The Winter edition of the Finger Lakes Trail News magazine arrived in our mail box recently. and as always was filled with interesting articles. I wanted to share a few with you.

On page 6 was an article about Ron Abraham, who completed his End-to-End hike of the main Finger Lakes Trail, and all of the Branch trails in 2018. Ron has joined Springwater Trails several times and was kind enough to mention us in the article.

On page 25 is a quick teaser about the FLTC Spring Weekend in Bradford, PA. There will be opportunities that weekend to hike, bike and kayak in Allegany State Park over the three days (June 7, 8 and 9) of the weekend at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

On page 26 is an add for chainsaw training in May. This two day course is required to allow you to use a chain saw while maintaining hiking trails within the Finger Lakes Trail system, or on state land. It is also valuable if you have a chain saw and would like to use it safely. Training will take place May 4-5 and May 18-19. John took the course last year. If you are interested, talk with me at any hike or at [email protected].

The next Howard Beye Hike sponsored by the FLTC occurs Saturday, Jan 19, 2019. The hike will be 4.5 miles on the Onondaga Branch Trail through Morgan Hill State Forest. If you are interested in carpooling, we would need to leave Saturday morning at about 6:45 from the Springwater Town Hall. You can leave a comment on this post, or contact me at [email protected] to help organize a carpool.

On the last Sunday in January, 8 hardy souls braved the bone chilling weather to enjoy the winter wonderland in Swain.  Fresh snow was still clinging to the branches of the hemlock and hardwood trees.  The hikers divided into 2 even groups.  All hikers started on the main trail, that primarily followed an old railroad bed.

Then, the Rambo hikers, led by Duffy and Mark (in that order), scampered up the Robinson Loops, starting on the orange trail. During the climb up the central gully, the temperature continually rose resulting in the need to remove a layer of winter wear before the top.   At the second junction of the blue, they switched over and cross the open fields at the top of the hill. Temperatures of course dropped quickly in the open wind.  At the trail junction in the fields, the other climbers convinced Mark to check the map, avoiding a needless trip down the the wrong road and back.  A few more slips and slides down a rutted logging trail and the hikers returned to the main Finger Lakes trail..  Returning to the lot by the main trail, they completed a vigorous 4-5 mile workout.

The more leisurely hikers enjoyed a stroll down the mostly flat main trail (except for a fairly steep stream crossing) up the junction of the blue, and back, for a total close to 3 miles.  After the hike, we got to warm up and enjoyed fellowship and fine fare in the back room of the Sierra Inn, reviewing this hike, and looking forward to some great future ones that Rick, and his hike leaders, have planned for us.