Thanks again to Hill and Valley Snowmobile Club, local landowners,  and continued winter like weather in the Springwater Mountains, hikers will again explore another section of the C-4 snowmobile trail in eastern Springwater.  The trail  passes through fields, forests, seasonal roads, and over flat hill tops at elevations of over 2100’.   Snow is plentiful, so bring your snowshoes or skis if you wish and dress warm for the windy hill tops.

Following the hike, a social and the annual meeting for Springwater Trails will be held at the Sugarbush Hollow Sugarhouse. Please bring a dish to pass and your beverage of preference.  The annual meeting will feature Gretchen Cicora, from the DEC speaking on building trails, and our elections of officers for 2013. Everyone interested in the Springwater Trail is welcome to attend and share in the discussion.

Prior to the hike, it is Maple Weekend at Sugarbush Hollow.  Come early and enjoy the  maple syrup tasting, try tapping a tree at our children’s and historical exhibit, and visit other maple activities from 10 am – 2 pm.  Our hike will begin at 2:00 sharp in front of the Sugarhouse.  From there we will organize by skill levels and car pool to Liddiard and Thorp Roads.   All hikers will return to the Sugarhouse for our social and annual meeting.

Jerri will lead the climbers for an advanced hike and climb starting on Thorp Road.  They will hike approximately 4 miles with one early steep climb of 200’, to pick up the snowmobile trial at the top of the field.  A short side trip north will guide hikers to a scenic view of Honeoye Lake.  They will continue to  hike the highest ridges south following the C-4 snowmobile trail, pick up the Springwater Trail on Coates Road and return to the sugarhouse.  The Climbers are challenged to bring back spring pictures to match the ones on this posting.

Pati has offered to direct  the tourists for an intermediate hike of approximately 3 miles.   Beginning on Liddiard Road they will begin a slight uphill hike, pick up the  snowmobile trail south, travel to Coates Road along the ridges and return to the sugarhouse following  the Springwater Trail.  Cleats or crampons for your boots and hiking poles may be useful for any ice on Liddiard Rd and on the snowmobile trail.

Naturalists lead by Gene will explore the beautiful unpopulated seasonal Liddiard Road for a gentle mile uphill hike to the snowmobile trail, taking time to photograph the ponds and search for wildlife.  Time permitting, naturalists can decide if they wish to continue on the snowmobile trail south or return via Liddiard Road.

Click here for directions to the Sugarhouse.