July 18 – Black Diamond Bike Trail

Allan H. Treman State Marine Park

“People who do nothing are the ones that have no time to do anything.” 

When we first got to Ithaca we were impressed with the bike trails and we’ve used the Cayuga Waterfront Trail quite a bit, but I wasn't interested in the Black Diamond Trail. I thought it must be something difficult...since black diamond ski runs are very hard, but dock neighbors told us more about it, so we gave it a try today. This Rail Trail follows the Lehigh Valley Railroad route who’s Black Diamond Express once ran from Jersey City to Buffalo and Niagara Falls between 1896 and 1959. The luxury passenger line was named for the most profitable commodity on the railroad: coal...black diamonds.

The trail passes a range of natural landscapes from towering trees, pastureland and dozens of ravines with the sounds of cascading water, heading for Cayuga Lake. There are even views of the lake...although the trees do a good job of hiding it in most places. The trail runs from Allan H. Treman State Marine Park to the upper part of Taughannock Falls State Park. Our ride today was an eighteen mile round trip. 

The beginning of the the Black Diamond Trail

This is the fourth painted rock I've found in Ithaca this summer...I think this one is the best. I took a picture and left it for the next person to find.

Views from the trail

While we were at the upper portion of the falls, we decided to do a little hiking (1 1/2 miles). We hiked to the lower falls when Kyle and Graham were here last month and enjoyed today's hike to see the upper falls. We had a picnic lunch overlooking the falls...not a bad reward for our morning workout.

The upper Taughannock Falls

Our view for lunch

Trail Map