Cancelled: Cayuga Trail East and Arboretum
Saturday 09/23/2023 10:00 am
Hike Cancelled
Hike rating:
Event/Trailhead location:
The Cornell Botanic Gardens visitor parking area is at the intersection of Forest Home Drive and Caldwell Road on the Cornell University campus.(click for map).
Hike Leader: Neil Belcher
Contact:
Hike leader contact information will be sent in the email acknowledging that you have registered for this hike.
Hike Details:
Brief Hike Details
This is a eight mile out-and-back hike on the Cayuga Trail rated strenuous due to length.
We will hike the Newman Arboretum in the Cornell Botanic Gardens, then continue on the Cayuga Trail, crossing the newly renovated Stevens Suspension Bridge and beyond. At four miles we will turn around and retrace our steps.
Wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes, bring water, and insect repellant if you use it.
This is tick season. Standard recommendations include: wear long pants and long sleeved shirt. Check for ticks after your hike. Consider treating your clothes with pyrethrin.
Check this space the morning of the hike for any changes or a cancellation.
Contact the hike leader at the address above if you have any questions.
Detailed Hike Description
Tonight’s destination is a portion of the eastern section of the Cayuga Trail, which was cut by Cayuga Trails Club in 1964, and has been lengthened, rerouted, improved and maintained since then by a collaboration consisting of: the club, Cornell Botanic Gardens staff and a number of campus groups.
We will hike through Newman Arboretum on the Cayuga Trail, then across Forest Home Drive and over the Stevens Suspension Bridge, which was completely renovated in May 2023 with: new decking, new railings, repaired footers and new paint for the cable supports. The renovation of the bridge was the brainchild of Charlie Trautman, who shepherded the project through extensive fundraising (over $60,000) while satisfying the legal and safety concerns of several parts of Cornell’s bureacracy, which took two and one-half years and is probably the most impressive achievement of the entire project. Then Charlie supervised recruitment of Cornell staff and volunteers, purchase and delivery of materials, and overall management of the project.
Once across the bridge we will go perhaps another two or three miles on the Cayuga Trail, beyond the dramatic cliffs overlooking Fall Creek. This is an out-and-back hike; after four miles, we will retrace our steps and return to the cars. Our starting and ending point is the Cornell Botanic Gardens Visitor Parking Area, at the intersection of Caldwell Road and Forest Home Drive.
Starting and endpoint is the Cornell Botanic Gardens Visitor Parking Area at the intersection of Forest Home Drive and Caldwell Road. From Ithaca, take Route 366 east. Pass Judd Falls Rd. and the Vet College. The next left is Caldwell Road. Turn left on Caldwell Road and go 0.4 mile. At the second stop sign, you will be at the intersection of Forest Home Drive and Caldwell Road. Turn left into the driveway for the Cornell Botanic Gardens Visitors Parking Area, and look for cars and hikers gathering.
If the parking area is full, use parking in the Arboretum, a short walk away.