Take Your Bike – Finger Lakes

If you’re tired of the same running routine and the same old scenery, consider a new hiking or running trial.
The American Council on Exercise makes these recommendations before you hit the trail for the first time:
-Hike a new trail before you run it, familiarizing yourself with the new layout.
-Don’t walk or run a trail alone.
-Carry a communication device, such as a walkie-talkie or cell phone.
-Take a small, basic first aid kit that includes bandages, tape, a knife and antibacterial ointment.
-Make sure any weight you carry is evenly distributed; try to carry most of the weight around your hips.
-When going downhill, keep knees bent and don’t lean back too far. Use short strides when hills are steep.
-Run with your head up and push your arms from the shoulders, rather than from the elbows.

These guidebooks offer trails that are great for running:
Take Your Bike – Family Rides in New York’s Finger Lakes Region
Take Your Bike – Family Rides in the Finger Lakes & Genesee Valley Region
Take Your Bike – Family Rides in the Rochester NY Area

Filed under: Running Tagged: trail running

Construction the Black Diamond Trail, a one-time railway and future recreation path, is chugging along. Work is focused on building a pair of bridges to span gorges where the trail route is interrupted. Construction started in May.

When the bridges are in place, and if right-of-way is obtained from a private landowner, the trail would connect Taughannock Falls State Park and Allan H. Treman State Marine Park, an eight-mile stretch from Ithaca to Ulysses.

At Glenwood Creek, old railroad remnants have been cleared away for construction of one of the bridges, and workers installed two 95-foot steel beams with a crane on Wednesday afternoon.

Workers will now pour concrete for the bridge’s back walls and deck. Bridge railing should be in place by the end of September, and the first bridge project could be done in mid-October, said Nicholas DeVincentis, project manager from R. DeVincentis Construction Inc. The construction budget is $486,000.

Finger Lakes Regional State Parks Director Tim Joseph said contracts aren’t finalized for Black Diamond’s other bridge, over Willow Creek. Work could start this fall if the contract is finalized soon.

“If the contract isn’t completed relatively soon, they may run into weather that keeps them from getting it done, and it may be spring before it’s finished,” Joseph said.

Bidding for construction of the Willow Creek bridge ended May 2. The apparent low bidder was Silverline Construction with a $392,718 bid.

With New York state not owning all the land that the trail crosses, a date for Black Diamond’s official opening is unclear. Holochuck Homes owns 60 feet of the trail, and negotiations to buy the land have stalled, Joseph said. New York state would need buy the property to officially open Black Diamond.

The trail project has been ongoing since the 1970s, but the recreation way was never officially opened, and funding for the completion of the trail isn’t in place. “For the next segment through the city, the city really has to take the lead on getting that part done,” Joseph said.

“And then the extension from Buttermilk Falls (State Park) out to Robert Treman, we don’t have the rights-of-way, and we’re not really in a position to get them at this point.”

Filed under: Finger Lakes, Ithaca, Rail-trail, Trail Building Tagged: Allan H. Treman State Marine Park, Taughannock Falls State Park

It all started in June of 2011 after Mark DeCracker, of Lyons, met Leigh Ann Henry, a 2006 graduate from Lyons High School who suffered serious injuries in a 2009 car crash and is now in a wheelchair. The conception of an accessible nature trail began and Forever Wild for Everyone was launched by Trail Works, Inc.

DeCracker, a volunteer with Trail Works, Inc., brought together key people and organizations to start construction and brainstorm ideas on expansion of the trail. Cornell Cooperative Extension Creating Healthy Places Project, a grant funded by the NYS DOH, was in the early planning stages of the trail just by chance. It was in the Creating Healthy Places project plan to work with the Lyons Community Center after school program to plant a community garden at the center and after talking with DeCracker, a partnership was formed and a 3-sisters’ garden was planted (corn, beans and squash) and a wide variety of ideas were discussed.

“Anyone who has met Mark DeCracker knows he has nonstop energy and a love of nature,” Sandi Bastedo, Coordinator for Creating Healthy Places Project, said. “He is inspired by the youth of the Lyons Community Center and wants to reconnect children in the community to nature with trails and themed gardens.”

The youth are eagerly engaged with the planting and watering of the Trail of Hope. With assistance from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wayne County Creating Healthy Places Project, hands- on learning opportunities have been taking place in a fun and educational way with the youth.

The plan for creating a trail was becoming a reality. Then on June 9, 2012, a gray and rainy day, over 150 people, including Leigh Ann Henry and her family, turned out for the dedication of the Forever Wild for Everyone – Trail of Hope. Forever Wild for Everyone believes that all people, regardless of their ability or age, have the right to enjoy nature and its many benefits. Our role as stewards of the Forever Wild for Everyone program is to develop and/or designate nature trails without barriers so everyone can enjoy them.

