WEATHER UPDATE: The snow conditions were terrific yesterday. Trails were very well groomed with no bare spots at all. Today (Sunday) high winds are predicted in the morning, tapering off by 1 PM, with a chance of afternoon rain and temperatures in the 40s. There will still be a good snow base, but with warmer temps it will probably get a bit mushy. Be prepared to play it by ear on the skiing/hiking. 

We will meet at the parking lot at the entrance to Harriett Hollister Spencer Park at 1:50 PM. Assuming the snow sticks around, bring gear to snowshoe, cross country ski or hike. Hikers may want to bring traction devices. We will break into groups based on the interests of the participants. If you bring an extra pair of snowshoes, you may find someone who would like to try them out. Bring water and snacks and dress appropriately for the weather with layers that are easy to add or subtract. Note: This is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time – don’t forget to “spring ahead”!

Hikers on boots or snowshoes will need to avoid walking on the groomed ski trails (carefully groomed by the Rochester Cross Country Ski Foundation). Since the park is a popular winter sports location, some trails may be easy walking even with snow and we will adjust based on conditions and snow depth.

Naturalists: From the parking lot, start out on Ruthie’s Run, then follow the Chalet Trail. This area is an old road that once led to a large chalet and cabins which housed a camp at one time. One of the old buildings is used by the Nordic Ski Patrol during the winter season. Continue across the C4 trail intersection to The Pines trail.

**Option #1** For those those wanting a shorter more level route: At the intersection of Pines and Blue Spruce Trails, continue along the Pines Trail to the picnic area and restrooms then return via the Overlook Road, finishing back at the starting point (Approximately 1.6 miles).

**Option #2** For those wishing for a bit longer, slightly steeper hike: at the intersection of Pines and Blue Spruce trails, turn right onto the Blue Spruce Trail and follow the loop around and back to the Pines Trail, then return via the Overlook Road to the parking lot (Approximately 2.3 miles).

Tourists: From the parking lot, follow the Overlook Road for a brief way to a short section of the Bypass Trail that will connect with Cannonball Run, a shady section of the woods. Where Cannonball meets the park road, the Tourists can stop to admire the outstanding view before proceeding on to Raccoon Run. Travel a short loop around the picnic and rest room area, then hook up with the Pines Trail, which crosses over the intersection with the C4 trail, and continue onto the Chalet Trail to Ruthie’s Run, and back to the starting point. Approximately 3 miles.

Climbers: Will start from Deer Run (Where they may be dropped off before other hikers depart) and will continue onto the Blue Spruce Run. Turning right at the first intersection with Whiteface, follow this trail about ¾ of the way around and turn right (1 mile point), then right again to enter the top (south end) of Raccoon Run. Passing by Upper Sidewinder, continue on the southernmost trail which will connect with Sidewinder. Continue (north) to Lower Sidewinder, then turn right and cut over to Raccoon Run. Turn right onto Fox Run, loop around back to Raccoon Run (turning right), then take a left onto the Overlook Road. Just past the C4 crossing, turn right onto the Pines Trail. At the Whiteface Trail intersection, turn right and continue to Cannonball Run, and the back to the parking lot on Overlook Road. (Approximately 3.5 miles)

Social: Afterwards, we will meet at the Cornerstone Market 8732 Main Street Honeoye Lake, NY 14471. Check their menu.

They have a great bakery shop, beer and wine, and their kitchen is open until 5:00 on Sundays. You may wish to call ahead (585-229-2411) to order a meal so that there is enough time for them to prepare. Although the kitchen closes at 5:00, the dining areas and bakery/coffee shop will still be open.

Directions to Park at 6775 Canadice Hill Road, Springwter, NY:   see map at:

FROM ROCHESTER: Take RT 15A south. Two miles before Springwater village, turn left onto Wheaton Hill Road. Drive for about 3 miles. Turn Left onto Wetmore Rd. and straight thru onto Canadice Hill road and drive another 2 miles to The Park.

FROM HONEOYE: From 20A turn south onto County Route 37 and go about 4 miles to the County Route 37/Canadice Hill Road split. Continue south on Canadice Hill Road about 3 miles. Harriett Hollister Spencer Park will be on your left.

