Outings

Want to join one of our hikes on the outing schedule? If you are not a member of the Onondaga Chapter and would like to join us, e-mail Outings Committee Lisa Druke at . Guests are welcome to join for 1 or 2 outings to see what we are all about – please contact us!

To see all currently scheduled ADK outings for all chapters click here. https://www.adk.org/play/calendar/

Scroll down to see Onondaga Chapter outings.

Walking Wednesday

Every Wednesday

Meeting Place: DeWitt Wegmans Park and Ride [in front of Hobby Lobby]

Rating: (E-M)

Leaders: Mary Niemi 446-6725 and Sigi Schwinge 437-6906

Every Wednesday some of our members take a hike of 3-6 miles on one of the many trails in CNY (including the North Country National Scenic Trail and the Finger Lakes Trail!). The first Wednesday of each month during Spring, Summer and Fall is usually devoted to trail maintenance. The Wednesday hikers welcome new participants. Please bring lunch and sufficient water. Please call or email the leaders if you have questions.

9087 Baltimore Woods Hike

Sun, Mar 31 12:00 PM

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Directions: 4007 Bishop Hill Rd., Marcellus, NY

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, 3-5 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 60, baltimorewoods.org/visit/interpretive-center-trails/

Leader(s): Theresa J. Evans, 315-414-0431,

Let’s get some fresh air to celebrate Easter and early Spring. This is a nature preserve under the Central New York Land Trust. We will hike a series of trails, which encompass some ups and downs in these woods. We might also spot some early wild flowers. Speed will be moderate. Bring snacks/lunch/water. Note the trail conditions could be variable at this time.

9088 FLT Chippewa Falls Spur Trail – *CANCELLED*

Mon, Apr 1 9:00 AM

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, 4 miles, ~3 hours

Long Distance Trail: FLT

R/T Drive (miles): 65 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 77, FLT-M21

Leader(s): Sigi Schwinge 315-437-6906,

Walk from Stoney Brook Rd. to the little waterfall that can roar when well fed by rain, and back. Some may opt to extend our outing to other nearby trails. Bring lunch and water.

9089 Walking Wednesday Trail Maintenance

Wed, Apr 3 9:00 AM *POSTPONED to April 10*

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, 4-5 miles, ~4-6 hours

Long Distance Trail: FLT, NCT100

R/T Drive (miles): Less than 100 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 60, DeLorme p. 61, DeLorme p. 77, FLT-O1, FLT-O2, FLT-M21

Leader(s): Dick Frio, , 315-679-0622

We will be doing maintenance on a portion of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail. Our chapter currently maintains 72 miles of the FLT and three lean-tos. 57 miles of our section are concurrent with the NCT. No special skills are needed just a genuine desire to ensure that our trails are kept clear and blazed for all hikers to enjoy. The chapter furnishes all necessary tools. Bring a pair of work gloves, water, lunch and wear appropriate clothing. Severely adverse weather conditions will cancel the hike.

9090 NCT Webber Rd to Tromp Rd

Sun, Apr 7 11:00 AM

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, 4 miles, ~3 hours

Long Distance Trail: FLT, NCT100

R/T Drive (miles): 30 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 61, FLT-O2

Leader(s): Lisa Druke, 315-447-4018,

Enjoy an early spring hike on the Onondaga Trail starting from Webber Rd. in New Woodstock to Tromp Rd and return. The trail immediately climbs several hundred feet through a hardwood forest near the old Mystic Mountain ski trails. We will have lunch at Tromp Rd, the turn around point. Bring rain gear, water and snack/lunch.

9091 Onondaga Creek Walk

Sun, Apr 14

Meeting Time/Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, 3-5 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 60

Leader(s): Mary Coffin, 315-657-0229, Brenda Vieileux, 315-463-9103

We will walk down to the lake and check out waterfowl and eagle activity. Hike as much or as little as you wish. Consider extending your walk on your own into the city for coffee or lunch.

