UPDATE – Due to recent snows, the five creeks we’ll be crossing (10 out & back), will be higher than normal; so waterproof boots will be essential. Spikes & poles will also be essential on a few steep hills, due to slushy conditions. 

 Hike Description

This hike has been designated dog friendly. Dog owners are required to keep their dogs on leash and comply with all other facets of the CTC dog policy. If you are uncomfortable hiking with dogs, you might want to hike with us another time. 

The Six Mile Creek Natural Area, owned by the City of Ithaca, includes both sides of the creek from Giles Street upstream to Burns Rd.  In this hike, we’ll explore the trails on the southwest rather than the northeast side of Six Mile Creek. This hike will be a total 3.8 miles out and back. 

We’ll explore an area that was a favorite walking destination a century ago. The Six Mile Creek Glen Park was enjoyed by thousands of Ithacans during Ithaca’s first community day on May 15, 1917. We will see the top of the trail, marked by century-old, moss-covered stone steps, which some daring cliff climbers accessed by inserting ladders in gouged-out vertical seams, then climbed straight up the precipice wall on the southwest side of the creek.

We’ll meet in the parking lot of the Mulholland Wildflower Garden off Giles St., then walk across the Giles St. Bridge to the trails on the southwest side of Six Mile Creek, accessed via a path on the left of the water treatment plant. 

Our hike will follow some of the blue blazed trails, along with some diversions to admire the waterfalls which flow down the drainages of the slope between the South Hill Recreational way and Six Mile Creek.  

Definitely bring hiking poles, traction devices and waterproof hiking boots. 

This will be an out and back hike with some short uphill & downhill sections, which will be slippery, particularly if we’ve had a coating of snow or if the ground is icy; so traction devices and hiking poles will be essential. 

Wear layered warm clothing, carry water and snacks.  Hiking poles and traction devices are strongly recommended. 

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

Watch this space the day of the hike for any changes or a cancellation.