FROM SPRINGWATER: Take Route 15A north out of Springwater for one mile and turn right on Wheaton Hill Road. Take the 1st left onto Canadice Rd. Turn right to stay on Canadice Rd. At the county line continue onto Co Rd 37 for 2.0 miles. Turn right onto Luckenbach Hill Rd. At the top, turn left onto Ross Rd. At the stop sign, take a sharp right onto Canadice Hill Rd. Harriett Hollister Spencer Park will be on your right.

Sorry everyone. I copied this description from last month when we cancelled because of high wind.  Then I forgot to remove “Canceled” from the title. Please tell your friends and come join us.

Come celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a hike in our Letchworth Branch series followed by a social at the Letchworth Pines in Portageville. All weekend they will feature Corned Beef and cabbage along with Reuben’s and Shepard’s pie.

Pleasant weather is predicted for Sunday, with highs of 33° and mostly cloudy. I am hoping we can avoid the water and mud, but we will adjust our hike to match conditions.

All hikes will start at Access Pt H at the corner of Dygert Rd and River Rd on the east side of Letchworth State Park. We are planning three routes for this hike, depending on who comes and the conditions. The Climbers will follow the main trail from Access H to G for a 3.6 mile hike. The Tourists will use park trails (old roads) at the start and end of the hike to reduce the length to about 2.7 miles. Finally, the Naturalists will follow the Park trail, then explore the main trail as time and interest permit, or will do a road walk, returning to the cars they way they went in.  This hike would vary between 1 and 2 miles. 

This is a one way hike for the Climbers and Tourists so we will need to stage cars at the end. We are looking for volunteers who can arrive 20 minutes early to position the cars. If you arrive by 1:40, please meet at the intersection of Oakland Rd and River Rd (Access G). We will carpool from there to the trailhead, leaving some Climber’s cars at the end of the hike to transport us back to the start. If you find you are later than 1:40, please go directly to Dygert and River Rd (Access H). See directions below.

Hike details

All hikers will start from Access H. The Climbers will follow the blue blazes for less than a half mile to the main yellow blazes. We will turn right and scramble up a steep, but short, hill. The blazes here are new and easily followed, even if there is still snow cover. In 0.4 miles, we will cross Park trail #9. We left an orange tape on a tree at this intersection for reference. You may notice some orange blazes and some older yellow blazes with the number 9 marking this part trail. We will stay with the newer and brighter yellow blazes. The trail turns slightly going up stream to find a crossing point, then loops down the other side of the stream. Watch for the double blaze indicating a right turn – if you go straight you will go downhill on the park trail #9. In another 1.2 miles, we will cross park trail #12. We also marked this trail with orange tape. The Climbers will continue on the main trail crossing two more streams that will require some bushwhacking to find a way down to a safe crossing. At the junction with the blue access trail, we will turn right and hike out to awaiting cars.

From Access H, about 100 feet down the blue trail, the Naturalists and Tourists will turn right at the orange arrow and follow park trail #9 down a slight grade to the main trail. At the main trail the Tourists will turn right and follow the main trail for 1.4 miles. After crossing the first stream, there is a sharp right turn that you don’t want to miss.  If you miss the turn, you will end up at the river on Park trail #9. The turn is easy to see – just watch for the double blazes on the left side of the trail. When you come to Park trail #12 (There is an orange tape on the main trail and a couple more on trail #12), turn right and follow the trail out to River Rd. Turn left on River Rd for a half mile walk to the awaiting cars.

The Naturalists who followed the Tourists from Access H and down park trail #9, should do some exploring when they reach the main trail. If they turn left and follow the main trail, it is fairly level until a steep downhill that connects to the blue access trail.  Turn around at the top of the steep downhill or at 3:00 and return the way you came. If there is deep snow, the Naturalists may prefer to hike River Rd.

Following the hike, all hikers are invited to meet at the Letchworth Pines for some food and conversation. If interested, bowling and video games are also available.

