Tompkins County Hike Series Directions (post series update October 10, 2004)

Turn right continuing uphill and go south for another 14.9 miles to Prospect Valley Road.. Turn left onto Prospect Valley Road and travel 4 miles to where the blacktop changes to dirt ro

2004 Tompkins County Series Hike Instructions – post series update October 10, 2004

hike # date hike description (see below for more directions) meet at this location

1 completed May 8 th FLT map M18 From Rt 79, near the Tompkins/Tioga county line, to Shindagin Hollow Road 8.5 miles Trail head on Shindagin Hollow Rd, where wooden foot bridge

crosses creek

2 completed June 12 th FLT map M18 From Shindagin Hollow Rd to Rt 96B/Durfee Hill Rd 9.3 miles Corner of Rt 96B and Durfee Hill Road

3 completed July 10 th FLT map M17 From Rt 96B/Durfee Hill Road to Comfort Road 8.1 miles South end of Comfort Road (near Bald Hill Road)

4 completed Aug 14 th FLT maps M17 Comfort Road to Routes 13/34/96 9.4 miles Erhart Propane on Rt 34/96 (south of Rt.13/34/96 trail head)

5 completed Sept 11 th FLT map M16 Ridge Road (see below for more detail) to Trumbull Corners and Rumsey Hill Road 9.4 miles. Trumbull Corners Road – just South of Rumsey Hill Road.

6 completed Oct 9 th FLT map M16 Trumbull Corners/Rumsey Hill Rds Porter Hill Road west to bivouac area then back east to Rt 13/34/96 7.5

6.7 miles

Erhart Propane on Rt 34/96 just south of FLT trail head on Rt.13/34/96.

picnic completed Oct 9 th Picnic and award ceremony at Treman Park south picnic shelter Walk over to park after hike ends

Plan to meet at the bus pick-up locations no later than 9:00 am Directions utilize major routes

in the Ithaca area Use other routes at your own discretion

More details of these FLT hikes and others in Tompkins County can be found in the Cayuga Trails Club, “Guide to Trails - Finger Lakes Region”, copyright 2002 (available for sale at each hike) or in the Finger lakes Trail Maps (go to www.fingerlakestrail.org for details)

May 8 th Hike #1: Caroline section of the FLT Reference FLT map M18 COMPLETED

If you are traveling south into Ithaca on Rt 13, follow Rt 13 as it splits to one way traffic (by

Purity Ice Cream) Rt 13 is called Fulton Street as it goes through the city Watch for signs for Rt 96B South (NOT Rt 96) and signs for Ithaca College Get in the left lane when you see Agway on your left You will approach an intersection where Rt 13 south crosses over Rt 13 north (there is a traffic light here),

go straight across Rt 13 North and onto Rt 96B At this location, Rt 96B is also called West Clinton St

(you will see a CVS on the right) Then follow the “Common directions from Ithaca”, below

If you are traveling north into Ithaca on Rt 13, start looking for signs for Rt 96B south and

Ithaca College as you pass Tops and Wegmans Move to the right lane and turn right onto Rt 96B (You have gone too far on Rt 13 north if you enter one way traffic!)

Common directions from Ithaca Once on Rt 96B/W Clinton Street head south through the city

for about (2.7) miles at which point Rt 96B turns 90 degrees to the right (lime green house on right) Here

Rt 96B is also called South Aurora Street Turn right continuing uphill and go south for another (14.9) miles to Prospect Valley Road (You will pass Ithaca College and Danby on your way.) Turn left onto Prospect Valley Road and travel (4) miles to where the blacktop changes to dirt road This is the south end

of Shindagin Hollow Road Continue on about ½ mile until you reach the second trail head – near the wooden bridge Park on the right side shoulder of Shindagin Hollow Road

If you are traveling from the south, take Rt 17 (86) to Owego Take Rt 96 North to Candor and

then take Rt 96 B, which is straight off Rt 96 You will pass by Honeypot Rd From here, travel (3) miles

to Prospect Valley Road Turn right onto Prospect Valley Road Travel (4) miles to where the blacktop changes to dirt This is the south end of Shindagin Hollow Road This is the south end of Shindagin Hollow Road Continue on about ½ mile until you reach the second trail head – near the wooden bridge Park on the right side shoulder of Shindagin Hollow Road

