Syracuse.com - Liverpool couple accepted the 'Figura Challenge,' but summer proved too busy

[HuntingNY-News]

They're going to continue doing it through the fall -- and you should, too! Send your observations and pictures to [email protected]. You don't know what you're missing if you haven't seen these spots during fall foliage.

Back on Memorial Day, I issued "The Figura Challenge," challenging CNY outdoors enthusiasts to visit 15 prime outdoors destinations across the area during the course of the summer.

The challenge officially ended Labor Day weekend, but I've decidced to extend it through the fall because frankly if you haven't visited these places during the fall foliage season you're really missing out. The following came from Lynn and Pat Davis, two retirees with the right spirit.

A tiger swallowtail butterfly at Baltimore Woods.Lynn Davis 

Lynn wrote:

"My wife and I had hoped to take you up on your "challenge" but the summer proved to be very busy -- even for a couple of retirees! We did manage to visit 2 of the parks so far, Baltimore Woods and Pratt's Falls.

"In the past we have visited some of the others on your list (Montezuma, Taughannock Falls, Beaver Lake, Highland Forest, Chittenango Falls and Green Lakes). It's probably "cheating" however, if we "count" those in our total. We hope to visit a few of the others this fall. Here's our observations and a few photos on the two we visited this summer.

Baltimore Woods

"The trails are well marked. The slope of the trails were not too steep and not hard to navigate. There were a couple of bridges over the stream -- the bridges were brand new! They have a small flower garden where they have labeled the flowers and trees. They have a building with displays - which was closed when we were there. They are also building an outside shelter which will be beautiful when it is completed (it's in one of the photos). There are a lot of trails - it is a place you could go back and visit many times. They had a portable potty on the premises.

Pratt's Falls

Pratts Falls.Lynn Davis 

"The trails are not so well marked. We attempted to take the "blue" trail down to the stream but our two attempts both brought us to the lodge (about half way to our goal). I'm not sure how that trail eventually winds it's way down to the stream. We could hear people, but could not see where the trail went the rest of the way down into the valley (you can drive down there also).

"The slope of the hillside was too steep for us attempt on our own without a trail. It's over 100 feet down in elevation to the stream - it's easy to hike "downhill" -- not so easy going "uphill." (Although this is marked as an "easy" hike - I suppose that is all relative depending on whether you are 25 or 65 years old :-)

"The hike down to the observation viewing spot of the falls was not bad, and even included some stairs. At the top of the falls (where you enter the park) is very beautiful and well cared for. There is even "modern" restroom facilities.

There were some kids fishing around this pond at Pratts FallsLynn Davis 

There is a large pond at the top, and there were a few kids fishing. The history of the area is very interesting (late 1700's with a saw mill / flour mill). The top of the falls is handicap accessible, the trails are not.

"Both areas had a variety of fauna and flora -- and I included a few of the more interesting in my photos. The tree in the Pratt's Falls photo (with the bulge) has some kind of disease. I've seen something similar in willow trees that was caused by a fungus. I'm not sure what the issue with the Pratt's Falls tree, however.

Lynn Davis 

"Thanks for the challenge. We are keeping the article and hope to visit the remainder sometime in the future.

"Actually, we going to Ithaca this weekend (mostly to visit the wine trail :-) but we always stop to take a look at Taughannock Falls. It has differing amounts of water going over the falls depending on the weather. Last summer, during the dry spell, the water fall was barely a trickle. It is particularly beautiful in the winter with the ice.

"I've attached one "cheater" photo of the Falls in the winter for you to see."

Taughannock Falls during the winter.Lynn Davis 

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog