You are invited to hike on private land near the Northwestern corner of Springwater on the 248 acre All Western Evergreen Nursery & Christmas Tree Farm owned by Katherine Humphrey and daughter, Jerrianne Scheiderich.  The entrance to the farm is at 6840 Liberty Pole Road (County Road 38, 1 mile from State Route 15 between Springwater and Webster’s Crossing).  It is well marked and is on the high side of the road.  There is parking to the left of the driveway opposite the Morton Building.  Please follow the orange cones and park facing Liberty Pole Road.  The hike on Sunday, February 14^th will begin shortly before 2 PM.  Arrive early for instructions.  Hikers will be divided into Climbers, Tourists, and Naturalists.

Mark will lead the Climbers on skis around the perimeter of the upper field.

Melissa will lead the Tourists on snow shoes or winter boots up to the top of the farm and around the various fields and through the cathedral pines.

Katherine will be leading Naturalists, starting around the back of the house and proceeding up the road to the fields..

On the hike, expect winter conditions. With the snow about 15 inches deep and quite light, skis and snow shoes can be used. There will be a few snow shoes available for hikers who want to try them. Dress warmly and bring water, poles, and snacks, as desired.  Masks and social distancing are requested.  Walk carefully since stones, drifts, woodchuck holes, brush and stumps may lie under the snow.  We will crisscross the farm from behind the residence to Story Road, Swartz Road, and/or Liberty Pole Road.  It is about 1 mile across the farm in either direction; about 4 miles around the perimeter.  The nursery beds and several exotic trees are near the residence.  There is a leisurely incline from 1200 to about 2000 feet and back.  The tree farm was started in 1968, making 2021 the 53^rd year of planting trees.  Participants may like to notice the many different species of Christmas trees planted and the animal tracks to ID.  Please stay on trails to avoid trampling seedlings that may not be seen under the snow. You will see hardwoods, a red pine forest (cathedral pines planted over 75 years ago), Christmas tree plantations (some trees up to 35 feet tall), a pond, wet areas and open fields and a gorgeous view from the hill tops toward East Springwater.

After the hike, a choice of hot, take-out, home-made soups by donation will be available.  Bring a folding chair if you wish to stay and converse outside depending on the vagaries of nature.

Directions: NOTE: If you are following your GPS to today’s hike, check that your directions actually go to Liberty Pole Road. If your route ends on Schwartz Rd, you will find you are a long way from the parking area you are looking for!

From Springwater: Go west from the Springwater light on Rt 15 North.  Just past the top of the hill, turn left on Co Rd  38 (Liberty Pole Rd).  The farm is on the left 1.1 miles from Rt 15 at 6840 Liberty Pole Rd.

From Geneseo: Go south on NY 63. About 6.4 miles after passing Rt 408, turn left on County Road 1 at Groveland.  This road becomes CR 1A at Scottsburg (rt 256) and then Liberty Pole Rd (CR 38).  It is 7.1 miles from Groveland to the All Western Evergreen Tree Farm.

From Honeoye: Take 20A west to Hemlock and 15A south to Springwater.  Then follow the Springwater directions.

From Rochester: Take I390 south to Exit 9 (NY 15 / Lakeville).  Turn left onto NY 15 and follow Rt 15 through Lakeville and Livonia (16.5 miles).  Just past Webster’s Crossing stay straight on CR 60 when Rt 15 bears left.  Take the first right off CR 60 onto Liberty Pole Rd (CR 38). The farm is on the left at 6840 Liberty Pole Rd.

On Sunday Feb. 21st we’ll return to East Hill Farm, home of the Rochester Folk Art Guild, to ski and snowshoe the trails of their 350-acre hilltop farm and woodlot. The Guild is a community of craftspeople, producing fine quality handmade products in wood, pottery, fabrics, paper, toys, books and more. For more information about the Guild see:   https://www.folkartguild.org/about-us/ee .  

Please arrive by 1:45 to get your equipment organized for a 2 PM start.  Come into the driveway at 1445 Upper Hill Road, Middlesex (directions below) and bear left to park behind the Gallery Shop or by the Boat Shop. We will convene in front of the Boat Shop, the first building on the right as you come in the driveway.

Note on conditions: The snow is over a foot deep with some drifting and a light crust on top, but there are ski/snowshoe tracks to follow, which will make for a fine outing. Trails have a moderate slope, nothing very steep, but these trails are not groomed, so be prepared for an uneven surface. We recommend skis or snowshoes to keep you in the upper part of the snow pack; hiking just in boots will make for a very strenuous afternoon. 

Skiers will head south through the Guild’s farm and neighboring properties, past a pond and sauna, through a spruce grove, and looping through woods and mowed fields, passing an eclectic array of residential buildings, workplaces and gathering places, designed and built by community members over their 50 years of occupancy at the East Hill Farm.  Total distance will be about 2-3 miles, depending on the conditions and energy levels; we may be breaking new trail in some sections.  Snowshoers will start out on the same path, but make a shorter loop through the woods and fields, about 2 miles.