Everyone is asked to park on the same side of the road to leave room for the buses Buses will leave promptly at 9:30am to drop hikers off at the Rt 79 FLT trailhead

Hike description Hike starts off crossing Rt 79 (at elevation of 1270 ft), followed soon by a steep

climb to Fire Tower Road (1900 ft) Trail crosses Boyer Creek (1380 ft) and climbs up hill (1760 ft) to South Road Descend into beautiful Shindagin Hollow State Forest - past waterfalls and Lean To to Shindagin Hollow Road (1190 ft) to finish the hike

Post Hike Notes There was plenty of parking on Shindagin Hollow Road Met the busses at the

blacktop to dirt road transition point and advised them to go down to Gulf Creek Road and turn around Busses arrived promptly at 9am There were (78) cars parked We had (5) sag wagons The busses did not pull into the snow plow turn around on Rt 79 Instead – they let hikers off on the trailhead side of Rt 79 Not safe! Next time – we need to give clearer instructions to pull into the turn around We had reports from hike leaders that the trails were not too bad – but obviously they were muddy Hikes -split in (5) groups- started at 10am The last hiker was out of the woods at 3:45 pm Two hikers sagged out at he first road crossing Upper 40’s, no rain, overcast & buggy

Bus Route to Trail Head Go south on Shindagin Hollow Road Turn right on Bush Road Follow

Bush Road – it turns into Brealey Hill Road at the County Line Go until it stops Turn left onto Central Chapel Road (no street sign there – but if looking to the right – you will see a Shindagin Hollow Road street sign.) Continue north and turn right on Boiceville road Go a short distance and turn right (east) on

Rt 79 Take Rt 79 to the snow plow turn around/parking area We used Birnie Bus Company Two busses with (44) seats each Also used (6) vehicles (sag wagon folk and other volunteers)

June 12 th Hike #2: Caroline section of the FLT Reference FLT map M18 COMPLETED.

If you are traveling south into Ithaca on Rt 13, follow Rt 13 as it splits to one way traffic (by

Purity Ice Cream) Rt 13 is called Fulton Street as it goes through the city Watch for signs for Rt 96B South (NOT Rt 96) and signs for Ithaca College Get in the left lane when you see Agway on your left You will approach an intersection where Rt 13 south crosses over Rt 13 north (there is a traffic light

here), go straight across Rt 13 North and onto Rt 96B At this location, Rt 96B is also called West

Clinton Street (you will see a CVS on right) Then follow the “Common directions from Ithaca”, below

If you are traveling north into Ithaca on Rt 13, start looking for signs for Rt 96B south and

Ithaca College as you pass Tops and Wegmans Move to the right lane and turn right onto Rt 96B (You have gone too far on Rt 13 north if you enter one way traffic!)

Common directions from Ithaca Once on Rt 96B/W Clinton Street head south through the city

for about (2.7) miles at which point Rt 96B turns 90 degrees to the right (lime green house on right) Here

Rt 96B is also called South Aurora Street Turn right continuing uphill and go south for another (9.8) miles and turn left onto Durfee Hill Road (You will be passing by Ithaca College and through Danby on your way.) Park on the shoulder of Durfee Hill Road

If you are traveling from the south, take Rt 17 (86) to Owego Take Rt 96 North to Candor and

then take Rt 96 B, which is straight off Rt 96 You will pass by Honeypot Rd From here, travel (8.1) miles and turn right on Durfee Hill Road

Park on the shoulder of Durfee Hill Road Buses will leave promptly at 9:30 am to drop hikers off

at Shindagin Hollow Road

Hike description Hike starts off going north on Shindagin Hollow Road (1190 ft) about ½ mile,

then turns west at the FLT trailhead for a very rigorous long climb across the south slope of Bald Mountain (1680 ft) Trail descends into Willseyville Valley (970 ft) and crosses a swamp by via an abandoned railroad right of way Then we are in for another climb up Eastman Hill (1670 ft) and hike across the broad shoulder of Round Top Hike ends on dirt Roads down Eastman Hill to Rt 96B at Danby Creek

Post Hike Notes We parked up Durfee Hill past the house and had to double back for about (6)

cars by parking on the opposite side of the road Busses arrived at 8:30am (30 mins early) There were (63) cars Hike -split in (5) groups- started at 10 am and the last hiker was out at 3:44 pm All who started finished Warm weather but a cool breeze Blue skies and sunny Not many bugs

