Are you looking for a great winter hike. This Sunday may be perfect. There was about 4 inches of snow on the ground Thursday, enough so you know it is winter but not so much as to interfere with hiking. Traction devices and even snow shoes will give you a stable base as you hike, and even XC Skis would provide an enjoyable trip for anyone willing to carry their skis across a few gullies. 

Bring you traction devices or snowshoes and dress for winter, but in layers because you will warm up. And poles for stability. And plan to arrive at 1:45 to carpool to the top. If you miss us at the bottom parking area, please go directly to the end of Pulver Rd

This Sunday, the sunset will officially start to get later. We will take advantage of the extra minute of daylight for a hike from Dunn Rd up on Italy Hill for 5 miles down to Italy Valley.  We will pass through Italy Hill State Forest, and follow an old logging road on a gradual descent of nearly 1000 feet. At the bottom, a short (0.2mi) road walk on Italy Valley Rd will return us to our cars. This is one of the best downhills you will find – a very shallow steady incline broken up occasionally by various sized gullies. The trail is very even and well cared for.

In addition to the forest all around us, highlights include a small waterfall, the “Outback Inn Shelter”, and an absolutely beautiful Hemlock lined small gully on the trail down..

As usual on our Bristol Hills Branch hikes, this hike is a one way hike for Climbers and Tourists, so we will have some car driving to do at the beginning of the hike.

All hikers will meet at the parking area on Italy Valley Rd (42.626312, -77.281368) just north of the Flint Creek crossing at 1:45. All hikers will then carpool up to the top of Italy Hill.

The Climbers will drive South on Italy Valley Rd to Italy Turnpike, then up the hill to Dunn Rd where they will turn left and park at the end of the road. We will hike straight ahead on an abandoned section of the road for 0.7 mi, and then turn right to continue on the trail over to Pulver Rd where we will pass the Tourist cars and continue on the same route they are taking.

The Tourists will also drive South on Italy Valley Rd, up Italy Turnpike, past Dunn Rd and turn left on Italy Hill, and immediately left again on Pulver Rd. About 2.5 miles up Pulver, there is a parking area. The Tourists then hike north on the abandoned part of Pulver Rd for 0.2 miles and then will turn right into the woods. At 1.5 miles we hike down to the stream and waterfall, then scramble up the other side. At 1.7 miles we will reach the Outback Inn. After a brief rest at the Inn (bring an energy bar since this “Inn” is a carry in/carry out self serve establishment), we will start a long descent to the valley floor.

The Naturalists will carpool with the tourists to Pulver Rd, and will follow them to the waterfall. Turning around at the waterfall will mean a 3.0 mile out and back hike, primarily on flat terrain. 

Upon reaching Italy Valley Rd, the Tourists and Climbers will turn right to follow the road back to the cars. We expect there will be enough cars left at the bottom to get everyone back up to the Tourists and Climbers cars at the top in one trip.

Total mileage, according to the FLT map, will be 5 miles for the Climbers, 3.7 miles for the Tourists and less than 3.0 miles for the Naturalists.

Following the hike, an optional social will be at the Neapolitan Pizzeria at 120 North Main Street in Naples, NY. 

Directions

From Springwater, Wayland and Dansville: Take NY-15 south to Wayland. Turn left at the light onto NY 21 N.  In 6.7 miles turn left to stay on NY-21. At the stop sign in Naples, turn right on NY 53S. In 1.3 miles, turn left onto Italy Valley Rd. In 7.7 miles, just over the bridge, there if parking for the Bristol Hills Branch. Please arrive at 1:45 to give us time to carpool to the top of the hike.

From Honeoye: Take CR 36 (West Lake Rd) into Naples. Turn right on NY 21S and continue straight onto NY 53S. In 1.3 miles, turn left onto Italy Valley Rd. In 7.7 miles, just over the bridge, there if parking for the Bristol Hills Branch. Please arrive at 1:45 to give us time to carpool to the top of the hike.

NOTE: Just a reminder that we will not be hiking next Sunday on Christmas Eve. Join us on New Years Eve for a 2:00pm hike at Harriett Hollister Spencer Park. 

The railroad may have existed between 1899 – 1947, but much is still left today including some stations, a
Historical Society, and a museum with restored railroad cars. Join John Muchler of the Shawmut Historical Society to discuss the history of the
railroad and how the museum in Angelica obtained the original rolling stock.

See the full American Innovation: Winter Discovery Series schedule.

Join Allegany County Historian Craig Braack in commemorating two hundred years of the Erie Canal and learning about all of the
incredible engineering, political, and cultural history.

See the full American Innovation: Winter Discovery Series schedule.

Learn the story of the Genesee Valley’s historic transportation corridor as it transitions from a 19th century
canal, to a railroad and then, a Greenway before becoming New York’s newest and longest State Park in 2011. Joan Schumaker, Local Historian.

See the full American Innovation: Winter Discovery Series schedule.