Social:  There is no planned social gathering due to the pandemic guidelines, but the Pottery Studio will be open after the hike (no more than 10 people at a time) if you would like to tour or shop. A rest room will be available in the Gallery building. 

Directions: from Springwater/Naples: Take Route 15 south to Wayland and Route 21 east/north to Naples. Turn right on Route 245 opposite Bob’s and Ruth’s Restaurant, at the north end of the village. Follow Route 245 north to Middlesex, about 8.75 miles.  Turn right on Route 364 and go up the hill, one mile. Take the second right turn on Upper Hill Road and go 1.5 miles.  East Hill Farm will be on your left, at #1445. Come in the driveway, past the Gallery building, and bear left to park behind the Gallery Shop or to the front or rear of the Boat Shop. 

From Rochester and points north: Head to Routes 5 and 20 via Bloomfield or Canandaigua. At the east edge of the City of Canandaigua (first light after Wegmans/Post Office), turn south on Route NYS Route 364 (a.k.a. East Lake Road).  Follow Route 364 south 12.5 miles to Middlesex, where 364 turns to the east and you will make a left onto Route 245/364 and then an immediate right to continue on 364.  Go up the hill, one mile. Take the second right turn on Upper Hill Road and go 1.5 miles.  East Hill Farm will be on your left, at #1445. Come in the driveway, past the Gallery building, and bear left to park behind the Gallery Shop or to the front or rear of the Boat Shop. 

PLEASE NOTE START TIME of 1:30. Since the Museum closes at 4:00, we are going to start earlier to allow time to fully enjoy the grounds without rushing.

Genesee Country Museum is the Largest Living History Museum in New York State.  This Sunday’s hike we will be exploring the Nature area of the Museum.  We will be hiking the Perimeter Trail and the Geology Trail which has guides to the unique geological features of the area.   There are other trails available which may be explored as time and conditions permit.  With rain in the forecast for the morning of both Saturday and Sunday, the possibility of skiing and snowshoeing seems unlikely.  However, you may check the Museum hotline for the latest trail conditions at 585-295-8262.

Also available is access to the Village.  Although buildings are not open, you are welcome to walk the streets which are plowed and maintained.

There is a suggested donation of $5 per person which will be covered by the Springwater Trails.  Your membership to the group allows us to cover this cost.  Thank you.

There will be no social this week but may be happening in the near future.

Directions:

From Springwater: Head north on NY 15A to Lima. Turn left at the light onto US 20/NY 5 west. Stay on 5 & 20 though the traffic circle in Avon. After crossing the Genesee River, stay on NY 5 when US 20 turns to the left. At the small traffic circle in Caledonia, continue straight onto NY 36 (this is the 2nd exit from the traffic circle; NY 5 continues at the 3rd exit). In 1.4 miles, turn left onto George St (the street to the right is State St). The road bends to the right and changes its name to Flint Hill Rd. In a total of 1 mile from NY 36, you will see a large sign for the entrance to the Genesee Country Village and Museum on the left. Continue through the main parking lot, following the road as it turns left. Turn right when you see a sign for the Nature Center. There is a circle with parking all around it. We will meet in the parking lot near the walk to the Nature Center.

From Naples: Follow CR 36 (Hunt Hollow Rd) north to NY 20A in Honeoye.  Turn left on 20A to Hemlock. From Hemlock head north on NY-15A to Lima. Turn left at the light onto US 20/NY 5 west. Stay on 5 & 20 though the traffic circle in Avon. After crossing the Genesee River, stay on NY 5 when US 20 turns to the left. At the small traffic circle in Caledonia, continue straight onto NY 36 (this is the 2nd exit from the traffic circle; NY 5 continues at the 3rd exit). In 1.4 miles, turn left onto George St (the street to the right is State St). The road bends to the right and changes its name to Flint Hill Rd. In a total of 1 mile from NY 36, you will see a large sign for the entrance to the Genesee Country Village and Museum on the left. Continue through the main parking lot, following the road as it turns left. Turn right when you see a sign for the Nature Center. There is a circle with parking all around it. We will meet in the parking lot near the walk to the Nature Center.

From Dansville: Take I390 north to Exit 7 NY-408. Turn right on NY 408 and continue straight onto NY-63. In 3.3 miles, before Geneseo, turn left to stay on NY 63. In 17 miles, turn right onto Retsof Rd. In 8.6 miles, at the tee, turn right onto NY 36N. In 8.6 miles at the intersection with NY 5, turn right to stay on NY 36. Take the first left onto Spring St. At the end of Spring St, turn left onto George St. The road bends to the right and changes its name to Flint Hill Rd. In a 0.9 mile from Spring St, you will see a large sign for the entrance to the Genesee Country Village and Museum on the left. Continue through the main parking lot, following the road as it turns left. Turn right when you see a sign for the Nature Center. There is a circle with parking all around it. We will meet in the parking lot near the walk to the Nature Center.

