1 Nighter near Ithaca, NY?

“Is there any place near Ithaca, NY, that has a decent 1 nighter backpacking loop?”

“The Abbott Loop near Danby, 10 minutes south of Ithaca, forms a 9-mile loop with the main Finger Lakes aka North Country Trail.

One can make a three-loop circuit on FLT in the Virgil area (east of Dryden, south of Cortland, 20 minutes east of Ithaca) on the hills behind Greek Peak with very little re-hiking that might be a bit longer than 9 miles if you do all 3 loops.

Get maps for these two from http://www.fingerlakestrail.org, I don't frequent the Ithaca EMS partly because they don't sell maps of local trails, if Mountain Edge (formerly Wildware) is still in business downtown that might be a better bet. The Army/Navy store in downtown Cortland is a sure bet for FLT maps.

Or you can drive a bit over an hour from Ithaca to PA's Old Loggers Path backpacking loop. Many folks on here can tell you about that one.”

“I was able to attend the Ithaca event last year hosted by the Trees.

What a great place it is. Da wife and I could really see us moving there (and Flagstaff, AZ and Ashville, NC, and Harriman, TN,....)”

“That is a sweet place isn't it Q. I was there a few years ago and I thought the same thing.”

“anyone want a repeat?
i could handle doing another trip. lots more water falls to see!!!”

“Would love too bring Barbie and Gracie, however this year is pretty booked. No time left and with the price of gas, the money I am spending on home remodling, vacation to Dizneyland, hookers....er I mean, landscape stuff.”

“I lived the first 28 years of my life up there. I still snicker at what PA folks call a "waterfall."

Get a job before you go (minimum wage really is what a lot of people earn there), and budget for property taxes before you buy a house!”

“well, i'm living in binghamton, i'm just looking for places that aren't too terribly far of a car ride, to go backpacking, and i know the way to ithaca quite well, by now”

“Well, my 28 years included a year in Johnson City too. :)

Within a bit more than an hour of Binghamton adds PA's Pinchot and Thunder Swamp trails--and you're getting within hailing distance of the Catskills which, um, aren't as dead flat as the Pinchot and Thunder Swamp.”

“Fingerlakes National Forest which is fairly close to Ithaca has 30 miles of trails a number of them can be combined to form loops of varying distances-I had just taken a quick one nighter there on a short 4 mile loop.”

“thanks for all the ideas for places. how about it? should we make a trip for sometime?”

“I think I might head up there this weekend for a long dayhike.

Anyone know about dogs on these trails? I was up there about five years ago with the family and I recall a touristy hike where we had to pay to park and dogs weren't allowed. Don't want that.”

“If you come to the area, drive about 15 miles west of Ithaca to the Fingerlakes Nat. Forest.Dogs are no problem and the camping is free. I am planning a camping trip there starting sunday.”