Bus Route to Trail Head Follow Rt 96B south to Prospect Valley Road Turn left Follow until

it changes to Shindagin Hollow Road to trailhead at the wooden bridge

July 10 th Hike #3: Danby section of the FLT Reference FLT map M17. COMPLETED

If you are traveling south into Ithaca on Rt 13, follow Rt 13 as it splits to one way traffic (by

Purity Ice Cream) Rt 13 is called Fulton Street as it goes through the city Watch for signs for Rt 96B South (NOT Rt 96) and signs for Ithaca College Get in the left lane when you see Agway on your left You will approach an intersection where Rt 13 south crosses over Rt 13 north (there is a traffic light

here), go straight across Rt 13 North and onto Rt 96B At this location, Rt 96B is also called West

Clinton St (you will see a CVS on your right) Then follow the “Common directions from Ithaca”, below

If you are traveling north into Ithaca on Rt 13, start looking for signs for Rt 96B south and

Ithaca College as you pass Tops and Wegmans Move to the right lane and turn right onto Rt 96B (You have gone too far on Rt 13 north if you enter one way traffic!)

Common directions from Ithaca Once on Rt 96B/W Clinton Street head south through the city

for about (2.7) miles at which point Rt 96B turns 90 degrees to the right (lime green house on right) Here

Rt 96B is also called South Aurora Street Turn right continuing uphill and go south for another (6.1) miles

& turn right on Bald Hill Rd Travel 2.2 miles & turn right on Comfort Rd Park on the shoulder of

Comfort Rd

If you are traveling from the south, take Rt 17 (86) to Owego Take Rt 96 North to Candor and

then take Rt 96 B, which is straight off Rt 96 You will pass by Honeypot Rd From here, travel (11.8) miles and turn left on Bald Hill Road Travel 2.2 miles and turn right on Comfort Rd Park on the shoulder

of Comfort Rd

Everyone is asked to park on the same side of the road and leave the turn around/parking area clear

to make room for the buses Buses will leave promptly at 9:30am to drop hikers off at Durfee Hill Rd

Hike description Hike starts by crossing Rt 96B (1160 ft) followed by a steep climb to the

Tamarack Lean-to (1650 ft) Trail passes through a larch tree plantation then continues downhill crossing Miller Creek Trail makes its way uphill and then downhill to Michigan Hollow (1270 ft) We finish the hike by going up past the Chestnut Lean-to and then onto Comfort Road (1630 ft)

Post Hike Notes We parked up Comfort Road past the parking pull off and up towards the trail

head Busses arrived at 8:40am There were (59) cars We had (4) sag wagons Hike -split in (5) groups- started at 9:50am and the last hiker was out at 3:30 pm All who started finished with exception of the (1) guest Hike started with overcast skies but turned sunnier and warmer as day went on 70-80’s with some humidity but not bad Not many bugs

August 14 th Hike #4: Danby section of the FLT Reference FLT map M17 COMPLETED.

From Ithaca, take Route 13 South You will pass by Buttermilk Falls Park on your left and later,

Rt 327 on your right Set your odometer here! Follow Rt.13 South, as it veers uphill to the right, move quickly over to the left lane Turn left only after a short distance onto Decker Road Note that although this road has a street sign, it is hard to see (As a reference point, Decker Road is 1 mile from where you passed Rt 327.) You will stay on Decker Rd for about ½ mile You will come to a STOP sign Go straight crossing Rt 13

Common directions from Ithaca Continue on the curvy downhill Decker Road until you come to

a STOP sign Turn left onto Rt 34/96 North Now, be careful! Travel 7/10ths of a mile and turn right into Erhart Propane’s lot There are no signs, only a driveway that is hard to see Look for the big white propane tanks on the right We will place signs or balloons to mark the turn-off The driveway is immediately after the, ”WELCOME TO TOWN OF ITHACA” sign I said “be careful” because you are turning off of a one lane portion of the highway into a hidden driveway Be cautious of cars behind you!

From Elmira, take Rt.13 North through Newfield You will see the Gulf Gas Station on your left

as you head downhill into Ithaca Set your odometer here! Travel 1.8 miles and turn right onto Decker

Road Follow the directions above after the words “Common directions from Ithaca”.

