Hill, Tompkins County on the Sweedler Preserve at Lick Brook, and in Shindagin • Meeting Place- East Hill Plaza parking lot Hollow State Forest. None.of the relocations will deviate near Collegetown Bagels, Pine Tree Road, far from the current route of the trail. But some are more extensive than I can handle on my own, so I have sched­ Ithaca uled two work trips to complete them. • Meeting Time-I 0:00 a.m. On Saturday, July 14, we will be rerouting nearly a mile of the Finger Lakes Trail in Connecticut Hill State lub officer Susan Wiser will lead a special Wildlife Management Area away from a very wet area, hike along the Finger Lakes Trail from beau­ away from a section of forest that will be logged over, and Ctiful Shindagin Hollow State Forest eastward away from Ridge Road which runs parallel to the trail. We in Tompkins County. The hike of approximately 12 will meet at 9:30 a.m. where the FLT crosses Ridge Road miles will be from the Finger Lakes Trail crossing on just south ofCabi n Road. Contact me at [email protected] White Church Road east to the NY Route 79 crossing. or 607/564-7417 ifyou need directions or have questions. It is of moderate difficulty due to its length and hill On Saturday, August 4, Jennifer Wilson will lead a climbing. The trip features a stop at the Shindagin crew in relocating the Finger Lakes Trail off a logging Hollow Lean-to and a foray across our club's road in Shindagin Hollow State Forest. Meet at 9:30 a.m. freshly-made trail which removes the FLT from a where the FLT crosses Braley Hill Road in the state forest. logging road and places it inside pristine state forest Contact Jennifer at [email protected]. edu or lands. The club doesn't often hike sections of the 607/7 53-8641 if you need directions or have questions. FLT, so come enjoy this experience and we'll arrange For both of these work sessions, bring gloves, water, more in the future. For more information, contact and lunch or snack food. Tools will be available, but you Susan Wiserat607/[email protected]. are welcome to bring your own. Please contact Betty Hansen at [email protected] or 607/546-2812 for a NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Adopt-A-Natural-Resource form if you have not already signed one. CTC Members Welcome to On a different subject, the DEC has requested that we FLTC Presidents Hike help with enforcement of illegal uses on state land, especially by motorized vehicles. Mark Zubal, regional state forester, writes, "We will try to increase the law Saturday, July 28 enforcement of the area, however we are having the same ayuga Trails Club newsletter editor Tom Reimers problems on every one of the 51 state forests in the will lead the Finger Lakes Trail Conference's district. We would appreciate any help that you and your CPresidents Hike from West Jersey Hill Road in the fellow users can provide. If you see a definite pattern of Town of Danby to Woodard Road in the Town ofEnfield, use, time of day, and day of week, please let us know and Tompkins County (6 miles). Meet at 9:30 a.m. in the we will try to catch them. Our law enforcement officers parking area of upper Robert Treman State Park off NY were able to catch and ticket 6 ATVers on Hammond Hill Route 327. Among other interesting places, this hike will State Forest over the holiday [Memorial Day] weekend." pass by the beautiful Lick Brook gorge in the Sweedler People can contact the DEC in Cortland at 6071753-3095. Nature Preserve owned by the Finger Lakes Land Trust On a final note to trail adopters, please get out on your and the Babcock Preserve owned by Cornell University. sections of trail this summer to clear new growth from Tom suggests carpooling from home as there will be a across the trail and from in front ofbla zes and to clear any parking fee charged in the state park. Contact Tom with storm damage. Tools, inc 1uding brushcutters and a mower, any questions at 607/272-8679 or [email protected]. are available for use by maintainers. Most important ofall have fun and have a great summer! Modified from Finger Lakes Trail News

Cayuga Trails - 5 - Summer 2001 Report on Executive trail will be relocated Saturday, June 9. Only a small work party is needed for this short relocation. Board Meeting Kurt will lead trail work sessions on June 23 (9:30 a.m.) and July 14 (9:30 a.m. ). Jennifer Wilson volunteered to lead the work session scheduled for August 4. The he Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club met Finger Lakes Trail in Shindagin Hollow will be relocated on June 5, 2001, for a regular meeting in the Scott prior to the logging planned for the winter. Once the THeyman Conference Room, Old Jail, 125 East Court relocation is complete, Jennifer will plan a hike on the Street, Ithaca. Present were John Andersson, Sara Miller new trail for the fall. Catterall, Suzanne Cohen, Phil Dankert, Betty Hansen, Howard Beye, chairman of the Trail Management Peter Harriott, Kurt Seitz, Jack Van Derzee, and Jennifer Committee of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, sug­ Wilson. The following is a summary of items discussed gested thatthe Cayuga Trails Club take over maintenance and actions taken as recorded by Secretary Betty Hansen. of the section of Finger Lakes Trail in Finger Lakes President Cohen called the meeting to order at 7:30 National Forest. Board members agreed that the club p.m. Treasurer Van Derzee reported that the checking should maintain this area. Betty Hansen will contact account balance was $1,3 76.02 and that the saving account District Ranger Martha Twarkins with the offer to balance was $7,841.87. maintain this area. Ed Kokkelenberg currently maintains Walk, Look and Learn Hikes: Jennifer Wilson the section in the national forest on Satterly Hill. Jack Van reported that the Earth Day hike in April led by Tom Derzee has an interest in adopting the remaining section Reimers and the May hike led by Clifford Blizard were from Logan Road to Burnt Hill Road. It was discussed well attended. Jennifer will lead the June hike on Sunday whether the club should take responsibility for the the 10th in McLean Bog. Peter Harriott volunteered to Interlaken Trail, a 12-mile-long branch trail of the Finger lead the July WLL hike. It will be a loop hike starting at Lakes Trail System in the forest. It was decided not to Burns Road in Ithaca and will include the old railroad bed assume responsibility for this trail since portions of it are used by the Ithaca-Owego Railroad. Cris McConkey will multi-use. lead the August WLL hike on the Bob Cameron Loop and Betty Hansen reported thatthe U.S. Forest Service has a new section of the FLT which should be approved for released the Draft ~nvi~on~ental Impact Statement for the / construction and completed by August. A special (longer proposed gas leasmg m Fmger Lakes National ForesC and more vigorous) hike will be planned for the fall. Based on public comments received to date, the preferred Guidebook and Publications: Betty Lewis was not alternative is Alternative 2: "Leasing under a More Re­ present. Suzanne reported there is still some work to be strictive Surface Disturbance Land Base." Under this alter­ done on the guidebook. Betty Lewis expects the guide­ native, surface occupancy would be allowed in areas book to be ready by the end of June depending on how located mainly in the northern and eastern fringes of the well map production goes. forest. These areas are far from the Finger Lakes Trail and Membership: Sara Miller Catterall reported there are are north of the end of the Interloken Trail. Therefore, currently 146 memberships or approximately 200 mem­ there is likely to be little impact on the trails and hikers. bers of the club. Sara will compile the member interests as Adopt-A-Highway Program: Phil Dankert reported indicated on the membership application and send them to that attendance at the cleanup sessions on NY Route 366 the appropriate committee chairs. continues to be good, averaging about 10 people. The next Social: John Andersson reported that 12 Cayuga Trails highway cleanups will be June 9 and August 18. Club members attended the grand opening of the Finger Old Business: The Cayuga Trails Club is now an Lakes Trail Conference headquarters at Mt. Morris, NY, affiliate ofthe American Hiking Society and is listed on its on June 2, National Trails Day. The board decided to hold Web site. Jack indicated that, if desired, we can list our a picnic at the pavilion in upper Buttermilk Falls State hikes on the society's Web site. Park. The club will provide charcoal for the grill and New Business: Ways to help recruit new members for lighter fluid. Members are asked to bring a dish-to-pass the Finger Lakes Trail Conference were discussed. Pos­ and/or their own items to grill. sibilities included a targeted mailing to Cayuga Trails Trails: Kurt Seitz reported the following. Relocation Club members who are not current members of the FLTC of the Finger Lakes Trail off Black Oak Road has been or offering such a list to the executive director of the approved. The trail will no longer be on Black Oak Road FLTC. Sara informed us that all new members receive an but will come off Cayutaville Road and into woods. The FLTC brochure with their welcoming letter. It was decided

Cayuga Trails - 6 - Summer 2001 to run a promotion for membership in the FLTC in several of the upcoming issues of Cayuga Trails. Welcome to the Following A "no-trespassing" sign has been placed on the west New Members side of the railroad bridge east of Robert H. Treman State Park. Trails Chairman Kurt Seitz suggested that the Finger Lakes Trail, which has used this bridge across Cayuga Karin S. Ash & Bill Huling Inlet for many years, could be reblazed so it crosses the inlet under the bridge. Blazes would be removed from the Ithaca, NY 14850 railroad bridge. The next Executive Board meeting is scheduled for August 7 at the Scott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail. Bill & Sarah Demo The subsequent meeting is scheduled for October 2. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Ithaca, NY 14850

Report on Walk, Look, and Kathleen Maginnity Learn Hike 453 Interlaken, NY 14847

• Date-June 10, 2001

• Location-McLean Bog, Cortland County Susan Ritter • Leader-Jennifer Wilson Ithaca NY 14850 sunny afternoon and the sounds of frogs and \ crickets greeted 16 members and six guests who \ A visited McLean Bog with special permission from the Lloyd Cornell Preservation, a non-public research site. Deana Scott Cornell University graduate students first surveyed the bogs in 1916, making McLean Bog one ofthe oldest, most Van Etten, NY 14889 complete biological surveys of a natural area anywhere. A brief introduction in the parking lot at the Lime Hollow Nature Center, by hike leader Jennifer Wilson, prepared Herta Teitelbaum the gathering for what they would see. The group de­ scended a grassy hill into a marshy area bisected by a Ithaca NY 14850 small stream called a fen, which signaled the beginning of the 84-acre wetlands preserve. They ventured out, a few at a time, along a boardwalk overlooking a pond teeming with life and bordered by lavender-colored wild iris and other flowers. Approaching a bog across Beaver Creek, the party trod a boardwalk where they encountered hundreds of mysterious-looking pitcher plants, festooned with their peculiar blooms. These carnivorous plants were waiting for the errant flies to fall inside their cups, to be dissolved by the plants' digestive enzymes, and help them survive the nutritional shortcomings of bog life. Bog rosemary, blueberry, wild leek, and jack-in-the-pulpit abounded. Of the rare ladyslipper orchid, however, there was no sign. Later, some members who wished to extend their outing returned to the Lime Hollow Nature Center to explore its rich flora and fauna.