Directions:

From Springwater: Take NY-15 north from the light. In 1.5 miles, turn left onto Liberty Pole Rd (CR 38). Continue straight for 8.1 miles to Groveland. Turn left  onto NY-63 S and then right (in 1/4 mile) on NY-258. At the tee, turn right onto NY 36. Go past the Correctional Facility and take the second left onto Dutch Street Rd. In 1.3 miles, turn right onto Ridge Rd and follow it to the end. Turn left on River Rd and continue for 4.2 miles to Oakland Rd which branches off at a slight left. If you are earlier that 1:40, please wait here for the car pool. Otherwise, go left onto Oakland Rd, take the first right onto Dygert Rd to get to Access H.

From Wayland: Follow NY-63 to Dansville. In Dansville turn left on Ossian St (NY-36 N) (don’t turn on 36 south!). Stay straight on Ossian St which becomes NY-436. Continue on NY-436 for 15 miles through Nunda. Turn right on Oakland Rd. If you are earlier that 1:40, stay on Oakland Rd to the end at River Rd. Otherwise, take the first left after the stop sign at Short Track on Dygert Rd to get to Access H.

From Rochester, Geneseo and Mt Morris: From Rochester, take I-390 south to Exit 7 (Mt Morris, NY-408). Turn left onto NY-408S. From Geneseo, take NY-63S and turn right onto NY-408S. At Main St in Mt Morris, turn left and then right to stay on NY-408. Stay on NY-408 for 2.6 miles past the Visitor Center Rd. Bear right onto River Rd.  In 6.3 miles, Oakland Rd will bear to the left. If you are earlier than 1:40, please wait here for the car pool. Otherwise, go left onto Oakland Rd, take the first right onto Dygert Rd to get to Access H.

Directions to the Letchworth Pines: Take Oakland Rd south to the stop sign at  Short Tract. Turn right on Short Tract Rd, then right onto NY-436W. In Portageville, turn right onto Hamilton St, to stay on NY436. NY-436 ends at NY-19A. Turn left and go 0.2 miles. The Letchworth Pines is on the left with a good size parking lot in front.

Join Springwater Trails on Sunday for our Annual Meeting at the Springwater Center. At 2:00 we will hike the trails around the center. Following our hike we will have a social at the center followed by our Annual Meeting.

The many well marked trails that loop through open fields and forested areas are mowed across the fields and were clear last fall through the woods and give opportunities for 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.

Following our hikes, we will set up a pot-luck dinner in the kitchen.  Everyone interested in Springwater Trails is welcome to the pot-luck and the Annual Meeting, and to the hike.

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 a non-alcoholic 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.

Directions

From Springwater: Take Rt 15 to the West from the flashing light at the intersection with Rt 15A.  Follow Rt 15 up the hill.  Turn right at the top of the hill on Mill St Ext (just across the road from Harpers Ferry Rd) – you will see a Dead End sign. Springwater Center is the third driveway to the left (0.1 mile along Mill St. Ext., you will see the sign). Follow the driveway for 0.6 miles to reach the Center parking lot. The main building is just past the parking lot.

Additional directions to the Center are here.

It is time again for the Springwater Trails, Inc. annual meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to elect officers for 2019, to inform our members about the activities of the group in 2018 and to handle any new business concerning the organization and the year ahead.

The schedule for the day will be: Hike the Springwater Center property at 2:00, Social setup at 4:00, Annual meeting at 4:45, Gardening with Native Wildflowers  at 5:15.

Following the business portion of the meeting, Ellen Folts of Amanda’s Garden and one of the founding members of the Springwater Parks and Trails committee will present a talk about Gardening with Native Wildflowers. This will be an opportunity to see the beauty of our local plants and how they fit into your garden. 

The Social and Annual Meeting is open to everyone interested in Springwater, trails and hiking. Your comments and advice are welcome during the meeting.  Voting for officers and other business brought up at the meeting is limited to members of Springwater Trails, Inc. Honorary memberships are awarded to hikers who have completed 20 group activities during the previous calendar year or to 5 maintenance events, to members of the executive board who have served for a full year term, and to landowners who allow the Springwater Trail on their property. Membership forms are also available on line and at the meeting and memberships for 2019 can be purchased this month for half price ($10 for an individual, $15 for a family).

