These trails are located adjacent to the Swain Ski Area, and are named for the Robinson Family who once owned it. All of the loops branch off the main FLT, marked with white blazes.

All groups will set off from the parking area at the end of Mill Street in Swain. Hikers will travel on the main FLT (white blazes) for about .5 miles along an old rail bed to a gate where the yellow loop branches off.

At this point, the Naturalists will being to follow the Yellow Loop. They will drop down and hike eastward for approximately 1 mile along a stream, parallel to the main trail. The Yellow trail ends at a junction with the main trail at which point the hikers will make a sharp right turn and head back towards Swain. Total, about 2 miles.

The Tourist Group and Climbers will continue on the level White Trail for another mile to the beginning of the Blue Loop. They will make a gradual climb of about 1 mile to a lovely view on Isaaman Hill. They will continue on along the edge of a field for another mile. At this point the blue trail joins the Orange Loop. Decision time!

Tourists will go right on the Orange trail for a 1 mile walk down hill through a beautiful gully, back to the main trail, then hike west for about a mile back to Swain. Total hike 4 miles.

Climbers ( intrepid group that they are) will go left on the Orange Loop and continue for another 2 miles or so, through the woods, mainly down hill, until it rejoins the main trail about .5 miles form the start. The total hike for Climbers is about 5 miles.

After the hike, we will gather at the Sierra Inn in Swain for food and beverages.

Directions

Hikers are welcome to carpool from the Town Hall in Springwater or from the Municipal Parking lot on the right side of Clara Barton St (Rt 36) in Dansville across from Church St. If you do not carpool, we will meet at Mill St in Swain. Since you may need to drive as part of the carpool, please bring these directions with you.

If you want to carpool from Springwater, meet at the Town Hall on Rt 15 0.2 miles south of the flashing light. Please meet at 1:00 and be ready to leave promptly at 1:15 for Swain.

If folks want to carpool from Dansville, meet at the Municipal Parking on Rt 36 about 300 feet south of Rt 63 at 1:15. We will leave promptly at 1:30 and drive to Swain.

Directions from Springwater:
Take rt 15 south through Wayland to I360 N. Turn right onto I390. Take exit 4 (NY 36 Dansville). Turn right on NY 36S for 6.4 miles. Turn right onto NY 70 N, for 7.4 miles. Turn left onto Co Rd 24 and take the first left onto Mill St.

Directions from Dansville:
Head southwest on Rt 36 for 7 miles past Stony Brook Park. Turn right onto NY 70 N, for 7.4 miles. Turn left onto Co Rd 24 and take the first left onto Mill St.

This Sunday, the Springwater Trails weekly hike will take place along the western shore of Hemlock Lake, with our social picnic outside the Eagle Crest Winery.

PLEASE NOTE NEW TIME:

Time: Kayak and Canoe 1:30 pm. Meet at North Boat Launch Hemlock Lake
Hike 2:00 pm. Meet at Mission Rd. at north end of Eagle Crest vineyards.

Please RSVP for the social and wine tasting. You may send an email to [email protected]g. We need to give Eagle Crest an approximate head count.

Kayakers and Canoeist will paddle out to the western side of the lake and turn south. Conditions will dictate when to start return to launch. All water activity will be weather dependant.. Strong winds or a storm will cancel or terminate paddling event.

Naturalists (Novice) will start at Mission Road and walk along the north edge of the the vineyard. A ravine borders this edge of the property and the path will enter woods and follows the ravine. The grade gets steeper in the woods will go over fallen leaves, branches and some loose stone. There will be a couple of places where the path levels out before reaching the shore (about 350 feet in elevation below the startpoint). After exploring the beach, the hikers will return up the ravine. Total hike about 1.5 miles.

Tourist (Intermediate) and Climbers (Advanced) will carpool to the park at the north end of Hemlock Lake. They will start on the path along the west edge of the park then travel to the edge of lake. Lake levels are about 5 feet low and much of the travel is over broken shale. Some mud flats and fallen trees will need to be crossed. Continue along the shore to a cairn marker which will point where to enter the woods. Follow the ribbons marking the path up hill to the vineyard.Total hike about 3.5 miles.

The social will be held at Eagle Crest Vineyards and Winery (http://www.eaglecrestvineyards.com/). Will, the owner of Eagle Crest Vineyards, has allowed us to use the tent and pavilion for the pot luck dinner. Winery staff will be on hand in the Tasting Room to offer wine tasting and sell wine to those over the age of 21 years.

The vineyard is the 2nd oldest continuously operated vineyard in the United States. It was started in 1872 by Bishop Bernard McQuaid for producing sacramental wine under the Oh-Nee-Da label. In addition to the sacramental wines, still their leading product, they now produce secular red and white wines including Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Niagara wines.

