Quick Hike Details

This is an out-and-back hike of 4 miles rated easy. There is no change in elevation. We will hike part of the Jim Schug Trail. 

The hike begins and ends at the Dryden Lake Pavilion picnic area at the north end of Dryden Lake, on W. Lake Rd. near Chaffee Rd

Wear sturdy waterproof boots, bring water and a snack or sandwich. If conditions dictate, you may want to bring microspikes or snowshoes.

Gundy Lee will lead this week’s Tuesday hike on the Jim Schug Trail in Dryden. The trail follows the old Lehigh Valley railroad bed south from the Village of Dryden. Benches every 1/2 mile provide rest stops with interpretive signs marking natural and historic features. 

The Schug was created following the purchase of the right-of-way by the Town and Village of Dryden in the 1970’s.  It is a good alternative for hikers when winter conditions make hiking difficult elsewhere and, with zero elevation change, it’s an easy walk.

This will be an “out and back” hike, which means we will traverse only a part of the trail. We will start at the Public Access Parking lot next to Dryden Lake Park and walk through the park to the trail. The Schug Trail will take us to a Cornell natural area, which hosts a variety of flora and fauna. Once we have done about two miles, we will turn around and retrace our steps. The trailhead is about a 30 minute drive from Ithaca.

Wear sturdy waterproof boots, bring water and a snack or sandwich. If conditions dictate, you may want to bring microspikes or snowshoes.