Park in the Erhart Propane lot and the adjacent field Buses will leave promptly at 9:30 am to drop hikers off at the FLT trailhead on Comfort Road

Hike description Hike starts (1630 ft) with a 1.4 mile hike on Comfort Road Trail returns to the

woods (1490 ft) with beautiful views of the Inlet Valley and Newfield Trail crosses the side of Crane Hill

out to another 1.4 mile road hike (1307 ft) Trail drops down to Town Line Road (930 ft) It continues to descend to cross Lick Brook down the steep side of Inlet Valley, and through the woods North of the Sweedler Nature Preserve (435 ft) Lick Brook is crossed once again as you enter the Babcock Preserve (Cornell Plantations) The Cayuga Lake Inlet is crossed by hiking on the active (look both ways please) railroad bridge Hike ends at Rt 13/96/34 Leave the trail and hike south (ie take a left!) across the field

to Erhart Propane Gas where the cars are parked

Post Hike Notes Parking at Erharts worked well Needed to weed whack the Golden Rod et al the

week before to make room We were allowed to park on the lawn – and needed it Total of (52) cars parked, including workers Buses left promptly at 9:32am, and the hike started at 9:50am Bright blue skies, a comfortable 60-70 degrees, low humidity – almost perfect hiking weather! Last hikers out at 3:10pm Hike time was 5 hrs and 20 minutes Note this hike was mostly all downhill It had rained torrentially the two days before the hike The trails were not too bad however We fit the hike in between Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charles Remember to tell hike leaders to return to Erharts via going parallel to Rt 34/96 inside the guard rail Ie they do not have to bushwhack across the field

Bus Route to Trail Head Go back up the service road leading to Erharts Turn left onto Rt 34/96.

Turn left onto Blakslee Hill Road Go up and up the hill Turn right onto Town Line Road Follow road as

it turns left onto Layden Road Turn right onto Jersey Hill Road Turn left onto Gunderman Turn right onto Comfort Road Travel about 1.4 miles to trail head

September 11 th Hike #5: Connecticut Hill section of the FLT Ref FLT map M16 COMPLETED.

From Ithaca, take Rt 13 South Turn North (right) on Rt 327 and travel 4.6 miles - to Trumbull

Corners Road Rt 327 is a windy up-hill section of road that will take you past lower and upper Treman

Park Turn left (south) on Trumbells Corners Road and travel 2.1 miles (post hike - I think this should be

1.2 miles), passing Rumsey Hill Road on your right Park on the shoulder of Trumbull Corners Road just

south of Rumsey Hill Road and past the small bridge

From Elmira, take Rt.13 north to Trumbells Corners Road (In Newfield) Turn left (north) on

Trumbells Corner Road and travel about 1.4 miles where the road turns right (there is no street sign here –

so trust me! Post hike – there is a sign there now) Stay on Trumbells Corner Rd for 3.1 miles where the

road turns right again Travel 0.6 miles and park on the shoulder of Trumbull Corners Road just south of Rumsey Hill Road and the small bridge

Everyone is asked to please park on the same side of the road so we do not end up blocking traffic Buses will leave promptly at 9:30 am to drop hikers off at Ridge Road

Hike description We are jumping to the western most part of Tompkins County on this hike so we

can finish next month near Treman Park Hike starts at Ridge Rd (1910 ft) We will hike west ½ mile to the Tompkins/Schuyler County line, then turn around and hike back east We will travel north eastward up

to the radio tower (2099 ft) Trail descends to the north with views of Cayuta Lake and Cayuga Lake Valley We end the hike at the eastern most corner of Trumbells Corners and Rumsey Hill Roads (1240 ft)

Post Hike Notes Parking on Trumbell Corners Road worked OK Total of (58) cars parked We

had (5) sag wagoneers Busses arrived early and left on time at 9:30am Hike started at 10:05am and the last hiker out was at 3:25pm Sag wagons were located at Boyland, Tower, Griffen and at the end of the hike I paced off what I thought to be a half mile from Ridge Road towards Todd Road Joe Dabes had a GPS hand held device that read this to be 0.65 miles (oops!) During a scouting drive up Ridge Road I found that a poplar tree had fallen across the road I had an axe and was able to clear it before the buses came down Sunny and warm weather

Bus Route to Trail Head Go west on Rumsey Hill Road Go straight onto Connecticut Hill Road

Turn left (south) on Black Oak Road Continue following Black Oak as it turns into Tower Road Turn right on Conn Hill Road Follow it as it turns into Ridge Road then go on to trial head – which is past Cabin Road and near some big rocks

October 9 th Hike #6: Connecticut Hill section of the FLT Reference FLT map M16. COMPLETED.