Cayuga Trails - 7 - Summer 2001 Mark Your Calendars Sunday, July 8 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #454. South Hill Recreation Way. Meet at 1 :30 p.m. at East Hill Plaza, Pine Tree Road, Ithaca. Peter Harriott, leader (607/273-6049). Details on page 3. Saturday, July 14 ...... Trail work session to reroute nearly one mile of Finger Lakes Trail in Connec­ ticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. Meet at 9:30 a.m. where the FLT crosses Ridge Road just south of Cabin Road. Kurt Seitz, leader ([email protected] or 607/564-7417). Details on page 5. Saturday, July 28 ...... Finger Lakes Trail Conference Presidents Hike on the Finger Lakes Trail in Tomp­ kins County from West Jersey Hill Road to Woodard Road (6 miles). CTC members welcome. Meet at 9:30 a.m. in the parking area of upper Robert Treman State Park off NY Route 327. Tom Reimers, leader ([email protected] or 607/272-8679). Details on page 5. Wednesday, August 1 Summ.er dish-to-pass social event. Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park off West King Road. Bring friends and introduce them to the CTC! Details on page 1. Saturday, August 4 .... Trail work session to relocate the Finger Lakes Trail off a logging road in Shindagin Hollow State Forest. Meet at 9:30 a.m. where the trail crosses Braley Hill Road in the state forest. Jennifer Wilson, leader ([email protected] or 607/ 753-8641 ). Details on page 5. Saturday, August 18 .... Adopt-A-Highway Program. Third 2001 cleanup of "our" two miles of NY Route 366. Meet just before 10:00 a.m. in the middle of Cornell's "O" parking lot off Route 366. Where we usually meet at the east end of the lot will probably still be under construction. If construction is complete, we will meet at the usual location in the parking lot near Caldwell Road. Garbage bags and safety equipment will be provided. Phil Dankert, leaqer (6071257-2578, [email protected]). Sunday, August 19 ..... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #455. Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at Ithaca Shopping Plaza by Taco Bell across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza. Cris Mcconkey, leader ([email protected], 607/387-9830. See page 3 for details. Saturday, September 8 . . Special CTC hike on Finger Lakes Trail from Shindagin Hollow State Forest to NY Route 79. Meet at East Hill Plaza parking lot near Collegetown Bagels, Ithaca. Susan Wiser, leader ([email protected], 6071539-6342). Details on page 5.

Cayuga Trails Club NON-PROFIT Sara Miller Catterall, Cayuga Trails mailing ORGANIZATION P.O. Box 754 U.S. POSTAGE Ithaca, NY 14851-0754 PAID ITHACA, NY PERMIT NO. 94

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1. .. 11 .. 1!.!! .. . !. I! 11 I Ii I l I I I : I I Newsletter of the Cayuga Trails Club Founded in 7962 "to explore, enjoy, and preserve wild lands and places of natural beauty. .. "

September- October 2001 Early Fall Edition Vol. 41 , Nos. 9 & 10 Next ikes Geology of Lime Hollow As High as You Can Get Around Here Walk Look and Learn Hike #456 September 9, 2001 (Sunday) Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #457 "' Location-Lime Hollow Nature Center in October 7, 2001 (Sunday) Cortland County. "' Location-Virgil Mountain loop trail in Virgil "' Meeting Place-Unoccupied comer of Cayuga State Forest, Cortland County Mall parking lot, next to Pizza Hut, offTriphammer "' Meeting Place-Dryden village parking lot ______Road near the NY Route 13 exit From there, we (behind Dryden First National Bank) or Hollen- will carpool to the site. beck's Cider Mill in Virgil "' Meeting Time-1:00 p.m. "' Meeting Times-I :00 p.m. at Dryden village lifford Blizard, geologist.and te.acher, will lead an parking lot or 1: 15 p.m. at Hollenbeck's approximately three-mile hike through the oe Dabes will lead a five-mile hike on the Virgil glacially-formed landscape ofLime Hollow Nature C Mountain loop trail, whic~ consists oft~ee miles of Center. Stroll with us atop the Valley Heads Moraine and J main Finger Lakes Trail and two miles of the appreciate the kettle and kame topography that charac­ orange-blazed Virgil Mountain spur trail. Virgil Mountain terizes Lime Hollow. In addition to considering how the is the highest point (2, 132 feet) within at least 75 miles of landscape formed with the retreat of the Laurentide Ice here, so expect spectacular views of fall foliage from the Sheet approximately 12,000 years ago, we will also delve top of Greek Peak ski slopes. The hike will be through deeper into the geological history of the area. Atop Fossil hardwoods and a variety of conifer plantations, the latter Dome, we will find fossils of invertebrates from the Devo­ planted in the 1930s. Identification and uses of the trees nian sea floor (approximately 360 million years old) from along the course will be mentioned. With the creation of a time when the Finger Lakes Region was a warm, shallow the Virgil Mountain spur in 1986, the five-mile Virgil inland sea. The trails are very well maintained and tend to Mountain loop is believed to be the first loop trail in the be flat to gently rolling with a few steeper sections. For Finger Lakes Trail System. For more information contact those desiring a longer hike, a side trip to a bog adjacent Joe at 607/844-3872 or [email protected]. to the nature center is also possible afterwards. Bring flu­ ids and a snack if desired. For more information, contact Clifford at 607/277-1588 or [email protected]. President's Message

by Suzanne Cohen

dible mushrooms, wood So, this is the point in the message where I ask for your thrushes singing, the help. First, we are looking for a new trail maintenance Ecool shade of red pine chairperson. This person would work with our landowner trees on a hot day, wild mint liaison, trail adoption committee, and special projects to flavor my water-these are manager to coordinate trail maintenance activities. Train­ just a few of the things that ing will be provided! Second, we are looking for someone I'll remember from my sum­ to help us update our landowner records. This would in­ mer hiking. I have been get­ volve getting the tax maps for where CTC-maintained trail ting out at least once every crosses, and verifying that the landowners' names that we weekend in my continued have recorded for those areas are still correct. We already quest to hike all of the trails have a volunteer willing to draw the trail onto the maps that the Cayuga Trails Club after they are acquired so that verification using tax map maintains (some of these trips were fun and educational ID numbers should be easy. Please contact me if you are group hikes organized by our Walk, Look, and Learn Hike interested in either of these exciting volunteer oppor­ coordinator, and some were "quieter" experiences with my tunities or if you know of someone you think would be a new husband Phil). I have to admit that I have some good candidate! favorite spots, so this often deters me from getting to new Speaking ofcandidates .. .I will not be running again for areas which then might become my new favorite spots! CTC president at the end of this year. I intend to remain Trying to reach this goal gives me new admiration for those actively involved in the club, but I need to turn over the Finger Lakes Trail end-to-end hikers who have hiked 560 leadership role to someone new. The nominating com­ miles of unique trail. mittee will be looking for potential successors, so please It also gives me new admiration for our trails com­ let any CTC board member know if you 're interested. mittee and trail adopters. Almost every place I went, the There is no particular experience required to do the job, trails were in great shape. This summer I had the pleasure just a love for the trails and a desire to fulfill our mission. of working on the three trail work sessions organized by Again, training will be provided! _,,,--- Kurt Seitz. It's a great feeling to clear a trail and then walk Enjoy the end of summer and I hope to see you this fall back over one's work to the trailhead, knowing that many on the trails and at the general membership meeting on others will follow in your footsteps. November 11. Report on Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #454

~ Date- July 8, 2001 left the railroad and followed a dirt path to the 60-foot dam and the reservoir for the Ithaca city water system. ~ Location- South Hill Recreation Way, Town of Back to the railroad by a different path and then another Ithaca, Tompkins County side trip to the 30-foot dam and lower reservoir, a popular ~ Leader-Peter Harriott but illegal swimming spot. Hikers followed part of the Z­ shaped switchbacks that were used to help trains climb the tarting at Bums Road, 12 Cayuga Trails Club steep grade out of Ithaca and returned on the nearly level members and one guest walked towards Ithaca on path back to Burns Road. There are nice trails through the S the old railroad grade that was originally part ofthe woods with many big trees and very steep short climbs Ithaca and Owego Railroad (1834), then the Cayuga and near the reservoirs. Hikers got back just before the rain. Susquehanna Railroad, and finally the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad. It was abandoned in 1956 and recently turned into a narrow town park for hikers, bikers, and skiers. After one-half mile the group