If you are able to join us for the social after the hike, please bring a dish to pass and a non-alcoholic 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.

There are five elected officers:

President
Vice President
VP of hiking.
Secretary
Treasurer

We will be accepting nominations for all five offices during the annual meeting, and all members will be allowed to vote for one nominee for each office. The duties of each officer are described in Article IV of the By-Laws of the Springwater Trails, Inc.

Annual Meeting Agenda

Welcome to members and friends
The year 2018 in review
VP of Hiking report
Treasurer’s report
Nominations from the floor for Officers
Election of Officers

Gardening with Native Wildflowers
Ellen Folts – Amanda’s Garden

Adjournment

NOTE SPECIAL HIKE STARTING TIME

It has been an interesting Maple season this year, with temperatures having wide swings all winter.   Come learn about the experience of the Wohlschlegel Maple Farm just over the Coates Rd from Springwater. Springwater Trails will take advantage of Maple Weekend for a lunch of pancakes with this year’s maple syrup, followed by a revisit to a hike along the Snowmobile Trail and through the Wohlschlegel’s Sugar Bush.  The pancake lunch will be today’s social.

We will meet at Wohlschlegel’s Maple Farm, near the east end of Coates Rd., west of Naples.  For $7.00, you can get all the pancakes you can eat, 2 sausages and beverage.  Their pancake kitchen opens at 8 AM but closes at 1 PM so, you will need to get there by 12:30 to enjoy your meal.  If there’s time after your meal, you can enjoy tours of their farm as well as samples of some of their maple products.   For more information on Wohlschlegel’s Naples Maple Farm you can check out their website at: http://www.fingerlakesbulkmaplesyrup.com/

Because you have to get there by 12:30 for your pancake lunch, we’re going to start our hike today at 1:30.  We will have our usual 3 hiking groups, starting on the snowmobile trail on their farm.  The climbers will follow the Snowmobile trail south toward Richards Rd and then will return through the sugar-bushto the Sugar House. Naturalists and Tourists will walk through the sugar-bush, take a quick peek into the pump house followed by a hike up through the eastern half of the sugar-bush.

Directions to Wohlschlegel’s Maple Farm, 8064 Coates Rd. Naples.  

Although Wohlschlegel’s is just over the road from Springwater, you can’t get there directly from Springwater because of seasonal roads. Check your GPS and note that Warner Rd/Garlinghouse Rd, Liddiard Rd, Coates Rd and Richards Rd are all closed until April 1 as they cross over from Springwater to Naples.  (And you likely won’t want to drive them even when they are open). You must enter Coates Rd from Garlinghouse Rd on the Naples side of the hill.

From Wayland and the hamlets of Springwater and Webster Crossing.  Go south on NY-15 to Wayland. Turn east on NY 21(N) for 5.6 miles.  Left on to CR 38 (Rowe Rd).  At the tee (3 miles), go left onto Garlinghouse Rd.  Take the second left on Coates Rd (watch for Maple signs).  Farm is on the left, about 1/2 mile.  Look for the bright purple roof.  Don’t attempt to enter Coates Rd. from Pardee Hollow, as it is not be plowed and is a rough seasonal road at the top of the hill.

From Tabors Corners and East Springwater: Head south on Tabors Corners Rd. Turn left on Pardee Hollow Rd. At the tee, turn right to stay on Pardee Hollow Rd.  Continue past Coates Rd and Richards Rd, ignoring any directions from your GPS. At the tee, turn left on Atlanta-Garlinghouse Rd. At the next tee, go left onto Garlinghouse Rd.  Take the second left on Coates Rd (watch for Maple signs).  Farm is on the left, about 1/2 mile.  Look for the bright purple roof.  Don’t attempt to enter Coates Rd. from Pardee Hollow, as it is not be plowed and is a rough seasonal road at the top of the hill.

