Ithaca, New York home of many natural beauties; towering falls, 200 foot cliffs and all types of wildlife can be discovered nestled in the Ithaca and surrounding area. Get ready to venture to one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains, visit a 40-foot pillar rock and discover the past by taking a look at an old watermill. Lace up your shoes and get ready to “Take a Hike.” Look for these educational spots on WSKG-TV throughout the season beginning Monday, May 29.

While there are so many places of interest to see, the best thing to do would be the obvious – first map out your trip. Doing so allows you to see what attractions there are along they way, and how to make the most out of your hiking experience, even if it is only for a day. Call your local chamber of commerce or click on one of the links for trail maps or park information. It’s the first and most important step.

Once you’ve decided on your hiking plan, prepare for your trip no matter if it’s just for a day or for a week. The whole idea of this experience is to enjoy yourself and the natural wonders around you. But, before you depart, remember these two words: respect and safety. For your convenience, we’ve listed a few of these important reminders.

Hiking Tips

Links to NY Parks, Robert H. Treman Park and more...

Lucifer Falls at Robert H. Treman State Park

HIKING TIPS:

Trails: The park provides a variety of trail opportunities. Please stay on the designated trails. Proper footwear for hiking in a variety of conditions will make your trail visit safer. Bicycles are not allowed on the trails. Due to varying weather conditions, park trails can close at any time throughout the year. Do not go on trails designated as CLOSED.

Blading, Boarding and Bicycling Safety: Safety helmets are required by New York State Law. Check at the park office for times and locations where these activities are allowed.

Swimming Areas: Our lifeguards practice drills daily to ensure patron safety. Please follow their instructions. Alcoholic beverages and glass containers of any kind are not permitted in the swimming area.

Pets: Family pets must be leashed and attended at all times. Proof of rabies vaccination must be by Veterinarian’s

certificate-the collar tag will not be accepted as proof.

Respecting Wildlife: Please do not feed or harass any wildlife while visiting the park. If you see any wildlife that appears ill, contact park personnel immediately. If you come in physical contact with an animal, report it to a park employee right away.

·       Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than six feet at all times. Please clean up after your dog.

·       Do not remove anything natural from the trail.

· This facility is designated "Carry In-Carry Out." Please take your trash and recyclables home with you for proper disposal.

· The park is open from dawn to dusk.

· Contact the park before your visit to see if dogs are permitted. If yes, remember to respect other visitors by keeping your dog quiet and leashed.

Mill at Robert H. Treman State Park

· Turn off the music and listen to the sweet sounds of Mother Nature.

·  Always walk around-not through-other visitors' camping and picnicking sties.

BASIC TENETS OF THE "LEAVE NO TRACE" ETHICS:

·  Respect wildlife

·  Plan ahead and prepare

·  Travel and camp on durable surfaces

·  Minimize campfire impact

·  Dispose waste properly  

·  Be considerate of other visitors

 

Mill at Robert H. Treman State Park

·  Leave what you find

DAY HIKING WITH KIDS:

· Have the park ranger introduce them to park safety and the importance of respecting wildlife.

· Bring along a pair of binoculars so they can watch soaring birds, bounding rabbits, and other wildlife form a safe distance.

· Give them their own disposable camera so they can take picture of anything and everything.

· Visit the park’s nature center to teach them about local wildlife and natural attractions.

· Set a reasonable goal when hiking-try to go too far and you’ll end up giving your kids piggy-back rides.

Taughannock Falls

HERE'S A LIST OF WHAT YOU CAN INCLUDE IN YOUR OWN FIRST-AID KIT:

• Latex gloves
• Plastic bandages
• Gauze pads
• Athletic tape
• Duct tape
• Moleskin
• Antibacterial wipes
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• Over-the-counter painkiller
• Safety pins
• Multi-tool
• Tweezers
• Mini first-aid manual
• Carrying case

6 EFFECTVE WAYS TO PREVENT INSECT BITES:

• Use a bug repellant that is at least 25% DEEP
• Light bug-deterring citronella candles
• Even in hot weather, wear long sleeve shirts, high socks, and pants
• Avoid fragrant or perfumed products
• Wash thoroughly with coconut or citronella oils and soaps
• Steer clear of sweet sticky foods
  

LINKS:

Enfield Gorge tablet in appreciation to Robert & Laura Treman

Robert H. Treman Park

Archaeological Fieldwork at Robert Treman

Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls

Butter Milk Falls

The Friends of Robert H. Treman Park

Taughannock Falls State Park

Taughannock Falls
Taughannock Falls, located in Ulysses between the Village of Trumansburg and the city of Ithaca, is the highest free-falling waterfall in the northeastern United States, and one of the highest waterfalls of any kind east of the Rocky Mountains. It’s 215 foot drop is 33 feet taller than Niagara Falls. The 3/4 mile hike from the parking lot to the falls carries you through a rather flat, broad, very high-walled gorge. With few resistant layers to form ledges, the soft shale has been carried away almost completely, down to the harder limestone known as the Tully Limestone at the bottom of the gorge.

Butermilk Falls
Buttermilk Creek flows down the east side of the Cayuga Valley, dropping more than 600 feet over 10 separate waterfalls and through two discrete glens. A particularly striking feature along Buttermilk Creek is Pinnacle Rock, a 40-foot pillar of shale left by erosion of the stream around it (probably through cracks that caused weakness on either side). The grade in the upper part of the park is much gentler, as Buttermilk Creek winds from Lake Treman through the woods and by picnic areas accessible from West King Road. Owl Creek Gorge, which lies between the campground and Buttermilk Falls, was formed during a long period between two glacial advances. Behind the ball fields in the lower park lies Larch Meadows, a wetland that has existed since glaciers retreated from New York. It now provides a home to many species of animals and plants. A nature trail encircles Larch Meadows. Information on the trail can be found at the park office and at the ball field comfort station. During the 1700s, Sapony Indians lived in the village of Coreorgonel near Buttermilk Falls. The inhabitants of Coreorgonel fled before the Continental Army burned it on September 4, 1779, during the Revolutionary War.

Robert H. Treman State Park
Treman Gorge, also known as Enfield Glen, exposes approximately 400 feet of shale and sandstone along a moderately steep two-mile trail. Enfield Creek flows through the gorge over 12 discrete cascades, including the impressive, 115 ft. tall Lucifer Falls. Of particular note in Enfield Glen is the alternation of shale and sandstone, perhaps originating from repeated shifts in sea level. Another interesting feature of area geology is "cross-bedding." Water waves cause sand particles to move along the bottom into ripples. Fossil ripples can be seen in many rocks in gorge walls, seen both in Enfield Glen and in nearby Watkins Glen. Cross-bedding is the pattern visible in cross sections.

Beginning at the upper entrance, the first half-mile of Enfield Glen clearly displays the rugged, scenic effects of a post-glacial gorge. A beautiful stone pathway and steps lead to 115-feet-high Lucifer Falls, the highest in the park. Shortly past these falls, one can see a mile and a half through the deep, wooded interglacial gorge as it winds its way to the lower park.

Trail at Robert H. Treman State Park

Settlers of European descent moved into the area during the 1790s and began farming. Many of the gorges had suitable sites for water mills. The Old Mill, located in Treman State Park, is a water-powered gristmill built in 1839 by Isaac Rumsey. Dam and mill foundations still exist in Buttermilk Falls State Park as well.