Hike Details

Join Dave Gislason at the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area where we will explore trails suitable for beginners and advanced beginners (classic and skating terrain).  Connecticut Hill is a popular local area for cross country skiing on ungroomed trails.   Connecticut Hill, located just 16 miles south of Ithaca,  encompasses over 11,000 acres and usually receives and retains more snow because of its higher elevation.    This hike will start at the intersection of Connecticut Hill and Tower Road which is just up the road from our previous hike.    Parking on the side of the road.     Plan to hike about 3 - 5 miles (about 2 hours) with options to shorten as desired.  Wear good hiking shoes, dress in layers and bring snack/water.   Hiking poles recommended.    

Let's get ready for the ski season with a dryland clinic!   Join club members for a dryland workout or just come to watch.   Bring your own equipment (roller skis, roller skates, etc) or demo/watch various dryland equipment available.    Please bring a helmet if you are interested in using roller ski equipment.   Nigel and Jack will demo various dryland equipment.    Jen Woltjen will lead a circuit of various strength and balance exercises to help prepare for skiing.    Bring your ski/hiking poles and wear running shoes (or similar) if you wish to to join Jen in a cardio/upper body session on the Black Diamond Trail.    This session may be postponed if weather does not cooperate.   

Hike Details 

Come explore the cross country ski trails (ungroomed) in this state forest.   Stoney Pond State Forest encompasses 1,469 acres with a 44 acre pond for wildlife habitat.   The 13-mile Stony Pond Nordic Ski Trail system winds through both natural forests and plantations and around Stoney Pond.    The trails are suitable for both beginner and intermediate skiers.    The purpose of the hike is to become familiar with the ski trail system.  

Be prepared to walk/hike about 3 - 5 hours with some elevation gain and uneven terrain.   Options available for a choice of a shorter or longer hike depending on preference.   Wear good hiking shoes, dress in layers and bring lunch/snack/water.   Hiking poles recommended.     Cell service may be limited so contact hike leader if any questions before 7 AM on day of hike.    Stoney Pond State Forest is about a 1.5 hour drive from Ithaca.    

• Map: Stoney Pond State Forest  

Event Details 

Come by 487 Ringwood Road around 12 Noon on October 22 for some delicious free pastries from the Ithaca Bakery!    Oh -- there is a minor pre-requisite -- we ask that you help us with the CNSC semi-annual trash pickup on Ringwood Road. That starts at 10 AM at the same address. If you would like to pick up trash and eat pastries too, please let Jack Rueckheim know by emailing him on the listserv at cayuganordicski@googlegroups.com.  Thank you very much!  

Hike Details 

Bear Swamp State Forest receives and retains more snow in the winter primarily due to its higher elevation.   Bear Swamp has over 14 miles of ungroomed cross country ski trails covering various terrain.  The hike leaders will provide trail maps, orientation to the trails and information on the trailhead parking locations.   Be prepared to hike about 2 - 3 hours with some elevation gain and uneven terrain.   Moderate pace.   We plan to explore some of the cross country ski trails making a big loop and stopping near the large swamp.    Wear good hiking shoes, dress in layers and bring snack/water.   Hiking poles recommended.   Note: limited cellphone service.  

Afterwards, those who are hungry and thirsty can meet at the famous Colonial Lodge or you can head home if you wish.  

Optional - Download the Geo PDF and the Avenza App as we will use this to plan and track our route. Download the PDF to your phone.

• Map: Bear Swamp State Forest Map (GeoPDF)

•  GeoPDF Instructions 

• Follow the instructions for downloading the Avenza App.

Hike Details

The City of Ithaca owns much of the land on both sides of the South Hill Rec Way.  In addition to being a wonderful mix of mature forest and infill growth (picture invasive species), the terrain is great for skiing. Join us for a two-hour walk with options to drop out sooner or continue after the return to the Juniper Drive parking area.   We meet at the end of Juniper Drive where street parking is available.    Wear waterproof hiking shoes, layered clothing, carry water and a snack.  Hiking poles recommended. 

Hike Details

Join us at the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area to explore a popular local area for cross country skiing on ungroomed trails.   Connecticut Hill, located just 16 miles south of Ithaca,  encompasses over 11,000 acres and usually receives and retains more snow because of its higher elevation.    This hike will start at the intersection of Connecticut Hill, Boylan and Lloyd Starks Roads.   At this intersection, you will see a large sign for the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Area and a D.E.C. bulletin board/kiosk with a rudimentary map of the roads on Connecticut Hill.   Parking on the side of the road.  We will hike the trails on Rowell Hill which are suitable for advanced beginners and intermediate skiers.   Plan to hike about 5 miles.  Wear good hiking shoes, dress in layers and bring snack/water.   Hiking poles recommended.    

Hike Details 

Join us at the Yellow Barn State Forest to explore a popular local area for cross country skiing on ungroomed trails.   The Yellow Barn State Forest usually gets and retains more snow because of its higher elevation.     Therefore, you may find snow at Yellow Barn in the winter months when there is no snow in lower elevations.   Many of the trails are beginner-friendly for skiers but you will find a variety of trails to ski.   Yellow Barn State Forest covers 1,289 areas and is also used for snowmobiling, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.  