From Naples and Canandaigua. Head south on NY-21. On the southern side of Naples, turn right at the Middletown Tavern on Clark St (CR 36) which becomes Hunt Hollow Rd. In 2 miles, turn left on French Hill Rd. At the tee, turn right to stay on French Hill Rd, which becomes Garlinghouse Rd at the next intersection. In 1.4 miles, turn left onto Coates Rd. Farm is on the left, about 1/2 mile.  Look for the bright purple roof.

From Hemlock and Honeoye. From US-20A, turn south on CR-36 (West Lake Rd) for 13.9 miles. Turn right onto French Hill Rd. At the tee, turn right to stay on French Hill Rd, which becomes Garlinghouse Rd at the next intersection. In 1.4 miles, turn left onto Coates Rd. Farm is on the left, about 1/2 mile.  Look for the bright purple roof. NOTE: do not take CR 37 south from Honeoye into Springwater. This would put you on the wrong side of the hill and you will need to go through Springwater into Steuben County to get to the Sugar House.

On April 7 we will hike or bike the western end of the Lehigh Valley Trail Linear Park, following the rail trail across the Genesee River on the original rail truss bridge to the Greenway intersection. Hikers have the option of a 5-mile hike or a 2.5 mile hike to the river and back.  Part of the Monroe County Parks System, the rail trail is wide, flat, fairly dry and nicely paved with stone dust along most of its length, and has some interesting railroad era structures and interpretive markers at the river crossing end.  We might see some early signs of spring too.  See trail flier at map.

Everyone will meet at 1:45 at the Honeoye Creek Fishing Access parking area on Fishell Road west of Route 15 in Rush, just past the 390 overpass.  Tourists and Climbers will hike to the west 2.5 miles to the Greenway crossing on the west side of the Genesee, and back for a total of 5 miles. Naturalists will drive to an alternative parking lot closer to the river, continuing west on Fishell Road to the East River Road intersection, making a left, and parking in the trailside parking lot on the west side of East River Road, walking from there to the end and back for a total of about 2.5 miles. If weather is conducive, Cyclists will begin at the Fishell Road parking area and ride to the Greenway and back, then continuing east along Honeoye Creek as far as Rochester Junction in Mendon before returning to the cars, for a total of about 15 miles. Expect a few damp sections of trail.

Social – Please join us for the social gathering at the Brewery Pub at 8 W. Main Street in the center of Honeoye Falls, overlooking the falls.

Directions:

From Springwater, Honeoye and points south: Follow Route 15A north through Hemlock and Lima. In Honeoye Falls, after the turn-off to West Main Street, make a left on Honeoye Falls-Five Points Road. Go through the Five Points intersection and past the Oak Openings on your left. At Route 15 (W. Henrietta Road) make a right. Go 1 mile and make a left on Fishell Road. The parking area will be on your left, just past the first 390 overpass.

Alternative Interstate Route: Take I-390 north to Exit 11 (Route 251 Rush). Go east on 251 for a short distance, then south on NY Route 15 for about 2 miles. Make a right on Fishell Road. The parking area will be on your left, just past the first 390 overpass.

From Rochester and points north: Take 390 South to Exit 11,  Go east on 251 for a short distance, then south on NY Route 15 for about 2 miles. Make a right on Fishell Road. The parking area will be on your left, just past the first 390 overpass.

Directions to Social:  Return east on Fishell Road to Route 15. Go south 2 miles to Honeoye Falls-Five Points Road and make a left. Go about 4 miles into the center of Honeoye Falls. At the light, the Brewery Pub will be straight ahead on your right, just before the bridge.

This week’s hike continues our Letchworth Branch series. For those of you who have been following this series, you may be looking forward to lots of creek crossings and the associated scrambles up and down the creek banks. But this week will be a bit calmer, with much of the hike follows the old Genesee Valley Canal, and the seasonal portion of River Rd.

The hike will start at the Parade Grounds. All hikers should park at the Parade Grounds, just off the East Park Rd.  The branch trail is a short walk down hill on the road from the parking area.

Weather note:  Rain is expected Sunday morning, so trails will be wet, and poles and traction footwear are recommended, especially for Climbers. Naturalist and Tourist routes are fairly flat, but Climber route includes some hills and small stream crossings.  