Cayuga Trails Club - 2 - Early Fall 2001 Special CTC Hikes

Shindagin and Potato Hill Autumn in "The Arnot" September 8, 2001 (Saturday) October 20, 2001 (Saturday) ... Loca~ion-Shindagin Hollow and Potato Hill State ... Location- Arnot Forest, Schuyler and Tompkins Forests and lands in between, Tompkins County counties ... Meeting Place-East Hill Plaza parking lot near ... Meeting Place-Ithaca Shopping Plaza by Taco Bell Collegetown Bagels, Pine Tree Road, Ithaca across NY Roue 13 from K-Mart Plaza • Meeting Time-10:00 a.m. ... Meeting Time-9:30 a.m. usan Wiser will lead a special hike along the Finger om Reimers will lead a special fall hike in the Arnot Lakes Trail from beautiful Shindagin Hollow State Teaching and Research Forest. "The Arnot" is lo­ SForest eastward in Tompkins County. The hike of T cated in the hilly, forested Southern Tier region of approximately 12 miles will be from the Finger Lakes Trail New York State. The Arnot is owned by Cornell Uni­ crossing on White Church Road east to the NY Route 79 versity and managed by the Department of Natural Re­ crossing. It is of moderate difficulty due to its length and hill sources in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It climbing. The trip features a stop at the Shindagin Hollow is the largest actively managed forest owned by Cornell. Lean-to and a foray across our club's freshly-made trail In addition to 2,400 acres of mature forest, the Arnot which removes the FLT from a logging road and places it includes some 100 acres of open land (grass and gold­ inside pristine state forest lands. The club doesn't often hike enrod), 1,345 acres of old field, saplings, brush and pole sections of the FLT, so come enjoy this experience and we'll timber, 170 acres of softwood plantations, 40 acres of arrange more in the future. For more information, contact sugarbush, 20 acres of field campus, and 10 ponds and Susan Wiser at 607/539-6342 or [email protected]. Banfield Creek. More than 400 species ofvascular plants and 135 species of birds, in addition to numerous amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, inhabit the Arnot. Approximately 100 contiguous acres of grassland are maintained to provide habitats for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. · There are no hiking trails in the Arnot. However, old ) used and unused roads are great for hiking. They pass by one of the best autumn views in the area. We will visit several interesting historical features such as a Soil and Water Conservation erosion study site, an old chestnut plot, and a long-abandoned fireplace and picnic area deep in the woods.

Route ofthe special CTC hike on September 8 (. ....). Map from Cayuga Trails is published six times each year Finger lakes Trail Conference. and is edited and published by Thomas J . Reimers. Comments and original contributions are welcome. Deadline for the late fall issue is October 15, 2001. Send to 3C Wildflower Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850 or [email protected].

Cayuga Trails Club - 3 - Early Fall 2001 Trails Report

by Kurt Seitz 607/564-7417 [email protected] here has been quite a bit of work accomplished on trails this summer. On June 23, a Cayuga Trails TClub crew of five people relocated a section of the Finger Lakes Trail on the property of Stephen Smith on Connecticut Hill. On July 14, a crew of 11 worked on a nearly one-mile relocation of the FLT on state land on • Connecticut Hill. Although it was not completed, part of it was opened between Ridge Road and Cabin Road. On August 4, Jennifer Wilson led a crew of ten in relocating a section of the FLT in Shindagin Hollow State Forest. The club also installed a new gate on the Van Lone Hill Tom Gudeman (left), Jennifer Wilson, and Dave Schwartz post the Loop Trail ofConnecticut Hill State Wildlife Management Finger Lakes Trail sign on the newly rerouted trail west ofBraley Area to limit vehicular access westward along the FLT and Hill Road in Shindagin Hollow State Forest. Photo by Tom Reimers. southward toward the Cayuta Gulf section of the FLT. In addition, a new branch of the Bob Cameron Loop Trail Welcome to the Following (BCL) was completed on Connecticut Hill. A connection between the FLT and the BCL has not yet been approved, New Members but I hope there will be a marked access trail in the near future. For now you can contact me for directions on how Jonathon Bernstein to access the nearly 3-mile long BCL. I have completed a new section of the FLT on the Sweedler Preserve of the Ithaca, NY 14850 Finger Lakes Land Trust, which is between NY Route 13 and Town Line Road in the Town oflthaca. The new trail makes a more gradual ascent of the very steep hill that the Ron Marusak old trail climbs directly adjacent to Lick Brook. There will most likely be one or two more work trips Ithaca, NY 14850 this year in September and October. Please check the CTC Web site or contact me for more information. I will also send out emails with details of any future work trips to everyone who has provided an email address. John & Carol Spence Trail adopters: if you have not already done so, please get out and clear any new growth from your section of Newfield, NY 14867 trail. And please also make one last maintenance trip this fall to remove any newly downed branches and to be sure that blazes are clearly visible. Thanks and enjoy the beautiful fall conditions on our wondrous system oftrails! Address Change

Cayuga Trails Club - 4 - Early Fall 2001 Java Joe Backpacks FLT in 23 Days

by "Java Joe" Dabes

, backpack) should be able to traverse the 562-mile long Finger Lakes Trail in 13 days. Was there sex on the trail? Most definitely- I heard the spring peepers going at it in early May. . This was my fourth end-to-end hike ofthe Finger Lakes Trail. Although this trip started out as a thru-hike, sore bleeding feet (no sock liners the major problem) forced me to quit after 6 days. Thus it became a hike with 3 to 6 days of backpacking each stage. I am in awe of Frank Bianco of Lisle, NY, who at age 73 and legally blind (macular degeneration), hiked the trail last year in 24 days (in stages also, as I understand from Ed Sidote). I wore running shoes for my entire trip--hiking boots are too heavy and I tend to tum my weak right ankle when wearing them. Gore-Tex trail running shoes (I wore Nike DriGoat recently) work best for me as they keep my feet dry. I usually did not carry a tent. Instead, I used a lighter 12-ounce, 8-foot x 10-foot tarp with a no-see-um netting dome hood over the top of my body at night. "Java Joe" Dabes proudly displays special end-to-end patches he High points: meeting Ed Sidote at the Tucker Road received for finishing the Finger Lakes Trail for the fourth time. Photo by Ed Sidote. lean-to and having him take me into town for pizza and beer; lots of porcupines in Allegany State Park and the m I nuts for doing the Finger Lakes Trail this fast Catskills; people who say, "You're doing this alone? (averaging 24.4 miles backpacking per day), and Aren't you afraid of bears (or coyotes or porcupines or Anot stopping to sniff the flowers? Yes! rabid raccoons)?" The only aggressive animals I saw were Will I ever do it again this fast? No way- hiking up to dogs while walking on roads. I had to bop a couple on the 13 hours a day with a 28-pound backpack (average) is not head with my walking stick in order to keep them from fun late in the day. I hope to take at least 36 days next time. biting me. W ill anyone ever do the Finger Lakes Trail faster? You · Low points: listening to the peepers have sex while I bet! Based on recent records on the Appalachian Trail and had none, lack of beer and pizza most nights, and gnats the Long Trail, someone (with a crew to help and no that like to fly into your ear.

