Photo: FLLT

Hiking Hills and Crossing Creek at Ellis Hollow

A sloggy rain in November.  Let’s wander the trails of Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve outside of Ithaca, New York.

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Photo: FLLT

The trailhead is easy to find—just a few feet from the parking lot.

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Photo: FLLT

At several points, the trail splits into prongs.  When you take the red trail to the top, you are rewarded with a nice descent to the creek.

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Photo: FLLT

An early snow has thawed, and the creek is wide.  Footfalls are quiet on a carpet of mushy leaves.

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Photo: FLLT

Even as winter arrives, life is vibrant.

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Photo: FLLT

The creek is rushing with the first melt.  Your sweet nothings can’t be heard above the din.

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Photo: FLLT

Steady yourself as you cross the water.  It is driving hard.

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Photo: FLLT

There is still plenty of green to be seen.  Not only conifers, but ferns and mosses.

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Photo: FLLT

Hooligans painted emoticons on the trees.  Or is this a trail marker?

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Photo: FLLT

“Gandalf’s Pipe,” filled with fresh-fallen herbs and spices.

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Photo: FLLT

On your way back to the lot, you can pick up the blue trail—fording the creek in your knee boots.

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Photo: FLLT

At the kiosk, grab a copy of our newsletter, The Land Steward, or get the colorful quarterly by mail when you become a member.  See our profile of Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve to learn the natural history and download your trail map.