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

January-February 2003 Winter Edition Vol. 43, Nos. 1 & 2

President's Message

by Suzanne Cohen

'' It's hard to get excited tain in the local area is part of an 800-mile-long statewide about working on a trail Finger Lakes Trail System. I was proud that I could an­ that's already built and swer yes in regard to CTC members. About 25 percent of looks great!" This was heard CTC members are also members of the FLTC and over the during a recent discussion about next few months I hope the Executive Board will be dis­ getting people involved with the cussing ways to increase this percentage. We need to sup­ Cayuga Trails Club (CTC) and port the umbrella organization that provides many impor­ . . : the Finger Lakes Trail Confer- tant tangible benefits, but also keeps us connected to the ~ ence (FLTC). The early mem- ''big picture." At this club leaders meeting, I accepted a 4: X k:tse ~ D CC m"l¥t ~hers of the CTC were scouting, framed FLT patch, recognizing the CTC's 40 years of Shh', ff ff'j ~flagging, and clearing a foot- FLTC membership. I'll be sure to bring this to the Annual - path that would reach all the Meeting for all to see. way across New York State-what an exciting goal that Many of you are aware that I will not be seeking must have been! Completing the North Country National reelection as president this year. I look forward to serving Scenic Trail (over 4,000 miles) is a similarly challenging on the board in other roles, continuing friendships that I and exciting goal. Maybe it's time for the CTC to come up have developed through the club, and working toward a with a new dream for our club-something to work to­ new dream that we can create together. ward. What are some ideas? What would spark the passion of the larger community and make it want to help? One idea is to work toward acquiring protection for every inch of the trails we maintain with conservation easements or by purchasing land. This is not to suggest that people aren't working hard just to preserve and improve upon what has already been done. During my past three years as president, I have been truly amazed by the individual and collective contributions that our members have made. And, let's not forget getting out there to enjoy the fruits of everyone's labor­ educating and bringing people closer to nature and to each other during sponsored outings. Some may ask how we can think about doing more when we are having trouble finding new people to take leadership positions. I am just wondering if the club needs a new approach, a new goal to Club leaders, including CTC President Suzanne Cohen (front row attract some attention. left), attended the FLTC Club Leaders Summit on November 2, 2002. Some brainstorming to this effect was done at the Reproduced with permission ofFinger Lakes Trail News. FLTC-sponsored Club Leaders Summit, which I attended along with five other CTC board members on November 2 at Highland Forest. Someone asked if our members are conscious of the fact that the trail they hike on and main- Trails Report

by Tom Gudeman Trails Chairman ear .the end of October, we had our last official trail mamtenance work session for the season. And a Nsuccess it was. Fourteen of us gathered on Logan Road in Schuyler County to make improvements to the tree bridge on the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) that crosses the creek near there. Many events took place simultaneously. Several brave souls donned their rubber boots and climbed into the creek to move rocks and stones against the bank and around the roots of our tree to help protect against further erosion during floods. Some wet feet did ensue. Some worked on creating a handrail for the bridge from 2" x 4" supports and long branches from the area. A family team created a set of steps at the far end to help with the otherwise 30" step up. The humps along the walking surface were shaved off using our new chainsaw. Signage was improved. Blazes were repainted over a considerable distance along the trail. A lot was accom­ plished, along with merriment and good-natured humor. \ , . '..::::~ . Some ofthe 14 CTC volunteers for the October trail work crew. The tree bridge is now very easy to cross. Photo by Marsha Zgola. A small group even followed Kurt Seitz (who is back from New Hampshire) to Rieman Woods to clear and Report on Special blaze a new section of FLT that Kurt had flagged only a few days before. Thanks, Kurt, for taking the lead on this. October Hike The reroute in that area is an improvement over the former route, going through woods up on the hill rather than + Date-October 20, 2002 paralleling the road downhill only to climb steeply back up passing close to someone's house. Thanks to everyone + Location-Mount Pleasant, Town of Dryden, who helped. Tompkins County I am also announcing that I am no longer going to be ·+ leader-Peter Harriott the trails chairman. I feel that much was accomplished this past season with many thanks to all the volunteers who n October 20th, Peter Harriott led a short loop hike helped out. I enjoyed each of the outings. But I am devot­ on M0tmt Pleasant near Ithaca before the annual ing myself to working on my own house projects for the 0 membership meeting and dish-to-pass supper in Ellis foreseeable future and will not have time to orchestrate a Hollow. Eleven members and four guests partic­ monthly trail work party. I do plan to be available for tech­ ipated. The group started where the gas pipeline crosses nical assistance and to help with one of the bigger single­ Mount Pleasant Road about two miles from Turkey Hill person projects. Road. After a short walk along the pipeline right-of-way, the group went north into the woods on an unmarked trail that led to an old (70 years?) lean-to in need of repairs. Hikers then headed along an abandoned road to Pine Woods Road Cayuga Trails is published six times each year and (also abandoned) and uphill to the pipeline to take another is edited and published by Thomas J. Reimers. Comments and original contributions are welcome. trail through the woods to the top of the hill. Hikers were Deadline for the early spring edition is February 15, lucky to arrive at Cornell's Hoffman Challenge Course just 2003. Send to nyhiker@localnetcom or 3C Wild­ when a group of students were climbing polls and across flower Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850. cables stretched between polls and trees. Hikers then went along the same pipeline route to the starting point. The hike was about two miles long round-trip.

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Winter 2003 Cornell Plantations Beam Hill in Dryden Natural Areas Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #473 Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #472 February 9, 2003 (Sunday) January 12, 2003 (Sunday) + Location- Beam Hill, Town of Dryden, Tompkins + Location-Cornell University natural areas on and County near campus, Ithaca + Meeting Place-400 Beam Hill Road, Town of + Meeting Place- Cornell Plantations headquarters, Dryden, Tompkins County One Plantations Road, Ithaca + Meeting Time-1:00 p.m.

+ Meeting Time-1 :00 p.m. earn Hill, near Hammond Hill State Forest, ~s ho~e to some of the county's best snow and ski condi­ om Reimers will lead this 3- to 5-mile-long hike tions, as well as CTCer Lois Chaplin. If there's through several natural areas on and near the Cor­ B going to be snow in February in Tompkins County, nell University campus. Depending on the weather T it will be on Beam Hill! If you are a beginner skier and and snow cover, these areas will include Gymno­ interested in an afternoon of skiing with some basic in­ sperm Slope, Beebe Lake, Mundy Wildflower Garden, struction, guidance, and support, you are invited to join Slim Jim Woods, Fall Creek Plateau, McGowan Woods, Lois at 400 Beam Hill Road. and the East Ithaca Recreation Way. Four of these places This is your chance to try out those new skis, or the have magnificent old growth forests with huge, wonderful ones you've been tumbling off of in frustration when you trees. We'll try to identify trees, berries, and wildflowers end up with a group of skiers more advanced than you are. in winter. For a preview of the areas we plan to visit on Nobody gets left behind at this event! We'll have a loop this hike, Tom recommends getting a copy of A Field through the backyard and around the pond for you to prac­ Guide to Cornell's Natural Areas On and Near Campus by tice some simple kick and glide techniques. Learn to fall Nancy L. Ostman and F. Robert Wesley. It is for sale at in a supporting atmosphere! Test out your clothing to see the Cornell Plantations Gift Shop. Call Tom at 607/272- how well it keeps you warm and repels moisture! Another 8679 or email him at [email protected] for more trail will be set up for those a tad more adventuresome tak­ information. Be sure to dress for the weather! ing you on a short loop through the woods where there's a little vertical variety. For those who get chilled, the hot water kettle will be on the kitchen stove; hot chocolate, other warming drinks, and snacks will be available. Bring your own ski equipment, water bottle, extra mit­ tens, questions, and a change of dry clothing. For safety reasons, dogs are not invited. Ifyou 're a more experienced skier and would like to lend a helping hand, please join us. To get to Beam Hill Road, turn onto Irish Settlement Road from NY Route 13 just south of the village of Dry­ den. Travel three miles and turn left. (You've gone a half mile too far if you get to Hammond Hill Road.) Number 400 is the third house on the left, one-half mile up the road. Call 607/844-3935 with questions or to confirm.

Cayuga Trails - 3 - Winter 2003 sµec\a\

Highland Forest Cayuta Gulf Loop Trail

January 26, 2003 (Sunday) February 23, 2003 (Sunday) + Location-Highland Forest, Onondaga County + Location-West side of Connecticut Hill, Schuyler County + Meeting Places-Cornell University "O" lot for Ithaca-area residents (comer of NY Route 366 and + Meeting Place- Abandoned store at intersection of Caldwell Road) or the Tops Market parking lot in NY Route 79 and County Road 6 in Mecklenburg Cortland (remote comer nearest to NY Route 281) for shuttle to the park ($1.00 entrance fee) + Meeting Time- 12:00 noon ayuga Trails Club members Marsha Zgola and Jen­ + Meeting Time- 9 a.m. in Ithaca, 9:30 a.m. in Cortland nifer Wilson will jointly lead a special hike of the CCayuta Gulf Loop Trail, a rugged route that is es­ et's visit the excellent cross-country ski trails at pecially beautiful under snow in the wintertime. Highland Forest, an Onondaga County park with The hike actually combines the main Finger Lakes Trail Labout 13 miles of dedicated ski routes. Club mem­ with the Cayuta Gulf Trail, the Swan Hill Trail, and the bers Jennifer Wilson and Suzanne Cohen will lead Van Lone Hill Trail for a 5.5-mile loop beginning and ski tours geared for beginner or more advanced level skiers ending about 400 feet southeast of Schuyler County Route or whoever shows up, basically. The park has short, easy 6. While walking alongside scenic gorges, up hills covered trails for novices, more challenging ones for intermediates, with hardwoods and through pine plantations, the obser­ and a few really steep slopes for experts (who want to take vant visitor is likely to see wildlife, or at least an inter­ a turn on their own, because the leaders won't be up for esting array of footprint stories written in the frost. Bear, that). The park features a swell warming hut with hot bev­ foxes, and many other creatures have been spotted here. erages for sale. The leaders strongly encourage skiers to Participants are advised to bring fluids and plenty of dress in layers and bring a daypack for storing extra cloth­ snacks for this outing and to wear or stow in a daypack ing, fluids, and snacks. No snow makes this into a hike appropriate footwear and clothing for the hike and season. and/or a horse-drawn sleigh ride (there's a charge), but Snowshoes and poles are advisable ifthe route is expected please bring your skis just in case. For more information, to be icy. From Mecklenburg, participants will carpool the contact Jennifer at 607/753-8641 or wilsonj@cortland approximately six miles south along Route 6 to reach the .edu or Suzanne at 607/272-5461 or [email protected]. trailhead beyond Cayutaville. For more information, con­ tact Marsha at 6071546-7367 or [email protected] or Jen- nifer at 607/753-8641 or [email protected]. Adopt-A-Highway 2002 Wrap-up

by Phil Dankert xcept for April when it was rainy- fortunately, or unfortunately, I was out of town and unable to attend but by all reports John Andersson (thanks!) filled in a?mira~l~-~he ~002 CTC highway cle~ups were ac~omplished ~der either Esunny or partly overcast skies. Membership participation m these cleanups was m general q,mte good rangmg from 5 to a high of 13 in November. This could very well be the largest number ever to participate! For whatever reason (less litter, more volunteers, etc.) we are now finishing in one hour or less. I wantto express my deep appreciation to everyone who took the time to help out. Some ofyou were driving approximately 20 miles, one way. This is real dedication. It was also great to have the participation of new -CTC members. See you all in April 2003 when we start again.

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Winter 2003 You're Invited/ Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting & Luncheon

Sunday, January 19, 2003, 12-4pm Turback's Restaurant, 2nd floor 919 Elmira Road (Route 13) Ithaca, New York 14850 (just south of the intersection with Rte 327)

Social hour with cash bar and hors d'oeuvres at 12:00 p.m. Lunch at 1:00 p.m.

Agenda Annual Committee Reports Election of Officers for 2003 HI, l'M OSCAR OJMY HI, l'M OSCAll lllOWN! ()scar A war ds f or D.1stmgu1s . . he d Service. to c TC Plus ... a presentation by Dave Forness Dave is Supervising forester for the Cortland District of the Department of Conservation's (DEC) Region 7. He will discuss ways that the DEC and Cayuga Trails Club have partnered in the past and ideas for future collaboration. Dave has received extensive training on the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Gu idelines (ADAG) and can discuss current and future implications of these guidelines for the DEC and trails in general. He will also provide an update on the Draft Recreation Plan and the Adopt­ A-Natural Resource program. He's hoping to leave a lot of time for questions and discussions, so come prepared with your own topics!

Lunch will include: Salad of Mixed Greens Viniagrette; choice of Honey-Roasted Plainville Turkey Dinner, Local 3 Cheese Tortellini, Grilled Sirloin Beef; Assorted Breads; Coffee, Tea and something sweet!

Return form and make check payable to Cayuga Trails Club, c/o Treasurer, P.O. Box 754, Ithaca, NY 14851-0754 Reservation deadline j anuary 12th

Your name(s) ______Number of reservations____ @ $12.00 = $ ______

Support Your Club. Please Attend the Annual Meeting.

- 5 - Snowshoeing Clinic

January 18, 2003 (Saturday) + Location-F.R. Newman Arboretum, Cornell University, Ithaca + Meeting Place-F.R. Newman Arboretum, Forest Home Drive; Flat Rock area + Meeting Time-9:00 a.m. ablo Snyder, store manager at the new Eastern Mountain Sports at Threshold Plaza in Ithaca, will conduct a special snowshoeing clinic on behalf of the Cayuga Trails Club. The clinic, at Cornell's F.R. Newman PArboretum, is for beginners who don't have their own snowshoes but would like to learn to explore the woodlands in this unique and increasingly popular way. Pablo's company will loan the snowshoes to participants who are encouraged to wear sturdy, waterprooffootwear (hiking boots are perfect), and warm clothing. Bring drinking water and snacks. Novices with snowshoes may bring their own. Many snowshoers use ski or trekking poles, so bring these, too, ifyou have them. The distance covered will probably be insignificant, but there will be plenty ofexercise as snowshoeing is a rather vigorous activity. The arboretum site provides a varied terrain for participants to try their paces. The group's size will be limited, in keeping with EMS's "leave no trace" philosophy, and prior enrollment in the clinic is required. Call Pablo at 607/272-1935. For more information, contact Jennifer Wilson at 607/753-8641 or [email protected]. From NY Route 366, tum onto Caldwell Road, proceed past Plantations Road to Forest Home Drive, and turn right. Look for the second parking area across from the locked gate to the arboretum. Please note that parking beside the building on the other side of Forest Home Drive is for arboretum staff only.

Welcome to New Members Report on Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #471 Martha Blake Ithaca, NY 14850 + Date-December 8, 2002 Larry and Marilyn Bush + Location-Mulholland Wildflower Preserve, Ithaca Trumansburg, NY 14886 + Leader-John Rogers

The Law Family n amazing variety of hemlock-lined steep-sided gorge formations intersect the west bank of Six Ithaca, NY 14850 A Mile Creek Starting from the parking lot of the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve, nine hikers enjoyed a beautiful Sunday afternoon discovery of some Paul Marciniak of the less-traveled trails, including a section of the South Port Byron, NY 13140 Hill Recreation Way. The sun brought out warm, rich, enchanting light to the treetops and distant hillsides near the hike's completion. Though the morning dawned gray Louise Raimondo and threatening, all present were glad we opted to enrich

our weekend with a good ramble in excellent company. Ithaca, NY 14850 Peter Rothbart and Linda Uhll

Ithaca, NY 14850 Happ).? New YeaP!

Cayuga Trails - 6 - Winter 2003 Report on Executive Board Meeting

he Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club met teers improved the footbridge on the Finger Lakes Trail for a regular meeting on December 3, 2002, in the (FLT). A reroute of the FLT was also done west ofPorter T_ Scott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail, 125 East Hill Road by Kurt Seitz and crew. The FLT from Logan Court Street, Ithaca, New York. Board members Road to Satterly Hill Road was re-blazed and old signs present were John Andersson, Suzanne Cohen, Jim Con­ were replaced. Tom announced that he will not be contin­ nors, Sigrid Connors, Phil Dankert, Tom Gudeman, Betty uing as trails chairman next year due to other pressing Lewis, Barb Morley, Tom Reimers, David Schwartz, needs; he plans to stay involved, however. V arya Siegel, Kurt Seitz, Jack Van Derzee, and Jennifer Adopt-A-Highway Program: Phil Dankert reported Wilson. The following is a swnrnary of some items reported that the final cleanup of NY Route 366 for 2002 was done and actions taken as recorded by Secretary Sigrid Connors. on November 9 with 13 members working. The cleanups President Cohen called the meeting to order at 7:30 all year were quite successful. The next cleanup is planned p.m. Treasurer Van Derzee reported a checking account for April 2003. balance of $1,244.75 and a savings account balance of Old Business: The CTC annual meeting will be on $5,675.23. He also reported that income from dues is Sunday, January 19, 2003, at Turback's Restaurant in breaking records and that the club is taking in lots of Ithaca at noon. John Andersson presented the Creative money from sale of the new guidebook. Cost of printing Catering menu selections. In order to reduce the cost ofthe the newsletter is over budget because we have more mem­ meal, it was agreed that including two hors d'oeuvres and bers than we anticipated. no dessert was the best option. Tom Reimers made a Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes: Jennifer Wilson re­ motion to subsidize the dinner so that members would pay ported that Peter Harriott led a hike with 15 people before $12.00. The motion was passed unanimously. Suzanne will the dish-to-pass supper on October 20, 2002. Betty Lewis revise the announcements about the meeting and mem­ led a hike with Phil Dankert; 13 hikers participated. The bership renewal. The quest speaker for the event will be special Abbott Loop hike on November 17 did not go as one of the foresters from Region 7 of the New York State planned because of an ice storm. Jennifer is working on Department of Environmental Conservation. putting together a few ski outings. The Executive Board approved purchase of a 2' x 6' Guidebook: Betty Lewis said that more than 700 banner at a cost of $300.00. The banner would be used at guidebooks have been sold so far. Eastern Mountain CTC hikes and other events. There was much discussion Sports and Eureka Tent Factory also will be selling the about what to include on the banner and what colors to books. Wildware is stiII the major seller (over 300 so far). use. Suzanne Cohen will follow up on the initial designs, Membership: Suzanne Cohen reported that the club taking the discussion into consideration. She will present has four new members. That brings the number of mem­ four draft versions at the next meeting. bers to about 250! Suzanne reported that six CTC members attended the Social: The CTC General Membership Meeting was Club Leaders Summit organized by the Finger Lakes Trail held at the Ellis Hollow Community Center on October 20 Conference (FLTC). The meeting of FLTC officials and with 36 in attendance. leaders from FLT-sponsoring clubs was held on November Trails: Tom Gudeman reported that one final pro­ 2, 2002, in Highland Forest Park. The purpose was to ductive work session was held at the end of October at the share ideas about how to manage clubs, attract new Logan Creek area in Schuyler County. Fourteen volun- people, and mentor existing people. Report on Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #470

+ Date - November 10, 2002 + Location- Sierra Club section of the Finger Lakes Trail + Leader-Betty Lewis iserable rain began, but 12 hikers joined me for the hike from Harford Road through the forest and along the deep gully down to NY Route 79. At the Harford Road trailhead the wind had died, and there was no rain. Seconds before we M were to head off on the trail, an SUV sped around the curve and downhill toward us, flipping over a couple times and landing bottom up in the ditch a few yards away. Children and driver tumbled out ofthe vehicle unhurt except for one minor cut CTCers to the rescue. Phil Dankert set up the flares at the hilltop curve and the gentleman in a hazard-yellow jacket slowed down the uphill drivers. And then the emergency vehicles arrived. Oh yes, the hike? It was great!

Cayuga Trails - 7 - . Winter 2003 Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, January 12 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #472. Cornell Plantations Natural Areas. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at Cornell Plantations headquarters, . One Plantations Road, Ithaca. Tom Reimers, leader (607/272- 8679, [email protected]). Details on page 3. Saturday, January 18 ...... Snowshoeing Clinic for CTC members offered by Eastern Mountain Sports. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Cornell's F.R. Newman Arboretum, Forest Home Drive, Ithaca. Details on page 6. Contact Jennifer Wilson (607 /753-8641, [email protected]) for more information. Pre-enrollment is required-call Pablo Snyder at 607 /27 2-1935. Sunday, January 19 ...... ·...... Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting and·brunch buffet. Turback's Restaurant, Ithaca. See page 5 for information and reservation form. Sunday, January 26 ...... Special ski/hike in Highland Forest, Onondaga County. Meet at Cornell University "O" lot for Ithaca-area residents (corner of NY Route 366 and Caldwell Road) or the Tops Market parking lot in Cortland (remote corner nearest to NY Route 281). Jennifer Wilson (6071753-8641 , [email protected]) and Suzanne Cohen (607 /272-5461, [email protected]), leaders. Details on page 4. Tuesday, February 4 ...... Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board meeting. 7:30 p.m. Old Jail Building, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. Members welcome. Sunday, February 9 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #473. Ski Beam Hill in Town of Dryden. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at 400 Beam Hill Road. Lois Chaplin, leader (607 /844-3935). Details on page 3. Saturday, February 1 5 ...... Deadline for submitting materials for the early spring issue of Cayuga Trails. See information in box on page 2. Sunday, February 23 ...... Special hike (snowshoe?) of the Cayuta Gulf Loop Trail. Meet at 12:00 noon at the abandoned store at the intersection of NY Route 79 and County Road 6 in Mecklenburg. Marsha Zgola (607/546-7367, [email protected]) and Jennifer Wilson (607 /753-8641 , [email protected]), leaders. Details on pag~.

