Erv Markert was chairman of the Trails Committee for almost twenty years. He served on numerous state and national organizations developing useful working relationships with public employees promoting hiking and trails. Read more here.

Erv Markert Hike – Fall 2020

Onondaga and Cortland Counties; Morgan Hill State Forest, Map o1. Sunday, September 20

Hike Leaders

Mike Ogden (7.5 mile hike): [email protected]
Sigi Schwinge (6 mile hike): [email protected]

Hike Description

Both hikes are loops which will start and finish at Shackham Pond. The hikes are subject to change. Be sure to watch the FLT website for updated details, or contact one of the hike leaders. Both hikes pass a FLT Passport rubbing station, so bring your Passport booklet! If you come early, you can walk east a short way to idyllic Shackham Pond and look at a little family vineyard from long ago. You can also do that after the hike. It’s worth taking the short FLT path. We also recommend going to Labrador Pond after the hike and walk the short boardwalk to the pond. Forest bathing at its best.

Mike’s 7.5 mile hike will start uphill, pass serene Spruce Pond, and go further up (Passport E10 Station) to Jones Hill where you’ll have a fantastic view over Labrador Valley at the hang glider jump-off point. You’ll then descend to the top of Tinker Falls where you look down on the falls and creek and even have a chance to walk behind the waterfall. Then you’ll cross Tinker Creek, and go up and up on switchbacks and walk gently down to the lower crossing of Shackham Rd., and a 1.4 mile road walk will take you back to your car at Shackham Pond.

Sigi’s 6 mile hike will also start at Shackham Pond and go the same way up to Spruce Pond, but will then follow the orange blazed 3.5 mile Fellows Loop (Passport E09 Station). The first part goes along creeks with little waterfalls, crosses Herlihy Rd. and then ascends to the top of the hill where we will take a break to catch our breath before going gently down the hill and return to Shackham Pond by a different route.

Meeting Time:

8:45 AM.  for 9:00 A.M. start time. Please wear hiking footwear, your pack with lunch, snacks, and water, your bug spray/tick repellent , and hiking clothing for the weather, including rain gear just in case.

Location:

Both hikes start at Shackham Pond, Shackham Rod. south of Fabius.

​​Directions to Meeting Place:

From the South (Cortland, Ithaca): take Rt. 13 from Cortland, go north on Rt. 91, take a right (east) on Shackham Rd. and go to the trailhead pond area where there are big boulders on the right side.

From the West and North: take Tully Exit 14 and go east on Rt. 80, take a right (south) on Bailey Rd. and shortly after bear right on Shackham Rd, go 3 miles to the big boulder trailhead parking area.