9092 Baltimore Woods Hike

Sat, Apr 20 9:30 AM

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Directions: 4007 Bishop Hill Rd., Marcellus, NY

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, 3 miles, 3-4 hours

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 60, Baltimore Woods Nature Center trail map

Leader(s): Mary Niemi, 315-751-7492,

Let’s get out for a hike in this lovely Marcellus Park to see the early Spring flowers and plants. Bring snacks and water.

9093 Link Trail Mount Pleasant to Nelson Rd NCT100

Sun, Apr 21 10:00 AM

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, 4 miles

Long Distance Trail: NCT100

R/T Drive (miles): 4 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 61

Leader(s): Kathy Disque, 315-656-3383,

We’ll see how many flowers are in bloom along this wooded trail near Canastota.

9094 Pigeon Lake Wilderness Trail Clearing

Wed, Apr 24 (Rain date: Fri, Apr 26)

Meeting Time/Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 2 B+, Moderately Strenuous

Outing Distance: 7+ miles (A)

Est. hrs (excl. driving time): 6 – 8 hours

R/T Drive (miles): 200 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 36, ADK West Central Guide

Leader(s): Sigi Schwinge, , Bob Rosati, , Dick Frio 315-679-0622,

Actual date will depend on snow melt conditions, but we also want to beat black flies. Contact Sigi towards the end of April if you are interested in joining us. We’ll pick one of the trails off Big Moose Rd. and clear winter blow down. Enjoy the hike along creeks and ponds while getting the trail ready for the hiking season. Usually, an early meeting time for the 2+ hr. drive there and we might be out all day. Bring water and food, but we can also stop in Old Forge for food afterwards. Pack rain gear, work gloves and hand tools, if you have them. We also provide tools. Rain/bad weather/bad conditions alternate date is Friday, April 26. Contact leaders to confirm the plan.

9095 Stone Quarry Art Park Hike NCT

Sat, Apr 27 10:00 AM

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, ~4 miles, 2-3 hours

Long Distance Trail: NCT100

R/T Drive (miles): 6 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 61

Leader(s): Theresa Evans, 315-414-0431 or

We will take an early Spring Hike on the Link Trail/NCT from Chenango Street to the Art Park and return. We will look for possible early wild flowers or critters along the way. We will be walking uphill to get to the Art Park. We can spend time meandering about the park taking in the view and/or art sculptures. Bring snacks, lunch, and/or water.

We can stop for lunch/snack and then make our return to the Chenango Street Parking Lot.

9096 Middle Settlement Lake Backpack

Sat, Apr 27 to Sun, Apr 28

Meeting Time/Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C+, Fairly Easy

Outing Distance: 6.4 miles RT (A)

Est. hrs (excl. driving time): Overnight outing

R/T Drive (miles): 200 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 35

Leader(s): Jim Bristol, 315-935-3623

Let’s take a walk into the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness. We will backpack back to picturesque Middle Settlement Lake lean-to and spend the night. Trip size is limited to 8. Contact leader for trip details.

9097 Walk the Old Erie Canal from Burdick St.

Sun, Apr 28

Meeting Time/Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, Flat terrain

Outing Distance: 3-5 mi RT

Est. hrs (excl. driving time): 3 – 4 hours

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 61

Leader(s): Mary Coffin 315-657-0229, Brenda Veilleux 315-463-9103

We will walk the towpath east looking for signs of Spring along the canal.

