For today's adventure, Frankie and I met up with Erin and Alden at Camillus Forest Unique Area. This was terribly exciting for me, since I can't recall ever having visited before, despite it's relative proximity to my house -- there is easy highway access and we were there in less than 20 minutes. Erin and Alden had been here before, but only on the lower trails. Erin suggested making a lollipop loop, where we followed the #1 trail up to the junction of the #5 trail, then followed that clockwise back to the same junction, then returned to the parking lot the way we came via the #1 trail. This was a perfect adventure for all of us, because we all got to explore new trails, and the #5 trail goes through the old-growth forest that led to the protection of this property.
Despite the forecast for a mild sunny day, a morning fog lingered, oozing from the woods and valleys. The lower trails were very muddy. Frankie was initially chilly despite his layer, so I lent him some gloves that were in my pockets.
Frankie had his classroom's nature backpack, which each child brings home one weekend per year (in 1st grade we went to Chittenango Falls). It is a big pack, but has a lot of fun stuff in it and there was no question of Frankie leaving it behind.
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| pussy willows |
As we climbed higher, views opened up to the north, or what would have been views if it wasn't so misty.
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| a burdock "tree" |
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| Carolina spring beauty (Claytonia caroliniana) |
When we entered the forest, it was an immediate playground for the boys, with many fallen logs and tipped up root mounds to climb and play on.
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| early blue cohosh (Caulophyllum giganteum) |
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| this was very serious work that occupied them for quite some time |
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| wild leek (Allium tricoccum) leaves emerging |
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| cutest nephew ever! |
As we approached the edge of the forest and the boys were checking out some old farm equipment, the sun emerged. Blue sky! Happy day!
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| Pocket Bear! |
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| coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) |
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| Alden was inspired to do some yoga -- he called this pose ladybug |
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| kids love leave no trace -- teach them young! |
MapMyRide tracked this hike at 2.3 miles. We're already planning a different loop for next time we come, that will start the same as this one, but then turn onto the #4 trail and follow that back instead. It was so fun to get out and explore somewhere new and such a treat to get blue skies in the end!
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