Directions:

For Kayakers:
From Hemlock: Head south on 15A. At 0.7miles past the intersection with 20A, take the first right onto Rix Hill Rd into the Hemlock Lake Park. Take the first left and follow the east lake road to the boat launch.

From Springwater: Head north on 15A for 10.1 miles. Turn left on Rix Hill Rd and an immediate left on East Lake Rd. Follow this road to the boat launch.

For Hikers:
From Hemlock: Head south on 15A. At 0.7miles past the intersection with 20A, take the first right onto Rix Hill Rd into the Hemlock Lake Park. Continue on Rix Hill Rd past the park and up the hill on the west side. Take a sharp left onto Blank Rd. Blank Rd will become Mission Rd at Niver Rd. Watch for the Springwater Trails sign on the left side about a tenth of a mile past the Mission building.
From Livonia, take NY 15 south. At 4.1 miles south of 20A, Turn left onto Niver Rd. At the end of Niver, turn right onto Mission Rd. Watch for the Springwater Trails sign on the left side about a tenth of a mile past the Mission building.

Just a reminder to RSVP for the social and wine tasting. You may send an email to [email protected]g. We need to give Eagle Crest an approximate head count.

This week the Springwater Trails hiking group will be hiking on the Bristol Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail. This hike will travel along the top of the hills above W Hollow Rd before descending 500 feet to the road. You will have some great long distance views in addition to the forest you will walk through. Please join us at 2:00 on Sunday, September 30, 2012. Please be early so that all hikers can carpool to the start of the hikes.

We will meet at Access Point 2 on County Road-33 (W Hollow Rd). See the directions below. All hikers will carpool to the start of the hike they choose. The three hikes will converge back to the cars remaining at Access point 2. Following the hike, many of the hikers will gather at the Lock Stock and Barrel on Rt 64 north of Bristol Mountain for dinner and conversation.

The Naturalists and Tourists hikes will be mostly downhill and dogs are allowed. Please select one of these hikes if you are bringing a dog or if you want to avoid a steep climb. The Climbers will start with a 600 foot climb to get the heart rate up and will have the longest of the three hikes. All hikers should bring water, and the climbers should be prepared for a challenge.

The Naturalists will carpool to the southern parking area on Ontario County Park. (Head N or W Hollow Rd (Co Rd 33) to the intersection with Co Rd 34. Turn right and continue to Rt 64. Turn right for 1.9 miles to Gannett hill Rd. Another right up Gannett Hill to the entrance to the park. Turn Right into the park and follow the park road around most of the loop (1.2miles) to park at the start of the Yellow Trail). The Naturalists will take the Yellow trail through intersection 4 to Intersection 10 where they will turn left to follow the Finger Lakes Trail back to the cars. This hike is about 2.5 miles with a 200 ft climb and a 600 ft descent.

The Tourists will carpool to the western parking area on Ontario County Park. (Head N or W Hollow Rd (Co Rd 33) to the intersection with Co Rd 34. Turn right and continue to Rt 64. Turn right for 1.9 miles to Gannett hill Rd. Another right up Gannett Hill to the entrance to the park. Turn Right into the park and follow the park road around half of the loop (0.8miles) to park at the main Kiosk and the start of the Finger Lakes Trail. The Tourists will follow the Finger Lakes Trail for 3 miles back to the cars. Watch for the intersection with the yellow trail, and keep your eyes alert for the Naturalists! This hike is about 3 miles with a couple of small hills followed by a 200 ft climb and a 600 ft descent.

The Climbers will carpool to Access Pt 3 on Clement Rd (Go South on W Hollow and take the first right on Clement Rd. Park on the right side about 0.2miles up Clement. and will hike north on the Finger Lakes Trail to the cars. This hike crosses the Boy Scout Camp Cutler and dogs are not allowed. This hike starts at 1500 ft, climbs 600 ft and traverses the top of the hill. The end of the hike drops back down 400 ft to W Hollow Rd. The hike is just over 3 miles.

After the hike, the optional social will be at the Lock Stock & Barrel. Follow W Hollow Rd north. Turn right onto County Rd 34, then left on NY 64. Go past Bristol Mountain and Lock Stock & Barrel is on the left at number 5436.

Directions

Directions from Springwater:
Take rt 15 south to Wayland. Turn left on Rt 21 through N Cohocton and on to Naples (11.7 miles). Turn left on Vine St, then the 2nd right onto Elizabeth St. Take a sharp left onto Co Rd 33. Follow Co Rd 33 for 5.6 miles to the Finger Lakes Trail parking area on the Left.

Directions from Honeyoye
Go east on Rt 20A and turn right on East Lake Rd. Turn left onto Co Rd 33 (Pinewood Hill Rd). Follow Co Rd 33 for 6.9 miles to the intersection with Co Rd 34. Turn right to stay on Co Rd 33 (W Hollow Rd). The parking area is 2.3 miles south on the right.