Bad Bear Hill #52

Tuesday 01/13/2026 10:00 am

Hike rating:

Length - 4.0 - 5.0 miles

Pace - Moderate

Terrain - Moderate

Overall - Moderate

Moderate

Event/Trailhead location:

The trailhead can be accessed from a small road off of Reep Road in the town of Lindley. Please park downhill from the trailhead on the right side as you come uphill on Reep Road (click for map).

Carpool:

Carpool Meeting Time: January 13, 2026 9:00 am

Carpool Meeting Place:

Parking lot at Lower Buttermilk Falls (click for map). It takes about 1 hour in good weather to the trailhead from Lower Buttermilk Falls.

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:

Start & finish at the small road shoulder parking area off of Reep Rd in the town of Lindley (about 1 hour from Ithaca). We will hike for about 4-5 miles over old logging roads including some bushwhacking.  There are no marked trails.  We will experience a moderate elevation change (600 ft).

Additional information about this hike:

There are no blazed trails on this land but many old logging roads that we will bushwhack on this hike. Be prepared to climb over downed trees etc.  Part of the hike (0.5 mile) will likely be on a frozen creek bed so definitely bring footwear traction devices (Microspikes, Yaktraks, Stabilicers, etc) and hiking poles . The hike will be between 4 and 5 miles long with a moderate amount of elevation (~600 ft). Based on weather (snow) conditions, we may be using snowshoes as well, so come prepared. This is a lollipop shaped hike.

The trailhead can be accessed from a small road shoulder parking area off of Reep Road in the town of Lindley. Parking is on the shoulder of Reep Road. Please park downhill from the trailhead on the right side as you come uphill on Reep Road.

Just 10 minutes from downtown Corning, Bad Bear Hill comprises 992 acres of forest and a few small fields.  Acquired in June 2024 by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, the land will be transferred to the New York State McCarthy Hill State Forest, which will more than double its size.

Bad Bear Hill acquired its name many years ago when the property owner was planting trees for reforestation and placed plastic protectors around them to guard against deer browsing. Unfortunately, curious bears found that the tree tubes were great chew toys, and pieces were found masticated and scattered throughout the forest. The bears were only doing what bears do, but the name stuck. Many of the young trees were destroyed, though natural regeneration came to the rescue.

For more information and a cool video about Bad Bear Hill, go to the Finger Lakes Land Trust website.

 

 

Registration is open!

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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.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Wear weather-appropriate layered clothing, waterproof footwear, and bring rainwear “just in case.” For winter hikes expect temperatures to be colder than in downtown. Always carry water, a snack/lunch, and personal first-aid supplies. Hiking poles are recommended.
  • Wearing permethrin-treated clothes and/or using insect repellents, as well as checking for ticks afterward is advised. Consider using insect-repellent mid-spring through mid-fall.
  • When conditions might be icy or snowy, bring traction footwear devices (Microspikes, Nanospikes, etc.) to the trailhead. If conditions require snowshoes, the hike leader will let participants know beforehand.
  • Always check the website for last minute announcements and possible cancellations. Contact the hike leader if you have any questions.

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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