FLT: Ridge Road to Otselic River

On this hike, I continued my eastward exploration on the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT), starting on Ridge Road where I turned around last week.  It was pouring rain when I dropped Frankie off at school and drove to the trailhead, and pouring rain as I wriggled into my rain gear and set off down the trail.  Not ideal hiking conditions, but temperatures were mild enough, and I was determined to get out.  I am still working from home due to COVID, and generally staying home the rest of the time.  Most days I get outside for a walk around the neighborhood, but an occasional change of scenery is so very welcome, making hiking adventures more important than ever. 

FLT: Paradise Hill Road to Bamberry Road

I started this Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) hike from Paradise Hill Road, which had been my turnaround point on a snowshoe hike in the area back in January.  I hiked eastward on the FLT, crossing several small roads and streams and completing a short roadwalk before turning around at Bamberry Road, where I could see a small parking area or snowplow turnaround that I planned to use as a starting point on my next hike.  It is very satisfying when one hike includes successful scouting for the next.

FLT/NCT: West from Cheningo Day Use Area

 

Today Frankie and I returned to the Cheningo Day Use Area, from which we'd hiked east a few weeks ago, only this time we hiked west instead.  This section of the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT), from here to the next road crossing, was a bit long for us to complete given our available time today, but that didn't bother me.  I completed this section in May 2017, so didn't "need" to go all the way to Telephone Road today.  We planned we'd go 3 or 3.5 miles and then turn back. 

FLT/NCT: Hammond Hill State Forest

This hike is a repeat of one I did in 2018, on a cold wet October day in the middle of a rain cloud.  Today I parked at the same spot on Star Stanton Hill Road and turned around at the same point on Harford Slatersville Road, but it was a very different experience.  It was warm and sunny, and I had my dear boy along for company.  Instead of endless white mist, we saw wildflowers and a beaver dam and amphibians.  He jabbered endlessly about Pokemon and we just had a great time together. 

FLT/NCT: East from Cheningo Day Use Area

For this hike on the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT), I parked at the Cheningo Day Use Area.  Frankie and I hiked east, up and over a ridge and back down to Cheningo Solon Pond Road, which we used as our turnaround point.  This is a repeat of a solo hike I did in very early spring back in 2017, so it was nice to return under different conditions to see the area greening up.  We knew there was a risk of rain, but Frankie reviewed the weather forecast and decided today would be the nicer day of the weekend, so out we went.  There were many spring wildflower in bloom, which always slows me down, but it didn't matter since this is a shorter hike.

FLT/NCT: Hoxie Gorge South from McDermott Acess

Frankie very much likes it when Erwin comes hiking with us, but it complicates trail selection, since he prefers shorter hikes with water features and minimal elevation gain.  The Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) is pretty much *all* up and down, up and down.  I love it, but Erwin, not so much, and after getting dragged along on a few hikes at Morgan Hill that were tougher than he wanted, he was firm in negotiating this time: we'd just have to turn back after 3 miles.  I decided on Hoxie Gorge, because it has some super charming streams, and I have already hiked the entire FLT through Hoxie Gorge, so wouldn't fret about orphaning part of the trail due to a premature turnaround.

FLT: CR53 to Paradise Hill Road

Since today was a "regular" school day solo hike, and not the extended version I enjoyed last week, and we had a lot of snow that would slow things down, I decided to stay closer to home.  I grabbed the snowshoes, and headed out to Mariposa State Forest, parking along County Route 53 where I left off after completing a Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) roadwalk during hunting season.  This section of the FLT is east of the three trails junction, and is the first off-road section of the FLT I have hiked that does not coincide with the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT).  The NCT originally brought me to the FLT, but since my favorite NCT sections to date have all been part of the FLT, I will definitely keep exploring the FLT even where the two diverge.

NCT: Skyline Lodge to Cowles Settlement Road

The weather forecast for today included snow squalls, but it was clear and sunny in the morning when Frankie was getting ready for school, right up until about 5 minutes before we had to leave.  We went upstairs to brush our teeth and when we came back down, darkness had descended.  It snowed enough in just those few minutes that I had to clean the car off, and was snowing hard enough that the window I cleaned first was already completely covered again by the time I did a lap around the car.  Not exactly ideal... I dropped Frankie off and headed south toward Mariposa State Forest, which I had been looking forward to exploring after knocking out a Finger Lakes Trail roadwalk leading there during hunting season. 

NCT: Bardeen Road to Rowley Hill Road

With the madness of the holidays finally behind us, Frankie and I set out for a hike on the Onondaga Trail, just the two of us.  In order to earn the patch for completing the Onondaga Trail, the entire trail must be hiked within five years.  Since Frankie hiked several sections in 2016, this would be his last calendar year to complete the trail, if he wanted to count those sections.  This is not something he has been actively pursuing over the years.  However, the realization made him want to hike a new section today, and I wasn't about to complain about that.  We got a late start, not heading out until after lunch, so I picked a short section, parking in the NYSDEC lot on Bardeen Road and hiking west. 

FLT Roadwalk: CR53 to Midlum Road

I discovered the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) due to its partnership with the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT), which follows the FLT from the Pennsylvania state line in western New York all the way to Cuyler Hill State Forest, where the NCT diverges, following the Onondaga Trail north while the FLT continues east.  I hiked all of the Onondaga Trail, which is itself a branch trail of the FLT, in 2016, and started my explorations west along the FLT in Cuyler Hill State Forest.  Ever since then, I have been hiking new sections of the FLT, but always westward, on the portion followed by the NCT.  As I have fallen in love with the NCT, I realized that all the parts I love best are actually part of the FLT.  And as my drive times to reach new sections of FLT to the west have increased, so has my desire to start exploring the FLT east of Cuyler Hill. 