From Ithaca, take Route 13 South You will pass by Buttermilk Falls Park on your left and later,

Rt 327 on your right Set your odometer here! Follow Rt.13 South As it veers uphill to the right, move quickly over to the left lane Turn left only after a short distance onto Decker Road Note that although this road has a street sign, it is hard to see (As a reference point, Decker Road is 1 mile from where you passed Rt 327.) You will stay on Decker Road for about ½ mile You will come to a STOP sign Go straight crossing Rt 13

Common directions from Ithaca Continue on the curvy downhill Decker Road until you come

to a STOP sign Turn left onto Rt 34/96 North Now, be careful! Travel 7/10ths of a mile and turn right into Erhart Propane’s lot There are no signs, only a driveway that is hard to see Look for the big white propane tanks on the right We will place signs and/or balloons to mark this The driveway is immediately after the, “WELCOME TO TOWN OF ITHACA” sign I said “be careful” because you are turning off of a one lane portion of the highway into a hidden driveway Be cautious of cars behind you!

From Elmira, take Rt.13 North through Newfield You will see the Gulf Gas Station on your left

as you head downhill into Ithaca Set your odometer here! Travel 1.8 miles and turn right onto Decker

Road Follow the directions above after the words “Common directions from Ithaca”.

Park in the Erhart Propane lot and the adjacent field Buses will leave promptly at 9:30 am to drop hikers off at the FLT trailhead at the corner of Trumbells Corner/Rumsey Hill Roads

Hike description Hike starts at (1240 ft) and goes north on Trumbells Corner road, swings uphill

through Stevenson Forest Preserve and continues climbing steeply through Reiman Woods (1500 ft), then continues downhill to (1125 ft) Hike passes through Treman State Park (1042 ft) and crossing under the Rts 13/96/34 highway bridge at Enfield Creek (448 ft) where the hike ends

Post Hike Notes Parking at Erharts worked well Some parked at Treman Park and hiked the trail

back to Erharts Total of (54) cars Many of the normal helpers were dropping off stuff at Treman’s South pavilion so they made it close to take off time at the hike starting point Due to a landowner withdrawal of their property for the trial- we had to re-route the hike Hike started at Porter Hill Road then went west to the bivouac area, then turned around back eastward to the hike end point Weather was nice – no rain Skies changed between sunny and cloudy all day Temperature was around 50-60 degrees Had(3) sag wagons - Hines, Woodward and Thomas Roads Last group made it to the pavilion at around 1:30pm

Bus Route to Trail Head Go out Erharts driveway and turn right on Rt 13/34/96 Turn left onto

Rt 327 Travel 4.7 miles to Trumbells Corners Rd Go 0.1 mile and turn left onto Porter Hill Rd Continue 0.7 miles to trail head Drive past trail head a bit to allow buses some space

Post County Hike Picnic To celebrate the end of the Tompkins County hike series the Cayuga Trails

Club will host a picnic and awards ceremony at the Treman State Park South Picnic Shelter We hope you all plan to attend You can leave your car parked at Erhart Propane Gas and hike the short distance over to the park, or you can decide to drive over and pay $6.00 NYS park fee We get to the picnic by hiking back (retracing our steps) under the Rt 13/96/34 highway bridge and into the park to where we can cross over Enfield Creek We will provide you with more guidance/direction at the end of the hike After the picnic, hike back under the Rt 13/96/34 highway bridge, turn south (right) & hike across the field to where the cars are parked at Erharts Propane Gas

If hikers go directly to the South Shelter from the FLT, without first going back to cars:

 In Treman Park the FLT will cross over an area where two service roads cross over it If you were to look to the right – you would see a gate far down the trail

 Turn left on the second service road and follow it down hill into the park

 As you come into the camping area – continue straight – you will see the playground on your right

 When you see the restroom on the left , follow road to the right Go straight to the South Shelter

 It will take about 16 minutes to hike from the FLT/service road to Erharts Suggest stopping the hike short of the end and go to the shelter to save time Hikers can hike back to cars after the picnic

Bernie bus driver’s names were Deana Crandell and Lori Shutt for all the hikes