HIKE DETAILS: The Logan Hill Nature Preserve* has well-marked trails through mostly wooded terrain with some sections in high pasture, with some beautiful vistas. This is a 4.25 mile out-and-back hike rated moderate, beginning with a half mile on an eroded uphill road. The trail begins though a wooded section, climbs into an open field with a peeper pond, then returns to a longer trail in the woods. It’s an ~ two hour hike. The hike begins at the water tower driveway on Water Street in the Town of Candor. 

DIRECTIONS: From downtown Ithaca, from the intersection of Prospect and Aurora, drive 18.9 miles south on 96B to the second Candor right turn at the Mirabito store on Main St..  Drive .3 m. to Water St.  Turn left onto Water St. and drive .4 m.; it becomes an unpaved road.  Travel no further than the water tower driveway. Park just off the road at the driveway to the water tower on the right as you head up towards the preserve. Watch for cars and hikers gathering. Park your car facing downhill; attempt to back your car to the outer perimeter of the space available. 

BE PREPARED: Expect typical spring trail conditions, including mud and standing water. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots, hiking poles for stability, bring water, and protect yourself from ticks. We’re close to bug season (no see ums), so pack bug repellant. 

Logan Road is a seasonal road with minimal maintenance. 

Check the website the day of the hike for any changes or a cancellation.

*From the FLLT website: the Logan Hill Nature Preserve is a 285 acre natural area adjacent to Catatonk Creek and the Village of Candor. It offers miles of hiking trail with stunning views of meadows, ponds, forested areas and the hillsides of the southern tier. Logan Hill features diverse habitat for wildlife, including woodcock. You venture thrugh young and old forest, grassland and meadow habitat, and an elevated wetland that hosts southern species such as tupelo and cucumber magnolia. We will be hiking earlier than the peak breeding period for the American Woodcock. According to the FLLT, the American Woodcock male, to attract the female, will perform a series of upward spirals to a height of 200 to 350 feet in the air, twittering as he goes; then zig zagging his way down, chriping all the way and hopefully, landing silently next to the female of interest. In past years, the ritual has eluded us, but we might get lucky. 

Logan Hill was a gift from Betsy and Dick Darlington, longtime Ithaca residents. The preserve was established and the hiking trail was cut in 2016. Betsy was one of a tiny handful of volunteers who created the Finger Lakes Land Trust over 32 years ago. Little did she know that the idea of a regional land trust would eventually result in the creation of more than 45 nature preserves and over 29,500 acres of farmland and natural areas under protection. The mission of the land trust is to preserve, conserve and protect natural areas in the 11-county Finger Lakes region. More at: fllt.org. 

Email Ross with any questions, creagan17@gmail.com