2025 HIKES PART 2
Hike Report M24 Bowman Lake > Kopac Trail Loop (Passport hike)9/13/25
Another beautiful day as the countdown begins to the Autumnal equinox.
There were 13 hikers and one canine that came out to hike today.
Sharron S, Joyce P, Pat B, Jeanne P, Alice H, Anne A, Malia P, Gwen W, Ann C, Luca 🐾, Pam N, Steve N, Jason E, Steve E.
The hike started to the South around the Bowman Lake dam, the water was like glass so the reflection of the trees were mirrored clearly.
The panoramic photo was awesome
.png)
There are many photos, so check out the link as pictures are worth a million words.
The old Kopac foundation had to be visited where there were some purple stemmed asters growing.
Across the snowmobile trail we headed West over the hill to Kopac Pond and the observation deck.
There we saw an osprey that circled a couple of times.
Three hikers got rubbings from the Passport station to enter in their Passport books.
The Kopac trail went North to the interseacion of the Whaley Pond / Bowman Lake cross trails.
heading East toward Bowman L. we passed the blue spur trail that heads South to the Northwest end of Bowman Lake.
We continued on the cross trail to the main FLT that heads South to the Bowman beach parking lot.
On the FLT we measured a black cherry tree that was 113" around at chest height.
The tree age calculator
Says:
We had a group photo at the site of the Bowman Bridge demolition.
There was a large patch of smartweed along the way (I should have stayed there a bit longer)
A new trail register was added to the FLT register box near the beginning of the trailhead where we exited.
Someone had taking it in that past couple of months and Jason found it by the creek, not salvageable.
Luca 🐾 was quieter than the hikers and much better behaved!
Map:
Photos:
For those not familiar with the FLT maps there is a website that has an interactive map where you can zoom into an area of interest.
On the level,
Steve
Hike Report M22 Bamberry Rd. > Bucks Brook SF Trailhead 09/12/25
A wonderful summer day as the transition to fall begins, changing leaves and cooler days!
This morning 10 hikers and one canine came out to take advantage of this 'golden' weather.
Lias R, Guy F, Tom M, Gwen W, Ben H, Eve E, Livy🐾, Malia P, Christine G, Paul S & Steve E.
We spotted cars at the Bucks Brook TH and carpooled to the trailhead on Bamberry Rd.
A break at the Bucks Brook Lean-To was a chance to sit a bit, peruse the trail log book and hydrate.
There it was, Hot Foot, Ziggy & Stardust a couple of hikers and a dog that we have seen in entries at different trail registers.
We caught up to them in the Catskills and had a nice conversation about their through hike.
The hike took us through a beautiful section of woods, some trees were as old as the 1700's
We measured the circumference at chest height and looked at the tree age calculator and found out 'that our tree'
was before NY was a State.
I wonder how people built foundations...and erected such long stone walls
The terrain and the woods were nearly perfect but once in a while there was an uphill section we had to overcome.
Livy set the pace and we were able to get through.
The photos tell a better backstory of the fun we have on our hikes.
We found some chuga that can be used as a tea.
Here is more on the subject:
Birch chaga
Birch chaga, scientifically known as , is a parasitic fungus that primarily grows on birch trees (Betula spp.), though it can also be found on alder, beech, and poplar trees. It appears as a woody, irregularly shaped mass resembling burnt charcoal, which is actually a sclerotium—a dense mass of mycelium—rather than the fruiting body of the fungus. This sclerotium develops over many years, typically 3–5, as the fungus absorbs nutrients from its host, eventually leading to the death of the birch tree through a white heart rot disease.
The fungus enters the tree through wounds, especially poorly healed branch stubs, and its mycelium spreads through the heartwood, causing decay. While the relationship is often described as parasitic, some perspectives suggest a more complex, potentially symbiotic interaction, where the fungus may help heal wounds or contribute to the decomposition process that enriches the forest floor. The chaga's dark exterior is due to high concentrations of melanin, and its interior reveals a soft, orange-colored core.
