Hike Details 

This Broome County park is a hidden gem for cross country skiing and is 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 a snack at a picnic table overlooking the lake.    

If you have any questions about where we are meeting, please contact Jen by 8:30 AM of the day of the hike.   Often there is poor or no cellphone service at Greenwood, so it is good to make sure you know where we are meeting before you set out.   

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.

If you are unsure on how to find the trailhead meeting location, please contact the hike leader before 9 AM of the day of the hike.  

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.

Details coming soon. 

Hike Details 

Join us at the the Ringwood Ponds Natural Area, affiliated with Cornell Botanic Gardens,  to explore its unique topography, diverse plants and wildlife.  The area is known for its rolling glacial landscape, with steep slopes, dry ridge tops, deep kettle holes, vernal ponds and forested swamps.   Noteworthy is the abundance and diversity of amphibians, uncommon nesting birds associated with the ponds and unusual aquatic insects, including fairy shrimp.  

We plan to hike the mostly out-and-back trails with a relaxed-paced for a total of about 2 - 3 miles.     Be prepared for 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 a designated parking area along the road.      If you may have trouble navigating to the trailhead, please contact the hike leader before the hike at the email address above. 

Mark your calendar.    All are invited - current members, past members and guests.    More details coming soon.  

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

Hike Details 

Join us at the Lime Hollow Nature Center in Cortland to explore a popular nature center that offers cross country skiing on ungroomed trails.    Although their trail system is not large (a 2.25 mile loop), it is rated as easy to moderate so this is a good place for beginners or advanced beginners to get some experience.   A visitor center is available.   The trails meander through gently rolling hills, open fields, pine forests and by nearby ponds and streams.    

For today's hike, plan to hike about 2 hours.  Wear appropriate footwear (water-resistant), dress in layers and bring water and a snack.   We will NOT meet at the Lime Hollow Visitor's Center parking area BUT we will park and meet instead at their parking area at 3270 Gracie Road, Cortland, NY (where the Lehigh Valley Railroad (now a trail) crosses Gracie Road).   

Dogs are not permitted on Lime Hollow Nature Center grounds.    Hunting with guns is not permitted either but we suggest wearing orange just to be safe. 

Lime Hollow Information on trails and trail maps 

Optional - Download the Avenza map in advance on your Avenza app and you can use the trail map while you hike. 

Mark your calendar.    All are invited - current members, past members and guests.    More details coming soon.  

Hike Details 

Come explore the cross country ski trails (ungroomed) in this state forest located near Newark Valley in eastern Tioga County.   Oakley Corners State Forest encompasses about 1,160 acres with two ponds popular for fishing, camping, boating and wildlife habitat.   About 15 miles of multiple use trails available for many kinds of activities including mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.    The trails are suitable for all levels of skiers depending on the snow cover.   The purpose of this hike is to become familiar with the ski trail system on the south side of the forest.     

Be prepared to walk/hike about 2.5 to 3  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(s) if any questions before 11 AM on day of hike.    

Please join us at our Fall Social/Club meeting.    You do not need to be a member to come.   We have lots of announcements so mark your calendars now.

We will convene at the Hopshire Brewery Event Room in Freeville, New York at 4 PM for beverages and appetizers. Hopshire Brewery offers beer, wine and cider on tap in addition to sodas and juice. Cash bar in the adjacent Hopshire Brewery tasting room.

The Board members will bring some appetizers/snacks but we kindly ask that you bring an appetizer/snack to share if you can. Last time we did this, it was a huge success and we had lots of delicious food to share.

Tentative Agenda -

4 PM to 5:15 PM - Social Hour

5:15 PM to 5:45 PM - Club Updates and Announcements on Upcoming Ski Tours and Trips

Hike Details 

If we do not have any local snow, then let's do a dryland workout with our poles.   Join us on the Jim Schug Trail near Dryden Lake.    This trail is a relatively flat with lots of opportunities for aquatic and bird viewing along the way.    Bring your hiking/ski poles and we will get in an excellent upper-body aerobic workout exploring the practice of nordic ski walking.   We will take short breaks where I plan to demonstrate a few balance exercises.  

Come join me for some fun and get ready for the snow. 

More information on nordic walking and its benefts here. 

Plan on about 1 hour or so but this is an out-and-back trail with opportunities to make your workout as short or as long as you wish.   I will bring extra 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 workout, please join me for coffee at the Dryden Dunkin Donuts.   More information online about the Trail.