Eberhard Preserve starting from White Church Road #45

Saturday 10/25/2025 10:00 am

Hike rating:

Distance – 6 miles; Terrain – Moderate (some say steep!); Pace – Moderate; Overall rating – Moderate

Event/Trailhead location:

The Finger Lakes Trail crosses White Church Road at 861 White Church Road, Caroline (click here for map).  There is a small parking lot adjacent to the road.

Hike Leader:
Gary Mallow

Contact:

Hike leader contact information will be sent in the email acknowledging that you have registered for this hike. 

Hike Details:

 

This is a out-and-back hike of 6 miles rated moderate.

We will hike the Finger Lakes Trail heading west from White Church Road, ending at the pinnacle of Eastman Hill, just north of the Eberhard Preserve.

The hike begins and ends at the FLT parking area on White Church Road in the Town of Caroline.

Dress for the weather, wear sturdy boots, bring water and a snack.

If you will have trouble navigating to the trailhead, email the hike leader.

Check this space the day of the hike for any changes or a cancellation.

 

Detailed Hike Description

Join Gary Mallow to explore a relatively new section of trail and a new nature preserve along an abandoned rail line right-of-way and the Eberhard Preserve. We start with flat, easy hiking with no turns along the rail line, then it’s a challenging little pitch uphill in the preserve. Just when you think you’ve got the height of land, you turn a corner and there’s more. It’s all good. After hiking up a total of 770 feet of elevation over a mile or so, we reach our destination of Eastman Hill at 1690 feet. At that point we’ll have a break and then it’s back downhill to the cars.

Eberhard contains a beautiful forest of hemlock and oak along the glacially eroded side of the valley that transitions to oak, hickory and hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana – Wikipedia, known as hardhack, ironwood or leverwood) as you gain elevation and reach height of land. It’s preserved indefinitely and open to the public for nature appreciation, birdwatching, or just a light hike with friends. Join us!

Registration is open!

Register

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Registration Confirmation: You will receive an email if your registration was successful. (Check your spam folder if you don’t find it.)

EMAIL THE LEADER IF YOU WILL NOT BE ATTENDING!  Please be courteous to your volunteer hike leader and fellow hikers by notifying the leader if you will not be able to join this hike.

ALL HIKERS/TRAIL-WORKERS PARTICIPATE AT THEIR OWN RISK
Those persons enjoying the Finger Lakes Trail and/or activities sponsored by the Cayuga Trails Club, or the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, accept full personal responsibility for their own well-being, and for the well-being of a minor when acting in the capacity of parent or guardian. Further, participants understand that hiking, snowshoeing, and trail work are rigorous activities, often conducted in rugged outdoor conditions subject to variations in weather and terrain, and which may involve the risk of injury or death.  Each participant is fully responsible for their own safety and for selecting activities that are consistent with their physical capabilities.

BY CHECKING THE “ACCEPT RISK” BOX BELOW, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN SAFETY AND AM PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY AT MY OWN RISK

Registration Confirmation: You will receive an email if your registration was successful. (Check your spam folder if you don’t find it.)

EMAIL THE LEADER IF YOU WILL NOT BE ATTENDING!  Please be courteous to your volunteer hike leader and fellow hikers by notifying the leader if you will not be able to join this hike.

ALL HIKERS/TRAIL-WORKERS PARTICIPATE AT THEIR OWN RISK
Those persons enjoying the Finger Lakes Trail and/or activities sponsored by the Cayuga Trails Club, or the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, accept full personal responsibility for their own well being, and for the well being of a minor when acting in the capacity of parent or guardian. Further, participants understand that hiking, snowshoeing, and trail work are rigorous activities, often conducted in rugged outdoor conditions subject to variations in weather and terrain, and which may involve the risk of injury or death.  Each participant is fully responsible for their own safety and for selecting activities that are consistent with their physical capabilities.

BY CHECKING THE “ACCEPT RISK” BOX BELOW, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ THE ABOVE  INFORMATION AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN SAFETY AND AM PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY AT MY OWN RISK

 

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