Birch chaga has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Russia, Siberia, and Northern Europe, where it is known as the "Mushroom of Immortality" and has been used to treat ailments including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It is commonly consumed as a tea, prepared by simmering dried chunks in water to create a decoction, which is believed to concentrate beneficial compounds like beta-glucans and melanin complexes. The fungus is also a source of vitamin D and contains betulinic acid derivatives, which are thought to be important for its medicinal properties.
Despite its popularity as a dietary supplement, scientific evidence supporting its health benefits is limited, and quality can vary significantly due to inconsistent processing and labeling. Preclinical studies have shown potential antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating effects, including cytotoxic activity against certain cancer cell lines. However, chronic use carries risks due to the extremely high oxalate content in chaga, which can lead to kidney damage, including oxalate nephropathy and end-stage renal disease. Therefore, caution is advised, especially with long-term consumption.
We hiked 7.7 miles with an elevation gain of 685' and a descent of 1064'.
Map:
Photos:
Hike Report M24 Berry Hill Fire Tower > Preston Rd. O&B 9/6/25
.jpg)
With rain forecasted there were still 4 hikers who showed up at the Berry Hill Fire Tower.
Those not afraid of the rain were Gloria G, Joyce P, Gwen W & Steve E.
Actually the rain was not bad for most of the hike. It was not until near the end of the hike that it picked up. We had raincoats, ponchos and an umbrella, so no worries.
We summited Berry Hill and climbed the fire tower to enjoy the view and overcome any fears we had of heights. The outhouse was 90° off the hole. You could see the seat from under.
The observer's cabin had a rugosa rose bush with ripe rose hip fruits that tasted a little sweet.
The hips are edible. Read about it.
Headed South on Tower Rd to the FLT and turned East into the woods, crossed Tower Rd again and headed South to Preston Rd.
Observations were everywhere from red eft's, mushrooms, fungus, lady slippers, hornbeam, mayflower, turtleheads, bear scat... and more in the photos.
There we a couple boards at the Breslin bridge that need replacing, 5/4 x 6" x 18" (deck board)
We took a break with water and oatmeal cookies at the halfway point at Preston Rd.
On the return there were American hornbeam (ironwood, musclewood) trees that had fruiting branches that had nutlets that the birds eat.
We hiked 4 miles.
Map:
Photos:
Ain't no rain wet enough....
Steve
Re: Moonlight Hike
There were only two hikers for the moonlight hike last night, but Rebecca and I decided to hike anyway because we did not want to disappoint Apollo the dog, who could barely contain his excitement.
We started out from the parking area on the west end of Basswood Rd about 6:40pm and headed down through the goldenrod field. There were of few nice large boulders and stone wall to admire when we entered the woods. Signing in at the trail register, we could see that this section of trail is lightly used. Turning west the trail drops down and follows the edge of Bear Brook very closely. Reaching the banks of the stream, it was immediately apparent that Bear Brook had been severely impacted by the June 22nd storm where we had about 5 inches of rain in just 2-3 hours. In many places it was obvious that the trail had been covered with feet of water. Overall the trail fared alright, but there were several places where "gully washers" had severely eroded the small drainages that crossed the hillside, and one larger stream crossing that looked more like a boulder field. We had to clamber and scramble across these areas and, other than the blazes, there was no longer evidence of a trail. In other places the trail along the banks has been undercut by erosion and will need to be moved away from the edge.
All this time we had been enjoying a nice sunset but darkness was now setting in. The moon had risen but was obscured down in the ravine. Continuing west, conditions improved as the trail rises up into the hemlocks. There was some impressive exposed bedrock and a small waterfall near the end of the ravine before we turned back north heading back up to Basswood Rd.
Reaching the road, we got our first glimpse of the moon rising over the farm pastures. We talked to some curious cows along the way but otherwise the hike back to the car along Basswood road was brisk and uneventful. We arrived at the car about 8:30 having covered 4.2 miles is 1 hour and 50 minutes. A snack of Cabot's maple and cheddar gourmet popcorn was enjoyed along the drive home in honor of this month's "Corn" moon.
