Whether you’re eating potato latkes, ham, turkey, gumbo, cookies, and/or pies, this time of year we all need some good outdoor exercise!  On this outing, we’ll get that at two different sites on South Hill.

1. Outside of public and university-owned lands, probably the oldest protected land in our area is the Eldridge Wilderness Preserve.  Situated high up on the northwest slope of South Hill, this Preserve was created in 1971 when Frank L. Eldridge donated 87 acres to The Nature Conservancy.  On this hike we’ll explore its mosaic of plant communities: mature forest along a small gorge; second-growth hardwood forest; and more recently farmed land returning to forest.  A 1.3 mile lollipop trail allows us to explore this Preserve.

2. A large Ithaca College Natural Land is on the top of South Hill – this is the second area we will explore.  The trails wind through areas of both large older trees as well as younger, regenerating forests.  Numbered posts along one trail link to information provided on their website at: https://icnaturallands.com/trails where you can also download a PDF trail map by clicking on South Hill Natural Area East.  This is “GeoPDF” that you can view in the smartphone Avenza app, and locate your position – along (or off!) the trail.

It’s winter, so come prepared!  Wear waterproof hiking boots, bring traction footwear (Microspikes, Stabilicers, Nanospikes, etc), layered warm clothing, snowshoes if conditions warrant, and carry water and a snack.  Hiking poles are strongly recommended.  This hike will include short steep up and down sections, and well as long up and down slopes.

We’ll meet up at a parking area at Ithaca College and then carpool to the Eldridge Wilderness Preserve (where there only a few parking spots).  After exploring there, we return and hike on the South Hill Natural Lands.

We meet in the southeast corner of Parking Lot L, next to the last of the Terrace buildings. (Note: IC parking services has approved us parking there without permits.)