The Climbers and Tourists will turn right onto the FLT Branch trail (See the green line on the map [click the map to enlarge]) At this point the Genesee Valley Greenway and the FLT Branch are the same trail and are marked with yellow blazes. The trail follows the old canal for 1.8 miles to River Rd. Turn left onto River Rd (the Greenway continues straight across the road heading toward Nunda). River Rd is seasonal on this section – it is officially open for traffic but likely we won’t meet many cars.  Stay on River Rd for a mile – you may note two park trails (8A and 9) leaving the road to the left.  Look for yellow blazes where the Letchworth Branch enters into the woods on the left. At this point, the tourists should continue straight on River Rd to our staged cars at Dygert Rd. The tourist hike is about 3.5 miles.

Meanwhile, the Climbers will turn left to stay on the branch trail from River Rd. In a bit less than a mile, turn right onto the blue access trail to hike out to Dygert Rd (you can’t miss the turn, because the main trail heads up a step hill with only a narrow path (that we climbed last month).  The Climber hike is about 4.2 miles.

Back at the East Park Rd intersection with the Branch Trail, the Naturalists will turn left on the branch trail and walk to the middle falls.  There is a sign at the start of this trail announcing that it is closed in a half mile. The Naturalists will follow this trail to the Middle Falls. In half a mile when you come to a fence, turn around and return to the road. At this point there are three options:

1. Continue straight along the branch trail for another half mile. Turn around at 3:30 and return to the cars.
2. Turn left and walk down the road a half mile, to a point opposite the lower falls, then turn around and return to the road and climb back up to the cars.
3. Turn right and return to the parade grounds. A brief walk around the parade grounds will complete the hike.

Following the hike, everyone is invited to join us for a pot luck picnic at the Parade Grounds shelter. Bring a dish to pass and your own beverage (or make a small donation to the social fund). Perhaps someone who just doesn’t have the time to make a dish to pass will stop at a grocery and bring hotdogs and buns. John will bring a grill.

Directions:

Since this hike is a one-way hike for Climbers and Tourists, we need to stage some cars at Dygert Rd.  If you would like to participate in this effort, please meet at Dygert Rd at 1:30PM. If you can’t make it to Dygert before 1:40, please go directly to the Parade Grounds.

To the Parade Grounds from Springwater, Wayland and Dansville: In Dansville, take Ossian St (NY-36N) west from Main St.  Continue straight onto NY-436W. Follow NY 436 for 18.3 miles through Nunda. About 4.3 miles past the light in Nunda, turn right into the Letchworth entrance – there are two roads at this intersection, take the sharp right through the gate. Parking is about half a mile down on the left.

To the Parade Grounds from Mt Morris, Geneseo and I390: Take exit 7 from I390 and head south-west on NY-408.  In Mt Morris, 408 jogs one street to the left at Main St.  Continue on NY-408 south from Mt Morris for 9.2 miles. Turn right onto Wildey Rd, then (in 1 mile) turn left onto Short Tract Rd. At the end, turn right onto NY-436. In 2.1 miles turn right into the Letchworth entrance – there are two roads at this intersection, take the sharp right through the gate. Parking is about half a mile down on the left.

To the Dygert from Springwater, Wayland and Dansville: Follow these directions if you can leave your car at Dygert Rd before 1:40. In Dansville, take Ossian St (NY-36N) west from Main St.  Continue straight onto NY-436W. Follow NY 436 for 15.2 miles through Nunda. About 1.5 miles past the light in Nunda, turn right onto Oakland Rd. Continue straight at the stop sign at Short Tract Rd and take the next left onto Dygert Rd.  Park on the south side of the road at the tee with River Rd.

Springwater Trails is taking this week off.  Please join us next Sunday for our annual Earth Day spring cleaning on Rt 15 through Springwater.

Click on the map to see a larger version. This map shows the paths we will work on, and the possible extension.

Springwater Trails is taking part in the Livingston County “Operation Community Cleanup” in honor of Earth Day 2018.

Join us at the State Forest trails on Wheaton Hill at 2:00 on Sunday. Springwater Trails has an agreement with the Department of Environmental Conservation to maintain four trails at this location. After a windy winter, we will break into groups to remove branches from the trails and litter from the woods.

