All Western Tree Farm

webN8715Last Sunday we had 25 hikers enjoying the landscape of the All Western Tree Farm on Liberty Tree Road in Springwater.  This large group split into three.  There were four skiers  led by Melissa and joined by two snow-shoers  who toured the perimeter of the farm.  Although Story Rd, at the top of the farm, is a seasonal road, it seemed to be well enough used that the snow was mostly gone and we stayed off of it with our skis (Mac and Duff thought it was easier walking than in the snow).  Once we got into the woods, the snow was much deeper and we had a nice ride down the trail through the tall Red Pines.

WEBN8820The Naturalists set a more relaxed pace which, according to pictures taken by Pam, provided plenty of time to view the many different trees that have been planted by the Humphreys over the years.

Following the hike, we had a delightful social at the farm house.

Here are the GPS tracks from Rick and Mark.

Everyone has a job

Today we sent out emails related to the annual meeting this year.  If you did not receive the email, please send me a note at [email protected] and I will add you to our mailing list.  If you did receive the emails, please take a moment to read them – that is your job before the annual meeting.

The nominating committee's slate of officers for 2013

The nominating committee’s slate of officers for 2013

Thanks to Dean, the nominating committee has put together a slate of officers for 2013.  Members of Springwater Trails have received a ballot they may return to Dean to vote for the officers. If you haven’t become a member yet, you may join at any Sunday hike or at the Annual Meeting on March 24th, or by mail.  Download the winter brochure for membership details.

If I didn’t mention it before, the Springwater Trails Annual Meeting will be held at 4:30 PM at the Sugar House at Sugarbush Hollow following our Sunday hike.  We are trying to arrange a speaker for this meeting.  Also on the agenda is a brief review of the activities of the Springwater Trails group in 2012 and our plans for 2013.  And, of course, we will elect our new officers for 2013.
2WestiesWe all need to thank Pam and Pati for their hard work on the Executive Board this past year.  If you aren’t aware of all they have done, you must have had your headphones on too tight.  Also thanks to Amy and Marty for filling in as secretary this year.  You will hear more about their plans for Springwater Trails at the annual meeting.

Yesterday, Pati and I met with John Vogel, one of our hikers from Dansville.  John has been recommending that we solidify the status of our organization by filing a Certificate of Incorporation with the state as a Not for Profit Corporation.  John has agreed to guide us through this process and we expect to become Springwater Trails Inc at the annual meeting.  You should expect that the name change will be the only visible change that will occur, but I am putting together a Q&A posting to be available soon.

Finger Lakes Trail in Swain

This Sunday, January 26, 2014, at 2 PM, we will be hiking a section of the Finger Lakes Trail, east of Swain.  The hikes will begin and end in Swain.

To get to the parking area, from Dansville, go south on Clara Barton St., which becomes route 36.  Turn right on 70, past Canaseraga, and left on 24 into Swain.  Make a left on  Mill St, opposite the Sierra Inn, and, at the end, you will come to a parking area, across from the tubing hill.  Be sure to go all the way to the end of Mill St.  There is a tall wall at the lot and, unless you come early, you will be welcomed by our friendly sign.  Since parking may be limited, Gene will be at the parking lot, by the municipal building,  in Dansville, at 1:10, for those who would like to carpool. The lot is on the west side of Clara Barton St., just south of Main.  Plan to leave promptly at 1:15.

Swain Ski AreaAll hikers will cross a field and climb a short hill to the main, white blazed, trail, which then goes along a level railroad bed for about half a  mile to the junction with the orange trail..

Naturalists Hike

Naturalists

The naturalists will stay on the main trail (red line on the attached map) to the junction with the yellow trail (shortly past the blue trail) loop and take the yellow trail back.  (if conditions prohibit the yellow trail, the naturalists will return on the main trail).  Total distance is about 3 miles.  Because the trail is level, if there’s enough snow, it’s good for snowshoes or XC skis.

Tourists

Tourists

Tourists will enter the orange trail, on the right side of the trail and follow it up the gorge.  At the top, this group will turn left on the 2nd blue trail connection, hike it back to the main trail, and return by the main trail.  The total hike is about 4 miles (dark blue on the left map).  Climbers take the orange loop.Climbers will also enter the orange blazed loop, on the right, then take the first right to hike the orange trail counter-clockwise back to the main trail.  This loop is 2.3 miles, making the total hike (green line on the right) also about 4 miles.  Although the climbers hike may actually be a little shorter than the tourists, the orange loop has a steep climb up near the beginning. With this information, you can decide which one you would prefer.  If there’s snow, snowshoes can be used on the loop trails but, they are a bit steep and narrow for XC skis.  Maps will be available for leaders and sweeps.  When ending the hike, watch the blazes so you don’t miss the right turn off the railroad bed, to get back to your cars.

After the hike, the social will be at the Sierra Inn, in Swain.  They will have a table for us in the back, around 4:30.  There is a well stocked bar and a big menu with many choices including wild game and conventional dinners, burgers, pizza, and many bar items.  Prices are reasonable and they often have specials.   After the social, some of you might like to stay and enjoy the ski resort’s great downhill ski trails.

Directions to the start of the hike are available here.  From the hike parking lot, the Sierra Inn is back on Mill St to CR 24 in Swain.

Hikers


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Jerri

Jerri

Norm just sent me a set of portraits of our Springwater Trails hikers, which I feel compelled to share with you all. I have started with a closeup of milkweed to set the mood.  Unlike many of the grand images of the landscapes where we hike, Norm takes the time to see the details.

Wil

Wil

Pam and Wendy

Pam and Wendy

 

Pam

Pam

Melissa

Melissa

Rick

Rick

 

Mac

Mac

 

Gene

Gene

Georgia

Georgia

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Connie and Pam

Dena

Dena

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Connie

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