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. P.O. Box 754 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION Ithaca, NY 14851-07 54 ; ' U.S. POSTAGE PAID ITHACA, NY 0 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 2003 Early Spring Edition Vol. 43, Nos. 3 & 4 Busy Spring Coming Up! Your Help is Needed.

by Tom Reimers Trails Chairman ost of you know that this winter has been very asked to let the club know about maintenance jobs that are damaging to power lines, trees, shrubs ... and, yes, unsafe or too large. That's where the rest of our members Mtrails. I have seen for myself and heard several come in. reports about major obstructions on the Finger Trail maintenance is great exercise and fun, especially Lakes Trail and Cayuga Trail caused by fallen tree limbs when working with a group. Your first opportunity to help and whole trees that are down. For example, on the Abbott this year in an organized trail work session will be on Sat­ Loop just west of Michigan Hollow Road, it looks like a urday, April 12. Your help will be greatly needed and "cluster" of five or six pine trees came down in unison appreciated. This work session, to be followed by others across the trail under the weight of ice and snow. monthly until about September, will begin by meeting at What this means is that a lot oftrail reconstruction will 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Ithaca Shopping Plaza be needed this spring from volunteers ofthe Cayuga Trails by Taco Bell. This is across NY Route 13 (Elmira Road) Club. The club is responsible for maintenance ofabout 75 from K-Mart Plaza. You will be assigned to an experi­ miles of the Finger Lakes Trail System and the 8.5-mile­ enced work-session leader and sent offfor a wonderful day long Cayuga Trail. Most of these miles are "adopted" for of outdoor activity maintaining trail. Please bring hand maintenance by members and non-members of the club. saws, chainsaws, loppers, gloves, drinking water, and However, there are a few sections that are not adopted lunch. The club can provide tools and some safety gear to (yet?). Furthermore, some of the winter damage may be volunteers who have none. Please join me and others. too extensive for one or two individuals to clear. Trail There's a lot of work to be done. Contact me at 607/272- adopters have been asked to inspect their trail miles and do 8679 or [email protected] if you would like more what they can to clear trail safely. They have also been information. Thank you.

Abbott Loop west ofMichi gan Hollow Road, Finger Lakes Trail east ofBald Hill Road, Cayuga Trail offFor est Home Drive, Cornell Danby State Forest. Danby State Forest. Plantations. Photos by Tom Reimers. Presidents' Messages

by Co-presidents Phil Dankert and Jennifer Wilson

hil: As Jennifer and I be­ Cortland County and in 1994 across Schuyler County. fu gin our term as co­ the interest ofbrevity I will just add that on June 21 , 1998, Ppresidents of the Cayuga I became the 79th person to complete the Finger Lakes Trails Club, I thought I Trail, 560 miles from the Catskills to Allegany State Park. would lead off by giving a brief It is stating the obvious to note that any organization background of myself for those can accomplish its objectives only if its members become members who do not know me. I involved. One large task before us when the snow melts is first became a member of the trail work. The snow and ice storms of January caused Executive Board in 1993 and havoc. Large branches and even trees are lying across have served as member-at-large more than one section of the FLT our club maintains. To (2 years), vice-president (1 year), clear this debris, volunteer trail adopters will need help. and chairman of the Adopt-a­ Please see Tom's trails report on page 1. I Highway Program from 1999 until just recently. have I am interested in re-establishing the Advocacy Com­ relinquished this job to Jim Connors. mittee. Its purpose would be to keep the CTC membership Although I have always enjoyed hiking- from many current on legislation relating to, among other issues, years ago when I climbed such mountains in New England environmental matters as they impact hiking. as Washington, Lafayette, and Katahdin- this interest Jennifer and I have large shoes to fill. I want to thank "resurfaced" in the spring of 1992 when I signed up for the publicly Suzanne Cohen for the tremendous job she has series of hikes on the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) across done these past few years as our president. The hours that Tompkins County. This series was co-organized by the she spent doing this job so capably are probably not mea­ CTC and the Tompkins County Healthy Heart Program. It surable. Fortunately, she will still be taking on important was on the first hike that I met Tom Reimers. This was fol­ lowed by a similar series of FLT hikes in 1993 across tasks as a continuing member of the Executive Board.

ennifer: I think we can't I had gone on many hikes before, but knew little about say enough about what planning outings for groups of people with many different j Suzanne has done and hiking interests and levels ofoutdoor experience. I quickly continues to do for the learned that folks are all there to have fun, and a really Cayuga Trails Club. mixed bag of walkers can all find ways to enjoy the fu 2003, Phil and I are al­ experience, with some people closely examining a rare ' , ways glad to hear from our piece of flora while others are training to climb a moun­ · ·_. ,; members on matters of inter- tain. It's a rewarding experience watching somebody who ,, est to them, their concerns, is timid or downright fearful of the ~oods evolve into a etc. This year, there will be different person who knows how to read a map, can four ears instead of only two recognize and discuss the plants and animal signs, and to listen to your thoughts and would like to lead a hike themselves. I know from personal suggestions about how to make this a better club, serving experience that the satisfaction that comes from becoming more people with excellent hiking and social opportunities self sufficient as a hiker or a trail maintainer spills over as well as improved trails and the opportunity to advocate into other facets of one's life. For that reason, I'ni always for our precious and peaceful foot trails. hoping for more new members and for greater partic­ Hiking clubs were new for me when I joined in 1997, ipation from the ones we already have. Phil and I have although I was a relatively experienced hiker. Twas soon made a pledge to do our best for the club this year, and we recruited to organize Walk, Look, and Learn hikes in 1998. hope you'll find ways to enrich the club, too. Happy trails from both of us.

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Early Spring 2003 2003 Oscar Awards

by John Andersson

om Reimers and Tom Gudeman bring the Oscars that Tom provides invaluable help; with a very short home for 2003 ! The Oscars, small porcelain deadline, he helped proofread the new edition ofthe Guide Tsquirrels, reward CTC members who have provided to Trails ofthe Finger Lakes Region. He provides impor­ distinguished service to the club in the past year. tant connections to related groups as he is also on the The winners get to keep them for a year, and then choose Board of Manager of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, recipients for the next year. the Board ofDirectors ofthe Finger Lakes Land Trust, and Suzanne Cohen, a winner in 2002, honored Tom the Advisory Committee for the Cayuga Waterfront Trail. Reimers with Oscar Gray by saying,"Tom is our news­ Suzanne concluded by saying, "As I mentioned at the letter editor, and I attribute much of our membership beginning, I have often asked Tom for advice on club recruitment and retention to this newsletter. People love matters. His knowledge has been invaluable to me as reading it and it is an essential communication tool.... president and to those with whom he has shared it during Many of the photos ... are his own. Tom volunteers to lead club events. Thank you for your ongoing patience and hikes, including ... the annual Earth Day Hike on the willingness to serve. Tom received Oscar Gray in 1991, Cayuga Trail and a Walk, Look, and Learn Hike in the and the time for him to be back with you is long overdue." Cornell Plantations Natural Areas in winter. Last year Jack Van Derzee, who was recognized in 2002, decided Tom helped organize the National Trails Day event .. . with to award Oscar Brown toTom Gudeman. Jack reported that the Finger Lakes Land Trust on the new Lick Brook loop Tom was the very active trails chairman in 2002. He took trail. And he also generously invited CTC members for a guided hike on his own private property in Danby on this very necessary job with little hesitation, spent a lot followed by refreshments. Tom spearheaded the effort to of time on it, and applied his experience very well. High­ install a memorial bench in honor of Laura McGuire and lights of his work include the repair of two footbridges on did all of the work to obtain permissions for this." the Finger Lakes Trail, one in the nick of time as upon Suzanne pointed out that Tom worked with the Town inspection everyone declared it was nearly ready to topple of Danby and the NYS Department of Environmental into the creek! Tom successfully organized work week­ Conservation related to the Danby State Forest and, in ends when trail work was accomplished, including laying particular, a new snowmobile trail that crosses the Finger up beautiful stone work for the bridge Lakes Trail. Tom maintains three sections of the Finger footings. Oscar Brown travels with Lakes Trail and about half of the Cayuga Trail. He Baby Oscar, who came into being regularly attends trail maintenance sessions. when both Oscars spent a year She said, "I think he could get a separate award just for together when C liff and Doris Abbott the amount of paint blazing that he does!" She also said each received one. Report on Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #472

• Date: January 12, 2003 • location: Cornell Plantations Arboretum and Natural Areas • leader: Tom Reimers old temperatures, strong winds, icy paths, and the usual Ithaca winter clouds didn't stop eight CTC members and one guest from enjoying a stroll along footpaths and roads of Cornell Plantations. Deep snow prevented the group from Cvisiting Gymnosperm Slope, Fall Creek Valley, Slim Jim Woods, and McGowan Woods- natural areas originally planned for visits by the leader. Instead, hikers walked around Beebe Lake and through the Mundy Wildflower Garden, the F.R. Newman Arboretum, Arboretum Meadows, and Arboretum Woods. Tom also took the group for a brief visit to the Muenscher Poisonous Plants Garden by the College ofVeterinary Medicine. Although the vegetation was covered with snow, Tom recommended that the hikers return in the spring and summer to see what surprises this garden has. The sun came out from behind the clouds twice! Briefly.

Cayuga Trails - 3 - Early Spring 2003 Anything Goes Hike Earth Day Hike

Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #474 on the Cayuga Trail March 9, 2003 (Sunday) Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #475 • Location: Danby section of the Finger Lakes Trail April 26, 2003 (Saturday) from Layen Road to Comfort Road, Town of Danby, Tompkins County • Location: The Cayuga Trail, Town of Dryden, Tompkins County • Meeting Place: Park & Ride lot at comer of NY Route 96B and Gunderman Road in Danby • Meeting Place: Liddell Laboratory at the top of the winding section of Freese Road in Varna • Meeting Time: 1 :00 p.m. • Meeting Time: 1:00 p.m. his 3. 6-mile hike will take advantage of some beau­ tiful winter views available on the Finger Lakes pril 22 marks the 33rd anniversary ofEarthDay. To TTrail. Hikers will be ah le to gaze across fulet Valley celebrate this very important event, the Cayuga toward Connecticut Hill, Spencer, and Newfield A Trails Club will sponsor the 12th annual Earth Day Hills. The level of this hike will be moderate with a few Hike on the Cayuga Trail on April 26. This 5-mile loop hike will go through the Cornell Plantations natural ravine crossings. Plan on 3 hours, which includes the time areas. Tom Reimers will lead the hike from Liddell to shuttle cars at the beginning and end. Due to the unpre­ Laboratory beginning at 1 :00 p.m. dictability of March weather, this will be an "anything The Cayuga Trails Club started building the Cayuga goes" hike. Snowshoes will be required if conditions are Trail in 1964; it has been expanded several times in its still snowy at this time. If there's no snow make sure to history. The most recent expansion was done in 2000 after wear your hiking boots, with shoes to change into after­ a short section of trail along Fall Creek was washed out ward, because we may be in for a muddy time. Then again, during heavy spring rains. The section was replaced hy a it could be sunny and 50 degrees outside. Who knows?! very scenic reroute following both sides of a gorge enter­ Just come prepared for the conditions ofthe day, and bring ing Fall Creek. drinking water and snacks, too. Ifyou have any questions, The Cayuga Trail takes hikers along the high banks and please contact hike leader Suzanne Cohen at 607/ 272- water's edge ofFall Creek, through hardwood forests, pine 5461 or [email protected] for more information. plantations, and interesting areas of lush fems and hawthorns. This hike annually features early spring wildflowers, birds, railroad history and lore, magnificent vistas, interesting geological features, and the beauty of Do You Want to be Unlisted? very wild sections of Fall Creek and The next issue of this newsletter will in­ Cornell's natural areas. The Cayuga clude a complete membership list like it Trail is considered one of the most did last year. If you would rather not be beautiful foot trails on university included on this list, please inform property. Wear sturdy footwear and Suzanne Cohen at 607/272-5461 or bring rain gear and drinking water. [email protected]. If you indicated this Call Tom at 607/272-8679 (email on your membership or renewal form, [email protected]) if you have your request has already been noted. any questions. Thank you.

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Early Spring 2003 Report on Special Special April Hike Snowshoeing Clinic Finger Lakes Trail in and near Shindagin Hollow April 19, 2003 (Saturday) • Date: January 18, 2003 • Location: Finger Lakes Trail from NY Route 96B to • Location: F.R. Newman Arboretum, Cornell Old Seventy-Six Road, Towns of Danby and University, Ithaca Caroline, Tompkins County • Leaders: Eric Kindig of EMS store in Ithaca and • Meeting Place: East Hill Plaza, comer of Pine Tree Jennifer Wilson Road and Ellis Hollow Road, Ithaca espite the brilliant sunshine, the temperature • Meeting Time: 9:30 a.m. hovered around zero during what may have been Dthe club's first official snowshoeing clinic. Eric ack Van Derzee will lead this hike ofabout 11 miles. loaned his store's rentable snowshoes to parti- Bring trail lunch and drinking water. Because of cipants and led 15 tough outdoors folks on the wild moon­ J winter damage to the Finger Lakes Trail, be prepared scape that is Cornell's arboretum in the wintertime. The for less than pristine conditions. This will be a joint group experienced the unique ability of snowshoes to hike with the Triple Cities Hiking Club out of the Bing­ wander well off the beaten trail and indeed up some rather hamton area. This hike will pass through private land and steep pitches. The plentiful wide-open spaces provided the Shindagin Hollow State Forest, where the Shindagin Lean­ opportunity for individuals to attempt to run on snow­ to is located. For more information contact Jack Van shoes. The snow walkers traveled as far as the sledding Derzee at 607/387-5810 or [email protected] hill and a scenic overlook of a pond before heading back to the creek-side parking at Forest Home Drive. A small, Hikes Across the hardy threesome continued the hike, crossing Fall Creek to explore a short loop encompassing part of the club­ Genesee River Valley maintained Cayuga Trail. Hopefully as the result of this clinic, more members will be interested in extending the ack Van Derzee will lead a series of informal hikes seasons of hiking by donning this fun footgear. across the Genesee River valley on the Finger Lakes J Trail. All hikes will begin at 10:30 a.m. For additional information call Jack at 607/387-5810 or email him at [email protected]. Finger Lakes Trail maps indicated below can be ordered from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference Service Center by mail at 6111 Visitor Center Road, Mt. Morris, NY 14510, by telephone at 585/658-9320, or online from the FLT Web site at www .finger lakes. net/trailsystem. • May 11 Access point 6 on FLT map M-9 to access point 1 on map M-9. Meet at Slader Creek Road (County Road 13C) at 10:30. 10.75 miles. • June 1 Access point 5 on FLT map M-8 to access point 2 on map M-8. Meet at Delude Road at 10:30. 10.7 miles. • August 10 Access point 2 on FLT map M-8 to Pennycook Road on map M-7. Meet at Pennycook Road at 10:30. 9.35 miles. • September 21 Pennycook Road on FLT map M-7 to access point 5 on - - map M-6. Meet at Camp Road at 10:30. 10.6 miles. Eric Kindig from the EMS store describes the various styles of • October 19 snowshoes during the CTC snowshoeing clinic. Photo by Tom Reimers. Contact Jack to find out what the hike will be.

Cayuga Trails - 5 - Early Spring 2003 2003 Annual Meeting and Luncheon

by Suzanne Cohen ifty-one Cayuga Trails Club members enjoyed a guidelines for any new trails that are built, which have trail social hour and luncheon at Turback's Restaurant heads at major intersections. From the presentation, it was Fduring the club's 2003 annual meeting held on clear that there are a number ofcircumstances which could Sunday, January 19. It was a cold but sunny day, and result in exceptions to the guidelines. the large windows of Turback's second floor provided a In response to a question, Dave told the group that the bright and pleasant atmosphere for the event. Great service Region 7 recreation plan for state forests is still not and delicious food contributed to a good time had by all. finalized, but this is expected to happen soon. The group The business meeting was convened after lunch and thanked Dave for his informative presentation and for began with reports by the treasurer, committee chair­ driving all the way from Syracuse on the Sunday of a persons, and president, recounting accomplishments of holiday weekend to be with us. Dave asked that his contact 2002. Next was the moment that everyone was waiting for: information be made available in this newsletter in case the announcement by the nominating committee of the people have other questions or information to report, so candidates for the 2003 Executive Board. Members here it is: David Forness, Supervising Forester, 1285 unanimously elected Phil Dankert and Jennifer Wilson to Fisher Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045, 6071753-3095, be the club's co-presidents along with Dave Schwartz as extention 224, [email protected]. ny. us. We can also vice-president, Sigrid Connors as secretary, Jack Van contact John Clancy, DEC Senior Forester, at extention Derzee as treasurer, and Joan Jedele as member-at-large. 258 [email protected]. The business meeting concluded with the presentation of Thanks go to John Andersson, Marsha Zgola, Jack the annual Oscar Awards to Tom Gudernan and Tom Van Derzee, and Suzanne Cohen for their help in Reimers (see article on page 3). arranging the meeting details. This year's guest speaker, Dave Forness, was then introduced. Dave is supervising forester for the Cortland District of the NYS Department of Conservation's (DEC) Region 7, and his presentation revealed the challenges of managing land in nine counties with limited staff and limited funding. The DEC's limited resources make relationships with Adopt-A-Natural Resource participants (such as Cayuga Trails Club members working on trails on DEC land) essential. He thanked the club for being a partner with the DEC, citing the recent building of the stone wall at the footbridge in Shindagin Hollow, which prevented the bridge from having to be closed, as a perfect example of the positive benefits to all. Another responsibility that is made difficult by limited resources is law enforcement on DEC lands. Dave asked CTC members to help with enforcement efforts by reporting illegal activity, such as ATV use, to the DEC office. Make note of time and location and send the Suzanne Cohen, Betty Hansen, Jack Van Derzee, and David information to the Region 7 office (contact details at end Schwartz at Turback's Restaurant for the 2003 annual meeting. ofarticle). IfDEC staff can detect a pattern ofwhen illegal Photo by Tom Reimers. activity is occurring, they will be able to make more efficient use of their enforcement resources. Cayuga Trails is published six times each year and is edited and published by Thomas J. Reimers. Dave also spoke about the Americans with Disabilities Comments and original contributions are welcome. Act Guidelines, which the DEC is currently required to Deadline for the late spring edition is April 15, follow. There is a difficult balance between providing 2003. Send to nyhiker@loca/netcom or 3C Wild­ accessible trails and keeping the natural look and feel for flower Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850. outdoor recreation areas. The DEC must follow the

Cayuga Trails - 6 - Early Spring 2003 Black Bear Etiquette Welcome to New Members

ikers and campers should know what the proper Fran Chernow etiquette is concerning bears. Here are a few Hsuggestions from Lou Berchielli, black bear spe­ Cortland, NY 13045 cialist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Kathy Fairand • When hiking in an area known to be frequented by black bears, watch for signs of bears like tracks, Freeville, NY 1 3068 droppings, and claw marks on trees. • If you are carrying food, never leave the food or Carol Janik garbage where a bear might find it. Don't burn or bury garbage. Never put food in your tent. Cortland, NY 13045 • Ifhiking in a group, monitor your pace so that everyone stays together. Report on Special • Ifyou are fortunate enough to actually see a black bear, January Ski/Hike enjoy the experience. It is very uncommon to be able to see a wild bear. • Never try to approach or follow a bear and certainly • Date: January 26, 2003 never try to feed a bear. • Location: Highland Forest, Onondaga County • Wild bears generally have a natural fear of people. They usually run away when they see a human. • Leaders: Jennifer Wilson and Suzanne Cohen • But, if the bear doesn't leave soon or actually ap­ he snow was there for this splendid day of cross­ proaches you, don't panic and don't make sudden country skiing. The no-shows were the skiers, movements. T whether because ofthe date (Superbowl Sunday) or • If you are in a group, stay together, keep any children the fact that there's been no shortage of snow this winter with good skiing to be found almost everywhere. close to you, and slowly back away. For several hours four skiers sampled whatever trails • If the bear is on or close to your trail and you cannot struck their fancy while gazing at the beauty ofan overcast return the way you came, try to bypass the bear by winter landscape. Two skiers tried the 7-plus miler that making a detour around the bear. circles the park perimeter. Hoping for the opportunity to • It is extremely rare for a bear to hurt a person here in train some novice skiers, Suzanne settled for giving some New York State and most of those few incidents were pointers to Jennifer. The small party then enjoyed refresh­ primarily caused by inappropriate human behavior like ments in the park's warming hut before hitting the ski taking food from a bear or trying to pick up or touch a trails again or the road, very satisfied. bear. However, if attacked by a black bear you should aggressively fight back with your hands, a stick, a rock, ~ ~ ~ or any available weapon. • Being in bear country gives the hiker the additional Marguerite (Peg) Rumsey pleasures of looking for bear signs, of knowing that bears exist in the area, and perhaps someday the pleasure of actually seeing a bear in the wild. arguerite (Peg) Rumsey, 82, of Van Etten, NY, died January 31, 2003. Peg was a long-time Mmember of the Cayuga Trails Club. She served as a nurse in the Army during World War II and was employed as a nurse at Cornell University, having retired there. Peg was an avid hiker and birder.