Learn some wildlife photography basics with John. Join in to discuss cameras, lenses, tripods, photo blinds,
and camouflage. John Adamski will instruct the audience on how, when, and where to find wildlife to photograph.

See the full American Innovation: Winter Discovery Series schedule.

We will be hiking from Stevenson Forest Preserve to and thru Robert H. Treman State Park. Distance 8.8 miles (there will be no shorter hike offered).  We start the hike along the Stevenson Forest Preserve for about .5 mile and then have an early road walk with an uphill on Porter Hill Road.  Overall, we will be going on a descending plane on the hike.  Poles are recommended.  On the way, we will have an option of going thru the Bock-Harvey Preserve and will pass nearby the Pinecreek Campground. We will enter the State Park at Woodard Road.  The trail parallels the Enfield Creek.  Please come out and join your fellow hikers to get those legs moving on our spring hike in honor of Wally Wood. 

Please check for updates on the FLTC Website.

HIKE LEADERS

Theresa and Jay Evans 

MEETING TIME

9:30 a.m.  Please try to be there and ready to go at this time

MEETING  LOCATION

Parking area on Rt. 13/34/96—918-998 W. Danby Rd., Ithaca, NY  14850 – coordinates 42.3982,-76.5426 or N 42.23.8934 W76 32.7699, which is outside of Robert H. Treman State Park  (Eastern End) .

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING LOCATION

From Rt. 81 N/S take Exit 12onto Rt 281 to Rt. 13, continuing on thru Dryden, then to Ithaca, NY, Continue on Rt. 13 past entrance to Robert Treman State Park.  You then bear to left lane onto Rts. 34/96 and left again (circle around), parking area is the 2^nd right (comes up quickly) – Google the FLT interactive map if not familiar with this area.

(NOTE:  there will be a car pool shuttle (about 10 minutes) to the start of the hike at Stevenson Forest Preserve (on Trumble Corners Road). 

Webinar: Tuesday July 16 2019 at 12:00 Noon

Register here 

Speaker: Dr. Lori Spears, USU Assistant Professor
Date: Tuesday, July 16, 12:00 pm (MDT) – Please ignore the date in the title; it is an unavoidable posting date and NOT the date of the webinar!

The spotted lanternfly has been identified as a nasty invasive insect that is busy killing trees in Pennsylvania. The forestry and university authorities in PA have launched a series of webinars aimed at educating hikers such as ourselves in identifying and reporting these marauders. There’s is one coming up on 16th July; you are invited to join in from the comfort of your own home – we may be able to help limit this beast in New York.

Spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper that is native to parts of Asia and was first detected in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014. Spotted lanternflies feed on a wide range of host plants, including grapes, fruit trees, hops, and hardwood ornamental trees. This presentation will cover the biology, identification, and possible control options for spotted lanternfly and other invasive landscape tree pests, such as emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle.

Lori is the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program Coordinator at Utah State University.  The CAPS Program is a federal program coordinated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), and whose goal is to protect U.S. agriculture from introductions of high risk invasive pests by conducting early detection surveys and providing outreach and education programs that support and enhance efforts to prevent new exotic pest entry and establishment. Her research and outreach programs have focused on the ecology and management of invasive insects and using bycatch from early detection surveys to learn more about beneficial insects, such as pollinators and lady beetles. Lori received a PhD in Ecology from Utah State University in 2012. 

Co-sponsored by Utah State University Integrated Pest Management Group

Volunteers Needed for Invasive Species Restoration Team!

Cumming Nature Center is seeking volunteers to help restore its nature preserve in Naples, NY, this summer, with a kickoff event during Invasive Species Awareness Week!  Join us on Thursday, July 11, 2019, from 9 am to 2 pm, to help remove Japanese Barberry!   Please contact Cumming Nature Center at (585) 374-6160 to sign up or for more information!  Cumming Nature Center is located at 6472 Gulick Road, Naples, NY.

Cumming Nature Center seeks large and small groups, as well as individuals, to help remove Japanese barberry infestations so that we can seed native plants, restore native habitats for wildlife, and protect the surrounding Honeoye Lake watershed.  Japanese barberry is an invasive shrub which is spreading throughout our Naples preserve, harming and eliminating our native habitats.  We welcome everyone to come join our ongoing Restoration Team! 

Please wear long work pants, long sleeves, socks, and boots or work shoes, since removing Japanese barberry is somewhat like working with rose bushes.  And bring a water bottle and lunch!  Cumming Nature Center will provide directions, equipment, and protective gloves and gear, so that we can work efficiently to combat this invader!  CNC will have water available and provide light refreshments after.. 

Can’t make this event? Further invasive removal events at Cumming Nature Center are listed below:

Saturday, July 20, 2019
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Saturday, November 2, 2019

— Cumming Nature Center

See hike description at https://www.fllt.org/events/30-for-30-anniversary-hike-at-the-wesley-hill-nature-preserve    Event includes a dish-to-pass

get-together with grill at the end of the hike.