Tramp & Trail

Write-up: Jeff and Sally Steele
Leader: Jeff Steele
Co-Leader: Sally Steele

Another gorgeous fall day brought out 32 Tramps to trek along the old Lehigh Valley rail bed from Cazenovia to Chittenango Falls State Park. Blue skies, sunshine and dry leaves to shuffle through made for an easy 5-mile hike and afforded great views of rolling hill vistas.

A gathering at Meier’s Creek topped off the day. A big thank you to Jim for capturing the day in photos.

Write-up: Greg Sipp
Leader: Greg Sipp
Co-Leader: Dave Rockwood

Up and early … thirteen signed up and showed up on a beautiful day that started out about 7:30am with a temp in the low 30’s.  Absolutely invigorating.  Getting to the trail head around 8:30am, the temp didn’t change much and the goal was to just move. 

The Burnt Vly trail was a typical Adirondack trail, being wet and muddy in some places, but lunch in the sun at Fourth Lake made up for that. 

We also made it to Third Lake, Goose Egg Lake, and Burnt Vly. Everyone completed the 8.5 hike.

Write-up: Bobbie Scarpino
Leader: Bobbie Scarpino
Co-Leader: Carolyn Eastman

Over 20 Tramps enjoyed a beautiful fall day at John Boyd Thacher State Park. Starting on Beaver Dam Rd. outside of the park, the group trekked along the Long Path to enter the park. The views from the edge of the escarpment were breathtaking, as we looked out toward Albany’s capitol buildings, and the mountains on the horizon.

Descending down the Indian Ladder Trail was an adventure with its caves and waterfall to walk under. As we approached the ascent, a young couple were coming toward us from the other direction. Apparently, the young lady had reservations about this trail that ventured along a wet rocky cliff. Her young man reassured her by saying, “If these (old) people can do it, you can do it!” He obviously didn’t know he was talking about Tramps. Of course we can! We do it all the time! Piece of cake!

During our lunch break many of our “youngsters” enjoyed the slide at the visitor center. Not realizing how fast it was, several ended up tumbling onto the rubber mat and dirt at the bottom!

As we continued hiking the rest of the horseshoe around the escarpment, we came upon a “beginners” zipline. Chasing away the little kids, the big kids took their turns on this fun ride through the air.

The trail along the escarpment took our group to the “Squeeze Box,” a structure built to ensure that you are thin enough to continue down the crevice to the rock-climbing area. Nearly all tested their physique to pass through, some successful, some not. Some cheated by getting on the ground and wiggling through the bottom wider opening. Carolyn and Darlene, having passed the test, decided to check out the crevice.

From here we made the return. Our map directions weren’t very clear and a park ranger was even more vague. Fortunately, sense of direction and phone GPS got us back on the correct trail to our vehicles.

Perfect ending to a perfect fun day!

Write-up: Jim Wasielewski
Leader: Jim Wasielewski
Co-Leader: Lorrie Wasielewski

Twenty-six of us hiked 6 miles on the Fern Park trails and up Hidden Peak for a great view of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

I made a snafu by zigging when we should have zagged and we hiked part of the way on Limekiln Road.

Much construction on the Hidden Peak area as a cell tower is being erected there. All in all, a nice weather day. Twenty-two of us stopped at the White Lake Inn for refreshments. Photo taken by a bible group member posing as a motorcycle gang.

Write-up: Dona and Madonna Fellows
Leader – Madonna Fellows
Co-Leader – Don Fellows 

The ride today started in New Woodstock and went on roads west of Cazenovia. We had a mix of sun and clouds with a bit of a breeze. The scenery was great with wide vistas of the surrounding hills.

Write-up: Ann Damiano
Leader: Phil Gwyn
Co-Leader: Ann Damiano

On what started as a brisk, cold autumn morning, 18 of us hiked to Gull Lake. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the lean-to overlooking the lake. The fall colors were magnificent to view. It was a great hike with perfect weather. Clearly, Philip and I lack Jim’s abilities as a photographer, but we tried. Oh, how we tried.

Write-up: Jim Wasielewski
Leader: Carolyn Eastman
Co-Leader: Diana Henry

Twenty-five tramps, some dressed as hillbillies, hiked 5 miles around Mt Hope Reservoir.

Terrain varied from hilly, root-covered trails to open pasture. Encountered some equine out to pasture, wary of the electric fence, not some tramps, so much for horse sense. Fantastic after-hike party at  Diana and Scott’s house. Thanks to the leaders Dianne and Carolyn for a great  hike and to Scott and Diana for their generosity.