Ithaca mts??? (New York, Syracuse, York: university, camping, organic)

[organick]

are there easily accessible mountain activities outside in or around ithaca?? Thanks all

[ki0eh]

Here's one: Cayuga Trails Club :: Home

[Summering]

There are some mountain camping places and the most beautiful WATERFALLS here and there......
A wonderful town and area........

[LINative]

Originally Posted by organick

are there easily accessible mountain activities outside in or around ithaca?? Thanks all

Ithaca is surrounded by the low lying mountains of the Alleghany Plateau (Appalachians) which has someone mentioned has produced a TON of beautiful waterfalls nearby. And you are in the heart of the Finger Lakes! For hiking you have the Finger Lakes trail (part of the North Country Trail) and Finger Lakes National Forest. Also there is skiing at Greek Peak and other resorts south of Syracuse if I remember.

[CBaillo]

cmon now..all you had to do was google "ithaca mountain activities" LOL

[organick]

Thanks everyone, CBaillo I know, its just that I am unfamiliar with the area so how its hard to tell for sure how accessible it is from Ithaca. I appreciate the answers.

[ki0eh]

Greek Peak is about 20 miles, half an hour or so.

Plenty of small state forests around Ithaca. Most are old farmland bought up by the state in the 1920s/30s. The National Forest is similar, only the regulations are different. Nothing inherently more interesting in the National vs. the state forests.

Since the public land is so scattered the Finger Lakes Trail also uses private land and back roads to connect the forests. Sometimes landowners' interests change and the trail gets rerouted. Also sometimes the volunteers improve on the late 60's/early 70's routing as greater knowledge overcomes problems created by early enthusiasm. This group is among others seeking to create an "Emerald Necklace" of backcountry for dispersed recreation around Ithaca: Finger Lakes Land Trust ~ Protected Lands

I know I linked the Cayuga Trails Club earlier - its Cayuga Trail is an interesting hike on Cornell University lands bordering Fall Creek above the campus, not connected directly to the FLT system. I once led a group from an outer trailhead of the Cayuga Trail down along the Fall Creek gorge to Carl Sagan's house, down University Ave. to climb back up the Cascadilla Gorge, winding up at Cornell Dairy Bar for ice cream. Interesting mix of wildness and civilization on that hike.

[ki0eh]

Link to state forests: State Forests Outside the Preserve - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

And the FLNF: Finger Lakes National Forest

And to waterfalls: New York Waterfalls and Nature - Photography, Maps, Information, Forums

Another nice hike is to start at the bottom of Buttermilk Falls, take the gorge trail up then the Buttermilk Spur of FLT over to main FLT, down Lick Brook and under NY 13 then up the gorge trail through R.H. Treman Park to the top. The folks I was with, after climbing the first hill said, "Why did you start at the scenic spot, usually we end there" but didn't say that after they were done.

[LINative]

^ ^^ Very nice posts KiOeh. I would rate you if I could! You point out correctly that New York has state forests in the area but I figured the term National Forest would catch his eye more --- even if New York (along with Pennsylvania) was self-reliant and really needed no help perserving huge areas for conservation.

[organick]

thanks all, very helpful posts