This section of trail is going to need some repair and relocation work and I will respond to Larry Blumberg separately about that. It might need to be an Alley Cat project.
Chris
Hike Report M23 Pharsalia Woods SF Blue Loop Saturday 08/30/25
.jpg)
A cooler start than some of our hikes this summer.
15 hikers appeared at the corner of Fred Stewart Rd and Center Rd this morning.
Anne A, Pam N, Jeanne P, Melissa T, Gwen W, Maryann W, Beverly O, Alice H, Joanne F, Jason E, Tom M, Pat B, Joyce P, Sharron S, Steve E.
From Fred Stewart Rd. We headed East on the blue trail.
The woods were still dry with no puddles.
Rounding the bend South past the Coy St. spur.
Then nearing the CCC Truck Trail we headed West crossed Fred Stewart to the lean-to and the Sidote bench.
Several hikers took rubbings at the Passport station, for some it was their first.
About half way we stopped for a break at the Sandberg lean-to hydrate and consume PB cookies.
Pete & Colleen had left some kit-kat's in the candy jar.
Then completing the clockwise loop we made it back to the cars on Fred Stewart.
This hike was really a magical history tour.
Sharron told us the story of the crutch...
It was driven into the ground by Art Sandberg to direct hikers to the newly rerouted trail blocking the old trail.
The old trail was very rocky and a little tricky to walk on. The crutch could be used in case you broke an ankle.
The crutch came from Art's dad who used to walk with a crutch.
I asked where the fire pit was by the picnic table.
Sharron showed me where it was on a little mound with a rock covering it.
Wondering if there were snakes in it, we lifted the stone off the top and discovered a child's doll in the bottom.
Kind of creepy... (see photos)
The hike was about 5.2 miles
Map:
Photos:
Roundabout!
Steve
Hike Report Round Pond Red Yellow Blue Loop 08/23/25
.png)
This morning there was congestion, not in anyone's stomach but in the parking lot at the Round Pond Observation Deck parking area.
One mountain biker arrived before all the hikers and was advised to park in a spot where he could make a clean get-away if he finished before us. (He did!)
There were 13 hikers that came out this morning, which was a perfect temperature for hiking.
Sharron S, Joyce P, Joanne F, Janice V, Maryann W, Jeanne P, Larry C, Gwen W, Melissa T, Jared K,
Alisha K (sp?), Anne A, Steve E.
We started out from the parking lot and headed South on the Western most red trail to the 9 mile truck trail (CCC Trk Trail) . We came to Blackman Rd and crossed back into the woods on the Ledge Trail (yellow) and came back to Blackman Rd. and continued on the yellow trail NW toward the Round Pond parking area.
Hikers discovered coral tooth fungus, dolls eyes, Fritillary & Monarch butterflies, sallow sedge, hoary vervain check out the photos there is more plus an awesome spider web.
The trails were at their best and just a testament to the Bullthistle pride we have for the trails we maintain.
The Pharsalia Woods State Forest where we hiked is a great place for discoveries...
February 10, 2025
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the acquisition of more than 190 acres in the Chenango County town of Plymouth to Pharsalia Woods State Forest. The acquisition permanently conserves Round Pond and surrounding wetlands and grows the forest to 9,469 total acres.
The hike distance was 4.4 miles with an ascent of 204'
Map:
Photos:
Hike Report M23 Center Rd Loop 08/16/25
This Saturday morning 9 hikers and one canine met on Center Rd. at the FLT trailhead (crossing) in the Town of Pharsalia. Sharron S, Joyce P, Holly C & Bot 🐾, Melissa T, Anne A, Brenda R, Jeanne P, Larry C, Steve E.
The woods were cool with a little breeze so our hike was very pleasant.
The streams are dried up and the trail was dry the whole way.
We hikes through some very nicely maintained trails.
There were not many branches to move out of the path.
When we got to the road walk there was an intermittent breeze and not too hot especially on the shady edges.
We hiked 3.48 miles vs. the planned 3.2 miles, just a few extra steps.