"I can hardly wait to start my fifth end-to-end!" "Java Joe" Dabes

Cayuga Trails Club - 5 - Early Fall 2001 Report on Executive Board Meeting

he Executive Board ofthe Cayuga Trails Club met on Eleven people started work on July 14 to relocate a August 7, 2001 , for a regular meeting in the Scott one-mile section of the Finger Lakes Trail on state land in THeyman Conference Room, Old Jail Building, 125 Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. Approx­ East Court Street, Ithaca. Present were Clifford Blizard imately two-thirds of the relocation was completed. The ' Suzanne Cohen, Phil Dankert, Betty Hansen, Fran Lauman, section between Ridge Road and Cabin Road was finished Tom Reimers, Kurt Seitz, Jack Van Derzee, and Jennifer and blazed. Kurt hopes the rest will be completed in the Wilson. The following is a summary of items discussed and next month. actions taken as recorded by Secretary Betty Hansen. On August 11, Jennifer Wilson led a crew of 11 people President Cohen called the meeting to order at 7:30 on a reroute of the trail in Shindagin Hollow State Forest. p.m. Treasurer Van Derzee reported that the checking ac­ The reroute which took the trail off a rutted logging road count balance was $1,913.57 and the savings account and into the woods east of Braley Hill Road was com­ balance was $6,023.99. pleted and blazed. Walk, Look and Learn Hikes: Jennifer Wilson Chris McConkey completed an estimated 2Y2- 3 mile reported that Clifford Blizard will lead the September addition to the Bob Cameron Loop on Connecticut Hill. WLL on the 9th. This hike will feature the interesting Chris is interested in creating a brochure for the Bob geological features of Lime Hollow. Since this is a short Cameron Loop which would include a map, history, and hike it should not conflict with Susan Wiser's 12-mile description of the trail. hike scheduled for the previous day. Joe Dabes will lead The new gate located next to the old schoolhouse the October WLL hike on the October 7. It will be a S­ foundation on the Van Lone Loop Trail on Connecticut mile hike and include the Virgil Mountain loop trail. Tom Hill is finished. ATVs may still be able to get around the Reimers volunteered to lead a special hike in October in gate, but other motor vehicles will be kept off the trail. Arnot Forest to coincide with leaf-watching season. Betty Hansen reported that an agreement has been Finance Committee: Jack Van Derzee reported the signed with the U.S. Forest Service giving the Cayuga club's certificate of deposit will come up for renewal in Trails Club responsibility for maintenance of the entire September. The balance will be split into 1-year and 2- four miles of the Finger Lakes Trail in Finger. Lakes year CDs minus the amount needed to pay for publication National Forest. There has been an ongoing negotiation of the new guidebook and a couple thousand dollars for a with the Forest Service to relocate a section of the FLT buffer. The possibility of opening an additional 6-month east of Satterly Hill Road. District Ranger Martha CD was discussed so that money would be more easily Twarkins requested that the relocation be discussed with available in the spring if needed. That Jack be authorized the Friends of the Finger Lakes National Forest group. At to reinvest the money from the maturing CD was moved, a meeting on August 2, the reroute was not approved seconded, and passed by the board. because the new route would not be multi-use. The Guidebook and Publications: Betty Lewis was not proposal is now in the hands of the Forest Service for a present. Suzanne reported that Betty is in the final stages final decision. of finishing the guidebook, and it will be sent to the Several new volunteers adopted sections of the Finger publisher this week (really!). Lakes Trail this year. They are Oskar, Ellen, and Robin Social Committee: Suzanne Cohen reported that 16 Schmidt who adopted the trail from Bald Hill Road to people attended the picnic at Buttermilk Falls State Park Michigan Hollow Road, Herb Engman who adopted from on August 1. The event was advertised in The Ithaca Jour­ Rumsey Hill Road (W) to Porter Hill Road, Chris Proulx nal and attracted some people who were not current and Rachel McGuire who adopted the Buttermilk Falls members and were possibly interested in joining the club. Spur Trail, and James Turk who adopted the trail from Bruce Hill Road to Comfort Road (N). Trails Committee: Kurt Seitz reported the following. On June 23, five people relocated a one-half mile section Newsletter: Newsletter editor Tom Reimers con­ of the Finger Lakes Trail on Connecticut Hill. The new tacted A New Beginning Press in an attempt to negotiate trail heads into the woods off Cayutaville Road and takes a cheaper rate for publishing the newsletter. The printer the trail off Black Oak Road. indicated that we are already being charged the lowest possible price for the ink and paper. The cost of printing

Cayuga Trails Club - 6 - Early Fall 2001 a photo is about $15.00, therefore reducing the number of New Business: The general membership meeting photos would not decrease costs significantly. Tom will and dish-to-pass supper was scheduled for November 11. check out prices with other printers. There would be some Gene Bavis, executive director of the Finger Lakes Trail risk associated with switching printers as A New Conference, has expressed interest in attending one of the Beginning Press has provided excellent, reliable, personal CTC board meetings. It was decided to issue an open servJ.ce. invitation, so he may attend at his convenience, and to Adopt-A-Highway: Phil Dankert said the next invite him to the November general membership meeting. highway cleanup will be August 18. The final cleanup was The Cayuga Trails Club will celebrate its 40th anni­ scheduled for November 10. versary in 2002. Suzanne Cohen will check on the exact Old Business: President Suzanne Cohen decided not date of the charter. This would be an excellent opportunity to send a letter to the forest supervisor regarding the for an additional social event and to seek some additional proposed gas leasing in Finger Lakes National Forest publicity from the local media. Jennifer volunteered to because she felt uncertain about the feelings of the write an article on our charter members. Executive Board and the general membership. Irene The next Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for Szabo, president of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, October 2 in the Scott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail sent a letter outlining the concerns of the Finger Lakes Building. Trail Conference. Report on Special Abbott Loop Hike

... Date-June 9. 2001 over and along Michigan Creek and several small streams. We took a few short breaks, including one to check on a ... Location-Abbott Loop in Danby State Forest, rescued baby bird that was being cared for by Marsha Tompkins County Zgola (we did manage to get a couple of pictures of her), ... Distance-8.6 miles and another to sample Jennifer Wilson's home-made chocolate chip cookies. The last 1.9 miles of the loop ... Trail Co-leaders-Sean McGee and Kara Ott followed the main Finger Lakes Trail, the 560-mile long twas an amazing day for hiking-sUIUly, a bit breezy, and gem of the area. The trail had dried out quite a bit. from mild-which made it easy to concentrate on the task at Sean and Kara's somewhat muddy scouting hike a few Ihand, hoofing along the full roller coaster-like Abbott days before. This made the hiking more enjoyable but Loop. Our group of nine Cayuga Trails Club members, five resulted in our group seeing only a few moisture-loving guests, and two dogs set off at noon, so we could include red, efts, the tiny orange-colored newts that inhabit the those who had volunteered for area. On the wetter scout hike, highway cleanup earlier in the day. Sean and Kara had seen dozens (Double duty! Yeah!). of them crossing the trail. But After a bit of an uphill grind members who took a moment we reached the Pinnacles, at "''-"""'· to study the plants along the 1,800 feet elevation, the highest trail were treated to interesting point on the hike. There we were flora, including delicate maid­ treated to a fairly clear view into enhair fems, several species of the Cayuga Inlet valley and i club moss, eastern columbine, swapped a few trail jokes. We ~ . and a lovely stand of lilac­ also lamented the fact that while : ~ colored phlox. Kudos to every­ we had a nice view of the valley, ~"" one in the group--all com­ we saw no pinnacles (since we pleted the entire Joop--and to were on them). From there, the --~ - those members who also took group followed the trail's up- , time to collect trash left by and-down route through mixed others that morning. hardwood and conifer forests and The Abbott Loop hikers. Photo by Sean McGee.

Cayuga Trails Club - 7 - Early Fall 2001 Mark Your Calendars

Saturday, September 8 . .. . . Special CTC hike on the Finger Lakes Trail from White Church Road to NY Route 79. Meet at 10:00 a.m. in the East Hill Plaza parking lot near Collegetown Bagels, Ithaca. Susan Wiser, leader ([email protected], 607/539-6342). Details on page 3.

Sunday, September 9 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #456. Lime Hollow Nature Center. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at unoccupied corner of Cayuga Mall parking lot, next to Pizza Hut, off Triphammer Road near the NY Route 13 exit. Clifford Blizard, leader (607 /277- 1588, [email protected]). Details on page 1 .

Tuesday, October 2 ...... Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board meeting. 7:30 p.m. Old Jail Building, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. Members welcome.

Sunday, October 7 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #457. Virgil Mountain Loop in Virgil State Forest, Cortland County. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. in Dryden village parking lot behind Dryden First National Bank or Hollenbeck's Cider Mill in Virgil. Joe Dabes, leader (607/844-3872, [email protected]) . Details on page 1 .

Monday, October 15 ...... Deadline for submitting material for the late fall issue of Cayuga Trails .

Saturday, October 20 ...... Special hike in Arnot Forest, Schuyler and Tompkins counties. Meet at 9:36 a.m. in the Ithaca Shopping Plaza by Taco Bell across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza. Tom Reimers, leader (607/272-8679, [email protected]). Details on page 3 . Saturday, November 10 .... Adopt-A-Highway Program. The fourth and final 2001 cleanup of two miles of NY Route 366. Meet just before 10:00 a.m. in Cornell's "O" parking lot at the intersection of Route 366 and Caldwell Road. Garbage bags and safety equip­ ment will be provided. Phil Dankert, leader (257-2578, [email protected]).

Sunday, November 11 . .. . . Cayuga Trails Club General Membership Meeting and dish-to-pass supper. Ellis Hollow Community Center on Genung Road, Ithaca. Social at 5:30 p.m. and supper at 6:00 p.m. More information will appear in the late fall issue of Cayuga Trails.

Cayuga Trails Club Sara Miller Catterall, Cayuga Trails mailing NON-PROFIT P.O. Box 754 ORGANIZATION Ithaca, NY 14851-0754 U.S. POSTAGE PAID ITHACA, NY PERMIT NO. 94 Newsletter of the Cayuga Trails Club Founded in 1962 "to explore, enjoy, and preserve wild lands and places of natural beauty... "

November-December 2001 Late Fall Edition Vol. 41, Nos. 11 & 12

All Members and Guests Invited!

