Springwater Trails hikers will hike this “Unique Area” on Sunday March 10, 2013 at 2:00PM EDT. (Daylight savings time starts Sunday morning!)

The Oak Openings State Unique Area (OOSUA) is a NYSDEC Region 8 managed area of “exceptional forest character” located in the southern part of the Town of Rush, NY, a couple miles west of the Village of Honeoye Falls. The NYSDEC OOSUA also has a contiguous much smaller area owned by The Nature Conservancy, thus making the overall Oak Openings parcel a bit larger for public access. NYSDEC maintains (“maintains” is used loosely) two parking lots and access roads to Oak Openings. We will meet at the parking lot off Honeoye Falls Five Points Rd which has a NYSDEC sign.

Our optional after-hike social will be at nearby Tom Wahl’s Restaurant in Avon, home of a tasty real Ground Roundsteak Hamburger and other menu options. Check below for notes about coupons for Tom Wahl’s.

An ”Oak Opening” consists of numerous varieties of plant environs and habitats, a rare mixture thus “Unique”. “Oak” tree canopies, and “open” prairie-like grasslands both being principal to an Oak Openings. Here our Springwater Trails hikers will have an opportunity to choose the cover and shelter of forest, or the openness of grasslands, as well as bordering along wetlands/swamps and a tributary of the Genesee River, just as the Native Americans did centuries ago. The six to seven foot high open grasslands are maintained open by periodic burns, whether caused by chance lightning strikes, Native Americans who discovered their benefits and periodically burned the area to prevent succession, or by NYSDEC Forestry Division proscribed burns. Without the burns natural succession would eventually take over and change the area.

Rush OOSUA is said to be the only intact Oak Openings in New York State, which makes this hike location a unique venue. Numerous trails abound in the OOSUA. Climbers, Tourists and Naturalists groups will each enjoy their own traverse in the Oak Opening areas. Climbers – will make it to the NY Rt 15 western side of the parcel and traverse many more trails as well. Naturalists – will be accompanied by Ellen, one of our nature article writers, as Nature Interpreter. Tourists – will find numerous opportunities for stopping to take a look and continuing on as they wish, for a mixed opportunity hike length between that of Climbers and Naturalists. Overall the area is generally flat with rollings hills and max elevation changes of 50 feet or so from one area to another.

The NYSDEC sign at the area reads “Quinn Oak Openings Unique Area, a forest of exceptional character ”. Quinn was a former land owner who first sold to NYSDEC in 1990.

Very roughly stated the NYSDEC OOSUA is an irregular shape with the north border extending straight west when the Honeoye Falls Five Points Rd bends to the north. Loosely described the access roads/parking lots are located at the two north corners. A triangular Nature Conservancy land joins the Unique Area to the road as seen in this detailed map from Footprint Press. The area is otherwise surrounded by posted private lands. Due to this configuration, and the limited size of the area, it is quite unlikely to become “lost” in the area. The main “Haul Road” trail that meanders through the NYSDEC OOSUA can be through-hiked end-to-end from one parking lot to the other in perhaps 25-30 minutes.

WHERE TO MEET & ABOUT PARKING AND ACCESS: We will all be gathering at the Honeoye Falls Five Points Rd access site on the south side of the Honeoye Falls Five Points Rd just 0.2miles (1000 ft) west of the intersection with Five Points Rd.

Note that similarly named “Honeoye Falls Five Points Rd” and “Five Points Rd” are NOT lengthened or abbreviated name versions of the same road, they are different roads which junction at “Five Points” intersection. (Stony Brook Rd is the fifth road, creating 5 points). And of course, the “6″ in Honeoye Falls 6 Rd to the south has nothing to do with 5 Points.

The parking lot is small, (about 6 cars) and parking in the lot may be tricky in inclement weather, with the steep odd angled downhill entrance. Ample road shoulder parking on the road can best be had just west of the access road where shoulders are wider, further away from the blind curve at the OOSUA access.

For those interested in Carpooling from Springwater: an unsupervised carpool will be formed at Springwater Town Hall at 1:00 PM. Plan on leaving at promptly at 1:10. Directions to the hike and to the social are available here.

A WORD ABOUT SEASONAL WEATHER

Since this hike is a late winter season hike, we do not know in advance what type of weather we will have for this March 10th scheduled hike. If temperatures are above freezing, the area may be squishy in areas due to possible late winter snow melts &/or rain. A substantial part of this hiking area is bordered by creek and/or wetlands, so there is drainage but uncertainty of how squishy traversing certain areas may be. Do not assume that you will not encounter wet areas, translated to: consider the footwear you choose for this hike. For after the hike an extra pair of dry socks and shoes may be apropos and appreciated.

AFTER-HIKE SOCIAL

For frugal gourmet hikers, coupons for discounts on various menu items at Tom Wahl’s Restaurant in Avon (283 East Main Street, telephone (585)-226-2420 www.tomwahls.com) can often be found on-line, in phone books and in newspapers. A “buy1 cheeseburger get1 free” can be printed from the website http://www.tomwahls.com. Tom Wahl’s also accepts Bill Gray’s coupons as they are both held by the same parent company.

You are invited to attend a public informational session on March 14, 2013, at the Springwater Fire Hall, 8145 S. Main St. Springwater, NY.

Doors will open for an informational open house at 6:30pm. Display stations will be set up and committee members will be available for discussion. A half-hour presentation on the draft plan will begin at 7:00 pm, followed by a comment session. Staff will be available until 9:00 pm to accept comments. The Fire Hall is accessible. For additional accommodations, please contact the DEC Bath office.

Hemlock-Canadic Unit Management Plan (Draft) (PDF, 13.5 MB) http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/hcump2013draft.pdf

This Sunday the Springwater Trails hikers will return to the Springwater Center. The Center is located on a scenic hillside above and to the west of the village of Springwater. There are a number of well-marked trails that loop through open fields and forested areas.

The trails through the fields are mowed and there are wonderful views of the surrounding hills and the valley below. Two of the trails parallel a creek bed and gorge and one loops to another seasonal creek. Keep your eyes open for the Marker Tree near the creek. The Center has welcomed us to use the kitchen, dining room and solarium for eating and socializing after the hike.

There will be three hikes led by members of the Center. Wayne Coger and Susan McCallum, longtime Center members, will be available to answer questions and help with directions. In keeping with the meditative work of the Center some hikers may want to walk in silence. We don’t have to be rigid or strict about the silence, but you may try to keep talking to a necessary minimum — and perhaps discover the joy of being with the natural quiet of the forests and fields. Well-mannered dogs are welcome to hike with us. Dogs should stay in cars during the social.
If you are able to join us for the social after the hike, please bring a dish to pass and an appropriate beverage or consider making a cash donation. There is a complete kitchen to store and reheat the dishes as needed. Please bring slippers as shoes will need to be removed at the door.
Find directions to the Center at https://springwatertrails.org/2013/04/springwater-center-directions/