This will be an out-and-back easy and relaxed-paced hike with a loop at the far end for a total of about 3 - 4 miles.     Be prepared to walk/hike about 3 - 4 miles with some elevation gain and uneven terrain.   Wear good hiking shoes, dress in layers for the weather and bring a snack/water.   Hiking poles recommended.   

Parking available at the snowplow turn-around and along the road nearby.   Please pay attention to parking signs and private property.    If you will have trouble navigating to the trailhead, contact the hike leader at the email address above. 

Optional - Download the Geo PDF and the Avenza App as we will use this to plan and track our route. Download the PDF to your phone.

• Map: Yellow Barn State Forest Map (GeoPDF)

•  GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

• Follow the instructions for downloading the Avenza App

Post Hike Sip Details

Afterwards, we will convene at the Hopshire Farm & Brewery for social time.   Hopshire is about a 10 minute drive from the hike trailhead.   

Hike Details

Hammond Hill has about 20 miles of multi-use trails. It is popular for ungroomed cross-country skiing that is relatively close to Ithaca and Dryden.  The higher elevation results in significantly more snow than in downtown Ithaca.  Most of the trails are rolling hills and may not be suitable for beginner skiers. This hike will leave from the main parking lot on Hammond Hill Road.  Based on the group consensus, we will look at the map and plan a 3.5 to - 5 mile hike. The goal of the hike is to orient the group to the trails that are particularly suited to cross-country skiing as well as some navigation tips to avoid getting lost.

Optional - Download the Geo PDF and the Avenza App as we will use this to plan and track our route. Download the PDF to your phone.

• Map: Hammond Hill State Forest Map (GeoPDF) 

• GeoPDF Instructions 

• Follow the instructions for downloading the Avenza App.

Hike Details 

Explore the Jim Schug Trail near Dryden Lake.   This trail is a relatively flat trail with lots of opportunities for wildlife and bird viewing along the way.    Bring your hiking/ski poles and we will get in an excellent walking upper-body workout exploring the practice of nordic ski walking.   Plan to hike/walk for up to 2 hours but this is an out-and-back trail with opportunities to make your hike/walk as short or as long as you wish.   I will bring extra hiking poles for those who may wish to use them.     Wear good walking shoes, dress in layers and bring water/snack.   Restroom facilities available near the parking area.  After our hike, enjoy watermelon with us.   More information online about the Trail. 

Hike Details 

This Broome County park is a hidden gem for cross country skiing located about 20 miles from the Ithaca area.   At the center of the Park is a beautiful lake.   When we have enough snow, the Park staff grooms many of the trails.    Come explore the trails in the summer so you know where you can ski comfortably when the snow flies.   Greenwood County Park has over 7 miles of trails for cross country skiing - ranging from easy to advanced trails.  Some of the trails have views of the lake.   The hike leader will show you her favorite ski trails for skiers of all abilities.   In the winter, a modest trail fee is charged (around $5.00) and rental equipment is available for a nominal fee too.  Be prepared to walk/hike about 2 hours with some elevation gain and uneven terrain.   Wear good hiking shoes, dress in layers and bring snack/water.   Hiking poles recommended.  Modern restroom facilities available.   No admittance fee charged to park your vehicle and use the trails.   Park in the main parking lot (just left of the main entrance) closest to the beach near the tall pine trees.   After our hike, we can enjoy watermelon.     Note: no cellphone service at or near Greenwood Park.  

Event Details 

You are invited to a dryland clinic of various all-terrain nordic skiing equipment hosted by Nigel Dyson-Hudson, our very own guru of all things in nordic skiing equipment.    Nigel has over 6 acres of fields where he has tested and use various all-terrain roller skis and roller skates when  he does not have enough snow.  

During the clinic, you will be able to try 4 different kinds of all-terrain roller skis and roller skates.  Please bring your bike helmet, your NNN ski boots for Nordic skis and regular sneakers for the roller skates if you wish to try them out.   He has adjustable ski poles.  

Here is the demo equipment available: traditional roller skis, CatSkis, Jenex V2 Aero Roller skis. 

Traditional roller skis are designed for paved surfaces with small diameter smooth tread tires. Some of them are also designed for only a skate skiing motion - they do not have a ratchet on the front wheel; they have two in-line wheels. All terrain roller skies and roller skates have large diameter tires, often with an aggressive tread, so they work better on unpaved surfaces.

NNN binding - so you use your NNN Nordic Ski boots with them.

CatSki  http://www.catskier.com  "The CAT ski work by the mini-roller ski gliding over the top of the bottom ski (Note: The bottom ski doesn't slide on the ground). After gliding to the front of the bottom ski on the mini roller ski, the skier will shift their weight to the other ski. This weight shift to the other ski allows the bottom ski to shoot forward with the aid of bungis and the cycle start all over again on the other ski." The CatSki discourages a sloppy Classic style - you need to have a solid toe plant.

Jenex V2 Aero XL150RC Classic  https://jenex.com/product/aero-xl150rc/  A tricycle wheel layout for better balance, the front wheel is ratcheting.

Full support binding - calf, ankle,foot, so you use a regular sneaker with them.

SRB XRS06 - a skate only off-road roller ski. It does not have a ratcheting front wheel so it needs to be used with a skate style.  https://rollerski.ca/product/srb-xrs06/

Skike - an all terrain roller skate with a ratcheting front wheel. I have the model with heel lift, the binding is hinged at the toes. Some Skike models have a no heel lift binding which is better for a skating motion.