From Canandaigua: Follow US 20 / NY 5 West through Avon. Stay on 5 & 20 though the traffic circle in Avon. After crossing the Genesee River, stay on NY 5 when US 20 turns to the left. At the small traffic circle in Caledonia, continue straight onto NY 36 (this is the 2nd exit from the traffic circle; NY 5 continues at the 3rd exit). In 1.4 miles, turn left onto George St (the street to the right is State St). The road bends to the right and changes its name to Flint Hill Rd. In a total of 1 mile from NY 36, you will see a large sign for the entrance to the Genesee Country Village and Museum on the left. Continue through the main parking lot, following the road as it turns left. Turn right when you see a sign for the Nature Center. There is a circle with parking all around it. We will meet in the parking lot near the walk to the Nature Center.

From Rochester: Take I 490 West to Exit 4.  Turn left on NY 259 south.  In 0.3 miles turn right onto NY 33A. In 3.7 miles, turn left onto Palmer Rd (CR 184). The road changes to Mumford Rd (CR 180). Turn left onto NY 36S (Riga Mumford Rd). Turn right to stay on NY 36. In the Hamlet of Mumford, turn right onto George St (the street to the left is State St). The road bends to the right and changes its name to Flint Hill Rd. In a total of 1 mile from NY 36, you will see a large sign for the entrance to the Genesee Country Village and Museum on the left. Continue through the main parking lot, following the road as it turns left. Turn right when you see a sign for the Nature Center. There is a circle with parking all around it. We will meet in the parking lot near the walk to the Nature Center. (An alternate route follows Scottsville Rd (NY 383S). Stay on 383 until it becomes NY 36. Turn right onto George St and follow the route above.)

NOTICE: At a prehike on Wednesday, we were met with 18 inches of snow at the park. The FLT trail and the Yellow trail were well used giving an easy base for hiking most places. Skiers and Snow shoers will be able to go off trail on a solid crust which hikers would break through. So, we expect a good trek for all.

Ontario County Park provides hiking, biking, cross country skiing, fishing (no hunting), and camping or picnicking opportunities depending on the season. The park contains the highest point in Ontario County, and as a result it often has long lasting snow cover. So bring your skis, your snowshoes and your hiking boots and we will take advantage of our winter weather!

Please join us at the west parking along the main park road near the start of the Bristol Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail. Come early enough to get your equipment ready.  We will start the hike at 2:00PM.

There are many trails within the park, although the bike trails are difficult to follow in the winter. The following planned hikes may change based on the weather and the snow cover on Sunday.

The Climbers will follow the Bristol Hills Branch of the FLT out to the overlook and then around to the south to the FLT sign-in box. At that point, we will turn around, and follow the yellow trail back through intersections 13, 11, 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4 to the park road.  Crossing the road, we will cross the fields to the purple trail back to the cars. Climbers are invited on snow shoes and hiking boots. Poles will be helpful at slippery locations.

The Naturalists will also follow the Bristol Hills Branch past intersection 10  to intersection 8. Then turn left to follow the yellow trail through intersections 7. At intersection 6, the group has the choice between staying on the yellow trail or exploring the upper sections of the red trail.  Back at the road, the brown trail on the left of the road, or the purple on the right will be followed back to the cars.

Meanwhile Skiers will also head out to the overlook, but will turn north to follow the park trail though intersection 1 and on to the campgrounds. From there, we will cross the field to the pond, check out the red trail and head back to the cars on the brown trail or back across the fields.  Conditions may dictate changes to this route.

There will be no planned social following this hike. If you are hungry, Brews and Brats, and Hollerhorn Distilling plan to be open Sunday according to their Facebook pages.

Directions: The easiest route to the park is to take NY 64 to Bristol Springs and turn west on Gannett Hill Rd.  There is a sign indicating Ontario County Park.  At the top of the hill turn right onto  South Gannett Hill Road.  The  park entrance is straight ahead.    Follow the park road for about .5 miles to our meeting place which is the parking area along the park road near the information kiosk at the Finger Lakes Trail trail-head.

NOTE: Daylight Savings Time starts today.  Please check your clocks!

Our Sunday event originally planned a ski or snowshoe excursion on the groomed trails of Harriet Hollister Spencer State Park. The Park has been well used over the past few weeks of snowy weather, and the groomers keep the trails in great condition for both fast and slower skiers and for those on snowshoes. Since we’re not sure what effect the recent warming will have on the snow, it is highly unlikely that skiing or snowshoeing will be possible.  

Meet at 6775 Canadice Hill Road in Canadice.  Park in the main lot near the road. Restrooms are available next to the lot.   We will divide into groups depending on desired activity and distance.

 Naturalist: Good easy trails for hiking are the main road past the overlook and the inner service area, looping back on Raccoon Run.    For a detailed look at the routes and difficulty, see winter trails map for the options:

Tourists:  Starting from the parking lot heading out on Ruthies Trail and connecting with Chalet trail, makes for a pleasant hike. Head up Whiteface to Blue spruce and connect with Racoon Run or Sidewinder.

Climbers: Climbers can also head out Ruthie’s Trail and connect with the Chalet trail and take the snowmobile trail C4 out of the main park, out to the junction of Townline and Canadice Road. Best guess; returning back to the park along Canadice Hill Road may not be a good option. The road may be very muddy. Heading back on C4 into the main park might be a better choice.

Hiking conditions caused by weather changes, will try to be updated as hike day nears.