Tramp & Trail Hiking Club

Hike #5984 – Thatcher Park – Oct 22, 2011

October 22, 2011 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

On a dreary, drizzly morning 13 Tramps started out from Utica to the Helderbergs, a name that means “bright mountains”, optimistic that the weather would clear and that the mountains would live up to their name. By the time we reached Thatcher Park, the rain had stopped and we did experience patches of sunshine throughout the day.

After meeting Dianna M.’ daughter and 6 year old granddaughter, hiker extraordinaire, we started our hike on the Indian Ladder Trail. The trail descends halfway down the escarpment, utilizing a series of steep but sturdy steel ladders. It continues along the face of the limestone cliffs, at times forcing hikers to duck beneath massive overhanging rocks. At two points we actually walked in back of beautiful waterfalls swollen to torrents by recent rains. All along the trail a view to the north and north east reveals the Adirondacks, The Green Mountains and by contrast, the white towers of Albany. At the end of the Indian Ladder trail we walked along the top of the escarpment, continuing to relish magnificent views. After lunch in a picnic area we headed for the woods where we meandered onto every trail, seeing deciduous and hardwood forests, muddy wetlands, and sites of a former paint mine and a hop field. At one point we found ourselves at the top of a steep bank overlooking a pond with a bird’s eye view of 2 beaver lodges and a beaver dam.

Most of us stopped at the Golf Course and Cider House Restaurant for some delicious soup, entrees and adult beverages. Here we learned that golfers are louder than even our loudest hikers.

Cross country skiers already anxious for snow on that late October day, dream of returning to Thatcher Park for some great rides down the hilly trails.

By Nancy C.

Hike #5981 – Rogers Environmental Center – Oct 9, 2011

October 9, 2011 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

On a very warm fall day, where the temperature hit 78 degrees, nine people journeyed to Rogers Environmental Center to explore their grounds. First, we looked for trout in the trout ponds. Not many were to be found.

For the second part of the trek we hiked up to the Farm Tower for a spectacular, 270-degree view of the surrounding countryside, resplendent with beautiful fall colors of red, orange, and yellow. After traveling back down the hill we walked to the trail along the Chenango River. Unfortunately, most of the trail had been washed away by the heavy rains we had during the year. We were, however, able to do many of the trails around the marsh. After the hike, all nine of us stopped for ice cream and enjoyed the warm summer-like afternoon.

By Mike H.

Hike #5980 – Penn Mountain – Oct 8, 2011

October 8, 2011 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

The day was cloudy but warm. We parked by the old Welsh chapel on E. Steuben Road. The hike up Penn Mountain was the steepest grade on the hike.

At the tee we turned right and went down the hill and up again to the cemetery. We examined the tombstones and checked the dates. Some people turned back at this point. We went down the hill past the cemetery to a low point which had a stream running over and was difficult to cross.

After the low point we turned left, and walked into the small pond that is in the area. The road was not in the best of condition. When we reached the dam for the pond we found that the day had been considerably torn up by wheeled vehicles that puts the pond and dam at risk.

After the pond we retraced our route down the hill to the cars. The trip down offered us a fine view of the Cincinnati valley.

Hike #5977 – Cazenovia Trails – Oct 1, 2011

October 1, 2011 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

On an overcast, rainy day, ten people took a chance that they would not get wet and it paid off. No rain on the three-hour outing. We hiked to Fairchild Hill for a view of the lake and were rewarded with a picturesque scene of six sail-boats taking advantage of the blustery day. From the overlook we traveled down the hill to the Lorenzo Museum and walked around the grounds and garden. It was amazing how many flowering bushes were still in bloom on the first of October. We came upon, what looked like a fountain. But on reading the sign next to it, we learned that it was actually one of the ornate watering troughs that had once lined the streets of Cazenovia so passing horses could get a drink of water. It was an interesting piece of history. After the hike, six of us stopped as the Lincklean Tavern for drinks and sandwiches.