As the morning progressed, the sun began to shine and the dedication and ribbon cutting were able to proceed on the trail. Trees and shrubs were planted by young and old. Alexis, one of the youth who has been working on  the  trail, was asked how she knew about breaking up the roots as she was planting a flowering shrub. “I remember that from last year when we were planting,” Alexis said.

Attendees also enjoyed making their own trail mix and face painting supplied by the Creating Healthy Places Project. “it has been a rewarding project that we have been fortunate to be part of,” Kimberly Gardner, Creating Healthy Places Community Nutrition Educator, said. “This is not only a Trail of Hope, but a trail of caring.”

The next major plan for the Trail of Hope is to expand the trail so there is easy accessibility to the Erie Canal path. Wayne County residents are invited to enjoy the Forever Wild for Everyone – Trail of Hope at their leisure. The trial is located at 4 Manhattan St. Lyons NY at the Lyons Community Center.

Filed under: Central NY, Erie Canalway Trail, Finger Lakes, Hiking, Trail Building Tagged: Forever Wild for Everyone, Trail of Hope, Trail Works

Source: Alex Gonzalez & Joe Dabes via the FLTC e-mail list

Filed under: Central NY, Finger Lakes Trail, Hiking Tagged: Brennan Bypass, Irish Loop Trail, Lithuanian Loop Trail, Virgil Mt.

New bridge connects Erie Canalway Trail & Perinton Hike/Bike Way.

The missing link for pedestrians passing through Fairport is now in place, thanks to a new bridge installed by the town of Perinton.

The pedestrian bridge crosses the Erie Canal at Cobb’s Lane and connects the canal trail with the opposite bank, which will then be linked to the Crescent Trail system that continues through Perinton.

It’s taken a decade to secure the land and funds needed to finish the project, but as he watched the final pieces of the pedestrian bridge raised into place on Friday, Town Supervisor Jim Smith said it was worth the wait. “It’s rewarding. It required a lot of perseverance,” said Smith.

The biggest obstacle, however, was acquiring the land on each bank from the State Canal Corporation. Once the town gained ownership of the land, the project was able to move forward.

The bridge arrived on Wednesday, and the pieces were later lifted by cranes from a floating barge. Part of the canal was blocked for five hours on Friday, Aug. 10 as the bridge was put into place. “I think it’s a major asset that will allow pedestrian linkage between the village and town,” said Smith.

As the foundation needs time to settle properly, the bridge will open to the public in November.

Filed under: Erie Canalway Trail, Rochester, Trail Building Tagged: Perinton Hike Bike Way, Perinton NY, Trolley Trail

Filed under: Bird Watching, Western NY

Filed under: nature Tagged: astronomy

How long can a bear take a bath in a rain barrel?
As long as she wants to!

Filed under: Humor, Wildlife Tagged: bear

Guidebook editor David Thomas-Train, editor also of the previous edition, has added numerous new trails, including popular hikes up Cat and Thomas mountains and the trails into Berry Pond. As always, each ADK guide supplies complete information on rules and regulations, how to find the trailhead, where to park, mileages, elevation gains and heights, and all essential navigational information. Each trail is keyed to indicate its location on Trails Illustrated Map 743.

“Eastern Trails” is volume 2 in ADK’s new Forest Preserve Series of guidebooks covering the Adirondacks and Catskills. Volume 1 is “High Peaks Trails,” volume 3 is “Central Trails,” volume 4 is “Western Trails,” volume 5 is the “Northville-Placid Trail,” and volume 6 is “Catskill Trails.” The new High Peaks guide, edited by Tony Goodwin, will be available in late August, with other new editions coming later in 2012.

ADK has worked closely with National Geographic to update its five-map Trails Illustrated Map series, which covers the entire Adirondack Park. ADK staff and guidebook editors supplied updated trail and terrain information and proofed and reviewed every map to provide the best and most up-to-date outdoor recreational information. Maps include hiking trails, boat put-ins and launches, parking areas, trail distances, appropriate use information (including ski and snowshoe trails), and latitude/longitude and UTM grids for use with a GPS navigation device. The maps are large-format, two-sided and completely waterproof.

“Eastern Trails” is 200 pages and is available in paperback for $19.95 at book and outdoor supply stores, at ADK stores in Lake George and Lake Placid, through mail order by calling (800) 395-8080 or online at www.adk.org. The Eastern Trails and Map Pack (including Trails Illustrated Map 743) sells for $26.95.

The Adirondack Mountain Club, founded in 1922, is a 28,000-member nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the New York State Forest Preserve and other parks, wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation. ADK publishes more than 30 titles, including outdoor recreation guidebooks and maps and armchair traveler books and conducts extensive trails, education, conservation and natural history programs. Profits from the sale of ADK publications help underwrite these programs.

For more information, contact ADK, 814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY 12845; (518) 668-4447; or visit ADK’s website at www.adk.org.

Filed under: Adirondacks, Backpacking, Hiking Tagged: adk