Remembering Tom Reimers

Following Tom Reimers passing in 2019, the Earth Day Hike was renamed the “Tom Reimers Earth Day Hike” by the CTC Executive Board. Tom was an incredibly tireless volunteer and member of the Cayuga Trail Club serving in virtually every role in the club. He was the principal maintainer of the Cayuga Trail for many years and lead the club hike on Earth Day for 27 consecutive years.

Brief Hike Details

There are two hikes available. Both hikes begin and end at the Cornell Community Gardens parking area on Freese Road. Choose one of these hikes:

The short hike is a 4.4 mile out-and-back hike rated moderate led by Polley McClure.

The long hike is a 9 mile loop hike rated strenuous led by Gary Mallow. We will stop briefly for lunch.

Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, bring sturdy, waterproof hiking boots, water, and a snack or lunch.

Expect typical spring conditions, which include mud and standing water. Gaitors recommended.

If you will have trouble navigating to the trailhead, email the hike leaders at the addresses above.

Check this space the morning of the hike for any changes or cancellation.

Detailed Hike Description

Earth Day, April 22, marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is now celebrated in 193 countries every year. The Cayuga Trails Club will sponsor the annual Tom Reimers Earth Day Hike on the Cayuga Trail on Sunday, April 24.

There are two hikes today: a short hike led by Polley McClure; and a long hike led by Gary Mallow.

The short hike will follow a 4.4-mile-long section of the Cayuga Trail in the beautiful Monkey Run area of Cornell’s Fall Creek Natural Area. Polley will lead the hike from the community gardens, hiking on the north side of Fall Creek, beginning at 10:00 a.m. This will be an out-and-back hike.

The long hike will also begin at Cornell Community Gardens at 10:00 a.m. and will follow much of the same route, but will continue to make a loop reaching Route 13 traversing both the south and north sides of Fall Creek.

The Cayuga Trails Club started building the Cayuga Trail in 1964; it has been expanded, rerouted, and improved with bridges, black locust log steps and puncheons several times in its history. This trail takes hikers along the high banks and water’s edge of Fall Creek, through hardwood forests, pine plantations, and interesting areas of lush ferns and hawthorns. The hike features early spring wildflowers, birds, breathtaking vistas, interesting geological features, and the beauty of very wild sections of Fall Creek as it courses through one of Cornell’s many natural areas.

Wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots, bring water and rain gear if needed. Be prepared for steep ups and downs and muddy trails; the trail is challenging in some places.

The Cornell Community Gardens, our meeting place, is located on Freese Road and can be accessed only from Hanshaw Road. Watch for an obscure driveway entering the parking area on the east side of the road. Look for cars and hikers gathering.

If you will have trouble navigating to the trailhead, email the hike leaders at the addresses above.

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