This Sunday, the Springwater Trails hiking group is returning to a familiar hike on Rob’s Trail to Canadice Lake.  This is the last day of the regular hunting season, so bright orange clothing is still appropriate.  However, we think most hunters will avoid this trail.

Please note that trail work at Wheaton Hill has been postponed until Dec 30th.

Join us for a hike to Canadice Lake before the snow falls. If you haven’t hiked Rob’s Trail with all of the leaves gone, come see how much different things look.

After the hike, we will meet at the Hemlock Grill for an after hike social.

This week we will offer four different hikes with different levels of difficulty.  All hikers should meet at the Rob’s Trail parking lot and be ready to start promptly at 2:00.  The Climbers and Flatlanders will carpool from the parking lot to the South end of Canadice Lake.

Pets are not permitted on Nature Conservancy land at the top of Bald Hill.

The Climbers will start at the south end of Canadice Lake and will walk the trail on the west of the lake, then climb Bald Hill to Rob’s Trail and continue around Rob’s trail to the trail head and the waiting cars.  The Tourists will do the reverse hike, starting at the head of Rob’s Trail.  They will hike half way around Rob’s Trail and then descend to Canadice Lake, taking the lake trail out to the south end parking area.  They will use the Climbers cars to return to the Rob’s Trail entrance.

Hikers wishing to complete the full 4 mile hike should consider whether they want to climb up Bald Hill or go down the hill.  It is a 600 foot climb in 0.4 miles (just under 3%).  The Climbers will be going up the hill (requiring more energy), and the Tourists will be going down (harder on the knees). Note: Hikers with dogs should plan to start with the Climbers and then join the Tourists when the two groups meet.

Meanwhile, the Naturalists will stay on Rob’s trail at the top of Bald Hill.  This 1.75-mile Loop Trail with easy walking passes through a variety of early successional plant communities.

Our fourth option (Flatlanders) is open to anyone wanting a flat walk next to Canadice Like.  This group will start with the Climbers and will walk for 45 minutes along the lake trail and then will return along the same trail to the cars.

Click here for directions to Rob’s Trail parking lot.  Directions between the parking lot and the south Canadice Lake parking will be available at the hike.