Map:
Photos:
One Hill,
Steve
Hike Report M33 Balsam L > Fall Brook LT > Wild Meadow - Baisley Jct 08/11/25
.jpg)
he weather was cool to start and hot to finish for Christine G, Cindy S & Lucy 🐾, Gwen W, Guy F, Steve E.
The trails were dry and rocky in places. In spite of the dry weather some of the streams still had a little water in them and easy crossing if there was not a bridge.
I think we crossed 3 bridges. One had rotten boards but could see the steel beams under them so we crossed with no problem.
Cindy saw a bear cross the road, Wild Meadow, I think because there was a lot of skat there.
We were startled by a snake that went underfoot and earlier by a grouse we flushed walking by.
There were two women hiking with a dog by the Beaver Kill and their dog was barking a lot. They yelled for Ziggy to be quiet. We moved along to get past the dog that was trying to be protective.
After a bit I recalled an entry in the trail register at Jackson pond... Hotfoot, Ziggy and Stardust.
I had a photo of their entry on my phone.
They were overnighting and had heavier packs but they caught up and I yelled back are one of you Hotfoot?
One raised their hand then it broke into a nice conversation. They were hiking W -> E and several people on the trail had mentioned them. They were from Trumansburg and Burdett, Christine G is in Trumansburg. (small world)
Later on the trial at the Fall Brook LT we ran into Hotfoot and company again. The area around the LT in need of some serious weed whacking.
As a matter of fact, the trail could use weed whacking to get rid of the nettles.
There were some big stone piles we went off trail to investigate and Hotfoot passed up again.
We did not see them again but knew their next hike was to complete their end to end, so best of luck,
Hotfoot, Ziggy & Stardust!
There were some plants and flowers on the hike that we had never seen before.
Around every corner there is always something new. Pearly everlasting!
The hike was 9.7 miles
Map:
Photos:
Walk on down the long valley road,
Steve
Hike Report M24 Preston Rd > Whaley Pond Loop 08/09/25
.jpg)
This morning 7 hikers met at the Bowman Lake entrance.
We carpooled to the trailhead on Preston Rd.
Anne A, Melissa T, Brenda R, Gwen W, Sharon Sandberg, Joyce Post & Steve E.
The morning was cool and the sun was getting higher.
We opted to take the road section first (sun at our backs) and then the woods walk.
The hike tooks us CCW on Preston Rd/DEC Whaley Rd,/ Whaley Pond Rd.
Turning left at each junction.
At Whaley Pond crossing the dam there was evidence of a turtle nest raid.
Something had dug the turtle eggs and eaten them.
The hemlocks, after the dam, seemed like a dark woods after being in the sun.
The normally wet trail was dry today making it easy to negotiate.
The Whaley trail goes past the Kopac trail, the blue trail to the north end of Bowman Lake and connects wit the FLT (white) trail.
We turned left (north) and headed back to Preston Rd. where we parked.
If you look at the photos you can see how serious we are when we hike.
The hike was 3.4 miles with an elevation gain of 123'
Map:
Photos:
Saturday in the park,
Steve
Hike Report M23 Fred Stewart Loop
Perfect weather brought 11 hikers and 2 canines out this morning.
Jeanne P, Ben H, Cindy S, Lucy 🐾, Larry C, Anne A, Joyce P, Gwen W, Maryann Weiss, Nancy B, Banana 🐾, Steve E.
The hike started at the FLT trailhead on Fred Stewart & Hoag Childs going North through one of the best manicured trails on the FLT.
There were lots to photograph, blue cohosh, pig skin poison puffball, burdock in bloom, chickory, hickory tussock moth, broadleaf helleborine, beebalm etc, etc...
At the 9 mile truck trail we turned West and then went South on Fred Stewart Rd.
With the curiosity of everything we passed the hike was quite leisurely.
We made it back to our starting point.
Then the real curiosity began...
Most of us took the field trip to Larry's 'cabin' to see more of what Larry does!
The Bullthistle Trail Maintenance shed is there.
