Hike Postponed to Wednesday, July 19th.

Brief Hike Details

This is a 5 mile loop hike rated moderate. It features some uphill stretches on the outbound leg, and it’s downhill on the return leg.

We will meet at 3 pm to caravan or carpool from the EMS parking lot on Meadow Street in Ithaca. Driving time to the park is about one hour from Ithaca.

If you prefer to meet us at the school (we will walk the short distance to the park), please plan to arrive by 4 pm. If you are using gps, set your destination for: 29 South Main Street, Moravia.

Bring sturdy, waterproof hiking boots, plenty of water and insecticide if you use it. 

Light colored, long pants, gaitors, and long sleeved shirt recommended to ward off ticks. Post-hike shower to identify ticks recommended.

If you will have trouble navigating to the trailhead, contact the hike leader at the email address above.

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

Detailed Hike Description

Today’s adventure takes us to Fillmore Glen, which highlights the power of water to transform our landscape. From the State Park website: Fillmore Glen State Park is an oasis of cool, dense woods crowding into a long, narrow gorge. Fillmore Glen is one of the many beautiful gorges in the Finger Lakes region and perhaps the closest to its natural state. The bridges, staircases, and railings were built without taking too much away from the natural beauty of the falls and gorge.

The park’s hiking trails offer spectacular views, unique geological formations, including five waterfalls, and a botanically rich glen. Other park amenities that we will not experience are: its 60 campsites, a stream-fed swimming pool, fishing in the Owasco Lake inlet, and a replica of President Millard Fillmore’s birthplace. In the winter, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are permitted on unplowed roads.

There are five major waterfalls within the gorge as well as several smaller cascades. The lower falls is very easy to reach and the rock formation around this one is particularly interesting, creating an amphitheater like surrounding. However, the other waterfalls in the park are definitely worth the hike. In fact, some of them are even more impressive than the lower falls. This loop hike will be about 5 miles and includes several trails, some fairly steep. If you struggle on steep uphill pitches, you might consider coming with us another day.

Wear sturdy waterproof boots and bring plenty of water.

If you have trouble navigating to the trailhead contact the hike leader at the email address above.

Check this space for any changes or cancellation on the morning of the hike.