Van Lone Hill Loop #27

Saturday 09/05/2026 10:00 am

Hike rating:

Length – about 6 miles; Pace – Moderate; Terrain – Strenuous

Event/Trailhead location:

Van Lone Hill Loop FLT trailhead on Gulf Road, just off of Schuyler County Road #6 near the Cayuta Lake outlet, south of Cayuta Lake. Use the small parking lot and shoulder parking about 300 yards along Gulf Road (click for map).

Hike Leader:
Peter Houck

Contact:

Hike leader contact information will be sent in the email acknowledging that you have registered for this hike. 

Hike Details:

We will begin and end at the Gulf Road trail-head. We will hike on the Van Lone Loop, which is comprised of partly main white-blazed Finger Lakes Trail and the orange-blazed trail in the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. 

The primary natural features of this hike include the beautiful, narrow Cayuta Outlet. Water flow depends on rainfall, so if we have rain, the creek could be running with fast water. The hike also features a nice view of an unnamed creek and a small stand of old growth trees of various species, some up to 150 years old. The route begins on the orange blazed Van Lone Loop trail hiking up Connecticut Hill on woods trail and old roads to Todd Road to meet the white-blazed Finger Lakes Trail, then returning back downhill via the Finger Lakes Trail.

The Connecticut Hill Wildlife Managment Area is owned by the people of New York and managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation. At 11,645 acres, it is the largest wildlife managment area of its kind in New York State.
Bring at least a liter of water, lunch or snacks, and sturdy, broken-in water resistant hiking boots. Hiking poles are highly recommended.  The hike leader will attempt to post a weather report, current conditions and trail conditions the night before the hike.
The Gulf Road trail-head is about a 40 minute drive from Ithaca. For those unsure of their navigation skills, call or email the hike leader for directions.

Registration is open!

Register

Login to your account and save some typing

Registration Confirmation: You will receive an email if your registration was successful. (Check your spam folder if you don’t find it.)

EMAIL THE LEADER IF YOU WILL NOT BE ATTENDING!  Please be courteous to your volunteer hike leader and fellow hikers by notifying the leader if you will not be able to join this hike.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Wear weather-appropriate layered clothing, waterproof footwear, and bring rainwear “just in case.” For winter hikes expect temperatures to be colder than in downtown. Always carry water, a snack/lunch, and personal first-aid supplies. Hiking poles are recommended.
  • Wearing permethrin-treated clothes and/or using insect repellents, as well as checking for ticks afterward is advised. Consider using insect-repellent mid-spring through mid-fall.
  • When conditions might be icy or snowy, bring traction footwear devices (Microspikes, Nanospikes, etc.) to the trailhead. If conditions require snowshoes, the hike leader will let participants know beforehand.
  • Always check the website for last minute announcements and possible cancellations. Contact the hike leader if you have any questions.

ALL HIKERS/TRAIL-WORKERS PARTICIPATE AT THEIR OWN RISK
Those persons enjoying the Finger Lakes Trail and/or activities sponsored by the Cayuga Trails Club, or the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, accept full personal responsibility for their own well-being, and for the well-being of a minor when acting in the capacity of parent or guardian. Further, participants understand that hiking, snowshoeing, and trail work are rigorous activities, often conducted in rugged outdoor conditions subject to variations in weather and terrain, and which may involve the risk of injury or death.  Each participant is fully responsible for their own safety and for selecting activities that are consistent with their physical capabilities.

BY CHECKING THE “ACCEPT RISK” BOX BELOW, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN SAFETY AND AM PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY AT MY OWN RISK

Required Fields *

Cayuga Trails Club

Login