Cayuga Trails - 7 - Early Spring 2003 Volunteer Wish List 2002 WLL Hikes Wrap-up

• Help put mailing labels on the news­ by Jennifer Wilson letter, 6 times per year. Contact Suzanne Cohen, 607/272-5461, s Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes chair in 2002, I'm [email protected]. presenting a summary of hikes and other outings Aconducted last year. The WLL Hikes committee • Take labeled newsletters to the bulk and others organized and led a total of 23 hikes. mail office (open Monday-Friday, This surprised me; we had 19 hikes in 2001, and that was 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. only), 6 times a considerable expansion from only one each month in per year. Contact Suzanne Cohen, 2000. Increasing to 23 hikes allowed us to continue our 607 / 272-5461, [email protected]. emphasis on educational hikes while adding some variety including longer and faster hikes, more social hikes, and • Organize one outing (hike, canoe, ski, special hikes. I'd like to thank in particular Dave etc.). Contact Clifford Blizard, 315/ Schwartz, who dreamed up a series of summer weekday 395-0504, deep _landscape@hotmail hikes on little-known paths . . com. Altogether, we had 302 hikers go on those hikes. • Check that CTC brochures are stocked Regretfully, that wasn't as many as in 2001 , about 356. at particular locations. Contact However, that is easily explained with the year's quirky Suzanne Cohen, 607/272-5461, sac29 weather patterns. In 2002, a Beam Hill ski outing was @come//.edu. canceled for lack of snow, the Catskill hike was canceled by an unexpected May snowstorm, and rain, heat, and ice storms seemed to scare off many. Still, at least one hiker would invariably show up no matter how bad the weather, and then an alternate hike was usually planned. So I think all in all, 2002 was a good year for outings in terms of participation by members and non-members. I have felt that having a strong outing program is im­ portant to the overall vitality of the club because it is an attraction to new members. I frequently find that people whose names I see signed up for the hikes can subse­ quently be found listed in the club newsletter as new members. The membership chair may then use the sign-up sheet to contact guests to see if they want to join. Also, CTC 2003 Executive Board brochures are distributed at the walks b y the hike leaders so non-members can learn more about the club and decide Co-presidents ...... Jennifer Wilson on their own whether to join. Phil Dankert I'm grateful to the many volunteers who were willing Vice President ...... David Schwartz to plan and lead hikes and distribute the sign-up sheets and Secretary ...... Sigrid Connors Treasurer ...... Jack Van Derzee turn them in. Most are members but a few are just Walk, Look, & Learn Hikes . Clifford Blizard generous with their time and knowledge. The list is getting Finance ...... John Rogers longer, but I'd like to thank everyone who helped with this Guide Book ...... Vacant program: John Andersson, Clifford Blizard, Lois Chaplin, Membership ...... Suzanne Cohen Suzanne Cohen, Betsy Darlington, Peter Harriott, Betty Social ...... John Andersson Lewis, Cris Mc Conkey, Tom Reimers, John Rogers, Dave Trails ...... Tom Reimers Schwartz, Jack Van Derzee, and Marsha Zgola. I hope I've Newsletter ...... Tom Reimers forgotten no one. Thank you all! Here's to many happy Archives/Historian ...... Barbara Morley outings and new friendships in 2003 ! Publicity ...... David Schwartz Adopt-a-Highway ...... Jim Connors Members-at-large ...... Jim Connors Joan Jedele

Cayuga Trails - 8 - Early Spring 2003 Goodbye, Mom

by John Andersson

y mother Genevieve Anderson lived with me for bottom of the big envelope, it brought tears of happiness a few months in 1997 while my dad was in the and I shall wear it with pride. Thank you all again, and I M Groton nursing home. They retired from farming hope that I'll be able to join you all again to keep the near Breakabeen, Schoharie County, in 1978 and highway clean, Love and regards to all. Genevieve K. headed south to Florida to enjoy the good life. Despite Anderson" She wore that patch proudly on a pink knit hat. easy access to fishing, swimming, and crabbing, they I used this quote in an article on Mom in the March­ found the summers too hot and too far from their children April 1998 issue of Cayuga Trails. Mom continued to live and returned in 1980 to build a small house on ten acres of alone, split wood, observe nature, and take walks. In woods in the hills above Middleburgh and Schoharie, October 2002 she moved to my sister's house in adjacent to a state forest. There they enjoyed cutting their Schenectady for the winter. On January 26, 2003, she own firewood, watching wildlife, gardening, and reading. couldn't walk very well so my sister brought her to the The Long Path North passed in front of their house and hospital, hoping her pacemaker needed adjustment. Mom would watch the hikers. She herself would walk up Unfortunately, no adjustment could be made because the to five miles a day along the dirt roads and the LPN. When problem was a large tumor on her liver. My two sisters, Mom was with me, she participated in trail activities. She brother, and I spent the last few days with her, and she loved to pick up trash and "treasures" along the roads so died peacefully shortly after noon on February 6. Before she looked forward to cleaning the CTC's adopted high­ she died, we talked about her days with me and her way, and in July she helped on a work day, trimming extreme pleasure helping with the trail work. I found that branches and painting blazes on the Finger Lakes Trail on 1997 letter as I was looking for her Health Care Proxy on Connecticut Hill. Dad died in September, and Mom moved January 27, and cried. We had some beautiful times back onto the hill to split more wood and take more walks. together, and she supplied me with some good story mate­ I sent her a trail worker patch and certificate given by Tom rial concerning a worn out broom and twist ties. I will Reimers, then CTC trails chairman. She wrote back, "Dear treasure those memories as long as I live, and remember John and all the members of the Cayuga Trails Club. her as I "keep the highway clean." I think she'd like me to Thank you all for my certificate of appreciation and my share these feelings with other folks who appreciate the beautiful Finger Lakes Trail patch. It is beautiful and I quiet ways. She was 84 last September. shall wear it with great pride. When I found it at the

2002 Trail Statistics

by Betty Hansen Trails Committee

total of 1,025 hours were spent on trail-related activities in 2002. Seven hundred and forty-seven hours were devoted to trail maintenance, 196 were for travel to and from maintenance projects, and 82 hours were on office work. A There were six work sessions led by Trails Chairman Tom Gudeman. At these sessions, 34 members and 3 guests spent 226 hours rerouting, trimming, and blazing trail, and repairing or improving bridges. Thank you to Joe Dabes, Jennifer Wilson, Suzanne Cohen, Phil Davis, Dave Schwartz, Jonathon Bernstein, Marsha Zgola, Jack Van Derzee, Elsie Burns, Kathie Moh, Betty Hansen, Robin Schmidt, Louise Robbins, Roger Segelken, Gary Mallow, Michael Nussbaum, Ed Hart, Tom Reimers, Alice Hogan, Jim Quillan, Nancy Emerson, Roy Luft, Dave and Alex Dines, Noah Jewell, Barb and Galen Morley, John Chamberlain, Carol Mallison, June Meyer, Lincoln Brown, Kurt Seitz, Joan Jedele, Phil Dankert, Andy Boehm, and Peter Harriot. Alex Lee, with help from other Boy Scouts, spent over 50 hours repairing and moving a footbridge for his Eagle Scout project. Thirty-six trail adopters spent 471 hours maintaining trail. Special thanks to these individuals who spent more than 20 hours maintaining trail: Cris McConkey, 21.5 hours; Tom Reimers, 86 hours; Kurt Seitz, 50 hours; Steve Nicholson, 28 hours. Thank you everyone!

Cayuga Trails - 9 - Early Spring 2003 Trail Sections Available for Adoption The Finger Lakes Trail Conference he Cayuga Trails Club is responsible for main­ tenance of about 75 miles of the 800-mile-long TFinger Lakes Trail System. Three of"our" sections of Finger Lakes Trail are available for adoption. • Franklin Street in Watkins Glen to Excelsior Glen (0.6 mile of trail and 1.4 miles on road) • Cayutaville Road to Rumsey Hill Road west (0.7 mile of trail and 1.1 miles on road) announces • Comfort Road north to Bald Hill Road (0.4 mile of trail and 1.4 miles on road) THE CORTLAND Adopters are asked to provide routine maintenance three times per year (spring, summer, and fall). Please COUNTY contact Betty Hansen at 607/546-2812 or bsh2@cornell . edu ifyou would like more information on adopting these sections for maintenance. Adopters receive a copy of the HIKE SERIES Field Maintenance Manual for the Finger Lakes Trail, signs, trail markers, and instructions on trail blazing. Paint Here is your opportunity to hike 60 miles and other supplies are reimbursed by the club. of the Finger Lakes Trail with a guide. There was a rather concrete example last year that the trails don't maintain themselves. A 0.1-mile section fell At the end of the series, there will be a through the cracks and was without an adopter for 4 or 5 years. Needless to say it was completely overgrown and picnic and those who complete all of the the blazes were virtually non-existent. Tom Reimers spent hikes will be recognized. many hours clearing and blazing this small section. The 2003 dates are: First Highway April 26 Cleanup of 2003 MaylO June7 by .Jim Connors July 12 he first Adopt-a-Highway cleanup for 2003 will be August 9 held on April 26. Volunteers are always needed for September 13 Tthese cleanups which occur four times a year be­ tween April and November. What a nice way to give October 11 back a little something to our environment. At this first cleanup we will be picking up the litter remnants left over For more information send a self from the thawed winter's snow. So please join us-rain or addressed stamped envelope to shine-at Cornell's "O" parking lot at the comer of NY Route 366 and Caldwell Road shortly before 10:00 a.m. so Finger Lakes Trail Conference Hike that administrative matters (i.e., paperwork and safety 6111 Visitor Center Rd. briefing) can be taken care of. We should be finished Mt. Morris, NY 14510 picking up our club's adopted 2-mile route by noon. Contact Jim Connors at 607/ 898-4163 orjconnors@twcny or email .rr.com if you have any questions. [email protected] After the highway cleanup join other club members and guests on the 12th annual Earth Day Hike on the Cayuga Trail which begins at 1:00 p.m. See details on page 4.

Cayuga Trails - 10 - Early Spring 2003 Report on Executive Board Meeting

he Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club met hope that we could find an apprentice to work with Tom for a regular meeting on February 4, 2003, in the to assist in this job. T Scott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail, 125 East Publicity: Dave Schwartz discussed putting photos on Court Street, Ithaca, New Yark. Board members the club's Web site. He needs to spend some quality time present were Suzanne Cohen, Jim Connors, Phil Dankert, to finish the Web site revision. Bylaws and standard Joan Jedele, Barb Morley, John Rogers, David Schwartz, practices will be posted on the site as well as hikes and Jack Van Derzee, and Jennifer Wilson. The following is a other activities. summary of some items reported and actions taken as Adopt-a-Highway Program: Jim Connors said the recorded by substitute secretary Jim Connors. first litter cleanup ofNY Route 366 for this year will be on Co-president Phil Dankert called the meeting to order April 26 at 10:00 a.m. at 7:30 p.m. Treasurer Van Derzee reported that the club Old Business: Fifty members attended the annual had a checking account balance of$1,244. 7 5 and a savings meeting on January 19, 2003, at Turback's Restaurant. account balance of $6,026.85. Three versions of a club banner were reviewed. One Walk, Look, and Learn ffikes: Jennifer Wilson design was selected. Specific fonts and colors will be seen reported that Jack Van Derzee plans to co-lead a hike with on a proof brought to the next meeting. Triple Cities Hiking Club in Shindagin Hollow. Dave New Business: Jack Van Derzee distributed the pro­ Schwartz volunteered to do monthly evening hikes in May, posed 2003 budget, last year's month-to-month income June, July, and August. Dave also plans to lead a summer and expenses, and historical data going back to 1991. Most solstice hike on either June 20, 21, or 22 which will be a expenditures for last year were within budget. Discussion 20-mile hike from lower Robert Treman State Park to Gulf and some changes were made to the proposed budget. A Road. Jack will be doing another series of hikes this year. motion was made and seconded to approve the 2003 Membership: Suzanne Cohen reported that many budget as amended. The motion was approved unanimously. members had not yet renewed their memberships. Re­ Suzanne Cohen reported that a new committee needs to minders will be mailed out. Non-renewing members re­ be formed to discuss steps for publication of the next ceive the next newsletter but then are dropped from the edition of Guide to Trails of the Finger Lakes Region. mailing list New formats and production methods need to be con­ Trails: Phil Dankert reported that Tom Reimers has sidered by the committee. agreed to take over as trails chairman. Phil expressed the

'ere Executive Board members. Seated (l-J· David Schwartz. Jack Van Derzee, Joan Jedele, Jennifer Wilson. Standing (l-r): Jim Connors, Suzanne Cohen, Barb Morley, Phil Dankert, John Rogers. Not shown: John Andersson, Clifford Blizard, Sigrid Connors, Tom Reimers. Photo by Jennifer Wilson.

Cayuga Trails - 11 - Early Spring 2003 Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, March 9 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #474. Danby section of the Finger Lakes Trail from Layen Road to Comfort Road. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at Park & Ride lot, corner of NY Route 96B and Gunderman Road. Suzanne Cohen, leader (607/ 272-5461, [email protected]). Details on page 4 . Tuesday, April 1 ...... Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board meeting. 7:30 p.m. Old Jail Building, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. Members welcome. Saturday, April 12 ...... Trail work session. Your help is needed. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Taco Bell, across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza, Ithaca. Tom Reimers, leader (607/272-8679, [email protected]). Details on page 1. Tuesday, April 1 5 ...... Deadline for submitting materials for the late spring issue of Cayuga Trails. See information in box on page 6. Saturday, April 19 ...... Special hike on the Finger Lakes Trail in and near Shindagin Hollow. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at East Hill Plaza. Jack Van Derzee, leader (607/387-5810, [email protected]) . Details on page 5. Saturday, April 26 ...... Adopt-a-Highway Program spring cleanup 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. Jim Connors, leader (607 /898-4163, [email protected]). Saturday, April 26 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #475. Earth Day Hike on the Cayuga Trail. Meet at 1 :00 p .m . at Liddell Laboratory on Freese Road in Varna. Tom Reimers, .leader (607/272-8679, nyhiker@localnet .com). Details on page 4 . Saturday, May 17 ...... Trail work session. Details later.

Cayuga Trails Club NON-PROFIT P.O. Box 754 ORGANIZATION Ithaca, N Y 14651-0 754 U.S. POSTAGE PA ID ITHACA, NY PERMIT NO. 94 Newsletter of the Cayuga Trails Club Founded in 1962 "to explore, enjoy, and preserve wild lands and places ofnatural beauty... "

May-June 2003 Late Spring Edition Vol. 43, Nos. 5 & 6 First Work Session: 11 Miles of Trail Cleared!

by Tom Reimers Trails Chairman t was a beautiful, sunny, and very successful day on FLT near West Jersey Hill Road in Danby. They then April 12 when 27 CTC members and 3 non-members cleared with a chainsaw from there northward. Imet at the Ithaca Shopping"Plaza with chainsaws, bow Approximately 11 miles of trail were cleared of fallen saws, loppers, and high spirits for a day of trail clear- trees and tree limbs on April 12. That's incredible! And ing. Six trail projects had been planned for the day that's over and above the many miles that have been including four on the main Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) and cleared this spring by the individuals who have adopted two on the Abbott Loop, a part of the FLT System. sections of the Finger Lakes Trail for maintenance. I worked with Jonathan Bernstein and Roger, Sam, and I thank the trail adopters and April 12 volunteers for all Peter Slothower clearing a section of the Abbott Loop their wonderful work. The next two club-wide work west of Michigan Hollow Road in Danby State Forest. sessions are scheduled for Saturday, May 17, and Sat­ Jonathan operated the club's new chainsaw which was urday, June 28. Volunteers should meet for both of these needed in many places. sessions at 9:30 a.m. at the Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Ed Hart, who led a work crew in Texas Hollow State Taco Bell. That's across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza Forest to clear the FLT there, told me later in an email in Ithaca. I hope to see a large crowd of volunteers as message, "We had a wonderful time. An excellent group: there's still lots of work to be done. Thank you. Al [Wruck], Jennifer [Wilson], and Marsha [Zgola]. Beside doing the best clearing all the way from Texas Hollow Road to Steam Mill Road, we also enjoyed working together." Joe Dabes reported that he and his crew had cleared the FLT in Danby State Forest from Fisher Settlement Road to the Abbott Loop and from South Danby Road eastward until his chainsaw ran out of its second filling of gas and oil just ahead of a huge blow down of 200 to 300 red pines that toppled in domino fashion, right across the trail! Needless to say, the trail has been rerouted around the fallen trees. Doris Abbott reported that Cliff Abbott and the crew they led cleared all the fallen trees on the FLT from Bald Hill Road up to the Pinnacles and back down to Bald Hill Road in Danby State Forest. Cliff said there were lots \ down through the pines, but not many on the ridge. Donna and Bill Bergmark led a crew on the FLT from Blackman Hill Road to Level Green Road in Potato Hill State Forest. Donna said, "Our Blaclanan Hill-Level Green section is .) .,#··_.,...

vastly improved. Andy [Boehm] did a great job with the f ~ ~ t_W chainsaw." Greg Wooster and crew began the work session by S11owshoers and hikers enjoyed a cold day on the Danby section of diverting a wayward stream back under a footbridge on the the Finger Lakes Trail on March 9. Some oftlze trail damage is evident behind the group. See the hike report on page 9. Co-President's Message

by Co-president Jennifer Wilson

ny hiker who has read paying already. Annoyingly, the loosely attached sleeping the classic fantasy trilo­ bag keeps batting my behind. The cheap, camouflaged A gy Lord ofthe Rings by poncho has given up already on keeping me from the ._ _.. J.R.R. Tolkien, or who steady drizzle, and clings uncomfortably. My feet make \ . ~ has paid close attention during squishing noises in my new backpacking boots as I follow '5 the recent movies based on the rivulets of the stream that has taken over the footpath. · books, knows the author was a They'll stay wet all weekend. f:1 gear-nut: elvish cloaks that pro- I recall that moment because I felt so darn happy, a .. . . ~tJ/~ . ' vided instant warmth and com- working stiff who was carefree for the first time in years, ~~~';;, . .;~~~~;t ! fort and rendered the wearer in- perhaps. Suddenly I felt like a hobo with my belongings r.... , , ~,~:~~~.. =- l ..~ - ~.; ·.. ·1;..,. ~..k . . . ~:~~\~..,~~J--,.i .,{'.'"i~.j:~j VlSlble agarnst a forest back­ on a stick over my shoulder, all responsibilities forgotten, ~t\:.a .....,.,._ • ...... , ---"\ '.-....~, e.r.1. drop; wayfarer's bread that sat- just living moment to moment. The feeling remained even isfied the most raging hunger, always tasted fresh and later at the lean-to, when my buddy informed me that an delicious and, when by necessity rationed into small unprepared hiker was caught in a summer blizzard and nibbles, could keep a traveler going for days on end. Then, perished right there. of course, those Hobbits, creatures nonexistent outside of I'm now convinced this was what Tolkien was trying Tolkien's incredible imagination, never bothered with to get at. Being out in the elements was tough in his day, shoes or boots when they hit the traiL They had hair on the but adventure beckoned. He might be pretty pleased with bottoms of their feet and never suffered blisters or the all the gear there is today: special fabrics and designs that many less-mentionable woes of the shodden trekkers. make getting outside more pleasant even with unexpected I recall being fascinated by the charmed brooches and changes in the elements and hikers' food almost fit for a daggers and other accoutrements that eased the perilous fancy restaurant. The fuzzy feet haven't been duplicated journey ofTolkien's human and fantastic fellowship. From yet, however. the comfort of my bed, where I read the books for days at I try to push the envelope a little when I explore the a time, barely shifting myself from the trilogy's pages outdoors, and so I tell myself that I owe it to myself and from dawn until the wee hours, I imagined those exciting others to be prepared with the right foot and clothing journeys. I didn't connect them with hiking, or with any gear, map and compass, enough water, food, and some adventure I might experience, because I didn't hike. There emergency supplies. I try not to be too reliant on others was nowhere near this teenager's barren, concrete sub­ anymore, as I never know when I may need to rely on urban environs in upstate New York to walk. Actually, myself, or when I can help a hiking buddy find our way there was, but I didn't know my way to get there. Or, once back to the right trail. there I might get lost. There hadn't been someone to show I encourage my fellow club members to gear up and me the way. map up and explore the outdoors 12 months of the year Flash forward about 15 years. I'm midway along a and virtually all hours of the day. With the hours, days, nine-mile hike to Panther Gorge in the Adirondacks. I'm months, and years comes constant, heart-stoppingly lugging an oversize daypack with no back support that I beautiful change. Adventure beckons. Our club is here to have rigged for a weekend in the wilderness. My back is help show you the way. CTC 2003 Executive Board Co-presidents ...... Jennifer Wilson Social ...... John Andersson Phil Dankert Trails ...... Tom Reimers Vice President ...... David Schwartz Newsletter ...... Tom Reimers Secretary ...... Sigrid Connors Archives/Historian ...... Barbara Morley Treasurer ...... Jack Van Derzee Publicity ...... David Schwartz Walk, Look, & Learn Hikes . Clifford Blizard Adopt-a-Highway ...... Jim Connors Finance ...... John Rogers Members-at-Large ...... Jim Connors Guide Book ...... Sigrid Connors Joan Jedele Membership ...... Suzanne Cohen

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Late Spring 2003 - ~--~

Texas Hollow Wetland Orchids in Lime Hollow

Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #476 Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #477 May 18, 2003 (Sunday) June 15, 2003 (Sunday) • Location: Texas Hollow, Schuyler CoWlty • Location: Lime Hollow Nature Center, Cortland County • Meeting Place: Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Taco Bell, across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza, Ithaca, or • Meeting Place: Parking lot behind the old First where Finger Lakes Trail crosses Texas Hollow Road National Bank of Dryden, located off the crossroads of southeast of Bennettsburg NY Routes 13 and 38 (turn south on 38 to access the parking area) • Meeting Time: 12:15 p.m. in Ithaca to carpool or 1:00 p.m. at Texas Hollow Road • Meeting Time: 1:00 p.m. his hike will center around the beautiful Texas Hollow North American orchid hunting we will go, tenta­ Wildlife Refuge now protected as the Texas Hollow tively at the Lime Hollow Nature Center. Once T State Forest. It is a prime example of a post-glacial A again, Jennifer Wilson will lead intrepid naturalists thru-valley between Bennettsburg and Odessa, which on a search for the rare and elusive orchid species are connected by the Texas Hollow Road (see page 42 of the found in some abundance in the area, including three differ­ 9th edition of Guide to Trails ofthe Finger Lakes Region). ent varieties of ladyslipper orchids. A few years ago, there We will begin on Texas Hollow Road and head to the was hardly a trace of the flora to be found. This year, your orange-blazed wetlands trail and over a couple small hills, fearless leader hopes to scout the area to find some blooming one with a good view of the large pond. The total distance is beauties in advance. Regardless of what turns up, Lime about 2 miles. The "Hollow" is a mile wide and six miles Hollow is a wonderful place to explore with miles of well­ long. It has precipitous over-steepened sides 500 feet high groomed hiking trails. The nine-year-old nature center is a and no constricted section. According to 0 .D. von Engeln in private, non-profit organization whose mission is to provide The Finger Lakes Region, Its Origin and Nature, the sides year-round environmental education and recreation oppor­ and bottom were produced by glacial ice erosion. The tunities through utilization and protection of the natural and natural history and geologic features of the area will be cultural attributes ofthe Lime Hollow area. Participants may emphasized on this hike. Contact leader Ed Hart at Edsultra gather and shuttle at 1 :00 p.m. from Dryden or meet in the @att.net or 607/272-2943 for more information. Lime Hollow parking lot about 20 minutes later. The center is at 3091 Gracie Road, a left turn off NY Route 13 about 5--6 miles from Dryden. Look for the green Tunison Lab sign on your right shortly before the turn. The center is off the left-hand side of Gracie Road. Contact Jennifer for more details at [email protected] or 607/753-2419.