We saw the 'free' stand where Larry sets things out he no longer needs. (need a horseshoe?)
The barn/workshop was impressive with many hiking signs he made and hung on the wall.
The cupola on top with its stained glass windows lured several of us up a long one-at-a-time ladder.
We saw the old Farmall tractor start with a hand crank, it purred like a kitten.
The 'cabin' is a work of art and the most interesting thing was a kerosine chandelier that came from a train station in New Hampshire. This can be lowered from the loft to the first level when needed.
Larry cooks turkeys in his woodstove and adds another turkey ink stamp to the wall every time he cooks one.
There are more than 100 turkey stamps.
You have to see the photos because every picture tells a story.
The hike was 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of 300'
Map:
Photos:
What a day for a daydream!
Steve
Hike Report M23 Lower Pond > Jackson Pond > Johnson St > Elmer Jackson Loop 07/26/25
.jpg)
A cool morning to start at NY23 FLT crossing with Nancy B, Banana 🐾, Joyce P, Brenda R, Melissa T, Steve E.
We carpooled to Lower Pond and headed West through the woods to John Smith Rd and Jackson Pond.
There was a little uphill after the old CCC camp / boy scout camp and anytime we ascended thereafter I was asked if it was the same hill.
Of course it was because I had said there was only one hill!
We found a DEC survey marker surrounded by stones on the trail to John Smith (photo)
Crossed John Smith Rd. and continued on the FLT to the Jackson Pond Dam (photo)
The trail past the dam has the mark of John Carhart who maintained that trail for many years.
His corduroy puncheons are still holding, and evidence of his work.
When we got to the top of the 'same hill' to the brambles after the timber sale we were greeted with full sun and prickers.
This clear cut is ready for trail maintenance and the DR mower.
The trail where we thought we needed puncheons was dry and if we can get to it before another deluge it will be easier.
We came to the register and passport station which is an island of woods in the clearcut.
There was an entry from HotFoot, Ziggy & Stardust hiking West > East Terminus (photo)
Then through the brambles and to Johnson St. where we took a vote.. go back or a road walk to Elmer Jackson.
The road walk won and probably a good idea as I wasn't sure I had enough blood to go back after the scratches that wouldn't stop bleeding.
On the road walk we came across the largest ostrich ferns that I have ever seen. (photo Brenda for reference)
At the corner of Johnson and Elmer Jackson by Don W's big ash there is now a sign 15' up the trunk that says:
"Pissin' Tree" which may have contributed to the demise of that tree. (photo)
Down Elmer Jackson we walked to the CCC culvert and saw a trout on the downstream side.
The structure is amazing and shows how hard the CCC crew must have worked. (photo)
Melissa brouth banana bread to share after the hike.
We hiked ~4 miles with an elevation gain of 260'
Map:
Photos:
Hike Report M18 Old 76 Rd > Shindagin Hollow > White Church Rd. 0724/45
This morning 4 hikers and our mascot Lucy set out to get some of M18 completed.
Joanne Finch, Cindy Starbird Salak, Lucy 🐾, Malia Popovik & Steve Ellsworth
We hiked uphill from Old 76 to Shindagin Hollow SF, took a rubbing at the Passport station and continued to the Lean-To.
The lean-to was outfitted nicely with pots and pans and even had a toboggan hung on the side of the lean-to, I suppose for some fun in case it snowed.
Shindagin SF has a lot of mountain bike trails that criss crossed over the FLT trail.
There were signs of the recent torrential rains in the area with paths washed out and trees down from the winds.
I remember going to a couple of Indian sweats in New Mexico.
It was a dry heat with almost no humidity.
Which might have been why they felt the need to have a sweat lodge.
We did not need any sweat lodge today as the temperature was over 90 and so was the humidity.
We sweat enough and now feel as cleansed as if we had been in an Indian sweat lodge.
The map shows 6.3 miles but the gps app recorded 7.5 miles
Map:
Photos:
Every picture tells a story,
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqi_m-pMuoI in case you want to hear the tune!