We will form a one group on Spruce Loop, another on the Pine and Skid Trails and a third walking through the woods north of the trailhead checking for trash from the road. 

All members of the greater Springwater Community are welcome to join this effort. 

What do I need to bring?

The trails are mostly dry, but you should expect some mud as you cross the many drainage flows that tend to collect on the low spots. Bring hand held clippers to remove the multiflora roses that have sprung up on the trail. Look for thick gloves that will protect you from the thorns. Also there are lots of small branches on the trails, which only need light gloves. Finally, trash bags if you want to help pick up road litter in the woods. And, of course, bring your water bottle.

Social

Following the cleanup, join Springwater Trails for hotdogs at the trail-head.  We will provide the hot-dogs and salads.  Please bring your own water and other beverage. 

Directions to the trails are available here.

This Sunday we will return to an old SWT favorite – the Finger Lakes Land Trust’s Wesley Hill Nature Preserve.  Wesley Hill is a Finger Lakes Land Trust property of 390 acres including stands of northern hardwoods, red and white pines, a woodland pond, and the northern edge of Briggs Gully, as well as the Wenrich Cabin, set in an old forest overlooking the gully, deep in the woods.  A network of trails through the preserve offers excellent hiking routes of various lengths and levels of difficulty.

The preserve was founded in 1999 by the generous donation of 90 acres by the children of three artists – John Wenrich, James Havens and Colburn Dugan – to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Since that time, the Land Trust has expanded Wesley Hill to over 390 acres through the purchase or donation of four additional parcels.

We will meet at 1:45 and start our hikes at 2 PM at the Wesley Road parking lot.     Click here for map:    Wesley Hill from Wesley Rd

NATURALISTS will take the yellow trail, keeping to the left at the open field.  This trail will then T at the red trail.  Turn right to the Wenrich cabin, then turn back back on the red and yellow trails and back to Wesley Road. (Estimated distance – 1.5 miles)

TOURISTS will take the yellow trail to the red trail and turn left, following the red trail to pond.  Make a right on the green trail,  then another right along the other side of the red trail, down to the stream crossing (descent rope assisted), up to the cabin, and back to Wesley Road by the red and yellow trails.  (Estimated distance – 4 miles)

CLIMBERS will take the yellow trail and go right on the blue trail at the open field, to explore the western end of the property.  From the Wenrich Cabin, follow the red trail down to cross the stream and climb back up with the rope assist. Continue on red trail, turning left on green trail, left again on the red trail to the pond, continue on the red trail to the yellow trail and back to the start at Wesley Road. (Estimated distance 4.7 miles)

Following the hike, the optional social will be at the Honeoye Boat House Grill behind Trident Marina, 5226 East Lake Rd, Honeoye.

Directions to Wesley Road Trail Head:

From Honeoye take route 20A east through Honeoye to East Lake Road (CR-33).  Turn right onto East Lake Road.  Take first left, staying on CR33, then the first right onto Pinewood Hill which becomes Gulick Road.  Travel 3.4 miles, then turn right onto Wesley Road.  Parking area is on the right side in one mile.

From Springwater Head north on Rt 15A toward Hemlock.  Just before Hemlock turn right on Rt 20A.  Follow Rt 20A to Honeoye and the follow directions above.

From Naples From the southern end of Naples, head west on Co Rd 36.  Follow Co Rd 36 for 1.2 miles to the first right turn on Gulick Road.  Follow Gulick Rd for 8.4 miles and turn left on Wesley Rd.  The parking area is on the right in one mile.

Directions to Honeoye’s Boat House Grill:

From Wesley Rd Turn left and head north on Gulick Rd for 3.3 miles.  The road bears left and becomes Pinewood Hill Road.  At the stop sign, turn left to stay on Pinewood Hill Rd (CR33).  In 0.4 miles, turn left on East Lake Road.  In 0.8 miles, turn right onto Deyo Dr at the sign for Trident Marina.  The Honeoye Boat House Grill is about 150 feet down toward the lake.