Connecticut Hill WMA East & Beyond: up, over, and around Doll Hill – NEW ROUTE! Short & long options!
Saturday 03/19/2022 10:00 am
Hike rating:
Event/Trailhead location:
Rowell Hill Rd, by the closed gate where the road enters the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. (click for map).
Directions from Ithaca: take Rt 13 south past Newfield to the first traffic circle. Turn right onto Trumbull Corners Rd and drive 1.4 mi to a stop sign. Go straight to continue on Blovsky Hill Rd, and continue 0.4 mi. Turn right onto Carter Creek Rd and follow it for 0.6 and then turn left on Rowell Hill Rd. Follow Rowley Hill Rd for 0.4 mi until you reach a gate. Park on road shoulder.
Hike Leader: Myra Shulman
Contact:
Hike leader contact information will be sent in the email acknowledging that you have registered for this hike.
Hike Details:
HIKE DESCRIPTION
Connecticut Hill itself is the highest point in Tompkins county (2093 ft) and is within the 11,237 acres Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Just outside the WMA, on its southeast corner, is the slightly lower Doll Hill (1995 ft) located on land owned by Cornell University and managed by its Department of Natural Resources.
Our hike will began where Rowell Hill Rd enters the Connecticut Hill WMA – there is a gate across the road and we will park along the shoulder just outside the gate. Our route will follow non-maintained old roads and logging skids, closed sections of Rowell Hill Rd, and on the Long Option, some bushwacking through relatively open forest. Using old topo maps, we’ll search for the remains of farmhouses and other structures from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Given the time of year, we may need showshoes or traction devices (microspikes, etc.) The hike leader will email the evening before to advise. As usual, wear layered clothing appropriate to the weather, sturdy hiking boots, and carry lunch/snack and water. Hiking poles are strongly recommended.
SHORT OPTION: A lovely 2 mile loop that traverses the moutainside above Carter Creek and returns on the closed section of Rowell Hill Rd. Depending on group preferences, may be extended to Doll Hill.
LONG OPTION: After traversing the mountainside above Carter Creek, we will take old roads and do some bushwacking to explore Doll Hill and its associated ridge. Total distance will be about 4 miles.