I , Cayuga Trails Club Genera·I Membership Meeting · and Dish-to-Pass Supper ; November 11, 2001 . - _;

ll members and guests of the Cayuga Trails Club are invited for socializing and a dish-to-pass supper on Sunday, November 11, 2001. Plan to come to this annual event at 5:30 p.m. for a social and 6:00 p.m. for supper. As usual, A the event will be at the Ellis Hollow Community Center on Genung Road in the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County. Bring a dish to share (main item or dessert), your table service, and a few slides ofa travel or hiking experiences. The Cayuga Trails Club will provide a little wine and coffee. The place is usually packed so come on time. Think about members you'd like to see as officers in the coming year; we will elect the nominating committee this night to select the 2002 slate ofofficers . Come and have some good camaraderie with your fellow members! Walle, Look, and Learn Hike #458 will precede the meeting and supper. Please read about that on page 4. Call John Andersson at 607/898-3058 or contact him by email at [email protected] for more information. $

2001 Deer Hunting Seasons ikers are strongly urged to wear safety orange clothing during deer hunting seasons. Deer H hunting seasons for New York's Southern Tier including the Catskills are as follows: + Archery: October 15 through November 18 and December 12 through December 16 + Regular firearms: November 19 through December 11 + Muzzleloaders: December 12 through December 18 . Please keep in mind that hunting may be allowed in parts of state parks with dates that differ from those above. For more information about hunting seasons call 518/457-3521 or visit www.dec .state. ny. uslwebsite/dfwmrlseasons. For information The Cayuga Trails Club traveling display at the North Country about hunting in state parks call 518/474-0456. $ Trail Association's annual meeting last August in Cazenovia, NY. Photo by Tom Reimers. President's Message

by Suzanne Cohen

eace and serenity .. .soli­ with one Executive Board member on this committee. This tude ... awesome ... spiritual is a great opportunity to get involved if you've been Pawakening ... wonder of looking for a way to contribute (contact me if you're nature ...beauty ... thanks. These interested: [email protected] or 607/272-5461). We've are just some of the words that I had a great turnout for this event the past couple of years, have recently seen written in and I look forward to another fun evening. trail registers found along the Gene Bavis, executive director ofthe Finger Lakes Trail Finger Lakes Trail and Cayuga Conference (FL TC), attended our last Executive Board Trail. These words have taken meeting (see the meeting minutes in this issue on page on extra meaning for me over 10). I'd like to thank him for taking the time to observe the past six weeks as I have and participate in our meeting in an effort to "get to know" struggled, along with everyone the local organizations that help maintain the Finger Lakes else, to comprehend the events of September 11th and Trail across the state. On that day, he attended meetings in events since then. The scenes which inspired the hikers to Syracuse, Cortland, and then Ithaca before driving back to write those words cannot be taken for granted. I know that Rochester. His effort is much appreciated! Gene welcomes the past weeks have made me thankful for what I have, any comments or suggestions that you might have about including trails which can provide places of reflection and the FLTC ([email protected]). the feeling of freedom. I'll close with a note about one of the CTC's charter We will all have a lot to think about during this year's members. I recently read in the Cornell Chronicle that Thanksgiving holiday, but before that, I invite all members Peter Harriott is retiring after 48 years of teaching and to come together at this year's General Membership research at Cornell. He has been a professor of chemical Meeting and potluck supper on Sunday, November 11. In engineering since 1975, and the School of Chemical addition to any slides that you might want to show, let us Engineering is establishing the Peter Harriott Fund to know ifyou'djust like to share a good story from a recent provide financial aid for students doing environmental adventure. We will also be electing a nominating com­ research. The article said that "Harriott's personal interests mittee to work on the slate of next year's officers. We'll include woodworking, choral singing and maintaining need two members from the general membership to work hiking trails with the Cayuga Trails Club." We have benefitted greatly from Peter's interest in the CTC! Peter, we wish you the very best in your retirement, and we hope this will give you more time for hiking! I hope to see you all on November 11, if not before. *

Notice! Saturday, November 10 Adopt-A-Highway Program The fourth and final 2001 litter cleanup of two miles of NY Route 366. Meet just before 10:00 a.m. in Cornell's "O" parking lot at the inter­ section of Route 366 and Caldwell Road. Gar­ bage bags and safety equipment will be pro­ vided. Contact Phil Dankert for more infor­ mation (607 /257-2578, [email protected]). Gene Ba vis, executive director ofthe Finger Lakes Trail Conference was a guest at the October meeting ofthe CTC Executive Board. Photo by Tom Reimers.

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Late Fall 2001 Charter Member Honored Some Trail-Related by School of Chemical Web Sites Engineering Cayuga Trails Club www.lightlink.com/etc Finger Lakes Trail Conference www.finger lakes. net/trailsystem Adirondack Mountain Club www.adk.org Adirondack Mountain Club-Finger Lakes Chapter www. clarityconnect. comlwebpageslschwartz/adk Finger Lakes National Forest www.fsfed.us/r9/gmfl NYS Department of Environmental Conservation www.dec.state.ny.us Great Outdoors Recreation Page www.gorp.com Finger Lakes Runners Club Peter Harriott helping repair the Chestnut Lean-to a few years ago. www. cee. cornell. eduljl.rc/jl.rc. html Photo by Tom Reimers. Guide to the Catskill Mountains eter Harriott, the Fred H. Rhodes Professor of www.catskillguide.com Chemical Engineering since 1975, was honored at Appalachian Long-Distance Hikers Association Pa retirement dinner on October 12 to recognize his www.aldha.org 48 years of teaching and research at Cornell University. Peter was a charter member of the Cayuga Trails Club Peak-to-Peak Trail and Wilderness Links which was founded in 1962. www.peaktopeak.net As part of its tribute to Peter, the School of Chemical American Hiking Society Engineering is establishing the Peter Harriott Fund to pro­ www.americanhiking.org vide financial aid for students doing environmental re­ search. Over the years, Peter has advised 34 M.S. and Finger Lakes Land Trust Ph.D. students and has developed six new graduate wwwjllt.org courses. Peter completed the B.Chem.E. degree at Cornell North Country Trail Association in 1949 and the Sc.D. in chemical engineering from the www.northcountrytrail.org Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology in 1952. He joined the Cornell faculty in 1953. His research interests have en­ Appalachian Trail Conference compassed kinetics and reactor design, air pollution con­ www.appalachiantrail.org trol, process control, and heat and mass transfer. New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Peter and his wife Mary Lou have five sons, four of www.nynjtc.org whom have attended Cornell. Peter's personal interests include woodworking, choral singing, and maintaining Hiking in New York State hiking trails for the Cayuga Trail Club. He served the club www. dee.state. nyl websiteldlflpublands/hike. html for many years as its trails chairman and landowner liaison. NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Excerpted from the Cornell Chronicle, October 4, 2001. Preservation www.nysparks.com

Late Fall 2001 Cayuga Trails - 3 - Nex\ \Kes

Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve Cornell Natural Areas in November in December

Walk, look, and Learn Hike #458 Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #459 November 11, 2001 (Sunday) December 9, 2001 (Sunday) + Location-Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve, Ellis + Location-Cornell natural areas on and near Hollow Creek Road, Town of Dryden, Tompkins campus, Ithaca County + Meeting Place-Cornell Plantations headquarters, + Meeting Place-Ellis Hollow Creek Road just east One Plantations Road, Ithaca of Genung Road (adjacent to the preserve) + Meeting Time-1:00 p.m. + Meeting Time-3:00 p.m. om Reimers will lead this 3- to 5-mile-long hike eter Harriott will lead a two-mile-long hike in the through several natural areas on and near the Cor­ beautiful Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve, one of 21 Tnell University campus. Depending on the weather Pnature preserves owned by the Finger Lakes Land and snow cover, these areas will include Gymnosperm Trust. The location ofth e preserve is less than a mile from Slope, Beebe Lake, Mundy Wildflower Garden, Slim Jim the Ellis Hollow Community Center where the Cayuga Woods, Fall Creek Plateau, and McGowan Woods. Four Trails Club General Membership Meeting and dish-to-pass of these places have magnificent old growth forests with supper will follow the hike at 5:30 p.m. (See page 1 for huge wonderful trees. We'll try to identify trees, berries, details). So, join Peter for this hike of about 1Yi hours. and wildflowers in late fall. For a preview of the areas we There will be ample opportunity to get to the membership plan to visit on this hike, Tom recommends getting a copy meeting and dish-to-pass supper. ofA Field Guide to Cornell 's Natural Areas On and Near The Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve was donated to the Campus by Nancy L. Ostman and F. Robert Wesley. It is Finger Lakes Land Trust by Barbara Keeton and her fam­ for sale at the Cornell Plantations Gift Shop. Call Tom at ily, long-time residents of Ellis Hollow. Her family en­ 607/272 -8679 or email him at [email protected] for more joyed its many natural delights since purchasing the land information. Be sure to dress for the weather! $ in the 1970s. The preserve is on the northern hillside of the Ellis Hollow valley east oflthaca. The streams through the preserve drain into Cascadilla Creek and are important for ISee special hike on page 7 maintaining water quality in the creek and its wetlands. $ CTC Summer Picnic

he summer picnic for CTC members, families, and friends attracted 19 friendly folks to upper Buttermilk Falls State Park on Wednesday, August 1. The club provided fire that grilled steaks, sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers, Tto go with the shared dishes of green salads, potato salads, pasta salads, carrot cake, cookies, and chocolate desserts. The rented shelter wasn't needed because the weather was dry and hot, but large trees shaded the picnic tables by the time dinner was ready. The shelter did provide security for a squirrel that helped himself to a sack of hot dog rolls, though! After good camaraderie during the meal, the hikers had to hike. Some wandered up the road towards Lake Treman. Buttermilk Creek was so dry even sneakers kept feet dry. Some opted to continue around Lake Treman, while others returned to the parking area via the Bear Trail to get home before dark. Everyone had a good time, from the mature crowd to two-year-old Auburn! $