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 edition is June 15, 2003. Send to [email protected] or 3C Wildflower Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Cayuga Trails - 3 - Late Spring 2003 CTC Member Becomes FLT End-to-Ender #142

by Danny W. Scott i! I'm a veterinary dermatologist. (That's right. I Whatever County Series."A fantastic invention! I highly am a skin doctor for animals!) I work and teach at recommend them. Anyhoo, I also knew Tom Reimers at Hthe College ofVeterinary Medicine at Cornell Uni- the veterinary college (an endocrinologist and Finger versity in Ithaca, New York (31 years worth!). My Lakes Trail legend). I asked Tom ifit would be possible to jobdoesn'texactlypreparemeforoutdooractivities,other get my hands on some of those beautiful hike-across- than by all the telephone calls, pages, faxes, emails, letters, county patches and award them to my scouts. I must pause and all forms ofbrain-picking frequently making me want here and say "thanks Tom" and "thanks Finger Lakes Trail to get away from it all. Conference." Because of your enthusi- Over the years, most of my getaway astic willingness to participate and help, moments have involved walking to the you really made a lot of great kids happy. top of mountains and chillin' with the During three days (May 27-29) in views, the feelings, and the spirit. Yeah, 1995, the Venture Crew backpacked and I dig the sights, sounds, smells, and across Schuyler County on the Finger pain (it's a guy thing, I guess) along the Lakes Trail. After a gorgeous first day way. I've had the great fortune to have (16 miles), the second day was marked huffed and puffed, usually in the com- by whipping winds and horizontal rain- pany of my wife Kris, to the top of sev- fall. (This as we passed the sign for eral of the highest peaks: Whitney (Cali- ·.i f Jolly Road!) Gotta have a sense of fomia), Washington (New Hampshire), a /! humor in this business. That evening Mansfield (Vermont), Marcy (New ! (18-mile day), we arrived at a Finger York), Jacques Cartier (Quebec), Scafell Lakes National Forest lean-to, only to Pike (England), Carrauntuohill (Ireland), find it was occupied by three jerks with and Fuji (Japan). My most significant their coolers, beer, boom boxes, and outdoor accomplishment was becoming litter (chiefly cigarette butts and beer an Adirondack 46' er, which took me 18 Danny and Kristin Scott. Danny finished his end- cans). Pouring rain and hurricane winds, years. Couldn't really label me a peak- to-end hike ofthe Finger Lakes Trail last June. but these three charming individuals bagger, eh? Photo by Marsha Zgola. wouldn't make room in the lean-to. I My hiking experiences away from the peaks had wanted to pound them, but that wouldn't have been a good basically been limited to completing the John Muir Trail example for the Scouts. (211 miles, Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney in California) In 1996 we tackled Steuben County and crossed in four with Kris when we were much younger. My initial long day hikes. Cortlandffioga was next in 1997. We did sojourns on the Finger Lakes Trail were as a Hiking Merit it in one day hike, and a two-day backpack Great fun in Badge counselor and Assistant Scoutmaster in charge of this county hike: wading across Gridley Creek (bridge Venture for Boy Scout Troop 2 in Ithaca. The thought of out), taking Virgil Mountain in the fog, being accom- becoming a Finger Lakes Trail end-to-end hiker never panied by a herd ofbovines for a long stretch near Solon even crossed my mind early on. However, one day I turned Hill, and being given some very cold, lovely water by the around and realized, you know, I've walked about 400 preacher's kids in Blodgett Mills. miles of this trail. I may as well go for it! Like my "stroll" The Genesee Valley Finger Lakes Trail was our treat throughtheAdirondack46,myFingerLakesTrailend-to- for 1998: two two-day backpacks (different weekends). end would not be measured in days, weeks, or months, but Good times had by all; especially cool was camping next years (nine to be exact). to the cemetery in Swain in a thunderstorm! My last My first organized, premeditated Finger Lakes Trail ex- county hike with the Scouts was Chenango in 1999. cursions began in September of 1993 when as a rookie Walking the Stewart Road Finger Lakes Trail re-route and merit badge counselor I led a series ofhikes (usually about surveying the tornado damage was very humbling. Kris 10 miles a day) across Tompkins County. We finished the and I joined the "Hike Across" series for Cattaraugus county in May of 1994. During this period, I became fa- County in 1997. The "Western Wall" can't hold a candle miliar with the Finger Lakes Trail "Hikes Across Continued on page 8

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Late Spring 2003 Cayuga Trails Club Membership List

Tear out and save these pages.

Abbott, Doris & Cliff

Andersson, John & Luanne

Barcelo, Lucy

Bavis, Eugene

Bente, Mary

Bergmark, William & Donna

Bernstein, Jonathan

Beyer, Ann

Blake, Gail A. & Jennifer Dotson

Blake, Martha Blizard, Clifford

Brennan, Kathy & Joe Dabes

Brooks, Laurie

Brow n, Irene

Brown, Warren

Brown, Lincoln & June Meyer

Budke, Harriet• Burnett, Carol & Dave• Burns, Elsie U. Bush, Larry & Marilyn Buttel, Linda Carruth, Bradford Catterall, Sara & Simon Chamberlain, John & Barbara Morley Chandler, Adam and Sarah Chaplin, Lois Chernow, Fran Clauson, Margery Cohen, Suzanne and Phil Davis

Cole, Jon Coleman, Jim & Ellen Connors, Sigrid & Jim

Canta, Claire Dankert, Philip Darrow , Frank & Catherine deBoer, Tob & Joan Demo, Bill & Sarah DeRemer, Florence

Destefano, Anthony and M arilyn Dick, Richard & Delores Dineen, Doreen Donovan, Joseph Durant, Katherine Emerson, Nancy Engle, Michael Engman, Herb Fair, Bill & Jay Zitter Fairand, Kathy Feuer, Carl Firebaugh, John & Francille Flinn, Kathryn Frank, Linda & Len Cohen Gaeta, Paul & Vicky Gillespie, Virginia Greene, Sandra E. Grossman, Rick, Joan & Jesse Gudeman, Tom Gyrisco, Valerie Habel, Robert & Wilma

Cayuga Trails - 5 - Late Spring 2003 Hansen, Betty

Harriott•, Peter & Mary Lou

Hart, Edward

Hess, George & Susan

Holmes, Nancy

Howard, Maureen

Hullar, Ted & Joan

Ingraham, Tony

Janik, Carol

Johnson, Karl and Julie

Johnston, Roxanna

Kalka, Paul

Kazarinoff, Michael Kilgore, C.J. Klepack, Bill & Carol Kammel, Aziz & Camille Doucet Kooperman, David & Denise Law Family

Lee, Gundy

LeMoine, Nadine Leso, Laura, Angela Burchfield, Niko and Erika Feldman Leszyk, Mary

Levine, Gilbert & llma Lewis, Betty Little, George Loomis, Linda Maginnity, Kate & Ken Daile Mallison, Carol Mallison, Nathan Mallow, Gary Manzella, Fran Spadafora & Fred Marciniak, Paul Marisa, Rich & Tracy Marks, Lawrence & Cornelia Marusak, Ron Mattice, Linda D. Maxwell, Eileen & Max Mcconkey, Cris Merrill, Susan Mills, Harold Moh, Kathie Monkman, Paul and Holly Morrison, Mary Morse, Barbara Mower, Robert G. Muenster~ Anna Marie Nelson, Patti Novak, Dani & Haya Nussbaum, Michael & Barbara Nuzzo, Victoria Ostrowski, Helen Peech, Margie Petryszak, Ben Pratt, Paul Proulx, Chris Quillan, Jim Raimondo, Louise Reimers, Tom Rezelman, John Robbins, Louise E. Rueckheim, Jack & Joan Jedele Ruppert, David Salina, Karen Schmidt, Ellen, Oskar & Robin Schurman, Dave & Jean Schwartz, David I. Scott , Danny & Kristin Scott, Deana

Cayuga Trails - 6 - Late Spring 2003 Segelken, H. Roger Seitz, Kurt Sidote, Edward Siegel, Varya Sjamaar, Reyer Smith, Calvin D. Spollen, Marie Spry-Campbell, Robin Stoscheck, Claudia & John Rogers Straight, Clara Teeter, Denise Thayer, Ree Turner, Lowell Uhll, Linda & Peter Rothbart

Underwood, Matthew and Nancy Updike, Donna Van Allen, Judith & Benjamin Nichols Vandam, Nick and Lucy Gagliardo Van Derzee, Jack Van Etten, Janet Wilkin, Brigitte & Harvey Wilson, Jennifer Wilson, Don Wadzinski, Richard & Claudia Wooster, Greg and Pamela Williams Wruck, Al Zgola, Marsha

All area codes are 607 unless indicated otherwise. * Indicates charter members. Please report corrections to Suzanne Cohen, Membership Committee chairperson, at 607/272-5461 or [email protected]. ------Get A Friend To Join! Membership Application and Order Form I (We) wish to join the Cayuga Trails Club. Name(s)______Date------Address ______.;______Phone ______~ ______Zip ______Email ______

Dues: Individual membership ($12.00) $ ____ Make check payable to Cayuga Trails Club. Family membership ($15.00) $ ____ Mail application and payment to Cayuga Trails Contributing membership ($25.00+) $ ____ Club, c/o Membership, P.O. Box 754, Ithaca, Arm patch ($2.00) $ ____ NY 14851-0754. Total $ _ ___

I am willing to volunteer for: 0 Trail work 0 Newsletter 0 Leading hikes 0 Membership 0 Publicity 0 Social events 0 Clerical work 0 Environmental issues 0 Web site Special outdoor interests: 0 Hiking 0 Canoeing 0 XC-skiing 0 Snowshoeing 0 Other------

Cayuga Trails - 7 - Late Spring 2003 End-to-Ender (continued from page 4J CTC Finger Lakes Trail to the "Eastern Wall" (Catskills, etc.) which Kris and I pecked away at from 2000-2002. I finished (#142) at Big Pond in June End-to-Enders 2002 at 88 degrees and about 100 percent humidity. Oh, couldn't resist: Balsam Lake Mountain was just a little side trip and there's a great view from the fire tower. Cliff Abbott Over the years, I have done some of the other "pieces and parts" Doris Abbott of the Finger Lakes Trail system: Queen Catherine Marsh Trail John Andersson (alone, while Kris was recovering from knee surgery), the Joe Dabes (3 times) Philip Dankert Interloken Trail (with Boy Scouts, naturally!), and the Onondaga Anthony Destefano Trail (21.1 miles in one day on a Venture hike). Joseph Donovan I have so many extremely varied memories along the Finger Paul Gaeta Lakes Trail: lean-tos, tents, cooking, purifying water, hot spots, Vicky Gaeta blisters, sprained ankles, barbed wire cuts, cow pies, snow up to Edward Hart my crotch, wading across creeks, gorgeous weather, rotten Betty Lewis weather, noise and chaos, stillness and real peace. Some of the best Linda Mattice were watching the new kids hit their own personal physical and Ben Petryszak mental wall, and find the inner stuff to break on through to the Danny Scott other side. Then comes the day they leave you in the dust! But they Kurt Seitz would always be waiting up around the bend every so often just to Edward Sidote make sure the "old guy" was doing okay. Jack Van Derzee My days on the Finger Lakes Trail are not done yet. Kris still Jennifer Wilson has about 100 miles to do; I would like to walk the Letchworth ------""""' branch; and Kris and I maintain the section from Fisher Settlement Road to the Abbott Loop in Danby State Forest. Our son Travis designed and supervised the construction of the footbridge across the tributary of Miller Creek as his Eagle project in Scouts. End-to-end was cool. However, the end was not as cool as the means. And the means would never have been as cool if they hadn't been strung out over nine years of starts and stops, community interaction, and opportunities to savor where we had been and to anticipate where we would go. Peace and good hiking. This article was reproduced with permission from Finger Lakes Trail News.

Moonlight Canoeing Anybody?

ave Burnett welcomes Cayuga Trails Club members to join his moonlight canoe outings. You can contact Dave at D607/539-7977 for more information about the outings. • Dryden Lake Friday, May 16, 5:30 p.m. Meet at the pavilion in the picnic area south side of the outlet for a dish-to-share (or not) picnic supper...then canoeing on your own (no leader). Bring your own craft and equipment. Don't forget a flashlight! If you don't want to paddle on the lake, try hiking on the Dryden Lake Park Trail. This trail is the old Lehigh Valley Railroad bed and has a connection to the Finger Lakes Trail.

• Cayuta Lake (a.k.a. Little Lake): Friday, June 13, 5:30-ish (rain date, Saturday, June 14). Meet near the parking lot at the north end of the lake for a dish-to-share (or not) picnic supper ...then canoeing on your own (no leader). Bring your own craft and equipment, including a flashlight. There are no picnic tables so bring your own lawn or camp chairs. To get there take NY Route 228 south from Mecklenburg or north from Odessa. Tum east on Cayutaville Road, go a short distance, and turn right (south) to the parking area. ~! !*!_~ tf Ai Cayuga Trails - 8 - Late Spring 2003 Report on Walk, Look, Welcome to and Learn Hikes New Members

George Little WLL Hike #473 • Date: February 9, 2003 Newfield, NY 14867

• Location: Beam Hill in Town of Dryden,

Tompkins County Nathan Mallison • Leader: Lois Chaplin

ver 20 people showed up for an event promoted Ithaca, NY 14850 to bring beginner cross-country skiers together 0 for a friendly outing on Beam Hill one day in February. Snow conditions were close to perfect Paul and Holly Monkman and the snowy-blowy weather of the morning gave way to a delightful winter's day in the afternoon. Skiers had Ithaca, NY 14850 · a chance to ski loops around the pond and the barn, getting comfortable with their equipment. Others took advantage of the trails through the woods and had a Al Wruck chance to try their luck at some moderate elevation change. Snacks and socializing capped off the day. Montour Falls, NY 14865 WLL Hike #474 ''Grand Re-opening" • Date: March 9, 2003 of the Finger Lakes Trail • Location: Danby section of the Finger Lakes Trail, {after a devastating winter) Tompkins County • Leader: Suzanne Cohen Special National Trails Day Event en Cayuga Trails Club members enjoyed spec­ June 7, 2003 (Saturday) tacular views during this 3 .5-mile-long hike on a • Location: Abbott Loop, Danby State Forest T cold, partly sunny winter day. After some initial • Meeting Place: Park and Ride lot at corner of NY confusion (the hardest part of any hike always Route 96B and Gunderman Road in Danby seems to be the car shuttle before taking the first step!), we set off at a brisk pace and quickly warmed up. Three • Meeting Time: 1:00 p.m. of us wore snowshoes, but a frozen layer on top of the elebrate National Trails Da7 on the F_i~ger Lakes snow made hiking in boots possible for the rest of the Trail System with a special recogrutJ.on of the group. The end of this hike illustrated the trail cleanup Cmany trail adopters who maintain "our" 75 miles challenge as we scrambled around blown over haw­ of the FLT, and then take a hike on the beautiful thorns. Meeting Ed Hart walking toward us, finding an Abbott Loop. With more than 2,000 events hosted by oak tree over 15 feet in circumference, discovering the trail clubs, conservation organizations, agencies, and businesses, NTD is considered America's largest cele­ blue glove-which the hike leader had lost the day be­ bration of the outdoors. Current trail adopters (see list in fore while checking out the trail-and savoring candy the late fall 2002 edition of Cayuga Trails) will be given supplied by Marsha Z. were all added bonuses! FLT trail worker patches to thank them for their hard work and dedication. They have been especially busy this spring after a devastating winter. All of our miles of the FLT should be cleared of fallen trees and tree limbs by the end of May, thus a "grand re-opening" cer~mony. After the brief presentations and ceremony, enJOY 8.4 miles of spectacular hiking on the Abbott Loop.

Cayuga Trails - 9 - Late Spring 2003 Report on March Second Annual Spontaneous Hike Evening Hike Series

• Date: March 30, 2003 ue to popular demand, Dave Schwartz will be coordinating a new series of evening hikes this • Location: Abbott Loop, Danby State Forest, year. They're a great way to relax after work and Tompkins County D get a chance to hike with friends a bit more of- • Leaders: Jennifer Wilson and Marsha Zgola ten. Generally, the hikes will be 4-6 miles long, often done in one 2- 3 hour stretch to ensure they end before n a snowy morning more closely resembling Jan­ dark. We will be exploring local trails mainly to avoid uary than the end of March, four hikers braved excessive driving, though there might be occasional 0 the eastern section of the Abbott Loop. Pro­ ''park-in-two-places" versions. ceeding on the trail clockwise from Michigan Because of timing issues, we ask that people show up Hollow Road opposite from Diane's Crossing, the trek- promptly. Bring water- it can still be quite hot out some kers encountered trees with their white blazes obliter­ days- and possibly a snack. You should also bring ap­ ated by snowfall as well as the rather frequent blow­ propriate clothing like hiking boots and rain gear. Given downs serving as a reminder of the early January ice enough interest, some of the hikes may turn into "hike­ storm. In some cases, it seemed the blazed trees were eat" adventures, too. Note that the hikes are moderate in probably also the ones sprawled across our paths, be­ terms of speed and difficulty (about 2.5 mph and occa­ cause we just couldn't find those blazes. Nevertheless, sional difficult climbs). we persisted, sharing our collective navigational skills to The hikes will be the second Wednesday of each keep to the white-covered path and continue the hike. month, starting with May 14. The first two are listed be­ When we reached the end of the main Finger Lakes low. There might be others in between those days that Trail and started on the Abbott Loop, the orange blazing will be announced on the new CayugaTrailsClub from then on was much easier to spot. The newly fallen @Yahoogroups.com. Contact Dave at 607/257-7980 or snow and refrozen ground kept us out of the wet and so [email protected] for additional information. it turned out to be a rather comfortable hike, and cer­ tainly a lovely one. The trees seemed quietly to gather to • Evening hike #1 themselves cottony, downy comforters against the ex­ Taughannock Falls State Park tended winter season. With the exception of a lone, May 14, 2003 (Wednesday) defensive robin, all fauna seemed to be in hiding. Then Meeting Place: Taughannock Falls State Park, main we reached Michigan Hollow Road, and curtailed our parking area west side of NY Route 89 hike to reach the car with a couple miles of road walk Meeting Time: 6:00 p.m. sharp instead. A small but pleasant start for the club's first spontaneous hike! • Evening hike #2 Robert H. Treman State Park Second Highway June 11, 2003 (Wednesday) Cleanup of 2003 Meeting Place: Upper parking lot off NY Route 327, by Jim Connors Robert H. Treman State Park Meeting Time: 6:00 p.m. sharp The second Adopt-a-Highway cleanup for"2003 will be held on Saturday, June 14. We will meet­ rain or shine- at Cornell' s "O" parking lot at the corner of NY Route 366 and Caldwell Road shortly before 10:00 a.m. We should be finished cleaning up our club's adopted two-mile route by noon. Ifyou have any questions please contact Jim Connors at 607/898-4163 or [email protected] . com. Garbage bags will be provided.