Baltimore Woods: Field to Forest and Boundary Trails

Last time we hiked with Erin and Alden at Baltimore Woods, I had suggested that next time, whenever that might be, we should meet at the lower entrance and hike some different trails.  Under the influence of our small creatures of habit, we tend to get stuck in ruts of hiking the same favorites over and over, neglecting other very nice trails.  Today we remembered our vague plans and got to experience the pleasure of the Field to Forest and Boundary Trails.  Hurray! 

NCT: Shackham Road (South) East to Powerline

I had a short block of free solo time today, which is unusual on a weekend, as I prioritize spending time with Frankie whenever I can.  However, Erwin was taking him to a football game, and football is one of my least favorite sports balls, so I elected not to tag along.  I wanted to be home to see Frankie when they returned, so had only a few hours, a block of time I might ordinarily elect to use for a bike ride, but I have learned that game day traffic and related shenanigans (tailgating, illegal parking, drunken frat boys, etc.) make such rides less enjoyable.  I have some weeks coming up where a solo hike won't be an option for one reason or another, so I decided to squeeze one in today.  I wouldn't have time to drive all the way down to Danby State Forest to continue my explorations there.  But I could certainly get down to Morgan Hill, so that's what I did.

Jones Hill from Spruce Pond

After taking Erin and Alden up Jones Hill back in July, I started thinking about other hikes down that way that we could take them on.  Morgan Hill State Forest is one of my favorite places outside the Adirondacks, so it is natural to want to share it.  It is too far a drive from their house to be a regular destination, especially given that Alden struggles with motion sickness.  However, Erin seemed willing to give it a go today, and her friend James decided to join us; apparently he loves Morgan Hill, too, so it was a great opportunity for Frankie and I to meet him.

Jones Hill & Tinker Falls

This was our first weekend home after returning from Europe, and Frankie and I wanted to meet up with Erin and Alden.  Alden is about the same age Frankie was when he first climbed up to the hang glider launch spot on Jones Hill, so I suggested that.  Labrador Hollow is a substantially longer drive from Erin's house than from mine, so she drove to our house and then rode with Frankie and I the rest of the way.  I was last up here in January 2018, so was pleased to return after such a long absence.  Jones Hill is a hike worth revisiting again and again.

FLT/NCT: Shindagin Hollow State Forest from Ridgeway Road

Continuing my westward exploration of the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT), this would be my last new section of trail partially within Shindagin Hollow State Forest.  On my last hike here, I had turned back at the top of Braley Hill, not at a road crossing.  Today I parked at the trailhead on Ridgeway Road and hiked east until I reached the trail junction on the top of Braley Hill, then re-traced my steps the way I came.  Much of the hike was through private property; only the eastern extent lies within State Forest lands.  I am so grateful to the landowners who so kindly allow these hiking easements.  The trailhead on Ridgeway Road is right off someone's driveway.  What gracious folks!

NCT: Emhoff Road to Clark Road

For this hike, I parked at the Emhoff Road crossing, and Frankie and I hiked south to Clark Road and back.  This section of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) follows the Link Trail, which takes its name because it connects the Finger Lakes Trail and the Erie Canal Trail.  I had offered Frankie several hikes to choose from and this was his selection for today.  He had hiked the adjacent section to the north in October 2016, and the section to the south into Cazenovia for dinner with Erwin last November.  So this hike filled a gap for him (I had hiked it previously by myself).  It was overcast and I carried our raincoats, but we never needed them.

FLT/NCT: Shindagin Hollow Road Out-and-Backs

For this Finger Lakes Trail hike, I parked on Shindagin Hollow Road in Shindagin Hollow State Forest.  It was to be another double out-and-back, as has been a trend lately.  First I followed the white blazes northeast, until I reached the charming lean-to that had been my turnaround point two weeks ago.  Then I re-traced my steps to the car, crossed the road, and continued northwest up some steep slopes, passing an old foundation.  I crossed Braley Hill Road, and kept going until I got to the high point of Braley Hill, then turned back toward my car and the long drive back for school pick up. 

NCT: Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area

Frankie and I often take an Easter hike (which is exactly like an ordinary hike except it involves a lot more candy).  Today we convinced Erwin to join us.  We went to Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area, parking at the trailhead for the Link Trail on Irish Hill Road.  For the first part of the hike, the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) follows the Link Trail.  Then on Holmes Road, they diverge, with the Link Trail continuing south and the NCT following the Onondaga Trail southeast.  We took the NCT into the woods.  I keep meaning to come back and hike the Link Trail south from here, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.  I'm just a little too obsessed with the Finger Lakes Trail. 

FLT/NCT: Shindagin Hollow State Forest from Old 76 Road

Today I returned to the Finger Lakes Trails, Map 18, to hike the next section.  I parked on Old 76 Road and did out-and-backs in both directions.  There has been a lot of that lately, and while I prefer a cleaner section break, random turn-around points are becoming necessary more often because my drives are getting longer -- this trailhead is an hour and 20 minute drive from where I drop Frankie off at school at 8 am.  This leaves me less and less time to actually hike before I need to rush back to shower before school pick up at 3 pm.  The obvious solution would be to hike closer to home, but I will admit that I am completely hooked on the thrill of exploring new trail, extending my line further and further.  So I will keep up the madness for now.

Camillus Forest Unique Area: Trails #1 and #5

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.