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Late Fall 2001 Trail Section Adopters

he Cayug~ Trails Club is responsi?le for ~aintaining the 8_-mile-long c_a~ga Trail and 80 miles of the Finger Lakes Trall System between Watkins Glen m Schuyler County and Caroline m Tompkins County. The following Tlist indicates the sections of trail and the volunteers who adopted sections for maintenance in 2001. $ Trail Section Adopter(s) Franklin Street in Watkins Glen to Excelsior Glen Tom Reimers Excelsior Glen to Main Street in Burdett Kurt Seitz Main Street in Burdett to Satterly Hill Road Ed Kokkelenberg Satterly Hill Road to Logan Road Ed Kokkelenberg Logan Road to Burnt Hill Road (south) Jack Van Derzee Burnt Hill Road (south) to Texas Hollow Road Ed and Elaine LoPresti Texas Hollow Road to Steam Mill Road EdHart Steam Mill Road to NY Route 228 Charles Marquaerdt NY Route 228 to County Route 6 Betsy and Dan Elswit County Route 6 to Todd Road Kurt Seitz Van Lone Hill Loop Betsy and Dan Elswit Todd Road to Cabin Road at Ridge Road Betsy and Dan Elswit Cabin Road at Ridge Road to Connecticut Hill Road Allen Quirk and Eva Quirk-Garvan Connecticut Hill Road to Cayutaville Road Kurt Seitz Cayutaville Road to Rumsey Hill Road (west) Kurt Seitz Rumsey Hill Road (west) to Porter Hill Road Herb Engman Porter Hill Road to Hines Road Robin Spry-Campbell Hines Road to Woodard Road Michael Turback Woodard Road to NY Routes 13, 34, 96 (Shady Comers) Betty Lewis and Barbara Morse NY Routes 13, 34, 96 (Shady Corners) to Town Line Road Tom Reimers Town Line Road to West Jersey Hill Road Greg Wooster and Ree Thayer Buttermilk Falls Spur Trail Chris Proulx and Rachel McGuire West Jersey Hill Road to Bruce Hill Road Digital Library Research Group Bruce Hill Road to Comfort Road (north) James Turk Comfort Road (north) to Bald Hill Road Danny and Kristin Scott Bald Hill Road to Michigan Hollow Road Oskar, Ellen, and Robin Schmidt Abbott Loop Trail Cliff and Doris Abbott / Abbott Loop to South Danby Road Danny and Kristin Scott South Danby Road to NY Route 96B Michael Kazarinoff and family NY Route 96B to Ridgeway Road Nick Vandam and Lucy Gagliardo Ridgeway Road to White Church Road Richard and Claudia Wadzinski White Church Road to Braley Hill Road Betty Lewis Braley Hill Road to Shindagin Hollow Road Katherine Durant Shindagin Hollow Road to South Road Scott Nostrand South Road to Old 76 Road Andy Boehm and Connie O'Brien Old 76 Road to Level Green Road (south) Steve Nicholson Level Green Road (south) to Blackman Hill Road William and Donna Bergmark Blackman Hill Road to NY Route 79 Jay Zitter and Bill Fair The Cayuga Trail, Stewart Avenue to Varna Tom Reimers Bob Cameron Loop Cris McConkey Thank You!

Late Fall 2001 Cayuga Trails - 5 - Sixteen Loop Trails Near Ithaca

by "Java Joe" Dabes re you tired of hiking out and back or moving cars Abbott Loop (FLT map M-17, hilly 8.4 miles). This around? You can avoid these activities, as there are loop south ofDanby has 6. 7 miles oforange blazes with 1. 7 Amany loop trails nearby. First, I'll mention those miles ofwhite-blazed main FLT. About halfway around this trails that are part of the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) System. loop is Thatcher's Pinnacles, which feature a summit with Maps can be ordered by mail from the FLTC Service a sharp drop-off to the west and spectacular views. Center, 6111 Visitor Center Road, Mt. Morris, NY 14510, Dabes Diversion Loop (FLT map M-19, hilly 4.1 or online at www.fingerlakes.net/trailsystem. I strongly miles). This loop south ofVirgil in Cortland County has 2. 7 advise having the maps! Trails will be discussed starting in orange-blazed miles with 1.4 miles of white-blazed main the west and progressing east. FLT. This loop was formerly known as the Kells Road Ex­ Queen Catherine Marsh Trail (FLT map QCMT, tension loop or Rossiter Spur loop, but recent reroutes have 9.05 flat miles). This orange-blazed trail as described on the taken 1.5 miles off Kells Road Extension and the paved map starts and finishes at the lower entrance of Watkins portion of Hauck Hill Road. Bisecting this loop is the Glen State Park. To create the loop it uses a short portion of - 1-mile blue-blazed Kuzia Cutoff. Using the Kuzia Cutoff the main FLT (white blazes) and includes a 0.3-mile out and creates two shorter loops, a 3.3-mile loop on the west and a 0.3-mile back from the state park 2.7-mile loop on the east. Interlaken Trail and intersecting trails in Finger Virgil Mountain Loop (FLT map M-19, hilly 4.8 Lakes National Forest (FLT map I-1, relatively flat). Al­ miles). This loop southeast ofVirgil in Cortland County has though only the orange-blazed Interlaken Trail (11.9-mile 2.0 orange-blazed miles and 2.8 miles ofwhite-blazed main branch trail) is part of the FLT System, I count at least six FLT. This loop features spectacular views from the top of different loops shown on map I-1, ranging from less than a Greek Peak Ski Resort slopes. It also crosses the summit of mile up to about 9 miles. I recommend a larger and more Virgil Mountain, highest point (2, 132 feet) within at least 70 detailed map which is available at some trailheads or from miles (although rumors abound that the Cortland County Finger Lakes National Forest, 5218 State Route 414, Hector landfill has recently created a man-made hill near Truxton NY 14851 (607 /546-4470). These trails are different in that that is slightly higher). Combining this loop with the above portions cross federal grazing lands (close all gates, don't let Dabes Diversion loop creates a "figure 8" of 8.9 miles. the cows out!) which allow spectacular views of Seneca Cayuga Trail Loop (moderately hilly 4.5 miles). This Lake and the surrounding hills. orange-blazed loop is the closest loop to Ithaca. It starts Van Lone Hill Loop (FLT map M-15; moderate to from Freese Road just above the top of the steep hill in hilly 6 miles). This loop southwest of Connecticut Hill is Varna. It is 2.1 miles east to NY Route 13 on the north side only about a year old and features two large bridges built ofFall Creek. After crossing Fall Creek on Route 13 it is 2.4 from black locust. It utilizes a new 3-mile white-blazed miles back to your starting point. Note that about 0.1 mile section ofthe main FLT combined with 3 miles ofa former on NY Route 366 to V ama and 0 .2 mile on Freese Road are section of FLT, now blazed orange. not blazed. Bob Cameron Loop (FLT map M-16, moderate to Besides the 16 loop trails above, state parks such as hilly 2.5 miles). This orange-blazed loop is not presently on Robert H. Treman, Buttermilk Falls, and Fillmore Glen all map M-16 but should be soon. It is very close to the main have loop trails. Consult the state parks for maps. FLT, but the connection is not yet blazed (but might be by Another great source of maps with loop trails is the the time you read this). The easiest access is from the radio Cayuga Nordic Ski Club. New members get a complete set towers on top of Connecticut Hill, hiking southwest a short of maps of Hammond Hill, Connecticut Hill, Bear Swamp, ways along the old lane now used by ATVs. Tuller Hill, and other 9-IBas.TheSe trails are for cross­ Lick Brook Gorge Loop (FLT map M-17, very hilly country skiing, so they use a number of seasonal roads. 1.5 miles). This loop on the Sweedler Nature Preserve is Off-road trails may be a little grown in during the summer about one mile long- three-quarters mile on the newly and fall. Contactwww.spidergraphics.com!cnsc not only for rerouted, white-blazed FLT and one-quarter mile on the old membership information, but to see maps ofHammond Hill, steep section of the FLT (now blue-blazed) plus about a Tuller Hill, Arnot Forest, and Bear Swamp. * one-quarter mile out from and one-quarter mile back to Town Line Road for a total of 1.5 miles.