9098 Walking Wednesday Trail Maintenance

Wed, May 1 9:00 AM

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level:Level 1 C, Easy, 4-5 miles, ~4-6 hours

Long Distance Trail: FLT, NCT100

R/T Drive (miles): Less than 100 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 60, DeLorme p. 61, DeLorme p. 77, FLT-O1, FLT-O2, FLT-M21

Leader(s): Dick Frio, 315-679-0622

9099 “Boots on the Ground” Trail Kick-off at Spruce Pond

Sat, May 4 10:00 AM

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, <5 miles

Long Distance Trail: FLT, NCT100

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 61, FLT-O1

Leader(s): Harold Kyle, , 315-416-4619

Start the season off with a bang. We will review trail steward maintenance criteria and reporting procedures before a “boots on the ground”, “hands on the tool” hike on a section of the FLT and NCT. Bring gloves, lunch and water and dress for the weather. Tools are supplied. No experience needed. We’ll meet at a campsite location near Spruce Pond off Herlihy Rd in Morgan Hill State Forest. After a quick refresher, we will begin the work of rerouting the steep, eroded trail leading uphill from Spruce Pond.

9100 Pratts Falls Hike

Sun, May 5 9:30 AM

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, 3.5 miles, ~3-4 hours

Outing Distance:

Est. hrs (excl. driving time):

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 60, Pratts Falls trails map

Leader(s): Mary Niemi, 315-751-7492,

With the winter weather gone, we can walk on the lower falls area and other areas we avoid when it is icy. Bring snacks and water.

9101 Fellows Hill Loop

Mon, May 6 9:00 AM

Meeting Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy

Outing Distance: 4 miles

Est. hrs (excl. driving time): 3 hours

Long Distance Trail: FLT, NCT100

R/T Drive (miles): 40 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 61, FLT-O1

Leader(s): Sigi Schwinge, 315-437-6906, ,

We’ll start uphill to the “peak” (sorry no view) then descent to Spruce Pond and complete our loop along scenic creeks with little waterfalls. This is a Finger Lakes Trail Passport hike. Find info on the passport program on www.FingerLakesTrail.org and go to Hiking then go to Passports. Our walk-n-talk group finds an interesting trail every Monday. Email Sigi for more info.

9102 Six Mile Creek Trail-Tribute to Hal Boyce

Sat, May 11

Meeting Time/Place: Contact Leader for time/place to meet for carpool

Hike Level: Level 1 C+, Fairly Easy, ~600 feet

Outing Distance: 4.8 miles

Est. hrs (excl. driving time): ~3 – 4 hours

R/T Drive (miles): ~120 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 76; Take a Hike by Rich & Sue Freeman, p. 222

Leader(s): Theresa & Jay Evans, 315-414-0431;

Let’s take a walk at Six-Mile Creek in City of Ithaca. Hal Boyce, a long-time member of our club introduced me to this hike many years ago. We will, hopefully, see wild followers popping up. The other possiblity is nude sunbathing though may be a bit too cool and/or Gorge Rangers have subdued this activity. We will hike thru the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve and VanNattas Dam Watershed Area. I do recall some ups and downs. There are waterfalls to see as well. Come join us for a Spring Hike and to pay tribute to my friend and former ADK member (held many offices), Hal Boyce. Bring lunch, snacks and water. Also, bring a camera too for pics.

9103 Siamese Ponds Backpack

Sat, May 18 to Sun, May 19

Meeting Time/Place: Contact Leader

Hike Level: Level 2 B+, Moderately Strenuous

Outing Distance: 7 miles RT (A)

Est. hrs (excl. driving time): Overnight outing

R/T Drive (miles): 260 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 37

Leader(s): Jim Bristol, 315-935-3623

Let’s take a walk back into the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. We will backpack from parking on Route 8 to a lean-to on the east branch of the Sacandaga River and spend the night. Contact leader for trip details. Trip size is limited to 8.

9104 Chaumont Barrens Wildflower Hike

Sat, May 25 10:00 AM

Meeting Place:

Hike Level: Level 1 C, Easy, 2 miles, ~3 hours

R/T Drive (miles): 150 miles

Map Reference(s): DeLorme p. 25

Leader(s): Kathy Disque, 315-656-3383,

Hike the unique Alvar landscape at this Nature Conservancy property in Jefferson County. There are many unusual flowers that bloom in this area. The orchids and prairie smoke should be blooming at this time. We will hike slowly with many opportunities to explore the area and take pictures.