Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake stands as the largest among the glacial Finger Lakes within the state of New York. Renowned for its substantial size and depth, it remains entirely contained within the state’s borders. The lake has earned distinction as the preeminent locale for lake trout angling, exemplified by its role as the host of the esteemed National Lake Trout Derby. Positioned at the northern terminus of Seneca Lake, the city of Geneva, New York, commands attention, serving as the domicile for Hobart and William Smith Colleges, along with housing the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, a constituent entity of Cornell University. Conversely, the village of Watkins Glen, situated at the southern extremity of the lake, boasts a notable reputation due to its association with motorsport, primarily due to the presence of Watkins Glen International racetrack, as well as its picturesque cascades.

Seneca Lake possesses an uncommon macroclimate that has bestowed it with the distinction of nurturing over 50 wineries, predominantly characterized as farm wineries. Its geographical attributes have led to the designation of the Seneca Lake American Viticultural Area (AVA), solidifying its reputation within oenophilic circles.

In terms of dimensions, Seneca Lake stretches across a length of approximately 38 miles, securing its position as the second longest Finger Lake. Remarkably voluminous, it is estimated to contain an impressive 3.81 cubic miles (15.9 kmยณ) of water, accounting for nearly half of the cumulative water volume across all the Finger Lakes. The lake’s profundity is notable, averaging 291 feet, while plunging to a maximum depth of 618 feet. The expansive water body covers a surface area of approximately 66.9 square miles (173 kmยฒ).

August 5, 2018 Morning

Good morning! Happy Sunday. Next Sunday is Last Sunset After 8 PM 🌆. Mostly sunny and 73 degrees in Hector. There is a southwest breeze at 6 mph. 🍃. The dew point is 64 degrees. Camping gear is all packed in the truck, the next step is throwing in my bathing suit for a quick swim at Robert Treman State Park then home. Alas, it’s back to work tomorrow so I can make some money.

Today will be sunny 🌞 , with a high of 86 degrees at 2pm. Six degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 66 at 5pm. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. A year ago, we had mostly cloudy skies. It was somewhat humid. The high last year was 80 degrees. The record high of 99 was set in 1955.

The sun will set at 8:21 pm with dusk around 8:53 pm, which is one minute and 16 seconds earlier than yesterday at least in the Finger Lakes. Even earlier when I get to Albany. 🌇 At sunset, look for mostly clear skies and 81 degrees. The dew point will be 67 degrees. There will be a calm wind. Today will have 14 hours and 17 minutes of daytime, an increase of 2 minutes and 18 seconds over yesterday.

Tonight will be mostly clear 🌞 , with a low of 72 degrees at 3am. Eight degrees above normal. Maximum dew point of 67 at 7pm. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph. In 2017, we had partly cloudy skies. It got down to 54 degrees. The record low of 45 occurred back in 1994.

Last night was a spectacular sunset over Seneca Lake from the Interlaken Trail but unfortunately my camera battery went dead too soon.📷 But I was fine with that as it gave me time to observe it. Besides the cows on the trail issue it was a nice little hike.🌅 I hope to see a similarly beautiful sunset next year.

I got back to camp, spent some time straighting things up while I waited for my phone to charge and it to get totally dark then hiked up to Foster Pond.🐸 Beautiful starry night – finally after a week camping – but still a bit hazy.🌌 Still amazing to sit back and listen to the toads and peepers, stare up at the constellations and wonder if there are a million other suns and earth’s out there with many of the same problems as us. I saw two shooting stars.

If I camp here again in the November, I will have to hike back there on a starry November night. 🌠Rather than having to wait for eleven, I can enjoy the stars at seven or so. I would wear lots of blaze orange and bring a flashlight lest I get shit by a poacher.🔫

I had a campfire when I got back as it flipped over to the new day.. Wood was very wet, it was hard to get started but eventually I did. 🔥Enjoyed the fire from the comfort of my hammock one last time before things are done on vacation.

Slept into 8:00 this morning. 💤I’m planning to get on the road by 10:30 so I can get to Robert Treman aka Enfield Glen for a quick swim on this beautiful day before I have to head home. 🏊My goal is to leave Ithaca before one and be home before five so I can unpack and make Sunday dinner at my folks house.

Seemed like a big project to take down my campsite after a week camping at this site but really it’s not that much more than usual, except maybe for the tent where I stored supplies and my tarp โ›บ. But I got it taken down and truck is packed except for the hammock and flags. I should be able to maintain my schedule today and get out an enjoy a nice swim. 🏊 I’m going to shave this morning and will pack clothes so that I can take a shower after swimming so I won’t have to do that when I get home. Going to be hot back in Albany so I want to unpack and get out to my parents house as early as possible.

As previously noted, next Sunday is Last Sunset After 8 PM 🌆 when the sun will be setting at 8:12 pm with dusk at 8:42 pm. On that day in 2017, we had thunderstorm, thunderstorm rain, rain, shallow fog, mist, partly cloudy skies and temperatures between 81 and 63 degrees. Typically, the high temperature is 81 degrees. We hit a record high of 99 back in 1944.

August 4, 2018 7:11 pm Update

Final night, relaxing in the hammock at camp.โ›บ Heading over Teeter Pond๐Ÿธ shortly then to hike and watch the sunset over Seneca Lake from the Interlaken Trail and the Ballard Pasture.๐Ÿฎ Looks like a beautiful sunset tonight.๐ŸŒ