Lime Hollow Offers Outdoor Winter Adventure

*This article originally appeared in a November 2014 issue of The Dragon Chronicle 

November is upon us—and with it pass the last few weeks of semi-warmth before everything becomes coated with a layer of snow for the winter.

For some, freezing temperatures can discourage outdoor activity. However, for those who are up to the challenge, a variety of winter adventure options are available near and around the Cortland campus.

The Cortland area boasts a wealth of hiking options available in any season. Most prominent among them is the Lime Hollow Nature Center, located near West Campus, which has proven immensely popular among students for many years.

Lime Hollow encompasses nearly 430 acres of rolling hills, forests, fields, and streams, and contains numerous ponds along with a peat bog and a huge diversity of plant and animal species. It offers over 12 miles of free, open-to-the-public trails, along with public nature programs and an environmental education center.

Bird-watching walks are offered in the spring and summer months, as well as a “Maplin’ Sugar” day, a fishing festival, and a “Music in the Woods” celebration.

Cortland students enjoy Lime Hollow’s features in all four seasons—running, snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing are all popular.   When weather permits, snowshoes and skis are available to rent for use on Lime Hollow’s 2.5 mile ski trail.

Lime Hollow is also a perfect spot for more informal activities, such as a casual stroll, sledding or a spontaneous snowball fight. The nature preserve also contains a “Trail for All,” which is handicap-accessible.

The preserve is hosting a “Trail Work Day” on October 26^th where community members gather to perform trail maintenance and upkeep, a service project aiming to build not only a better trail system but also a sense of community and well being within a natural environment.

A guided nature tour is also being offered on November 15^th beginning at 10a.m., in addition to a wreath-making class on December 6^th. More information on these events can be found on Lime Hollow’s website.

Outdoor fun can also be found within driving distance outside of the city of Cortland.

Though not ideal for winter weather, Buttermilk and Taughannock waterfalls in the Ithaca make great summer hiking destinations.

Highland Forest, located in the Syracuse area, also proves popular for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.

For those willing to put on a hat and a pair of gloves, outdoor activities are readily available in the Cortland area, even in winter months.