Cayuga Trails - 10 - Late Spring 2003 Report on Executive Board Meeting

he Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club met several non-members had contacted him and volunteered for a regular meeting on April 1, 2003, in the to work on trails. Lastly, over 15 years ago the club TScott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail, 125 bought three gas-powered brush trimmers. They are East Court Street, Ithaca, New York. Board mem­ heavy, noisy, and polluting. One is missing, '(me works bers present were John Andersson, Clifford Blizard, well, and one is in need of significant repair. Tom Suzanne Cohen, Jim Connors, Sigrid Connors, Phil proposed that the club purchase one new trimmer Dankert, Joan Jedele, Barb Morley, Tom Reimers, John costing about $170.00. A motion was made, seconded, Rogers, David Schwartz, Jack Van Derzee, and Jennifer and passed to authorize Tom to purchase a new trimmer Wilson. The following is a summary of some items at a reasonable cost. considered and actions taken as recorded by secretary Publicity: Dave Schwartz noted that the Eastern Sigrid Connors. Mountain Sports store in Ithaca is holding a "Meet the Co-president Jennifer Wilson called the meeting to Club" day on April 12 from noon to 4:00 p.m. April 25 order at 7:30 p.m. Treasurer Jack Van Derzee reported a and 26 are EMS Club Days; CTC members are eligible checking account balance of $1,592.33 and a savings for a 20% discount on merchandise. account balance of $6,133. 39. Old Business: John Andersson distributed the re­ Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes: Clifford Blizard vised proofs for a club banner. All agreed to the green reported that an organized hike was led in March by print on cream with the letters leaning "east into the Suzanne Cohen and one spontaneous hike was held with wind." It was resolved unanimously to purchase the Jennifer Wilson and Marsha Zgola leading hikers on banner for about $200.00. half of the Abbott Loop on March 30 (east of Michigan Barb Morley proposed establishing a voluntary Inter­ Hollow Road). Jack Van Derzee noted that a joint hike net reporting list of trail conditions and activities, poten­ with the Triple Cities Club would be held on April 19 in tially through Yahoo.com. It would be a forum for CTC the Shindagin Hollow area. Tom Reimers will lead the members to discuss last minute club hikes, spontaneous 12th annual Earth Day Hike on the Cayuga Trail on hikes, hike and ski reports, and trail conditions. Jack April 26. Van Derzee volunteered to fulfill the role of moderator Finance: John Rogers reviewed the club's finances and Barb offered to set up the site. After discussion it and gave high praise to treasurer Jack Van Derzee. John was decided to restrict the group only to members. A reported that financial statements are well organized and motion to set up the Internet site was approved. complete and that they indicate a healthy structure, New Business: Phil Dankert and Jack Van Derzee healthy reserves, and modest cash funds. attended a public meeting at the Paleontological Re­ Guidebook: A committee consisting of Suzanne search Institute (PRI). The PRI wants to expand its ser­ Cohen, Sigrid Connors, and Tom Reimers volunteered vices to see how it can help the CTC and how the CTC to serve on the guidebook committee with Sigrid as can help it. A reception hall will be available in the new chair. Suzanne suggested that non-board members could Museum of the Earth that will hold up to 70 people. The be sought to participate as needed. The conunittee is possibility of holding the CTC annual meeting there was charged with redesigning the guidebook in an electronic discussed with a tour given after the meal rather than format and developing processes to print in smaller having a guest speaker. batches and in a timely manner. The annual meeting of the Finger Lakes Trail Con­ Social: John Andersson suggested having another ference (FLTC) will be from May 2-4 at the HoliMont summer picnic. Last year the picnic was held at Robert Ski Resort in Ellicottville, NY. The FLTC Fall Campout H. Treman State Park and the year before it was at But­ will be at Hickory Hollow Campground near Bath, NY. termilk Falls State Park. Taughannock Falls Park was Suzanne Cohen and Phil Davis asked people to do­ suggested for our 2003 picnic. nate to the CTC in honor of their wedding last year. Trails: Tom Reimers reported that Phil Davis and More than $500.00 were received. They suggested that Betty Hansen will continue to serve on this committee. the club donate the money to the Tompkins County Due to serious winter damage to trails, trail adopters Public Library to purchase books on hiking, trail were asked to do the best they could to clear debris and maintenance, conservation, and other similar topics. A to let the committee know what help is needed. Tom plate would be placed in the books noting that the noted that 15 reports had been received so far, and only contribution was from the CTC. A motion to donate the 4 adopters requested assistance. He also reported that money to the library was passed unanimously.

Cayuga Trails - 11 - Late Spring 2003 Mark Your Calendars

Wednesday, May 14 ...... Evening hike #1 . Taughannock Falls State Park. Meet at 6:00 p.m. at the park's main parking area west of NY Route 89. Dave Schwartz, leader (607/257- 7980, [email protected]). Details on page 10. Friday, May 16 ...... Moonlight canoeing on Dryden Lake. Meet at 5:30 p.m. at the pavilion in the picnic area south side of the outlet. Dave Burnett, leader (607/539-7977). Details on page 8. Saturday, May 17 ...... Trail work session. Your help is needed. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Taco Bell, across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza, Ithaca. Tom Reimers, leader (607/272-8679, [email protected]). Details on page 1. · Sunday, May 18 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #476. Texas Hollow wetland. Meet at 12:15 p.m. at Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Taco Bell in Ithaca or 1 :00 p.m. where Finger Lakes Trail crosses Texas Hollow Road southeast of Bennettsburg, Schuyler County. Ed Hart, leader (607/272-2943 or [email protected]. Details on page 3. Tuesday, June 3 ...... Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board meeting. 7:30 p.m. Old Jail Building, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. Members welcome. Saturday, June 7 ...... Special National Trails Day event: "Grand Re-opening" of the Finger Lakes Trail and hike on the Abbott Loop. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at the Park and Ride lot at the corner of Gunderman Road and NY Route 96B in Danby, Tompkins County. See page 9 for details. Contact Tom Reimers (607/272-8679, [email protected]) for more information. Wednesday, June 11 ...... Evening hike #2. Robert H. Treman State Park. Meet at 6:00 p.m. in the upper parking lot off NY Route 327. Dave Schwartz, leader (607/257-7980, [email protected]). Details on page 10. Friday, June 13 ...... Moonlight canoeing on Cayuta Lake. Meet at 5 :30 p.m . near the parking lot at the north end of the lake. Dave Burnett, leader (607/539-79!_7 ). Details on page 8. Saturday, June 14 ...... Adopt-a-Highway Program cleanup 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. Jim Connors, leader (607 /898-4163, [email protected]) . Sunday, June 15 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #477. Wild o rchid hunting at Lime Hollow Nature Center. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. in parking lot behind the old First National Bank of Dryden, located off the crossroads of NY Routes 13 and 38 in Dryden. Jennifer Wilson, leader (607/ 753-2419, [email protected]). Details on page 3. Sunday, June 15 ...... Deadline for submitting materials for the summer edition of Cayuga Trails. See information in box on page 3. Saturday, June 28 ...... Trail work session. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at It haca Shopping Plaz a n e ar T a co Bell, across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Pl aza, Ithaca. Tom Reimers, leader (607/272-8679, [email protected]). Details on page 1 .

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

July-August 2003 Summer Edition Vol. 43, Nos. 7 & 8

National Trails Day 2003

Trail work, celebration, and hiking! by Suzanne Cohen, Jennifer Wilson, and Tom Reimers aturday, June 7th, was another cloudy and rainy day, but that didn't keep 22 Cayuga Trails Club members and five volunteers from the . SIthaca Eastern Mountain Sports store from participating in t National Trails Day activities. On Saturday morning, volunteers " from the EMS store and Cayuga Trails Club spent three hours building ~ a new puncheon footbridge on the Finger Lakes Trail along Lick Brook gorge. A bridge built several years ago had rotted badly and was dismantled in March. New bridge-building materials were carried in about one-quarter mile from Town Line Road to the work site. Remnants of the old bridge were carried out and taken to the Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center. Lumber and other materials were ordered by Greg Wooster, who was the main architect and project foreman. Thanks, Greg! Tom Reimers took pictures and Phil Dankert did some chainsawing of a few downed trees that blocked the trail. EMS granted $500.00 to the club to cover costs of all materials and power tools needed to build the bridge. In the afternoon, members gathered near Diane's Crossing on the Finger Lakes Trail in Danby State Forest for a trail "Grand Re-opening" ceremony celebrating the clearing of the 80 miles of Finger Lakes Trail National Trails Day volunteers from EMS and CTC ' . . . . building a footbridge on the Finger Lakes Trail. Photo System that the club mamtams, a difficult task thts year because of the by Tom Reimers. -· - ....~ . _ massive winter dam- CailJ . - - ~. ~ age to trees across many sections ofthe trail. The celebration honored trail _ I Uga 71raj/5 C adopters and ()ther trail work volunteers. Co-president Phil Dankert called Hiking a d M specialattentiontoCliffandDorisAbbott, whohavebeenmaintainingthe - ·_ 1 . , ~- • Trail wo:1k ore Abbott Loop since they created the trail beginning in the late 1980s. c; ii~.. •Social E~t Co-presidentJenniferWilsonthankedCTCTrailsChainnanTomReimers '"<. ....,,. J• Foot Tr; u~de for coordinating the work ofmany volunteers in trail cleanup projects and 0Fou~o"r,,:: 62 • ITHAcA, , • ~kK · for tackling a great deal of trail work himself. Those attending were re- . '1?--::s · -- warded with National Trails Day T-shirts from the EMS store and other goodies from the American Hiking Society, as well as food donations from Greenstar, Tops, and Wegmans. After Phil Dankert and Jennifer Wilson cut the ribbon marking the re­ opening of the trail, 11 people hiked the complete Abbott Loop, while a few chose to hike to Thatcher's Pinnacles and then return. All hikers were greeted at the Pinnacles by club member Phil Davis who had been working since morning to clear brush that had grown up and was blocking the spectacular view of the Cayuga Inlet valley. National Trails Day is sponsored by the American Hiking Society and CTC Co-presidents Jennifer Wilson and Phil Dankert at this year's theme was ''Healthy Trails, Healthy People." More information the National Trails Day event 011 the Abbott Loop trail. is available at www.americanhiking.org. Photo by Marsh Zgola. Co-President's Message

by Phil Dankert

s I sit at my desk starting to write this column, it is ness program." Since 1993 it has grown to nearly a million nice to see the sun for more than one day at a time. participants at 3,000 events nationwide. Under rainy skies AIt certainly has been one of the wetter springs in approximately 20 hardy CTC members showed up for the recent memory. A friend recently suggested to me "Grand Re-opening" of the Finger Lakes Trail. I want to that perhaps we should alter the work week-work on thank Co-president Jennifer Wilson, Suzanne Cohen, and Saturday and Sunday and have Monday and Tuesday off. Tom Reimers for the effort they put into organizing this Several Sundays ago I finally planted my marigolds in event. One did not have to go a great distance along many spite of a light drizzle. I did not want to leave them in the sections of the Finger Lakes Trail to observe the havoc boxes that they came in forever. created by the snowfalls of last winter. "Our" inain trails, On May 14 I had the honor -=· ... _.,....___ loops, and spur are now opened of presenting, on behalf of the thanks to the dedicated trail Cayuga Trails Club, a check in adopters and other volunteers the amount of $625.00 to Janet · who spent a part of two Sat­ Steiner, director of Tompkins urdays working very hard to County Public Library (TCPL), make this possible. Of course, I and Suzanne Smith Jablonski, do not believe this would have executive director of the TCPL ' been the complete success that it Foundation. This money was was if not for the great effort of given to the CTC in honor of ' one individual. Not only did he the marriage of two of our plan and coordinate these work members (they wish to remain parties, he also contacted the anonymous) in 2001. Recently trail adopters to inquire as to Jennifer Wilson and I received whether they needed help a letter from Ms. Jablonski, part (someone to do chainsawing, of which I quote below. etc.). In addition he has spent "This is a wonderful way to countless hours on the trail do­ J, J ·1 ing maintenance. Thank you honor the marriage of two of suzanne snut . h a blans k 1', anet sLeiner, · an d C"'C, ' p res1· d ent P~ h 1 your members as this gift helps Dankert at the Tompkins County Library. very much, Tom. the more than 600,000 annual As the weather improves I visitors read, learn, and explore. This honor makes a dif­ would encourage everyone to take advantage of the many ference-to the little girl who discovers new worlds hiking opportunities that presently exist. We have been, in the through books, to the family sharing precious quality last year, increasing the number of organized hikes (see time ... and to countless others who navigate our sea of especially the "Mark Your Calendar" section of the news­ resources. At the library, knowledge and information are letter). We have quite a few more coming up this year. We available and accessible to all, thanks to your generosity." want to continue holding a wide variety of hikes in addition On Saturday, June 7, we celebrated National Trails to other outdoor activities. In this vein we encourage mem­ Day, the American Hiking Society's "signature trail aware- bers to lead an event.

National Survey: Trails Important to Home Buyers

n a survey of2,000 recent home buyers, co-sponsore~ by the National A~sociatio? _ofRea~tors and the National Ass_ociation of Home Builders, trails came in second out of 18 important community amemhes. This was true across all regions and Idemographics. The only amenity that ranked higher was highway access. Sidewalks, parks, and playgrounds ranked next in importance after trails. Ranking much lower were ball fields, golf courses, and tennis courses. from Greenspace, New York Parks and Conservation Association

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Summer 2003 Virgil Highlands Flora of Cornell Plantations & Old Homesteads Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #479 August 10, 2003 (Sunday) Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #478 July 13, 2003 (Sunday) • Location: Cornell Plantations, Ithaca

• Location: Kennedy State Forest in Virgil, Cortland • Meeting Place: Forest Home Drive near the Test County Gardens

• Meeting Place: Dryden Village parking lot behind • Meeting Time: 1:00 p.m. the First National Bank of Dryden (which is on Main ob Wesley, a noted field biologist with Cornell Street). This parking area is just southwest of the University's Natural Areas Program, will lead this stoplight at the intersection of NY Routes 13, 38, and outing among the Cornell Plantation's native and 392 in downtown Dryden. Or meet at the inter­ B non-native flora. The approximately two- to three- section of Hauck (Hill) Road and Bleck Road in the hour wild plant walk will probably only cover a mile or so, town of Virgil. but Bob's identification and discussion will offer partic­ • Meeting Time: 1:00 p.m. at Dryden Village parking ipants greater insights into some amazing and beautiful lot or 1:20 p.m. at the intersection of Hauck Hill examples of common and unusual natural vegetation. For Road and Bleck Road more information contact Bob at 607/257-1352. his will be a hike of about 5 miles on the Dabes Diversion Loop of the Finger Lakes Trail in the CTC 2003 Executive Board T town ofVirgil. This loop trail was finished less than two years ago, thanks to a day's work by a crew of Co-presidents ...... Phil Dankert the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. Portions of the main Jennifer Wilson FLT will also be traversed during this hike. We'll go Vice President ... ___ ...... David Schwartz slowly, pointing out the local flora, including tamarack Secretary ...... Sigrid Connors plantations, and we'll visit several old homestead foun­ Treasurer ...... Jack Van Derzee dations. We'll do several short side explorations off this loop, including a portion on the Kuzia Cutoff, where there Walk, Look, & Learn Hikes ... Clifford Blizard are giant rock piles. We '11 experience a wonderful view to Finance ...... ·. . John Rogers the south at "Rockpile Junction," where the main FLT and Guide Book ...... Sigrid Connors the Dabes Diversion Loop meet. Here will be the site of a Membership ...... Suzanne Cohen new lean-to to be constructed August 11-15 oft his year by Social ...... John Andersson a Finger Lakes Trail Conference work crew. Contact Trails ...... Tom Reimers leader Java Joe Dabes at [email protected] or 607/844- 3 872 for more information on this hike. Newsletter ...... Tom Reimers Archives/Historian ...... Barbara Morley ·,9 ~ Publicity ...... David Schwartz See page 7 for more £@:.N Adopt-a-Highway ...... Jim Connors upcoming hikes. ..,,~ .. Members-at-Large ...... Joan Jedele ~ Jim Connors ~

Cayuga Trails - 3 - Summer 2003 Welcome to New Members

Susann Argetsinger Stephen Maybee & Loretta Alejandro Purgue

Heimbuch Burdett, NY 14818 Newfield, NY 14867

Trumansburg, NY 14886

Lonnie Brogdon Shelagh Smith Adam & Maureen Mozeleski NY Dryden, Brooktondale, NY 14817 Ithaca, NY 14850

Noah Hamm and Erin Shafto

Berkshire, NY 13 736 Fran 0 'Rourke Daniel Trembley & Sharon Andrus

Freeville, NY 13068 Ithaca, NY 14853 Michael, Margaret, and Brenhin Jamie L.Vanucchi Keller

Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 James C. Osborne

Cayuta, NY 14824 Eric Kratochvil Roxanne VanWormer

Alpine, NY 14805 Ithaca, NY 14853 Daniel Peck

Ithaca, NY 14850 Jennifer & Bennett Wilson Iva Lesky

Ithaca NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14580 Steve Preheim

Ithaca, NY 14850

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Summer 2003 Editor's Correction Report on Walk, Look, and In the late spring 2003 edition of Cayuga· Learn Hike #475 Trails, two names were mistakenly omit­ ted from the list of Cayuga Trails Club • Date: April 26, 2003 members who have hiked the entire Finger Lakes Trail. Below is the corrected list. • Location: The Cayuga Trail CTC Finger Lakes Trail • Leader: Tom Reimers End-to-Enders ttendance for the annual Earth Day Hike on the Cliff Abbott Cayuga Trail is always unpredictable. More than Doris Abbott A 30 hikers and as few as three have participated in John Andersson past years. Weather is a very important factor Joe Dabes (3 times) affecting attendance. Despite this year's weather, the 12th Philip Dankert annual Earth Day Hike was enjoyed by seven CTC Anthony Destefano members and four guests. The weather was threatening-it Marilyn Destefano rained before the hike and the fog came in afterwards. Joseph Donovan Temperature was in the forties, so we had the Cayuga Trail Paul Gaeta to ourselves for the afternoon. Vicky Gaeta Edward Hart Starting from Freese Road, the group passed the high Betty Lewis banks area along Fall Creek and then descended to the Linda Mattice creek's edge before heading up a side gorge. Some early Ben Petryszak wildflowers including trillium, coltsfoot, hepatica, and cut­ Danny Scott leafed toothwort were blooming. After crossing Fall Creek Kurt Seitz on the NY Route 13 bridge near Lower Creek Road in the Edward Sidote Town ofDryden, the hike followed an abandoned railroad Nick Vandam bed for a ways past "Big Bird's House." Hikers crossed Jack Van Derzee Monkey Run Road south and eventually came to NY Jennifer Wilson Route 366 in downtown Varna. A mile-long road walk along 366 and up Freese Road took hikers back to their Adopt-A-Highway Report cars. It was a great hike on a beautiful trail on an iffy day! Thanks to the 11 participants!

by Jim Connors e had our first 2003 litter cleanup of NY Route 366 on April 26. Eleven people came despite a

W spritzing rain. I would like to thank Phil Dan­ kert who stepped in for me to organize the

Our second cleanup was on Flag Day, June 14. cleanup. The sky was overcast, but that did not deter the five folks who came. We received "Thank Yous!" from a local homeowner and a passing motorist for our efforts to clean up our two-mile stretch of 366. Our third cleanup for the 2003 season will be held on Saturday, August 23. Please join in this wonderful com­ Cayuga Trails is published six times each year and munity service activity. We will meet at Cornell "O" is edited and published by Thomas J. Reimers. Comments and original contributions are welcome. parking lot at the corner of Route 366 and Caldwell Road Deadline for the early fall edition is August 15, shortly before 10:00 a.m. We should be finished cleaning 2003. Send to nyhiker@localnetcom or 3C Wild­ up our adopted section before noon. Ifyou have any ques­ flower Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850. tions please contact Jim Connors by phone at 607/898- 4163 or by email [email protected].

Cayuga Trails - 5 - Summer 2003 Cayuga Trails Club Picnic - July 30

ome to the third annual CTC picnic on the evening of Wednesday, July 30, at Taughannock Falls State Park! We have reserved the C shelter on the north area, so come rain or shine and enjoy a won­ derful summer evening on Cayuga Lake with fellow club members. Bring a friend or two to enjoy grilling, sharing food, and taking a hike. We expect to eat about 6:00 p.m. and walk around after that. But feel free to arrive as early as you like. The club will provide charcoal, plates, cups, and plasticware. Bring your own drinks, something to grill, and a dish to share. Since you may need to pay the entrance fee to park, hook up with other members and share a ride and the fee. Questions? Call John Andersson, CTC social chair, at 607 /539-7096 or [email protected].

