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 – 2013
Highland Forest / North Country National Scenic Trail
Date:
Saturday, Oct 19, 2013
Leader:
Karen Goodman, [email protected] or (607) 648-3005
Hike Report:
This year’s Erv Markert hike took place on Saturday, Oct 19 at Highland Forest, an Onondaga County park east of Tully, NY and southeast of Syracuse. The FLT’s Onondaga Branch Trail cuts across Highland Forest and made for a portion of the nine mile long loop hike taken by the group as we followed the park’s designated Main Trail.
Fifteen hikers from across the state participated with this event, led by Karen Goodman of the Binghamton-based Triple Cities Hiking Club. Sigi Schwinge from the ADK-Onondaga Chapter also assisted with leading hikers.
While most of the hikers on this perfect fall day hailed from either the Binghamton area or from the Syracuse area, there were also some folks from Rochester, Ithaca, and Utica.
Please enjoy the pictures which have been posted to the Triple Cities Hiking Club’s photo album titled “2013–10-19 FLTC Erv Markert Hike, Highland Forest” at
https://picasaweb.google.com/triplecitieshikingclub
Many thanks, again, to our hike leader Karen Goodman and to all those who participated !
Hike Description:
Located south and east of Syracuse on NY Rte 80 in Fabius, NY, Highland Forest is an Onondaga County park renown for its exquisite network of x-country ski trails. With the North Country Trail passing through the center of the park, we’ll hike along this section of trail and combine it with other park trails to create a loop hike of approx 10 miles. Shorter loops will be made available for those who wish.
Admission to the park is $1 per person (payable at the park office), there is no admission charge for those under 21. Please visit the Highland Forest website at for more information about this park.
Meet:
Park office entrance (Skyline Lodge) at 10 am. Those in the Binghamton area can carpool with the Triple Cities Hiking Club by meeting at 8:30 am behind Denny’s on Upper Front St (US 11), north of Binghamton.
Directions to Highland Forest:
Take I-81 Exit 14 (Tully / NY Rte 80) and go east on NY Rte 80 for approximately 11 miles before turning right at the sign for Highland Forest. At the top of the hill, the entry road will curve to the left and into the parking lot for the Park office (Skyline Lodge). (Click for map.)
Please pay your $1 admission fee at the office, the desk is just inside the door to Skyline Lodge. We’ll gather outside of Skyline Lodge (assuming good weather) or inside Skyline Lodge if inclement weather.
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This is an overview map of the Finger Lakes Trail System. It shows tracks of the main trail, branch trails, loops and spurs. The track colors represent the blaze colors for the branch trails, loops, spurs, and sections of the main FLT not blazed in white. Most of the main FLT is depicted in black & white for better visibility on various map backgrounds, but blazed in white on the ground. Trail closures (hunting, logging, etc.) and recommended bypass routes are depicted as shown at right. Hover over a track to display the name and length. Tracks colored 
This is a overview map of the Finger Lakes Trail System. It shows tracks of the main trail, branch trails, loops and spurs. The track colors represent the blaze colors for the branch trails, loops, spurs, and sections of the main FLT not blazed in white. Most of the main FLT is depicted in black & white for better visibility on various map backgrounds, but blazed in white on the ground. Trail closures (hunting, logging, etc.) and recommended bypass routes are depicted as shown at right. Hover over a track to display the name and length. Tracks colored 
Loop Maps, Guides and GPS files you can purchase from the 
Water source – TREAT BEFORE DRINKING
