Bald Hill

Description Bald Hill is the only area in the Cayuga Lake Basin where mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is found abundantly. This natural area is part of a very large, contiguous forested area in the southeastern part of Tompkins County that includes Shindagin Hollow State Forest. The Palmer-Adams Preserve is named to honor the long involvement of Charles Palmer and Armand Adams in natural history and environmental education. Read More... On Bald Hill Vegetation and Geology

Location Bald Hill is 13 miles southeast of Ithaca in the Town of Caroline. Note: Beyond the intersection of Bald Hill School Road and Leonard Road, the road is narrow and is not maintained in the winter (see map). From Cornell, take Judd Falls Road to Route 366 west. Turn right on Route 366, then immediately turn left on Pine Tree Road. In 1.5 miles, at the T-intersection, turn left on Route 79 east (Slaterville Road). In 5.7 miles, turn right on Boiceville Road (past Caroline Elementary School). At the T-intersection, turn left on Central Chapel Road. In 1.1 miles, turn right on Grove School Road. In 1.3 miles, turn left on Bald Hill School Road. In 0.7 mile is the northern boundary of the Palmer-Adams Preserve. In another 0.3 mile, turn right at a narrow driveway to enter the preserve. At the first bend in the road are a small pull-off area for parking. View Full Size Location Map

Maps

Overview Boundary, Parking, Structures, Contour Lines, Streams and Wetlands. Download Printable PDF Version of Map			Soils Boundary, Streams, Wetlands, Soil Survey Data (1965). Download Printable PDF Version of Map
Aerial Photo Boundary, Color aerial photo (1995) and site photos. Download Printable PDF Version of Map			Geology    Boundary, Streams, Wetlands, Bedrock and Surface Materials. Download Printable PDF Version of Map

Biological Attributes

Vegetation Communities A list and description of vegetation communities found within the site.

Plant Species Please contact the natural areas director at 607-255-9638 for a complete list of plant species identified within the site.

Property History and Gift Acknowledgement Palmer-Adams Preserve (146 acres) was given by Armand Adams and his family in 1982.   Several hilltops in the region are known by the name Bald Hill. The name reputedly was given to flat hilltops that were cleared and farmed because they looked "bald" from a distance.