Report on Walk, Look, and Trails Report Learn Hike #476 by Tom Reimers Trails Chairman • Date: May 18, 2003 t was an incredible spring for trail maintenance! Many • Location: Finger Lakes Trail and adjacent orange­ thanks to many volunteers. Now that 80 miles of the blazed trail surrounding wetlands and ponds in Texas IFinger Lakes Trail System and the Cayuga Trail that Hollow State Forest, Schuyler County the club maintains have been cleared ofwinter damage, • Leader: Ed Hart it's time to work on other projects. But first, I'd like to give a very sincere thank you to the trail adopters and trail ight CTC members and four guests showed up for work-session volunteers for their tremendous effort getting this hike which began with a brief discuss.ion of the trails back into shape before the main hiking season began. Eunique geology ofTexas Hollow. As descnbed by 0. I was extremely impressed with everyone's effort. Let's D. von Engeln in his book The Finger Lakes Region: hope that next spring' s cleanup won't be as challenging as Its Origin and Nature, Texas Hollow is a steep valley, a it was in the spring of 2003. mile wide and six miles long formed by ice lobes from By the time you read this article, I hope we will have re­ both Cayuga and Seneca lakes reaming out a rocky trough routed a section of the Finger Lakes Trail in Shindagin long before the last glacier, which when it came along, had Hollow State Forest. About a half mile of the trail a pathway to follow. A few intrepid climbers followed the currently is on an "abandoned" road that is used illegally steep trail upward all the by ATVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Of course, the new way to Newtown Road. All route will have been approved by the New York State hikers converged at the Department of Environmental Conservation, one of our junction of the lower trail trail partners on public lands. and the state forest wetlands The next two trail work sessions will be on Saturday, and explored orange-blazed July 19, at 9:30 a.m., and Sunday, August 17, at 1:00 p.m. trails surrounding the an­ cient glacier-created ponds. As usual, volunteers should meet for both ofthese sessions Cornelia Marks and Tom at the Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Taco Bell. One of the Reimers helped greatly in the July projects will be repairing a collapsed footbridge identification ofnative plants, across a small creek on the Abbott Loop. I'm collecting wildflowers, and beautiful old suggestions for ways to repair the bridge. Take a look. It is trees. The weather was sunny located approximately three-quarters of a mile west of the and warm. southern trail crossing of Michigan Hollow Road. If you have a plan for repairing the bridge, please let me know at [email protected] or 607/272-8679.

Cayuga Trails - 6 - Summer 2003 Next Evening Hikes Report on Walk, Look, and

ave Schwartz is continuing to lead the evening Learn Hike #477 hiking series with two more scheduled hikes. DBecause oftiming issues, he asks that people show • Date: June 15, 2003 up promptly. Bring drinking water because it can still be quite hot some days and possibly a snack. You • Location: Lime Hollow Nature Center, Cortland should also bring appropriate clothing like hiking boots County and rain gear. Given enough interest, some of the evening • Leader: Jennifer Wilson hikes may tum into "hike-and-eat" adventures, too. For more information, please contact Dave Schwartz (607/257- welve members and one guest ventured along the 7980, [email protected]). Lime Hollow Nature Center trails with hike leader T Jennifer Wilson looking for native orchids. Al­ • Evening hike #3 though sunshine and balmy weather were abundant Lick Brook to Buttermilk Falls State Park on that day, along with many other kinds of flora, not one single orchid showed its lovely petals or ladyslipper Date: July 23, 2003 (Wednesday) pouch. Several varieties of ladyslipper as well as other Meeting Place: Cornell Crescent Lot ("C Lot") behind types of orchids have been spied by naturalists before in the stadium remote locations at Lime Hollow. The group instead used the walk as an opportunity to play amateur botanist and, Meeting Time: 5: 15 p.m. sharp consulting a wildflower field guide, attempted to identify many flower species spotted along the trail. These Hike #3 \\ill be a bit more challenging in terms of effort included a past-bloom hepatica, Virginia waterleaf, flax, and parking, as we will park in two places to hike the spur columbine, and a really large brown gooey slime mold. trail that connects Buttermilk to the Finger Lakes Trail at Hikers explored beautiful, seldom-traveled side trails and Lick Brook. \Ye will meet at Cornell's Clot, which is off later ventured to the edge of Chicago Bog, a fairly recent Campus Road, across from the hockey rink and just behind land acquisition by the nature center. One unusual sight the stadium. If you simply can't get out of work on time, was a pair ofgreen herons (egrets?) that took turns circling contact Dave for a way to still make the hike. This bike's the bog and landing in a dead tree, and participants shared difficulty is moderate: open fields, some climbs, and some binoculars to get a closer look at the birds. All in all, a muddy spots. A map for the C parking lot can be found on Sunday afternoon well spent! ,..-- the \Yeb at http://cuinfo.comell.edu/cgi-bin/MapMove.x /Ml-7-l 9?132,307. Report on Evening Hike #1 • Evening hike #4 Six Mile Creek • Date: May 14, 2003 Date: August 6, 2003 (Wednesday) • Location: Taughannock Falls State Park Meeting Place: Mulholland Wildflower Preserve parking lot off Giles Street near the bridge over the • Leader: David Schwartz creek had 10 CTC members join me on what turned out to be Meeting Time: 6:00 p.rn. sharp a beautiful evening near Trumansburg. Everyone was Iquite good about showing up before 6:00 p.m., except Hikers will see wildflowers, small lakes, dams, and the for the leader, who was delayed at a meeting. We were Ithaca city reservoir. We'll hike three miles out and take all rewarded with terrific views of the gorge as we made different trails on the three miles back to the beginning. our way around its rim. Feeling a bit adventurous, we This hike involves some short steep climbs and precipitous explored some of the side trails, which you can find near parts in places, so the overall level of difficulty is about the Falls Overlook, across the road. Though the trails are moderate. poorly marked, there are many interesting things to see. In a future hike, we '11 explore the rest of these trails.

Summer Cayuga Trails - 7 - 2003 Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, July 13 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #478. Virgil Highlands & Old Homesteads. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at Dryden Village parking lot or 1 :20 p.m. at intersection of Hauck Road and Bleck Road. Details on page 3. Joe Dabes, leader (607 /844-3872, [email protected]). Saturday, July 19 ...... Trail work session. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Taco Bell, across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza, Ithaca. Tom Reimers, leader (607 /272-8679, [email protected]). Wednesday, July 23 ...... Evening Hike #3. Lick Brook to Buttermilk Falls State Park. Meet in the Cornell "C" parking lot behind the stadium at 5: 15 p.m. sharp. Details on page 7 . Dave Schwartz, leader (607/257-7980, [email protected]). Wednesday, July 30 ...... Third annual Cayuga Trails Club picnic at Taughannock Falls State Park. Details on page 6. Contact John Andersson if you have questions (607 /539-7096, [email protected]). Tuesday, August 5 ...... Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board meeting. 7:30 p.m. Old Jail Building, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. Members welcome. Wednesday, August 6 ...... Evening Hike #4. Six Mile Creek. Meet at 6:00 p.m. sharp in parking lot off Giles Street near the bridge over the creek in Ithaca. Details on page 7. Dave Schwartz, leader (607/257-7980, [email protected]). Sunday, August 10 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #479. Flora of Cornell Plantations. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. on Forest Home Drive near the Test Gardens, Ithaca. Details on page 3 . Bob Wesley, leader (607/257-1352). Friday, August 15 ...... Deadline for submitting materials for the summer edition of Cayuga Trails. See information in box on page 5. Sunday, August 17 . -...... Trail work session. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at Ithaca Shopping Plaza near Taco Bell, across NY-Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza, Ithaca. Tom Reimers, leader (607/272-8679, [email protected]). Saturday, August 23 ...... Adopt-a-Highway Program cleanup 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. Details on page 5. Jim Connors, leader (607 /898-41 63, jconnors@tvvcny. rr. corn) .

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. 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 ofnatural beauty... "

September-October 2003 Early Fall Edition Vol. 43, Nos. 9 & 10

All Members and Guests Invited! Cayuga Trails Club General Membership Meeting And Dish-to-pass Supper Sunday, October 19, 2003

11 members and guests of the Cayuga Trails Club are invited for socializing at a dish-to-pass supper on Sunday, October 19, 2003. Meet at the Ellis Hollow Community Center, Genung Road, in the Town of Dryden at 4:30 p.rn., Aand plan to eat about 5:00. Bring your table service, a dish to share (main item, salad, or dessert), and a few slides of a travel or hiking experience. The club will provide a little wine and coffee. If weather permits, we may enjoy sitting outside for a while, so bring a lawn chair. The only real item of business is election of the nominating committee that will select the slate of 2004 club officers. Think about members you'd like to see as officers next year (perhaps yourself!) and mention it to the committee's members. Come and enjoy talking to other hikers! Contact John Andersson at 607/539-5096 or [email protected] for more information.

Special October Hike Leads to Dinner

alk up an appetite before the General Membership Meeting and dish-to-pass supper on October 19 with Peter Harriott. Meet him at the East Hill Plaza in Ithaca at 2:00 p.m. (Ellis Hollow Road and Pine Tree Road intersection) W for a loop walk through the Finger Lakes Land Trust's Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve. Bum some calories and get rosy red cheeks before meeting and eating! The location ofthe membership meeting and dish-to-pass supper is less than a mile from the nature preserve. Contact Peter at 607/273-6049 if you would like more information.

Two Trail Sections Available for Adoption

he Cayuga Trails Club is responsible for maintenance of about 80 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail System. Two Tsections of the main Finger Lakes Trail we maintain are available for "adoption." Both are in Danby State Forest. Bald Hill Road to Michigan Hollow Road (1.4 miles). This includes the Chestnut Lean-to. Michigan Hollow Road to east junction with Abbott Loop (1.5 miles). Adopters are asked to provide routine maintenance three times per year (spring, summer, and fall). Adopters receive a copy of the Field Maintenance Manual for the Finger Lakes Trail, signs, trail markers, and instructions on trail blazing. Paint and other supplies are reimbursed by the club. Please contact Betty Hansen at 607 /546-28 12 or [email protected] if you would like more information on adopting these sections for maintenance. Co-President's Message

by Jennifer Wilson

was walking past the chaparral a few weeks ago when The roadside splash of blue from our chicory plants is I looked down and saw a small, blue-throated lizard similar to the western coast's blue dix. The green layered Isc uttle off the dusty road. The tanoak, coast live oak, upon green in our forests' is unmatched in California, and eucalyptus trees didn't provide much shelter from especially in a wet year! And I could go on for a long time the blasting sunshine or the temperatures rising quickly about the wealth of beautiful ravines and gorges in this into the 90s that late June morning. Fortunately, I soon area, most of them explored by so few. was walking into the deep shade of conifers standing well Our fickle and fey weather is like an unsatisfied artist, over 100 feet tall with high hedges of fems at their feet. constantly touching up every glen and meadow with wash­ Settler's lettuce grew nearby with its peculiar, fleshy, and es of new tints from the palette: now the angry green and edible circular disk as the shade gave way once more to gray tones of the approaching storm, now the subtle sunshine, banks of blue dix, and a sun-tinged hues of early morning, view of the ocean just beyond the and now the brilliant splashes of fields dotted with poppies. violet and crimson sunset. And New · Make that California poppies, and fllli•• York's change of seasons is like a readers have probably already vain woman, draping herself in a guessed that I was certainly not in new array almost before the previous upstate New York when I saw these one can be admired. things. Those conifers at the edge of Muir Woods were California red­ This musing all brings to mind a woods and the breathtaking observa­ local hike I went on a few years tions of ocean and bay and City of ago-a Finger Lakes Trail Confer­ San Francisco were made from atop ence one, I think-where we were Mount Tamalpais. In one amazing joined by some Californians who 10-rnile hike, I'd savored the distant had spotted the foray advertized on big city silhouette, then walked into the Internet. At every turn along the ravines with old growth redwoods pathway, these visitors expressed wider than I am tall, and had also enchantment at our state's natural seen ocean and western desert com- -....:-...::­ beauty and wonders .. fortably rubbing shoulders. I personally felt a sense of reawakened interest in the The day's walk was worth almost three rolls of film, exquisite perfection of nature during a recent educational and I carefully conferred about plant identification with hike led for our c lub by Cornell Plantations botanist my Uncle George, who looked up everything he didn't Robert Wesley. In the woods, the plants and animals that recognize in his field guide. I must admit I tend to rush by we all too often rush by appear to follow a perfect plan the trailside flowers at my local stomping grounds some­ that is only revealed to humans through careful where between Central New York and the Southern Tier. observation and study. Whether or not we can understand After all, how could the natural scenery of the Finger each gently waving flower stern, we know intuitively that Lakes Region compare with that of California? it is beautiful. We shouldn't ever become jaded about the Very well, actually. Back home again, I noticed the wilderness, though it's just a short stroll away. Just slow late-blooming flowers were nevertheless having a great down. Take along a field guide and a camera. Tomorrow, year, bursting with color. My home state's Indian paint­ let's walk out into our woodlands and re-discover the brush is a different plant altogether from what's found in ability to feel our own sense of wonder at New York's California, but no less colorful in red, orange, and yellow. natural bounty.

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Early Fall 2003 The Great Pumpkin Bash Ill Fall Campout, Finger Lakes Trail Conference Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY i~l[i October 3-5, 2003 ...... ····L

h~ annual ~all Campo~t of the Finger.La~es Trail Confer~nce (FLT9 is returning to peaceful Hickory Htll Campmg Resort, JUSt off the marn Fmger Lakes Trad (FLT) with its own spur uphill to the FLT, T for three days of hiking in fall colors with many stunning views. Members of the Cayuga Trails Club are welcome to attend! Several hikes will be offered each day, ranging in length from 5 to 12 miles, all hilly to some degree, of course. Evening slide programs will be provided by local outdoor authors Rich and Sue Freeman, sharing their adventures with us on the 184-mile Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath Friday night, and along the 460-mile Camino de Santiago in Spain on Saturday. Camping is available for participants at a discount, plus there are many motels and B&Bs in the area. Meals will be provided by Hickory Hill in its warm activity building at very low cost. Registration for the weekend is $6.00 for FLTC members, $8.00 for non-members. For a copy of the registration form and detailed hike information, go to www.jingerlakestrail.org or call our office Monday or Thursday at 585/658-9320. FLTC members will receive a mailing during August.

Yahoo Email

by Barb Morley have often wished I had some guidance on trails or By this time, trails club members who provided email equipment, some company for a hike or paddle, or a addresses on their membership forms should have received Itechnical advisor for an outdoor recreation project, but an email invitation to join this listserv. Each member must I'm not always sure to whom I should tum. Discussions create a Yahoo account if you don't already have one, but may choose to have messages delivered to your primary with the trails club executive board and members made it email account if you have another. Do you have a ques­ obvious that I'm not the only one with this problem, so the tion, suggestion, or an idea you want to try out on board decided to inaugurate the CayugaTrailsClub@yahoo som eone? Send it to the group and see who responds! If groups.com listserv in an attempt to address some of these you'd like to follow the discussions of your outdoor­ issues. The email list is open only to CTC members, and enthusiast colleagues but don't have much to say right is an un-moderated forum for discussing interests and now, that's fine too! Just lurk and learn! Either way, we issues related to outdoor recreation. There is also space for hope this will help members to get out more often, to en­ your contributions to other areas of the club's Web site at joy the company of friends in the outdoors, and to learn http://groups.yahoo.com!group/CayugaTrailsClub more about many aspects of outdoor recreation in the Finger Lakes Region and beyond. including your digital photographs of outdoor activities, Ifyou have any questions or problems using the Yahoo Web site recommendations, member surveys, and more .. . service, please contact Barb Morley at [email protected]. Early Announcement for Annual Meeting

ave this date: Sunday, January 25, 2004! This is the tentative date for the annual meeting of the Cayuga Trails Club where we gather to enjoy a good meal, share the reports of the past year, and elect officers for the next year. Plan to Sattend and have a good time! Look for details in December and January.

Cayuga Trails - 3 - Early Fall 2003 Fillmore Glen State Park Autumn in 11The Arnot11

Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #480 Walk, Look, and learn Hike #481 September 14, 2003 (Sunday) October 12, 2001 (Sunday) • location: Fillmore Glen State Park, Moravia, NY • location: Arnot Forest, Schuyler and Tompkins counties • Meeting Place and Time: Details about meeting time and place and length of hike will be posted on • Meeting Place: Ithaca Shopping Plaza by Taco Bell the CTC listserve (see page 3), or you can call Varya across NY Roue 13 from K-Mart Plaza, Ithaca at 607/272-0504 or Chris at 607/279-2236. You can • Meeting Time: 1:00 p.m. also send email to [email protected]. om Reimers will lead this fall hike in the beautiful illmore Glen State Park is an Arnot Teaching and Research Forest. "The Arnot" oasis of cool, dense woods is located in the hilly, forested Southern Tier region crowding into a long, narrow T F of New York State. The Arnot is ovvned by Cornell gorge. Its hiking trails offer University and managed by the Department of Natural spectacular views, unique geological Resources in the College ofAgriculture and Life Sciences. formations, including five waterfalls, It is the largest actively managed forest owned by Cornell. and a botanically rich glen. In addition to 2,400 acres of mature forest, the Arnot includes some 100 acres of open land (grass and gold­ CTC 2003 Executive Board enrod), 1,345 acres of old fields, saplings, brush, and pole timber, 170 acres of softwood plantations, 40 acres of sugarbush, 20 acres of field campus, 10 ponds, and Ban­ Co-presidents ...... Phil Dankert field Creek. More than 400 species of vascular plants and Jennifer Wilson 135 species of birds, in addition to numerous amphibians, Vice President ...... David Schwartz reptiles, and mammals, inhabit the Arnot. Approximately Secretary ...... Sigrid Connors 100 contiguous acres of grassland are maintained to Treasurer ...... Jack Van Derzee provide habitats for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Walk, Look, & Learn Hikes ... Clifford Blizard There are no hiking trails in the Arnot. However, old Finance ...... John Rogers used and unused roads are great for hiking. They pass by Guide Book ...... Sigrid Connors one of the best autumn views in the area. We will visit Membership ...... Suzanne Cohen several interesting historical features such as a U.S. Soil and Water Conservation erosion study site, an old chestnut Social ...... John Andersson plot, and a long-abandoned fireplace and picnic area deep Trails ...... Tom Reimers in the woods. Newsletter ...... Tom Reimers Archives/Historian ...... Barbara Morley Publicity ...... David Schwartz Adopt-a-Highway ...... Jim Connors Members-at-Large ...... Joan Jedele Jim Connors

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Early Fall 2003 November Special Hike: Report on Walk, Look, The Interlaken Trail and Learn Hike #478

November 16, 2003 (Sunday) • Date: July 13, 2003 • Location: Finger Lakes National Forest, Schuyler • Location: Dabes Diversion Loop in Virgil State and Seneca counties Forest, Cortland County • Meeting Place: U.S.D.A. Forest Service parking • Leader: Java Joe Dabes area at southern end oflnterloken Trail off Burnt Hill Road, before Wyckoff Road and at North County wenty CTC members and ten guests enjoyed this Trail head. 4.5-mile hike on a gorgeous summer day. This was T a large crowd, and it was advantageous that I (Java • Meeting Time: 10:00 a.m. Joe) have a large bellowing voice so that the hikers lub members Marsha Zgola and Jennifer Wilson could hear descriptions at the many stops. As we started in :-Vill ~ead a special hike along the Interloken Trail James Kennedy State Forest surrounded by large tama­ Cm Fmger Lakes National Forest. This approx­ racks, maples, black cherries, and other hardwoods, it was imately 12-mile hike features dense forest, open hard to believe that in the 1930s virtually all of this forest meadows, and rolling farmland, and passes by several was fields and pastures. Then came the Great Depression ponds, campsites, and a lean-to. The trail is an official spur with the federal government buying the land, which it of the 800-mile-long Finger Lakes Trail System and also ceded to the state of New York. Indeed in 1900 less than _ encompasses a short segment of the multi-state North 10 percent of New York State was forested, today it is . -_ Country National Scenic Trail. The terrain is easy and will over 60 percent forested as abandoned farms revert to: be hiked in a slightly downward direction. Given the time native hardwoods. We passed a berm that most of the of year and the miles hiked, this outing will not be for the hikers thought was an old road. Not so, it was the edge of faint-hearted, however. Please dress for the time of year. a plowed field bordering steeper pasture land that was not Layering of warm but breathable garments is advisable. plowed. More than a hundred years of plowing the hilltop Bring sufficient drinking water and a sandwich or high field piled the dirt at the top of the lower steeper pasture energy snacks. We will leave most cars at the trail' s land, creating a flat area with a sharp drop-off. A large southern end and shuttle together to begin at the north end foundation near the former Kells Road showed signs of : .-,.,_ on Parmenter Road. For those who are unsure about find­ two basements and a crawl space (farm houses were ofteno•.'. ing the trail head or who want to carpool, meet Jennifer at added on to as the family grew, or a new family moved inf · 9:20 a.m. at the Ithaca Shopping Plaza by Taco Bell across One of the hikers discovered a very large (30-inch _. New York Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza. For more infor­ diameter, at least 20 feet deep) well at the edge of th~­ mation, contact Marsha at 607 /546-7367 or mmz2@cornell house foundation. Fortunately, it was mostly covered by a .edu or Jennifer at 607 /753-8641 [email protected]. very large flat rock, so no one fell into it. Final Highway Cleanup of 2003

by Jim Connors ur fourth and final Adopt-a-Highway cleanup for 2003 will be held on October 18. This will be our 0 last opportunity to groom our two-mile stretch of highway before the winter snows come. So please meet- rain or shine- at Cornell's "O" parking lot at the comer ofNY Route 366 and Caldwell Road shortly before 10:00 a.m. We should be finished with the cleanup by noon. Contact Jim Connors at 607 /898-4163 or jconnors @twcny.rr.com if you would like more information.

