IBM Glen

Quick Bits

Main Activities - Hike,  Bike
Distance - about total of 4 miles of trails across 200 acres
Quiet - A bit of road noise.
Surface - some wide and even, others with some root/rock hazards
Elevation - mixture of relatively flat and then relatively steep sections
Pets - permitted on leash
Address - 1250 Robinson Hill Road, Endicott, NY

In a Nutshell

The Glen is one of my regular places I hike as it is close to home. You'll get some noise from the highway and surrounding roads, but depends where in the Glen you are. Maintained by the Waterman Conservation Education Center, it has several interpretive signs throughout. It's been rare for me not to see other people, but it very seldom feels crowded. The old growth trees in the Glen keep it cooler in summer. 

Location and Parking

More details

Waterman Conservation Education Center maintains the Glen. Formerly, the Glen and a lot of land around it were owned by IBM. IBM took very good care of it at one time with narrow paved roads (mostly one-way), picnic tables, and a few shelters. As IBM was divesting property in the area, they were going to have the Glen logged. But a local group, Friends of the Glen, organized and influenced IBM to not log it and to turn the resource over to be maintained. I'd like to think this decision would have pleased Thomas J. Watson, Sr., one of the first CEOs of IBM who was at the helm when the land was purchased. He envisioned it as something for the employees to enjoy.

A number of the trails are based on those old IBM roads. This makes for a relatively smooth and wide path. Just watch when it's wet out as leaves and moss over that macadam can make a few spots slick when wet. From the parking lot, you'll take Jones Trail, gradually sloping down to the intersection of Wildflower Lane (to the left) and Maple Lane (to the right). At this intersection, you'll see a kiosk with a map and other information, as well as a series of benches arranged as an outdoor classroom. The wide trails from the old roads make for wide paths for those that like to walk side by side or keep a couple four-legged friends at heel. These make up most of the trails in the Glen. All the ones labeled "Lane" as well as Oak Hill are of this style. 

A key feature of the Glen is Gray's Creek. Flowing mostly south, it bisects the Glen, and is crossed by one of the remaining bridges from the IBM days on the White Pine Lane trail. There is also a narrow stone arch bridge farther south that crosses it. The trail down to the stone arch bridge is steep, but worth it. Other trails cross the creek but require you to rock-hop.  Other bridges and walkways close to the creek were washed out from floods at various times. Just up from the Stone Arch Bridge is a small waterfall when water is flowing well.

A number of people walk their dogs here. And I enjoy saying hello to the furry hikers. Overall, the owners have been very responsible and respectful. The wide trails help avoid the problem of your canine taking the opposite side of a tree from you. The Glen does have an abundance of squirrels and chipmunks. Rumor has it that a lot of folks in town who evict chipmunks from their houses, release them here in the Glen. WIth that, I've seen a few Fidos bolt into the woods after the bushy-tailed critters.

The one down side to the Glen is that you do hear a bit of road noise in sections from local roads and more so from Route 86. It's more noticeable when the leaves are down and the air is still.

Information on IBM Glen History.

Links of Interest

• Waterman Conservation Education Center Page - official page for the Glen. Also has additional information on how the Glen was acquired from IBM.

• Destination New York: IBM Glen - Roy Santa Cruz report August 17, 2023

• Frank Palmisano YouTube video - 14 minute video from July 2021

• Aerial YouTube video - drone footage from JC Design, October 2016

• WBNG Julia's Journey - part of a 2022 series from Julia Laude where she covers 12 hikes in Broome County.

Wander & Ponder Videos Recorded Here