Hammond Hill and Cornell Botanic Gardens Slaterville 600 Natural Area
Tuesday 05/31/2022 4:00 pm
Hike rating:
Event/Trailhead location:
Parking lot on Hammond Hill Rd, 0.6 mile from intersection of Hammond Hill Road and Irish Settlement Rd.Parking Lot is at the end of the paved section of Hammond Hill Road (click for map).
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
On this hike, we’ll explore part of the large Hammond Hill State Forest as well as the adjacent Slaterville 600 Natural Area, owned by the Cornell Botanic Gardens.
We meet at the main parking area on Hammond Hill Rd and from there follow several blazed trails through the State Forest before reaching the Natural Area, where we will be bushwhacking through areas with little understory and following sections of old road.
The Slaterville 600 Natural Area has always been forested and and includes old-growth forest (trees older than 150 years). Large ashes, sugar maples and oaks are present in the part we will hike through.
Hammond Hill is one of the largest State Forests in our area, and was established over a period of 15 years, starting in 1935. Most of the land had been cleared to grow crops or pasture farm animals. Between 1935-1940, the Civilian Conservation Corps planted over 700,000 seedlings: pine, spruce, larch, maple, cherry, ash and oak – almost the entire area is forested today.
Hammond Hill State Forest is managed for multiple uses, including logging, hunting, and recreation. There is an extensive trail system, many developed by and serving cross-country skiers, as well as hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers; snowmobile trails cross the forest as well. The Finger Lakes Trail traverses Hammond Hill, but the FLT is not included in this hike’s itinerary.
Wear layered clothing appropriate for the weather conditions, sturdy hiking boots, bring water and lunch/snack. Hiking poles are highly recommended.