Cayuga Trails - 5 - Early Fall 2003 Hiking the Catskills FLT in Four Days: Lessons Learned

by Jim Connors Editor's Note: Author Jim Connors is on the Cayuga from the Claryville Genera1 Store up to the trail head is a Trails Club Executive Board and is working toward hiking long gradual uphill. Sneakers and sunscreen were in order. all 560 miles ofthe Finger Lakes Trail. Once you get to the trail head, it is a short hike into the woods to the eastern terminus of the FLT. I was expecting hile studying what I had left to finish hiking all a big neon sign that sa,id, "You made it to the end of the of the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT), the Catskills FLT!" Instead, I was greeted only by a signpost that ad­ W maps stood out as one big piece of trail that my vised that the trail name has changed. Once you are at this feet have not touched. The Catskills have a point it is worth hiking to the Denning bivouac area. mystique about them. Hikers have told stories about long Walking over the long log traversing road hikes, big reservoirs, bears, the Neversink River and then soaking and mountains. Deciding to find out your feet in the chilly water is worth for myself, I made plans to hike it. One other shorter road stretch is them in four days over the July 4th on Campbell Brook Road. It is all weekend. I would like to share what steeply downhill when hiking from I learned. For those who have yet to east to west. I ended my Catskills hike the Catskills, hopefully these hike here, and it was a joy to "coast" lessons learned will help in your downhill. planning. For those of you who On day two I saw no bears, but I have hiked them, well, it may bring saw what the bears went over to see: back fond memories. the mountains. I have a new found Believe it or not, my biggest respect for mountains, especially concern was not the difficulty of Balsam Lake Mountain. Hiking up its hiking the mountains. It was being west slope, starting from Adler Lake, able to follow the trails. With the is an arduous 6.7-mile rolling uphill heavy spring snows causing tree climb to over 3,500 feet. Once you damage I heard the trails were dif­ are at the top, an extra one-quarter ficult to travel. I am happy to report mile or so hike to the very top will the trails are clear and easily pass- get you to the fire tower which is able. Please, however, do not con­ climbable up to the lookout sub­ fuse "easily passable" with ..easy to Jim Connors at the end o.fhis Catskfl/s hikes. Photo by floor. The very steep eastern descent hike." Another concern is that I am Marie lnglee. is only about 1 mile. Next time hik­ color blind, as 3 percent of all men ing this from the east to west would be my choice. are, to red and green. Some of these trails are marked with The hike from Adler Lake westward to Holiday and red discs. "Could I see them?" I worried. Thankfully most Berry Brook Road on day three officially took over as the of the red discs had white letters which stood out boldly, most difficult hike I had ever done. This is not due only to and the trail path itself was easy to see. The thing to elevations such as Touch-Me-Not Mountain, Cabot Moun­ remember is to study the trail maps in advance and know tain, Beech Hill, and Mary Smith Hill, but also to the clearly what color the trail markers are and when they humidity which spiked to the maximum from a heavy rain transition to other colors. It is also good to remember the the evening before. I was truly humbled by the five Hs, name of the area you are hiking to, as there are many signs that is hazy, hot, humid, and high hills. It was so difficult giving direction. getting enough oxygen with every breath during the steep What I learned about road hiking is that it pays to scope climbs that I had to stop :frequently and slow my pace out where the hills are. The biggest road stretch, which considerably. It is very important to keep hydrated. Plenty was on my day one, is from Wild Meadow Road (a.k.a. of water and Gator-Aid got me through this hike. Black Bear Road) to the Denning trail head. Hiking from My final day hiking the Catskills was much lower in humidity. I had regained my stamina and was ready to take west to east takes you down some steep bills. The hike

Early Fall 2003 Cayuga Trails - 6 - on the day. Hiking westward from Holiday and Berry Brook Road to the intersection of Campbell Brook and Report on Walk, Look, Campbell Mountain Roads took me over Brock and and Learn Hike #479 Campbell Mountains. Hiking was rigorous but the lower humidity made it more manageable. On this hike I lost the trail almost immediately because I misread the directions • Date: August 10, 2003 on the back of the map. That's what I get for trying to decipher the map directions backwards. I sure would be • Location: Cornell Plantations, Ithaca the first in line to purchase a set of maps with reverse • Leader: F. Robert Wesley directions printed on them. My hiking mentor Jack Van Derzee once told me not to let the maps fool you--follow the n a modified reprise of a hike he led several years ago trail. So that's what I did, and I eventually foW1d the trail. for the club, Bob Wesley, a noted field biologist with I had helpers on my hike across the Catskills and give ICornell University's Natural Areas Program, crossed my thanks to them all. Ed Sidote gave me great advice on the raging Fall Creek via footbridge near the Test road conditions. Jack Van Derzee hiked with me on days Gardens and once again worked his magic on 10 members one and two, and kept me company while camping out. I and two guests. Bob has the gift ofnaming and describing am also thankful that he does not snore! Local trail angels any plant in terms easily understood and interesting to Jirri Wheeler and Marie Inglee took time from their July both the complete amateur and the seasoned woodland 4th weekend to car-shuttle me. Jim Wheeler confirmed rambler with a botany guidebook. Participants learned that what I had assumed about this area: that many roads end Bob has a good grasp of the animal pollinators and pred­ up being called Beaver Kill Road at one end or another. ators of flora as well. The group was especially intrigued The Americorp group, NYS Department ofEnvironmental by the many plants with mechanisms to toss their seeds or Conservation, local trail maintainers, and others have hurl their pollen or grasp with velcro-like hooks to hitch a worked hard to clear these not-so-easy-to-access trails. ride on passing animals. The party heard about the In closing, the best thing I learned is that it would be long-ago medicinal uses of Joe-Pye weed and other more fun hiking the Catskills in a little bit cooler weather greenery. Bob spotted a few rare native species, including and to take a couple of more days to hike them. I look Canada moonseed (Menispermum canadense). He des­ forward to hiking this area again. cribed the relative climbing abilities ofvarious vines, such as the tall and vigorous Virginia creeper. What with the Report on Evening Hike #4 mixed-up and late growing season this year, many flowers were in bloom and growing into vigorous specimens for our ad.miring eyes. To some degree, the outing turned into • Date: August 6, 2003 a fungus walk because of all the great mushrooms that • Location: Six Mile Creek, Ithaca were so abundantly represented. While discouraged from collecting at Cornell Plantations, the gathering learned • Leader: David Schwartz what would be delectable at the supper table and what would be perilous (most but not all species of amanitas). espite the poor forecast, the v.:eathe~ w~s clear, Everyone learned about the many non-native plants that albeit a bit muggy, so the five mtrep1d hikers set have made the Cornell Plantations their home, crowding out after a discussion with a park ranger about D out many indigenous varieties. All in all, this was an leash laws and areas in which not to trespass. The entertaining and educational afternoon's foray. group meandered the various trails, leading to the falls. There wasn't much interest in viewing the nude men sunbathing and swimming, but the falls were quite beau­ tiful because of all the recent rain. While heading back, Cayuga Trails is published six times each year and one hiker (who shall remain nameless) had a fall, so we is edited and published by Thomas J. Reimers. took the "highway" back to the start. The hike leader Comments and original contributions are welcome. Deadline for the late fall edition is October 15, 2003. dressed the hiker's wound (scraped elbow). Who was this Send to nyhiker@localnetcom or 3C Wildflower hiker? Only the "Six-Mile Creek Five" know for sure ... and Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850. we're not telling.

Cayuga Trails - 7 - Early Fall 2003 Third Annual Picnic a Success

by John Andersson Social Chairman he third annual picnic enjoyed one of the few rain-free evenings in July. About 25 Cayilga Trails Club members and friends gathered at the North Shore area ofTaughannock Falls State Park on Wednesday, July 30. The grill was hot T for sausages, hamburgers, fish, steaks, and vegetable patties. People brought plenty of cool salads, snacks, and sweet desserts. Some requested recipes. Our new banner hung from the shelter, announcing us. After trading tales and experiences, one group took off for a short hike up the gorge to view the falls, arriving back at dark. A few bung around to watch the sun set over the west shore and marvel at the color of the sky and water and watch the fish jump for their dinner.

Photos by Tom Reimers.

Cayuga Trails - 8 - Early Fall 2003 Welcome to New Members Trails Report

Jackie Caito by Tom Reimers Trails Chairman Geneva, NY 14456 nyone who has hiked the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT)

between Shindagin Hollow Road and Brearly Hill

A Road knows about the not-so-scenic segment on the old woods road. I remember years ago when Edith Cassel this was a nice, historically interesting (stone fences, old house foundations) hiking trail. In recent years ATVs and Ithaca, NY 14850 4-wheel drive vehicles have illegally taken over this sec­ tion and destroyed it as a hiking trail. Garbage, bed frames, and fire rings now distract from the scenery. Well, the hiking experience there will soon improve. A beautiful re­ Mark & Susan Field route of the FLT off this old road was cleared by 13 CTC volunteers during two trail work sessions on June 28 and Fayetteville, NY 13066 July 4. It's not blazed or signed yet as of this date (August 24), but we hope to open the trail as soon as the senior

forester for the NYS Department of Environmental Con­ servation gives the go-ahead. He wants to be sure that sal­ Report on Evening Hike #3 vage logging in two nearby pine plantations destroyed by last winter's ice and snow won't affect the new re-route soon after it's blazed and signed. I'm looking forward to • Date: July 23, 2003 opening the new section because it is sooooo much better than where the trail is now. • Location: Lick Brook to Buttermilk Falls State Park A group ofnine CTC volunteers also worked on the FLT • Leader: David Schwartz on July 19 greatly improving a section west ofPotato Hill State Forest in Tompkins County. This section needed lthough the definition of "sharp" turned out to be some serious trimming and blazing. "rough," the group of six hikers managed to leave Finally, August 17 saw a very successful trail work Aat a reasonable time, starting from Lick Brook. We session repairing a collapsed footbridge across a stream on earned our dinner calories with the initial climb up the Abbott Loop in Danby State Forest. Eleven volunteers the original steep portion of Lick Brook that is now a spur hiked about three-quarters of a mile each way to and from trail. From there, the group managed a steady pace through the bridge, tore the old bridge apart, and re-built a fine, the trees and fields towards Buttermilk We were actually sturdy replacement in about 2 Y2 hours. quite lucky with the weather. We had just a light drizzle towards the end of the hike. The spur trail was a bit wet and muddy in spots (perhaps some minor work and small bridges for the future?), but all told, in decent shape. With a bit of car shuffling, we finished about 8:30, and a good time was had by all.

' Robert Wesley (left) identifies a small tree at Cornell Plantations during Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #479. See report on page 7. Photo by Tom Reimers.

Cayuga Trails - 9 - Early Fall 2003 National Trails Day Message Editor's Correction ... Again!

Editor's Note: The following message was received by the he list of CTC members who have hiked the entire Cayuga Trails Club from Jane Thompson, Trail Programs 5_60-mi~e-long Fin_ger Lakes Trail that was pub­ Manager, American Hiking Society, regarding our event Tlished m the last ISsue of Cayuga Trails was in­ for National Trails Day on June 7, 2003. correct again! Joe Dabes was listed as having hiked the whole trail three times. In fact, he has hiked it four times! Now, he's working on his fifth end-to-end hike Dear NTD event coordinator, having completed about 80 percent of the trail.

Thank you for hosting a National Trails Day Event! Local coordinators are an inte­ West Nile Virus gral part of what makes NTD a success and without your help none of this would • What is West Nile Virus? be possible. Though there was rain all along the east coast, hopefully the sun West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne infection that can was shining elsewhere, and wherever you cause serious illness and in some cases death. Although a were, spirits were soaring. Remember that person's chances of getting sick are small, there are some just because the event is over does not simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of being mean National Trails Day needs to end. bitten by mosquitoes. Everyday is Trails Day. • What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus? There were over 825 events registered Most people who are infected with the West Nile Virus with AHS-nearly 25 percent more than will not have any type of illness. It is estimated that 20 last year, meaning the valuable benefits of percent of the people who become infected will develop trails were spread to an even wider audi­ West Nile fever: mild symptoms, including fever, head­ ence. Many thanks to all of you who put ache, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash and links to www.AmericanHiking.org, which swollen lymph glands. In many individuals, these symp­ added to the ease for potential trail enthu­ toms are so mild that they go unnoticed or undetected. siasts to find events in their local com­ The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile en­ munities. Make sure to mark your calen­ cephalitis or meningitis) include headache, high fever, dars for National Trails Day 2004, Sat­ neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, con­ urday, June 5! vulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that one in 150 persons infected with the West Nile Virus Thanks again for all of your support! will develop the more severe form of the disease. Usually, Looi< forward to working with you on an symptoms occur from 3 to 14 days after exposure. There is event next year! no specific treatment for viral infections, other than to Best regards, treat the symptoms and provide supportive care. • How is West Nile Virus transmitted? Jane West Nile Virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Over 30 species of mos­ quitoes have been infected nationwide. fu 2002, West Nile Virus was documented to be transmitted by blood trans­ fusion or organ transplantation in a small number of cases. In addition, one case of transmission through breast­ feeding and one case of transplacental (mother to child) West Nile Virus transmission were documented. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is working with the Food and Drug Administration, blood collection agencies, and state and local health departments to investigate possible cases

Cayuga Trails - 10 - Early Fall 2003 · ofWestNile Virus transmission through blood transfusion Remove leaf debris from yards and gardens. and organ transplantation. Tum over wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use. • How can I protect myself and my family? Change the water in birdbaths twice weekly. Clean vegetation and debris from edges of ponds. To reduce the mosquito population around your home Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and property, reduce or eliminate all standing water: and hot tubs. Dispose oftin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or Drain water from pool covers. similar water-holding containers. Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that col­ Dispose of used tires. Used tires are a significant lects on your property. mosquito breeding site. Call your local landfill or Depart­ ment of Public Works to find out how to dispose of used From New York State Department of Health. More tires properly. information about West Nile Virus is available at the Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that following Web site: www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/west are kept outdoors. nile/education/2746.htm. Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.

Report on Executive Board Meeting

he Executive Board of the Cayuga Trails Club met Trails: Tom Reimers reported that the June work for a regular meeting on August 5, 2003, in the session to clear a reroute for the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) · TScott Heyman Conference Room, Old Jail, 125 East in Shindagin Hollow State Forest was quite successful Court Street, Ithaca, New York Board members with 12 CTC members completing most ofthe work. Then present were Sigrid Connors, Phil Dankert, Joan Jedele, on July 4 an impromptu group of four members finished Barb Morley, Tom Reimers, David Schwartz, Jack Van the mile-long re-route. The regional DEC forester in­ Derzee, and Jennifer Wilson. The following is a summary formed Tom that the pine plantations near the re-route that. of some of the items considered as recorded by Secretary were destroyed by the ice and snow last winter may be, Sigrid Connors. scheduled for some salvage logging. The forester doesn't: Co-President Jennifer Wilson called the meeting to want the re-route blazed until the logging (if done) is order at 7: 3 3 p.m. Treasurer Jack Van Derzee reported that finished. The old trail is still blazed and usable. the checking account balance was $1,270.73; the savings On July 19 nine members blazed, trimmed, and cl~ared account balance was $5,744.45. He also reported that a section of FLT west of Potato Hill State Forest in the guidebooks sales were about $2,200 since the last report. Town of Caroline. An August 17 work session is planned Guidebook sales to date amount to just over $6,000. Our to repair a footbridge on the Abbott Loop. break-even point is $7 ,500, so we expect to break even Adopt-a-Highway: Sigrid Connors reported that the early next year. next Adopt-a-Highway cleanup of NY Route 366 will be Walk, Look, and Learn Hikes: Tom Reimers volun­ on August 23 at 10:00 a.m. The Adopt-a-Highway renewal teered to lead an October hike at Arnot Forest. David agreement has been approved and is good through June 30, Schwartz recruited Carol Mallison to lead a hike at 2005. The last cleanup this year will be on October 18. Sapsucker Woods on August 19 that will be announced by Old Business: Co-presidents Phil Dankert and Jennifer email. David led evening hikes #2 and #3 with eight and Wilson sent a thank you letter to Eastern Mountain Sports six people attending, respectively. David will schedule an for its generous $500.00 donation to re-build a footbridge evening hike in September and possibly one in October. on the FLT at Lick Brook. Social: The General Membership Meeting and dish-to­ New Business: The Fall Campout of the Finger Lakes pass supper wili be held again at the Ellis Hollow Com­ Trail Conference (FLTC) will be October 3- 5 at Hickory munity Center on October 19. Tiris will be preceded by a Hill Campground near Bath, New York. The FLTC annual hike at the Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve. A nominating Erv Markert Memorial Hike will be on September 14 on committee for 2004 officers will be selected at this meeting. the Interloken Trail and led by Matt Underwood.

Cayuga Trails - 11 - Early Fall 2003. Mark Your Calendars Sunday, September 14 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #480. Fillmore Glen State Park. Details about meeting time and place will be posted on the CTC listserve. See page 4 for available information. Friday-Sunday, October 3-5 Finger Lakes Trail Conference Fall Campout. Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, New York. Cayuga Trails Club members welcome. Details on page 3. Tuesday, October 7 Cayuga Trails Club Executive Board meeting. 7:30 p.m. Old Jail Building, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca. Members welcome. Sunday, October 1 2 Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #481 . Arnot Forest. Meet at 1 :00 p.m. at Ithaca Shopping Plaza by Taco Bell across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza, Ithaca. Details on page 4. Tom Reimers, leader (607/272-8679, [email protected]. Wednesday, October 15 Deadline for submitting materials for the late fall edition of Cayuga Trails. See information in box on page 7. Saturday, October 18 ...... Final 2003 Adopt-a-Highway cleanup of NY Route 366. Meet at Cornell's "O" parking lot at the corner of Route 366 and Caldwell Road shortly before 10:00 a.m. Details on page 5. Jim Connors, leader (607 /898-4163, [email protected]). Sunday, October 19 ...... Special hike to precede General Membership Meeting and dish-to-pass supper. Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve. Meet at East Hill Plaza in Ithaca at 2:00 p.m. Peter Harriott, leader (607 /273-6049). Details on page 1. Sunday, October 19 ...... Cayuga Trails Club General Membership Meeting and dish-to-pass supper. Ellis Hollow Community Center, Genung Road, Ithaca. Social at 4:30 p.m. and supper at 5:00 p.m. Details on page 1. Contact John Andersson for additional information (607 /539-5096, jlandersson @odyssey.net). Sunday, November 16 ...... Special hike on the Interlaken Trail, Finger Lakes National Forest. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Forest Service parking area, southern end of Interlaken Trail off Burnt Hill Road. Details on page 5. Marsha Zgola (607 /546-7367, [email protected]) and Jennifer Wilson (6071753- 8641, [email protected]), leaders. Sunday, January 25 Cayuga Trails Club annual meeting. Details later.

Cayuga Trails Club, Inc. 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 2003 Late Fall Edition Vol. 43, Nos. 11 & 12

CTC Annual Meeting and Luncheon

Repo~ Election~ and Rattlesnakes! January 25, 2004

ark your calendars now for Sunday, January 25, 2004, for the Annual Meeting ofthe Cayuga Trails Club. Come and hear the committee chairs, officers, and co-presidents describe important happenings in 2003 and plans for 2004. M Help elect officers! See who last year's Oscar winners choose to take the little squirrels home for 2004! Before the meeting enjoy a me;tl with fellow hikers prepared by Angelina Centini' s Restaurant, 124 Coddington Road, Ithaca. Our after-lunch speaker will be Rulon Clark, graduate student in Comell 's Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, who studies the timber rattlesnakes of Steege Hill, a nature preserve in Chemung County owned by the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Timber rattlesnakes once were abundant top-level predators throughout the forests of the eastern United States. In recent times, their range has been massively reduced both by habitat loss and active eradication programs implemented by humans. However, they still manage to persist in a few wild and remote comers of the Finger Lakes Region. Come learn more about this fascinating and under-appreciated animal, as Rulon presents his research on the hunting behavior, social lives, and conservation biology of timber rattlesnakes. Look for a flyer in your mailbox in December with all the details of the annual meeting. We hope to see a record number of members attend this important event!

