Lick Brook Preserve and Buttermilk Spur
Tuesday 09/13/2022 4:00 pm
Hike rating:
Event/Trailhead location:
The DOT parking lot off of the northbound lane of NY Route 34/96 in the NY Route 13 and 34/96 interchange, about about 4 miles south of Ithaca (click for map). If coming from Ithaca, go through the interchange on Route 34/96 toward Spencer and then use the marked U-Turn to go back north. The DOT parking lot is on the right, just before the bridge over Enfield Creek.
Hike Leader: Gary Mallow
Contact:
Hike leader contact information will be sent in the email acknowledging that you have registered for this hike.
Hike Details:
Brief Hike Details
There are two hikes available tonight: a short hike and a long hike. They are both out-and-back hikes rated moderate. Choose one of these hikes:
Short Hike will only hike in Sweedler Preserve and will head back to the cars after reaching Townline Road. This hike will be led by Polley McClure.
Long Hike will head up from the parking area through the Sweedler Preserve and then onward along the Tom Reimers Trail and part of the FLT Buttermilk Spur Trail through the Thayer Preserve on the higher reaches of Lick Brook. This hike will be led by Gary Mallow.
The hikes begin at the lower parking area for the Lick Brook Preserve, near the interchange for NY Routes 13/34/96, four miles south of Ithaca.
Dress for the weather, wear sturdy boots, bring water, insecticide if you use it, and a snack or sandwich.
If you are unsure of navigation to the trail-head, email the hike leader at the address above.
Check this space the day of the hike for any changes or a cancellation.
Detailed Hike Description
This Tuesday’s adventure in hiking takes us on the Finger Lakes Trail in the beautiful Sweedler Preserve at Lick Brook, Cornell’s Babcock Preserve, and the Tapan Mitra Preserve along the Cayuga Inlet.
There are two hikes available tonight: a short hike and a long hike. Pick one:
Short hike will only traverse the Sweedler Preserve and will head back to the cars after reaching Townline Road. This hike will be led by Polley McClure.
Long hike will head up from the parking area through the Sweedler Preserve and then onward along the Tom Reimers Trail and part of the FLT Buttermilk Spur Trail through the Thayer Preserve on the higher reaches of Lick Brook. This hike will be led by Gary Mallow.
Lick Brook cascades down a steep-sided shale gorge and becomes one of the most beautiful and dramatic waterfalls in the area, 140 feet high. The shale gorge that the creek traverses is the major natural feature of the Sweedler and Thayer Preserves. There are also a fair number of very tall, very old sycamores, hemlocks and oaks at Lick Brook and along the Cayuga Inlet.
The Sweedler, Thayer and Tapan Mitra Preserves are three of over 35 preserves and over 28,000 acres of natural area and landscape protected by the Finger Lakes Land Trust in the 11 counties of the finger lakes region. The Finger Lakes Trail is routed through four land trust preserves in our area. Hikers are invited to explore the trails on other beautiful land trust preserves: for more information, go to fllt.org.
Both groups will be hiking up (and down) steep terrain, but the short hike will be done at a leisurely pace, stopping to enjoy views of gorges and forest. However, if you struggle on steep uphill pitches, you might want to join us another time.
Wear sturdy, comfortable hiking boots, dress for the weather, insect repellent if you use it, and a snack or sandwich.
If you are unsure of navigation to the trail-head, email the hike leader at the address above.
Check this space the day of the hike for any changes or a cancellation.