Cayuga Trails - 6 - Late Fall 2001 Trails Chairman Report Special November Hike

by Kurt Seitz New York's Only National Forest! 607/564-7417 November 18, 2001 (Sunday) [email protected] + Location- Interloken Trail, Finger Lakes National espite the chaos happening in the world around us, Forest, Schuyler and Seneca counties I hope everyone has been able to enjoy the won­ Dderful natural beauty along our trails this fall. I + Meeting Place- U.S. Forest Service parking area write this still basking in the glow of peak foliage this at south end oflnterloken Trail on Burnt Hill Road, mid-October weekend, just finishing a 12-mile day of between Wyckoff Road and NY Route 79 hiking. Cornell Outdoor Education students were fortunate + Meeting time-10:00 a.m. to have this warm weekend to work on water bars, steps, and sidehill tread-work along the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) lub members Marsha Zgola and Jennifer Wilson at the Cayuta Gulf end of Connecticut Hill Wildlife Man­ will lead a special hike along the Interloken Trail agement Area. A big thank you to them for the work they Cin Finger Lakes National Forest. This approx­ did there and on the Bob Cameron Loop (BCL) in imately 12-mile-long hike will feature dense forests, open September. The approximately 2Y2-mile-long BCL is now meadows, and rolling farmland; it will pass by several completed and blazed orange. It is accessible from the ponds, campsites, and a lean-to. The trail is an official radio tower area on top of Connecticut Hill, heading spur of the 800-mile-long Finger Lakes Trail System and south-westward along an old unmarked lane used by all­ also encompasses a short segment of the multi-state~-­ terrain vehicles. Country National Scenic Trail. Also in September, a seven-person crew led by Tom The terrain is easy and will be hiked in a slightly down­ Gudeman finished the one-mile-long relocation ofthe FLT ward direction. Given the time ofyear and the miles hiked, between Ridge Road and Boyland Road on Connecticut this outing will not be for the faint-hearted, however. Hill. It was a timely completion since the area along the Please dress for the time of year. Layering of warm but old section of the FLT is currently being logged. A few breathable garments is advisable. Bring sufficient drinking minor trail changes are still awaiting completion on Con­ water and a sandwich or high-energy snacks. We will necticut Hill with the possibility of another more sig­ leave most cars at the trail 's south end and shuttle together nificant relocation around the towers on top. to begin at the north end on Parmenter Road. For those Tom Gudeman has also generously offered to lead the who are unsure about finding the trailhead or who want to Trails Committee next year, allowing me to finish my 3- carpool, meet Jennifer at 9:20 a.m. at the Ithaca Shopping year stint as Trails Chairman and work on other things. I Plaza by Taco Bell across NY Route 13 from K-Mart have just been elected assistant coordinator of the Appa­ Plaza. For more information, contact Marsha at 607I lachian Long-Distance Hikers Association, so my trails 546-7367 or [email protected] or Jennifer at 607/753- work will just be shifting to another organization. I hope 8641 or [email protected]. 3* to continue working on special projects for the CTC at the same time. Speaking of special projects, the Shindagin Lean-to will need major rehabilitation or replacement in the near future. If anyone has suggestions on what might be the best way of going about this or suggestions or comments on anything regarding our trails, please let me know. I hope you all have a good holiday season. $:

Cayuga Trails is published six times each year and is edited and published by Thomas J . Reimers. Comments and original contributions are welcome. Deadline for the winter issue is December 15, 2001. Send to 3C Wildflower Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850 or [email protected].

Late Fall 2001 Cayuga Trails - 7 - Report on Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #455

Date-August 19, 2001 Location-Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area Leader- Cris McConkey

leven Cayuga Trails Club members and six guests land. We followed Kurt to the location of two summit hiked a newly cleared section of trail in the Con­ markers about 50 feet apart, one set by the U.S. Geological Enecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area as part of Survey and the other by New York State. Also in the area August's Walk, Look, and Learn Hike. Trails Chair Kurt was a very interesting and well-camouflaged lean-to. Seitz had flagged the route earlier and removed the larger Hiking down off the ridge, we encountered areas now fallen tree with a chain saw. Hike leader Cris McConkey wooded where fields and a house may have once been and friends finished the job (though it still could use some located as evidenced by low berms ofrock. An estimate of trimming of the smallest growth). The new section joins the age of a red pine plantation was made by our youngest the old Bob Cameron Loop (BCL) near the bottom where participant, who counted the nubs ofbroken branches from the north and south branches meet and cross a stream that the base to the top. I believe the age was about 40 years. feeds Cayuta Creek. Both Kurt and Cris concur that it After a steep descent through a cool and dense hemlock would be best to forgo maintaining the old north branch as stand, we arrived at an old road alongside of remains of the new section plus the south branch make a lovely stone walls that could occasionally be seen. 3-mile loop over varied terrain with many attractive fea­ As with the two previous Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes tures. The Cayuga Trails Club, which obtained the that Cris led on the BCL, this hike was in part bille~s a necessary permission from the NYS Department of Envi­ mushroom walk. Unfortunately, we found ourselves in a ronmental Conservation to clear the new section, will keep bit of a drought this time, and mushrooms were in short the name Bob Cameron Loop for the expanded trail in . supply-at least anything of interest to a mycophagist. honor of the former caretaker of Connecticut Hill who One exception was a small cluster of Pleurotus ostreatus originally laid out the trail route. (oyster mushroom) growing on a moss-covered log. The At present, access to the loop can be gained across the moss had retained moisture in the log, and a cold front that road and just downgrade from where the Finger Lakes had passed a week earlier had triggered pinhead forma- Trail makes a bend onto Tower Road as the trail comes up tion, a characteristic of the northern varieties of oyster from Black Oak Road. This is just down from the old mushroom. We could see the tiny pinheads of the de­ radio tower. However, we approached the loop from the veloping caps interspersed in the moss alongside a small, turnaround at the end of Tower Road on a short section of but appreciated, mature cluster in prime condition. Even unmaintained trail also on Robert H. Treman State Park in a drought, life goes on. $ Non-native Species

uestion: I teach school and next spring I'll be doing a unit on insects. I saw in a catalogue that I could order butterfly eggs that we could watch as they go through the various stages of metamorphosis. The grand finale would be when Qthe butterflies emerge from the pupa stage at which point we would release them back to nature. I mentioned my plan to my husband, and he said I better check with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) first to make sure I'm not violating any laws. Would I be? nswer: Environmental Conservation Law requires any person wishing to release wildlife, including butterflies, within New York State to have a permit issued by the DEC. The purpose of the law is to prevent non-native species and Aunwanted diseases from establishing themselves. To understand the reasoning behind the law one need only look at the problems caused by other diseases and non-native species (both plant and animal) that have found a home here: zebra mussels, sea lampreys, purple loosestrife, starlings, Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight, spinier fleas, Asian longhorn beetles. The list goes on and on. It only takes one diseased or mated animal to establish a population that could have a detrimental effect on our environment. Well-meaning people sometimes release exotic pets-snakes, turtles, what have you- to the wild thinking that the worst that could happen would be that they would be ill-suited to our environment, and they would die. In fact, the worst case scenario is that they would survive, reproduce, and establish a population that could have devastating effects on the plants and animals that are already here. From NYS Department ofE nvironmental Conservation, Region 8

Cayuga Trails - 8 - Late Fall 2001 Report on Walk, Look, and Report on Special Shindagin Learn Hike #456 and Potato Hill Hike

+ Date-September 9, 2001 + Date-September 8, 2001 + Location-Lime Hollow Nature Center, Cortland + Location-Finger Lakes Trail in Shindagin Hollow County and Potato Hill State Forests + Leader-Clifford Blizard + Leaders-Susan Wiser and several other CTC members n a quite warm and sunny afternoon, eight intrepid hikers sauntered through Lime Hollow Nature ixteen folks showed up on a warm, summery day 0 Center and the adjacent Chicago Bog. Along the for a 12-mile hike along the Finger Lakes Trail. way we appreciated a host of glacial geomorphological S After beginning with a walk through a cornfield, features from kettle and kame topography to a possible the trail rose sharply up a tall hill and continued for many esker (the trace of a river that flowed beneath the gla­ miles in a series of ups and down thr~ugh beautiful for­ cier)--all of them evidence of the Laurentide Ice Sheet ests. Much of the time, the leader was lagging behind the which covered the Finger Lakes Region until about 14,000 lightning pace of our members. Her early worry that sev­ years ago. We stopped at Fossil Dome in Lime Hollow, a eral in the group might find the hike too challenging small hilltop strewn with 360 million-year-old fossils ( cri­ turned out to be, well, a mite off-base. We stopped for noid stems and brachiopods). At Chicago Bog we fol­ lunch at the Shindagin Lean-to, where Marsha Zgola lowed a new trail down to the bog edge. Throughout the introduced us to the wonders of Strawberry Cream Life trip, Tom Reimers provided a much-welcomed commen­ Savers. Many judged them to be excellent; several pro­ tary on the native plants we saw (including scientific claimed them the best candy they'd ever tasted. From names!). The hike was enjoyed by all. * there, it was forests, pastures, and fields followed by a stretch of gravel road under the hot sun where the crickets Report on Walk, Look, and were cricketing loudly. More forests, and then the final descent to NY Route 79 finished the day. Overall; an ex­ Learn Hike #457 cellent hike with a diverse and fun group! *

+ Date-October 7, 2001 + Location-Finger Lakes Trail in Town of Virgil, Cortland County + Leader-Joe Dabes fter a brief stop at Hollenbeck's Cider Mill to pick up more hikers and buy apple crumb pies, 21 A hikers headed to the trailhead about a mile away on O'Dell Road. Although the weather was cold and windy, 11 Cayuga Trails Club members and 10 guests braved the elements. With some help from Tom Reimers and Ed Hart, the leader was able to point out and discuss various trees, ferns, and plants along the 5-mile Virgil Mountain Loop. We paused for several minutes at the summit of Virgil Mountain, examining the U.S. Geological Survey marker, taking pictures, and catching our breath in the rarified air

(we were as high as we can get around here-2, 132 feet in ~~~~ elevation!). There were great views of fall colors from the Happy hikers on the special September hike on the Finger Lakes top of the slopes of Greek Peak Ski Resort and from the Trail in Shindagin Hollow and Potato Hill State Forests. Photo by power line that is near the summit of Virgil Mountain. $ Marsha Zgola.

