Sometimes you just have to seize the moment when our “little finger lakes” provide a unusual hiking opportunity. The weather has been unseasonably warm, the lake level of Canadice Lake is unusually low, and bow hunting season is upon us. The City of Rochester has been working on clearing debris in the Canadice Outlet area and log jams on  the dam off Rt. 15A in Hemlock.    This has resulted in the lowering of the Canadice Lake waters and keeping  the lake waters on Hemlock Lake higher. For the past two years, Springwater Trails  have  hiked the shorelines of Hemlock Lake at this time of year.  This year, the Canadice Lake shoreline provides hikers a unique opportunity for us to experience.

While kayaking on Canadice Lake this week, I followed the shoreline to the North End to examine the possibility of an entire hike around the shoreline of Canadice Lake.  What I experienced confirmed that a change of hike location was needed for our local hikers.    We will meet at the South Canadice Lake Trail on Canadice Lake Road at 1:45 for immediate take off at 2:00.    Following the trail through the swampy area to the west side, we will drop onto the shoreline and hike to the spillway area at the northwest end of the lake, then cross over to the northeast shoreline and hike at least to the boat launch or further, time permitting.  Climbers will attempt to hike the entire shoreline at a fast pace, Tourists will hike to the boat launch for a pick up, and Naturalists may walk at their desired pace as far as they wish for an hour and return to their cars.  Bring your cameras for capturing fall foliage pictures, sighting the eagles, and colorful reflections in the water.

After hike social/campfire will be at Pam’s on Old Bald Hill Road.  Bring a healthy fall dish to pass and your drink of choice. Also, for those interested in beginning archery, bring your bows and arrows!
Directions for the south entrance at Canadice.