One of the most scenic spots, in our Finger Lakes Region, is the beautiful gorge, formed by Townsend Creek, at the south end of Seneca Lake, known as Watkins Glen.  We got to enjoy this spectacular scenery recently, hiking on the Finger Lakes Trail, from the west, to the east end of the state park.

A great addition, to the scenery, is the mature forest along the trail.  The great majority of the trees, in this forest, are eastern hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) and, therein lies the impending disaster to this park and trail.  Entering the west end of the park, the hemlocks looked fine and healthy.  However, when we reached the east end, a different story unfolded.

As mentioned earlier, an unfortunate by-product of international commerce, is often the introduction of weeds or insects from other countries which, in the absence of their natural enemies, have multiplied unchecked, and caused havoc here.  In 1951, an adelgid from Asia (Adelges tsugae), that infests hemlocks, was discovered near Richmond, VA, and has been steadily spreading wherever hemlocks grow.  Exploding populations have already killed huge numbers of trees.

At the east end, we saw many hemlocks dying, with fluffy, white ovisacs, showing what was killing them.  Contractors, hired by the state, were busily injecting systemic insecticides into the trees, or in the soil near them, in a desperate attempt to kill the adelgids, and save the trees.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, or entomologist, to see that this is a very labor intensive, and expensive, procedure and yes, there are, as has been in the news, government funding issues.  If this project doesn’t succeed, hiking this trail, in future years, will be much less pleasant, looking at mostly dead trees.  The whole forest ecosystem would be affected, such as salamanders, who depend on the trees for shade and moisture.

I would like to know, if you feel that Watkins Glen is too far for one of our Sunday hikes.  Not only is this one of the most scenic trails but, it would also be a useful service project, for our group, to check the hemlocks at the west end of the park, to see if the adelgids have spread there.  Late March or early April is probably the best time to do this.  You have seen how abundant hemlocks are on the trails we’ve hiked around here.  If we don’t stop them, it’s just a matter of time till the hemlocks around here, are also gone.

In the meantime, if you’re hiking on trails east of Steuben County, try to avoid contact with hemlocks.  The adelgid crawlers are very tiny, barely visible without magnification, making it difficult for you to see them, if they got on you, especially on dark clothing.  You could spread them to a new tree, without even realizing it.  All of these insects are females, and reproduce asexually.  Multiplication is extremely rapid.

foggy hill at top of C-4

“It’s pretty foggy in Honeoye! Are we still hiking?” asked one hiker on his way south to our scheduled Sunday hike on the C-4 Snowmobile Trail. This area is known for it’s high elevations located in the far southeastern section of Livingston County, bordering Ontario and Steuben Counties. My eyes kept looking at the fog covered hills thinking…. what if we can’t see in front of us and get lost up there? Should we tie a rope to everyone to keep them together if visability is poor? I think I have read some survival stories about people getting lost in the fog and it was definately hypothermia weather.

Schum Acres Dairy Farm milks 1000 cattle

As I approached our designated meeting spot at Schum Acres my fears quickly passed as I felt a little more confident that Rick and I previewed the trails a few days before, scanning the area in detail for over 5 hours, identifying the C-4, S44 and HVC 14 trails, following the markers, fields, woods and structures that could guide us if there were no snowmobile paths to follow. The scenic views were beautiful on the preview day, but the fog today would not allow the valley, hills and windmills of the surrounding area to be visible. Luckily a wet snow and 26 degree temperature with no wind created a beautiful day for hiking with no need of snowshoes.

hiking in the fog

Our car poolers got a little confused at the beginning of the hike as to the location to start our hike.  We intended to start at the intersection of Lanning and Richards Road which is accessed from Garlinghouse Rd in Naples, Ontario County. But some drivers thought we were starting at the Springwater end of Richards Road on the Livingston County side of the mountain. A quick phone call (good thing cells worked in this area) allowed the lost cars to eventually find us. Lanning Road was a little slushy, allowing only 4 wheel drive vehicles to make the climb to our starting location.

preview hike of surrounding area with no fog

Climbers took off while Tourists and Naturalists got a bit late start assisting others. Thanks Bob! A reminder to drivers that park on hills in icy road conditions…make sure your emergency brake is on, stay away from the back of the car and if it starts to slide, don’t try to stop it, you’re not superman or superwoman (although Pam and Rick think they are!)

6 Naturalists hiked the flat seasonal road of Richards Road to Pardee Hollow and returned. Comments included beautiful, peaceful, quiet, an easily traveled secluded road also perfect for cross country skiing, led to enjoyment by all. Tourists and Climbers got a strenuous hike right from the start, hiking 200′ up Richards Road to the top of the Arena Farm. From there Climbers turned left to find the HVC 14 feeder trail that definitely passed through Wolfs Gull, rather than dropping into another section of the upper gull as was done last year. Good hiking boots, ice traks, moleskins and poles helped to make our winter hikes more enjoyable, especially descents into deep gully areas such as Wolfs Gull.

Tourists came upon several interesting structures following the main C-4 snowmobile route, including a lean too, outhouse, elaborate tree stands, a logging operation, old fashion windmill, and corn fields. Mac enjoyed being carried most of the way which put another 30 pounds on Mark front. Although evidence of snowmobiles had passed through the area, none were seen or heard.
Tourists finished their hike in a little over an hour and proceeded to walk into Wolf’s Gull at it’s exit on Garlinghouse Road to meet the climbers.

Tourists met the climbers coming out of Wolf’s gull

After hike social and chicken and biscuits were enjoyed at the Mountain View Restaurant in Atlanta where a long lost hiker found us. Missing for 3 months with a knee injury, welcome back Norm!
Bye to one of our regular hikers, Marty, who is off to New Zealand for 3 months. Thanks to Schum Acres, Mike Arena, Mr. Shipman, and Mr. Bauer for allowing us access to your land and to the Honeoye Hill and Valley Riders for allowing us to use the snowmobile trail. We’ll be back to do another section of the snowmobile trail from Coates Road to Warner Road on Feb. 16th.