Late Fall 2001 Cayuga Trails - 9 - Report on Executive Board Meeting

he Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club met Road was completed and blazed. Tom Gudeman led this for a regular meeting on October 2, 2001 , in the work session and is interested in taking over as Trails TScott Heyman Conference Room, 125 East Court Chairman next year. Phil Davis has indicated he is willing Street, Ithaca. Board members present were Clifford to assist Tom. Kurt will continue on the trails committee Blizard, Sara Miller Catterall, Suzanne Cohen, Phil Dan­ as special projects coordinator. kert, Betty Hansen, Tom Reimers, Kurt Seitz, Jack Van Cornell Outdoor Education students spent two days Derzee, Jennifer Wilson, and Susan Wiser. Gene Bavis, placing finishing touches on the new section of the Bob executive director of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, Cameron Loop. The desired route will necessitate a slight attended as a guest. The following is a summary of some relocation of the Finger Lakes Trail. items discussed and actions taken as recorded by Secretary A half-mile relocation of the Finger Lakes Trail in the Betty Hansen. Sweedler Nature Preserve has been completed. The old President Suzanne Cohen called the meeting to order at section was blazed blue, making a loop trail approximately 7:33 p.m. Board members introduced themselves to Gene one mile long. Bavis and explained their roles in the Cayuga Trails Club. The Shindagin Hollow Lean-to is in bad shape; the base Gene said he was interested in maintaining a relationship is rotting out causing it to lean considerably. It will either with the club. His role as executive director includes in­ need to be replaced or repaired. Either·would be a major creasing membership, promoting the Finger Lakes Trail project. There is no road access to the lean-to so trans­ and Finger Lakes Trail Conference, and coordinating com­ porting materials to the site would bJ difficult. Tom mittees and activities. Reimers suggested consulting the 1',IT'S Department of Treasurer Jack Van Derzee reported that the checking Environmental Conservation for advice. account balance was $1,268.84. He distributed the budget Two Boy Scouts are planning to do Eagle Scout pro­ summary for review. jects on the Finger Lakes Trail. One will work on the Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes: Susan Wiser bridge over Boyer Creek, and the other will replace the reported that 16 people attended her special 12-mile hike roof on the Tamarack Lean-to. on September 8. Clifford Blizard reported that 8 people Old Business: The Cayuga Trails Club General attended his Walk, Look, and Learn hike through the Chi­ Membership Meeting will be on November 11. The annual cago Bog area on September 9. Marsha Zgola will lead a meeting ofthe North Country Trail Association in August special long-distance hike on the Interloken Trail in Finger was a great success. A record 180 people attended the Lakes National Forest on November 18. Tom Reimers four-day-long event at Cazenovia College hosted by the volunteered to lead a hike through natural areas of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. Cornell Plantations on December 9. Committee Chair Suzanne reported that the charter officially forming the Jennifer Wilson suggested possible future winter hikes to Cayuga Trails Club was signed on April 15, 1962 . An include an introduction to orienteering and a snowshoe event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the club hike. A special outing is being planned for the spring in could be planned around this date. Gene Bavis mentioned conjunction with the Onondaga Chapterofthe Adirondack that the Finger Lakes Trail Conference will also be cele­ Mountain Club. brating its 40th anniversary during its annual meeting Guidebook and Publications: Suzanne Cohen April 26-28 next year at Mt. Morris, NY. reported that Betty Lewis has received cost estimates for New Business: The annual meeting of the Cayuga publication of the guidebook. That 4,000 copies of the Trails Club was set for January 20 at The Squire Inn at guidebook be ordered was moved, seconded, and passed Willowood Campsites and Lodge. Phil Dankert volun­ by the board. teered to organize this year's event and will contact Willo­ Membership: Sara Miller Catterall reported there are wood to confirm that the date is available. currently 153 memberships and 200 members. Howard Beye, Finger Lakes Trail Conference Chair, Trails: Kurt Seitz reported the following activities. On requested that Carsonite markers be placed at road cross­ September 15, seven members finished the relocation of ings indicating North Country Trail designation. Kurt a section of the Finger Lakes Trail in Connecticut Hill Seitz indicated he thought there were already enough Wildlife Management Area. The section north of Cabin signs, and in the future he would like to place wooden

Cayuga Trails - 10 - Late Fall 2001 signs at tr_e :-:-2_' 0 ::- trail crossings that would indicate destinations C..:1a mileage. Tom Reimers thought the Cayuga Trails Club Carsonite markers were rather inconspicuous. It was 2001 Executive Board suggested the.! !hey could also be used to designate President .... _ ...... Suzanne Cohen allowable and ;-,on-allowable usage. It was decided that Vice President ...... John Andersson since the m2r;;:e::-s are provided at no charge we should go Treasurer . _ ..... _ ...... Jack Van Derzee ahead and obtain these markers from the trail conference. Secretary/Finance ...... Betty Hansen Walle, Look, & Learn Hikes .... Jennifer Wilson John Andersson submitted the following motion: "I Trails ...... _ . _ Kurt Seitz move that the CTC contribute $100 for a concrete paver Betty Hansen for the Cayuga \\-aterfront Trail." This will get the club's Trail Landowner Liaison ...... Peter Harriott name on a 4-inch by 7-inch paving stone to be used at a Guide Book & Publications . . . . Betty Lewis trailhead_ Tom Reimers explained that the paving stones Membership ...... Sara Miller Catterall are part of the trail fund-raising project by the Tompkins Newsletter ...... Tom Reimers Archives/Historian ...... Frances Lauman County Chamber of Commerce_ The motion was sec­ Social ...... _ ...... John Andersson onded, and passed by the board. Publicity ...... _ ...... Susan Wiser The board discussed the possibility of forming a Adopt-A-Highway ...... Phil Dankert committee to explore alternatives for the format, process of At-Large Members ...... _.... Clifford Blizard revision, and publication of the next edition of the Susan Wiser guidebook. Officer positions that need to be filled next year include president, vice-president, and secretary. Jack Van The Cayuga Trails Club Derzee offered to continue as treasurer. A member-at-large of the Executive Board is also needed. Archives The next Executive Board meeting is scheduled for ~December 4 at the Scott Heyman Conference Room. The by Tom Reimers sybsequent meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2002. $ (with assistance from Frances Lauman)

id you know that the Cayuga Trails Club was Welcome to the Following organized in 1962? Did you know that the.club's New Members D records and other memorabilia are stored in a climate-controlled facility at Cornell University? Archives of the Cayuga Trails Club were established in 1961. Maureen & Rus Howard Currently, they are stored underground in the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collection of the Karl A. i

For example, box# 1 contains early Walk, Look, and Learn

Hike reports, trail-scouting reports, landowner agreements, standard practices, and documents about Reiman Woods, Don Wilson property that the Cayuga Trails Club owns in the Town of Enfield in Tompkins County. Ithaca, NY 14850 Visitors and researchers are welcome in the Rare and Manuscript Division Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 :00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 1 :00 to 5 :00 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters while classes are in session. The receptionist on the 2B level will be happy to direct you to the reference room. $

Cayuga Trails - 11 - Late Fall 2001 Mark Your Calendars Saturday, November 10 . . . Adopt-A-Highway Program. The fourth and final 2001 cleanup of two miles of NY Route 366. Meet just before 10:00 a.m. in Cornell's "O" parking lot at the intersection of Route 366 and Caldwell Road. Garbage bags and safety equipment will be provided. Phil Dankert, leader (607 /257-2578, [email protected]). Sunday, November 1 1 Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #458. The Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve, Ellis Hollow Creek Road, Town of Dryden, Tompkins County. Meet at 3:00 p.m. at the nature preserve just east of Genung Road. Peter Harriott, leader (607 /273-6049). Details on page 4. Sunday , November 11 General Membership Meeting and dish-to-pass supper. Bring a friend! Ellis Hollow Communit y Center, Genung Road, Ithaca. Social at 5:30 p.m. and supper at 6:00 p.m. Contact John Andersson (607/898-3058, [email protected]) for information. Details on page 1. Sunday, November 18 . .. . Special CTC hike on the lnterloken Trail, Finger Lakes National Forest. Meet at the U.S. Forest Service parking lot at south end of t he lnterloken Trail on Burnt Hill Road at 1 :00 p.m. Marsha Zgola (607/546-7367, [email protected]) and Jennifer Wilson (607/753- 8641, [email protected]), leaders. Tuesday, December 4 . .... CTC Executive Board meeting. 7 :30 p .m. Scott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. Members are welcome to attend.

Sunc;lay, Dec~mber 9 Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #459. Cornell natural areas on and near campus, Cornell University, Ithaca. Meet at Cornell Plantations headquarters at 1 :00 p.m . Tom Reimers, leader (607 /272-8679, [email protected]). Details on page 4. Sunday, January 20, 2002 . CTC Annual Meeting. The Squire Inn at Willowood Campsites and Lodge, 28 Rockwell Road, Town of -Enfield, Tompkins County. More information later. Mark your calendars now.

C a yuga Tra ils Club, Inc. NON-PROFIT Sara Miller Catterall, Cayuga Trails mailing ORGANIZATION P.O. Box 754 U.S. POSTAGE Ithaca, NY 14851-0754 PAID ITHACA, NY PERMIT NO. 94