Scenes from last year's CTC Annual Meeting and Luncheon (Photos by Tom Reimers) Co-president's Message

by Phil Dankert n early August of this year I half a day, or at most a whole day, simply by going down­ returned to Hanover, New hill, skirting the tops of any dangerous cliffs, until water IHampshire, to attend my is reached. The stream should then be followed down­ 50th high school reunion. ward .... The distances given at the ends of descriptions are Since time was not something I cumulative and are often only approximately accurate. The had a lot of, this trip could only times, also cumulative, are based on a speed of two miles 1-1i· "::.•~ last three days and thus I was per hour, plus a half-hour for every thousand feet ascend­ ·: 1Ji;1~ 1 nota~l~,unfo~ately,togetin ed. Time figures are thus intended only to be consistent; .~ , - any hiking. Smee, when travel- the individual's experience will soon enable him to deter­ ~ . · .n . ing alone, I prefer to ~avitate mine and apply his own correction, which will usually be ~· ...... ~ ·~ to roads less used, I did take a reduction from that given by the formula. The results advantage of several "stretch" will be reliable only on standard trails and they will prob­ breaks to walk and sit by various streams that I am familiar ably fail on excessively steep grades." with and watch the water as it moved swiftly past rocks of It is quite obvious that this did not come from a recent various shapes and sizes that over many years had been guide book to the White Mountains. Some ofthe advice and strategically placed in its path. suggestions given, however, still apply today. I took these Unfortunately, much of Saturday, the day of the re­ sentences from The A.M. C White Mountain Guide: a Guide union, was overcast with intermittent rain showers. This to Paths in the White Mountains and Adjacent Regions. It obscured what would otherwise have been a most enjoy­ was published in Boston by the Appalachian Mountain Club able drive east from Rutland, Vermont, on Route 4 over in 1936 (and is quite voluminous: over 500 pages). Sherburne Pass (elevation 2,190 feet). Outside of Wood­ By the time you receive this issue of Cayuga Trails, stock I stopped briefly to take several pictures of one of there will be approximately two weeks until the start ofthe my favorite covered bridges. (Out of curiosity, after I regular deer hunting season (November 17- December 9). returned home, I did some research and discovered that the Thus there are still two weekends to get out into the woods state ofVermont has the greatest concentration ofcovered and enjoy whatever hiking trails appeal to you. I know that bridges in the United States with a total of 114, many of wherever I might happen to be hiking at this time of year which are still in use. One hundred years ago there were I take great pleasure observing the brilliant colors of the over 600. One more interesting fact: these bridges were leaves that grace especially the maple trees. Another en­ covered for protection from the elements, not for the joyment is to hear the crunch of fallen leaves under my people crossing them.) Before the official reunion fes­ boots. Should you decide to take a hike at the spur of the tivities began I walked up to the main street of Hanover moment and might like others to join you, this is a and, probably not surprisingly, ran into 10- 12 hikers with reminder that you can put your plans on the new CTC their backpacks, hiking poles, etc. Undoubtedly the reason listserv. Ifyou have not already subscribed and wish to do for this is that the Appalachian Trail goes through here. so, please contact Barb Morley at [email protected] or Very recently I decided to take a closer look at a par­ 607/ 3 87-6213. I availed myself ofthis opportunity several ticular book that has been sitting on the shelf in one of the weeks ago and had a most enjoyable hike on the Abbott rooms of our house. I quote several passages. "If one Loop with one of our new members. The CTC Annual should become lost from a path in the White Mountains, Meeting will be held on January 25, 2004. More detail~ it is not necessarily a serious matter. Distances are, as a will be forthcoming at a later date. Please mark your rule, so short that one can readily reach civilization within calendars and plan on attending this important club event.

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 edition is December 15, 2003. Send to nyhiker@loca/netcom or 3C Wild­ flower Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Cayuga Trails - 2 - Late Fall 2003 Trail-Section Adopters

he Ca~ga Tra~ls Club is responsible for maii;i-ten.ance of 1~1.2 miles ofth: F.inger Lakes Tra~l (FLT) System between Watkins Glen m Schuyler County and Caroline m Tompkins County. This mcludes 77.4 miles of the main FLT and T23.8 miles of other trails. The following list indicates the sections oftrail and the volunteers who adopted sections for maintenance in 2003. If you would like to be placed on the waiting list to adopt a section of trail next year, please contact Betty Hansen at [email protected] or 607/546-2812. Trail Section Adopter(s) Franklin Street in Watkins Glen to Excelsior Glen Jonathan Bernstein NY Route 414/Excelsior Glen to Main Street in Burdett Jonathon Bernstein Main Street in Burdett to Logan Road Ed Kokkelenberg Logan Road to Burnt Hill Road (S) Jack Van Derzee Burnt Hill Road (S) to Texas Hollow Road Ed and Elaine Lopresti, Betty Hansen Texas Hollow Road to Steam Mill Road Ed Hart Steam Mill Road to NY Route 228 Charles Marquaerdt NY Route 228 to County Route 6 Betsy and Dan Elswit, Fred Sibley County Route 6 to Todd Road Betsy and Dan Elswit, Fred Sibley Todd Road to Ridge Road Rich and Tracy Marisa Ridge Road to Boyland Road Rick Grossman Boyland Road to Connecticut Hill Road Barb Morley and John Chamberlain Connecticut Hill Road to Cayutaville Road Kurt Seitz Cayutaville Road to Rumsey Hill Road (W) Charles and Lori Elrod Rumsey Hill Road (W) 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 Route 13/34/96 Eric Kratochvil and Fran O'Rourke NY Route 13/34/96 to Town Line Road (N) Tom Reimers Town Line Road (N) to Town Line Road (S) Greg Wooster and Ree Thayer Town Line Road (at West Jersey Hill Road) to Bruce Hill Road Cornell Digital Library Research Group Bruce Hill Road to Comfort Road (N) James Turk I Eric Mastroberti Comfort Road (N) to Bald Hill Road John Andersson Bald Hill Road to Michigan Hollow Road Oskar, Ellen, and Robin Schmidt I Carol Mallison and George Little Michigan Hollow Road (N) to Curtis Road Cliff and Doris Abbott I Gary Mallow Curtis Road to Fisher Settlement Road Danny and Kristin Scott Fisher Settlement Road to South Danby Road Tom Reimers South Danby Road to NY Route 96B Michael Kazarinoff and family NY Route 96B to Ridgeway Road David Ruppert and Anne Shapiro Coddington Road to White Church Road Richard and Claudia Wodzinski White Church Road to Brearley Hill Road Gary Mallow Brearley Hill Road to Shindagin Hollow Road Phil Dankert Shindagin Hollow Road to South Road Erin Shafto and Noah Hamm South Road to Old 76 Road Andy Boehm and Connie O'Brien Old 76 Road to Level Green Road Stephen Nicholson Level Green Road to Blackman Hill Road William and Donna Bergmark Blackman Hill Road to NY Route 79 Jay Zitter and Bill Fair Cayuga Trail: Stewart Ave to Freese Road Jim Hodges, Montessori School Adolescent Program Cayuga Trail: Freese Road to Varna Tom Reimers Abbott Loop: Michigan Hollow Road (N) to Michigan Hollow Road (S) Cliff and Doris Abbott Abbott Loop: Michigan Hollow Road (S) to junction with main FLT Cliff and Doris Abbott I Joan Jedele and Jack Rueckheim Lick Brook Loop Tom Reimers Van Lone Hill Loop Betsy and Dan Elswit Bob Cameron Loop Cris McConkey Buttermilk Falls Trail Spur Chris Proulx and Rachel McGuire Thank You!

Late Fall 2003 Cayuga Trails - 3 - --\Kes

The Keuka Lake Outlet Trail The FLT in Enfield

Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #482 Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #483 November 9, 2003 (Sunday) December 14, 2003 (Sunday) • Location: Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, Penn Yan to + Location: Finger Lakes Trail in the Town of Dresden, New York Enfield, Tompkins County + Meeting Place: Ithaca Shopping Plaza by Taco Bell + Meeting Place: Enfield Elementary School, Enfield across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza, Ithaca Center Road just off NY Route 79 west oflthaca + Meeting Time: 10:00 a.m. + Meeting Time: 1:00 p.m. lifford Blizard will be leading this hike along the id you know that the Cayuga Trails Club is a land­ Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, which follows Keuka owner? The Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) crosses on CLake Outlet as it descends 27 4 feet from Penn Yan, D our land. Come explore Reiman Woods (owned by on the northeastern arm ofKeuka Lake, to Dresden, the CTC) between Trumbull Comers Road and on the western shore of Seneca Lake. The trail is deeply Porter Hill Road and adjacent areas. Reiman Woods was evocative ofthe Industrial Age ( 1800s and early 1900s) in purchased by The Nature Conservancy and granted to the Upstate New York. The path runs along an old railroad Cayuga Trails Club. The hike should be about4 miles. The bed, parallels the remains of the Crooked Lake Canal (with hike leader will be Jack Van Derzee. Contact him at 607/ its 27 lift locks), and passes the ruins of several mills, an 3 87-5 810 or [email protected] if you would like more abandoned bridge, and an old locomotive turntable. (The information. Dotted line on map below is the FLT. outlet itself formed about 10,000 years ago, cutting HARV~ /-lu.. c.. Ro.AD through limestones and shales that are 350 million years old!). Hikers will also view woods and parklands, rock walls and waterfalls. We will carpool from Ithaca and leave vehicles at both ends of the trail. Although the hike is of considerable length (7.5 miles one way), the trail is fairly level and the section through Penn Yan is paved. The hike should take several hours, because there are so many intriguing histor­ ical features to examine along the way. We will arrive back in Ithaca by 5 :00 p.m. Plan to bring a lunch, snacks, and plenty of fluids. For more information, contact Clifford Blizard at 607/272-1299 or via the Internet at deep [email protected].

2003 Deer Hunting Seasons Hikers are strongly urged to wear safety orange clothing during deer hunting seasons. Deer hunting seasons for New York's Southern Zone including the Catskills are as follows: + Archery: October 15 through November 16 and December 10 through December 14 + Regular firearms: November 17 through December 9 + Muzzleloaders: December 10 through December 16 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.us/website /dfwmrlwildlifelguidelhuntseas.html. For information about hunting in state parks call 518/474-0456.

Cayuga Trails - 4 - Late Fall 2003 Report on Evening Hike #5 Cayuga Waterfront Trail

+ Date: August 19, 2003 by Carol Mallison + Location: Sapsucker Woods, Ithaca ave you heard of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail be­ + Leader: Carol Mallison ing built around the Cayuga Inlet in Ithaca, running ave you ever gotten lost in Sapsucker Woods? This Hfrom Cass Park, down to the former "Octopus," up gentle, clear summer evening hike was a good past the Farmers Market, and ending eventually in Hle sson in why the leader should be familiar with the Stewart Park? This six-mile trail will be walking and run­ trail in advance! However, five very good ning, biker and blader, walker and wheelchair friendly. It sports-all CTC members- and about 10,000 mosquitos will also connect to other local trails such as the Black had a fine time taking turns in the leadership role as we Diamond Trail. explored most of the four-mile-long, wood chip-covered One ofmy major disappointments with our community trail looping around Sapsucker Woods and over the wet­ is the way our downtown waterways are treated as nothing lands at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The trail map more than huge, ugly gutters. Finally, someone is taking an (which everyone agreed has some room for improvement) interest in beautifying a portion ofone ofthese waterways included an impressive list of birds . we might see. and making its beauty accessible to the public! However, what we saw were other animals, starting off Please support this unique project with your donation with a snapping turtle I swear was the size of a tire on a of a "stone" for one of the many trail heads that will be compact car. We were entertained by two young muskrats built. Visit the first trail head just outside the Cass Park playing in the water and guessing if that large animal rink to see inspiring examples of people's names, mem­ swimming across the pond was a beaver or the Sapsucker Woods monster. And a fawn standing in the middle of the orials, business names, and favorite sayings. You '11 find an path allowed us to get quite close before it skittered off to impressive list of all the trail's donors (including the Cay­ the side and continued just ahead of us for quite a while uga Trails Club) and other ways to help on it's Web site at down the trail. We did see several birds but we knew only www.cayugawateifronttrail.com. one for sure, which was a kingfisher. All in all, each hiker As a member of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail Initiative made a significant contribution to our walk, look, and Advisory Board, trail volunteer, and donor, I'm proud to learn--<>ops, the trail does NOT go that way!-adventure. be part of this significant community project and en­ courage you to add your name to the growing list of essen­ Welcome to New Members tial supporters. Thanks for listening.

Sue Gilcher CTC 2003 Executive Board

Cortland, NY 13045 Co-presidents ...... Phil Dankert Jennifer Wilson Gwyneth Lymberis Vice President ...... David Schwartz Secretary ...... Sigrid Connors Ithaca, NY 14850 Treasurer ...... Jack Van Derzee Walk, Look, & Learn Hikes . .. Clifford Blizard John & Carol Morris Finance ...... John Rogers Guide Book ...... Sigrid Connors Dryden, NY 13053 Membership ...... Suzanne Cohen Social ...... John Andersson Trails ...... Tom Reimers Corina Vlot Newsletter ...... Tom Reimers Archives/Historian ...... Barbara Morley Ithaca, NY 14850 Publicity ...... David Schwartz Adopt-a-Highway ...... Jim Connors Members-at-Large ...... Joan Jedele Jim Connors Jennifer Yacenda

Ithaca, NY 14850

Late Fall 2003 Cayuga Trails - 5 - Trails Report

by Tom Reimers Trails Chairman s the trail maintenance season comes to an end, I They worked two Sundays and one whole weekend this fall would like to thank the trail adopters and members clearing and blazing the Level Green reroute, building tvrn Awho participated in work sessions. A lot has been footbridges across seasonal streams, and doing general trail accomplished to make "our" 101 miles of the maintenance nearby. The students and instructors have Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) System the best in the state! worked enthusiastically for the betterment of the FLT. My Since publication of the early fall edition of Cayuga Trails, the new ShindaginHollowreroute bas been opened problem was trying to keep myselffrom interfering with what and marked, a new reroute has been cleared on the they are doing! Get out of the way, Tom! Caroline section to get the FLT off Level Green Road, I've also enjoyed working with a man who needs to work several sections have changed hands from "retiring" trail off community service hours. He wants to work off as many adopters to new volunteers, and several sections have been hours as possible improving the FLT. He has worked hard on reblazed and cleaned up. the projects I have assigned to him; problem areas on the I've enjoyed working with two foresters from the NYS main FLT and Abbott Loop in Danby State Forest have been Department of Environmental Conservation: John Clancy corrected. Thanks, Eric! and John Graham. Both have been very supportive and Finally, I'm pleased to tell you that the trails committee helpful in the two reroutes of the FLT on state forest lands has had to set up a waiting list of members who are eager mentioned above. John Clancy manages Shindagin Hollow State Forest and Danby State Forest. John Graham man­ to adopt sections of the FLT for maintenance. There are ages Potato Hill State Forest and state forests in Tioga three on the list right now. The complete list of 2003 trail County. Thanks for your help, John and John. adopters can be found on page 3 of this issue of Cayuga Recently, I've had the opportunity to work with students Trails. Betty Hansen maintains the list and other records and instructors in the Cornell Outdoor Education Program. for the committee. Thanks, Betty! Thanks, trail adopters!

~°j,,;: •. J~ •• Cornell Outdoor Education students clearing the new FLT reroute Cornell Outdoor Education instructor Tyler Jones {right) and offLevel Green Road with fire rakes. Photo by Tom Reimers. student preparing a log for one oftwo footbridges on the FLT reroute offLevel Green Road. Photo by Tom Reimers.

Late Fall 2003 Cayuga Trails - 6 - Report on Walk, Look, November Special Hike and Learn Hike #481 The Interlaken Trail

+ Date: October 12, 2003 November 16, 2003 (Sunday) + Location: Arnot Forest + Location: Finger Lakes National Forest, Schuyler + Leader: Tom Reimers and Seneca counties ighteen Cayuga Trails Club members and two guests + Meeting Place: U.S.D.A. Forest Service parking enjoyed a natural and historical hike through Arnot area at southern end of Interloken Trail off Burnt Hill EForest. "The Arnot" is a teaching and research forest Road, before Wyckoff Road and at North County owned by Cornell University and managed by the Trail head. Department of Natural Resources. In addition to 2,400 + Meeting Time: 10:00 a.m. acres of mature forest, the Arnot includes some 100 acres lub members Marsha Zgola and Jennifer Wilson of open land, 1,345 acres of old fields, saplings, brush, and will lead a special hike along the Interloken Trail in pole timber, 170 acres ofsoftwood plantations, 40 acres of CFinger Lakes National Forest. This approximately sugarbush, 20 acres of field campus, 10 ponds, and Ban­ 12-mile-long hike will feature dense forest, open field Creek. meadows, and rolling farmland, and pass by several ponds, After gathering at Ithaca Shopping Plaza, cars headed campsites, and a lean-to. The trail is an official spur of the south to the lower entrance of the forest in Schuyler 800-mile-longFinger Lakes Trail System and also encom­ County. Some cars were left there as others filled with passes a short segment of the multi-state North Country hikers drove to the upper entrance in Tompkins County. National Scenic Trail. The terrain is easy and will be hiked Most of the hike was on unimproved Irish Hill Road with in a slightly downward direction. Given the time of year a stop at an old graveyard, a walk through a forestry de­ and the miles hiked, this outing will not be for the monstration plot, a stop at one of the best autunm vistas in faint-hearted, however. Please dress for the time of year. the area, and a brief tour of abandoned buildings and Layering of warm but breathable garments is advisable. equipment that was once the center of research on soil Bring sufficient drinking water and a sandwich or high erosion. The sloping agricultural fields where the research energy snacks. We will leave most cars at the trail's southern end and shuttle together to begin at the north end was done in the 1950s and 60s are now covered by forest. on Parmenter Road. For those who are unsure about find­ There were goats, too! They were being managed to clear ing the trail head or who want to carpool, meet Jennifer at understory of the woods in several places. Near the end of 9:20 a.m. at the Ithaca Shopping Plaza by Taco Bell across the hike, some participants were amazed at the extensive New York Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza. For more infor­ sugarbush with taps and interconnected plastic tubes that mation, contact Jennifer at 607/753-8641 or wilsonj carry sap to the boilers. The hike ended at about4:00 when @cortland.edu or Marsha at 607/546-7367 or mmz2 a few raindrops began to fall. @cornell.edu. Report on Walk, Look,_and Learn Hike #480

+ Date: September 14, 2003 + Location: Fillmore Glen State Park + Leaders: Varya Siegel and Chris Proulx ixteen people attended this hike at Millard Filmore small pond where people sat to have a snack and look at the Glen State Park near Moravia, New York, on one of water. Then we went back through wide, wooded paths S those beautiful early fall days, with the sun shining until we got back to the parking lot. and most people dressed in shorts and short-sleeved shirts. The leaves on the trees were still green, but the summer flowers along the trail had gone to seed. Hikers who had never been to Moravia to walk the trail were surprised to see small waterfalls and several scenic overlooks. Old stone walls lined parts of the path, and several sections of stone steps looked very similar to the stairs at Robert Treman State Park. The hike ended at a

Cayuga Trails - 7 - Late Fall 2003 Adopt-A-Highway Report

by Jim Connors he CTC held its final highway clean up for the 2003 season on October 18. Present were nine club members who trekked our two-mile section on NY Route 366. The weather was overcast with only brief glimpses of the sun and the Ttemperature in the mid-40s. Some of us on these highway cleanup sessions try to keep track of the "coolest" things we pick up on the roadside. Some items picked up this day were tickets to the new Cornell president's inauguration, a name tag for "Sara" who is a CNA (certified nursing assistant), a court appearance appointment card, and an oak ball gall which is formed by an insect. I have the honor of giving the 2003 "Adopt-A-Highway Perfect Attendance Award" to our one and only Tom Reimers. Tom attended all four highway cleanups. Way to go! By the way, if you are curious, ask Tom what an oak ball gall is. Thanks to everyone who participated in the highway cleanup this year. This community service activity is a meaningful and rewarding way to give back a little something to our environment. I look forward to seeing you again next year "on the road again"! Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, November 9 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #482. The Keuka Lake Outlet Trail. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Ithaca Shopping Plaza by Taco Bell across NY Route 13 from K-Mart Plaza. Details on page 4 . Clifford Blizard, leader (607/272-1299, [email protected]).

Sunday, November 16 ...... Special hike on the Interlaken Trail, Finger Lakes National Forest. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Forest Service parking area, southern end of lnterloken Trail off Burnt Hill Road . Details on page 7. Marsha Zgola (607/546-7367, [email protected]) and Jennifer Wilson (607/753- 8641, [email protected]), leaders.

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

Sunday, December 14 ...... Walk, Look, and Learn Hike #483. The FLT in Enfield. Meet at Enfield Elementary School, Enfield Center Road just off NY Route 79 west of Ithaca. Details on page 4 . Jack Van Derzee, leader (607 /387~5810, [email protected]).

Monday, December 1 5 .. ... _ .. Deadline for submitting materials for the winter issue of Cayuga Trails. See information in box on page 2.

Sunday, January 25, 2004 ..... Cayuga Trails Club Annual Meeting and Luncheon. Angelina Centini's Restaurant, 124 Coddington Road, Ithaca. Look for a flyer with details in December.

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