As we hike in the winter months we see the shapes of plant’s seed heads against the snow this is both interesting and beautiful. Common Teasels (Dipsacus) can be spotted through out New York. Many people gather these seed head in the fall to use as decorations. Sometimes they are left in there natural form sometimes they are spray painted various colors.  You can also use them to fashion Teasel animals. 

It is interesting to note Teasel are not native, they come from Europe, and can be invasive. They start out as a basal rosette of leaves; they stay in that form for a year or two. Then they flower once; produce the seed heads and then the plant dies. The Plant grows from a deep tap root. The leaves are spiny and where the leaves come together at the stem forms a cup that will hold water the leaf formation. A seed head can produce over 3000sds and they are spread by birds and small mammals. Teasel seed floats so sometimes they are carried long distances by water. Fortunately the seed is not long lived. Teasel is common on sites that have been disturbed, it can form dense stands.

Teasel was used in the textile industry for its use in raising the nap of fabrics but teasel also has some medicinal uses. Water that collects in stem-clasping leaves has been used to soothe eye inflammation.

Teasels are interesting plants and one to note when you are out for hikes. Please be careful not to spread the seed. One of the concerns when building new trails is that non-natives and invasive plants can be spread easily on to newly disturbed sights. It is up to the individual to make sure that we foster a healthy ecologically sound environment.

The wind is howling outside, either it’s a nor’easter, a chimney fire, or the crackling of ice coming from the outlet or Canadice Lake. Being unable to sleep with the unusual sound of a storm and predicting a power outage, I might as well reflect a little about this past week’s adventure into the Canadice Outlet. We had a great turn out with over 25 hikers, mostly all prepared with ice clamps (which are a little difficult to get on)to explore an area of the outlet we have never experienced before.

Welcome back Pati, Joan, Bob and new hikers Dave and Sherri.

20 hikers began their hike at the Canadice Hollow Cemetary looking for Mary Wintermoot’s gravestone. She was 83 when she passed and was born in 1761. Another woman, Olive Spencer was 93 when she passed and was born in 1771. Could she be related to Harriet Hollister Spencer Park in Honoeye? We diligently followed our fluorescent leader Rick through the narrow snow covered DEC logging trail, cutting through private lands with permission, and picking up the Hemlock/Canadice State Forest again that followed the rim of a very steep gorge. Far below the rim we caught glimpses of the frozen Canadice Creek. Some dam hikers actually made it to the end of the outlet, a restricted zone, being picked up by their favorite chauffer Bob on Rt. 15A. Other hikers chose to hike the woods back, rather than hiking the road, and unfortunately missed seeing the water from the creek flowing at the dam location. An underground tunnel actually takes the waters from Canadice Lake through the Canadice Outlet to Hemlock Lake. Maybe I can post the video on u-tube for all to see.

Naturalists followed the old Dixon Hollow Road, lead by Jim and Pati’s wonder dog, Goose. I’ll have to find out what they saw so I can post more. Jim said they hiked down to the Hemlock Grill, had a beer and hiked back when we ran into them. Gene confirmed. Wow they are fast! I did hear a few hikers did make it to the creek and indicated it was ice covered with some open spots of flowing water. Naturalists met up with the Climbers and Tourists at the Dixon Hollow Road to exchange stories.

After hike social was enjoyed by all leaving their boots dancing by the door. A variety of fruit and vegetable salads, brussel spouts, kale, maple barbacue pulled pork and chicken, and yummy chocolate desserts. You don’t loose weight on our hikes.

Thanks to the City of Rochester for giving us permission to hike in the restricted area by the dam, Dan Bock and Lydia Edlund, Mary Jane and Mike Bowman, for letting us cross their property.

Special thanks to Rick and Ellen for leading our hikers on a very well planned route
that avoided many deep ravines that would of been slippery this time of year. Make sure you watch the outlet during the spring thaws to learn why the old mills of Hemlock were located here and why the City of Rochester wanted this land in 1910. It’s quite powerful!

HINT: This post has several small thumbnail size pictures. Click on any picture to see it full size.