Crescent Trail Indian Hill Hike – Sunday June 30, 4:00PM (43.06881, -77.42591)

The Crescent Trail is approximately 35 miles of footpaths starting in Bushnell’s Basin on the Erie Canal, and currently ending at Northside School in northern Perinton.  Planned, developed and maintained by the Crescent Trail Association, this trail is built on state, town and private lands and connects with the Canalway trail and the Trolley trail, two multiuse trails in the town.  Thanks to Chuck Winship and Bob Radell and the hard work of the Springwater town Parks and Trails Committee, Springwater Trails is trying to emulate the successful Crescent Trail here in Springwater.

YellowFlowers IndainHillIt therefore seems appropriate that this Sunday we will hike a portion of the Crescent Trail known as Indian Hill.  We will meet in Perinton at Mark and Linda’s house, 20 Black Mallard Cir, Fairport, NY, or at the Indian Hill trail head on Rt 31 east of Turk Hill Rd.  Hikers who park at the house will be able to walk to the trailhead and meet the rest of the group there.  After the hike, all hikers are invited back to the house for pot luck social with an opportunity to swim if it is nice and hot!  Please bring a dish to pass, a beverage, or make a $5 contribution to defray costs.  We will be grilling our contribution to the meal.

Indian Hill trail map.  Click for full Crescent Trail map

Indian Hill trail map. Click for full Crescent Trail map

Three hike options will be available.  The climbers will follow the blue trail from the trail head south across the Jensen’s Stables farm to the high point, where we will join the main orange trail for about half a mile south on private land. This group will the retrace their steps to the high point and continue on the orange trail across open fields to a scenic view over the north east portion of Perinton.  Picking up the green trail, we will head back to the yellow trail that enters the woods and returns back to the trail head and the house.

The tourists will follow the same basic trail in the reverse direction.  The tourists will leave the trailhead on the yellow trail, stopping at the top of Indian Hill for a view north and west.  At this time of the year, the City of Rochester is behind trees, but the view north is unobstructed.  This is the location of the Wegmans trail rub if you have the Perinton Trails booklet.  When the yellow trail branches to the right, the tourists will pick up the blue trail across a small gully to the pond.  From there it is the green trail east to the main orange trail.  South on that to the high point and then back to the trail head on the blue trail.

The Naturalists will start out with the tourists but will take a bit more time checking on the flora of the area (including counting the number of different spots with poison ivy).  This group will follow the yellow trail from the past the Indian Hill view, and through the gully and across Jensen’s Farm.  On the yellow trail next to the pond, there is an excellent crop of poison ivy growing up through a wooden boardwalk that has been abandoned by most hikers – it is probably a good idea to look at, but not walk on the boards during this hike.  When the yellow trail reached the edge of the woods, the naturalists will turn left on a short green connector trail and pick up the blue trail headed back to the trail head.

This hike climbs 300 feet for the climbers and about 200 ft for the naturalists, and therefore is noticeably flatter than your typical Springwater hike.  If the day has been wet, hiking sticks are useful on some of the downhill slopes that can be slippery.  All hikers should be aware of poison ivy, although the trail is well used if you stay in the center.  If you have gaiters from around your ankles, you can be safer by washing them after the hike.

The trail head is 36 miles from Springwater, so carpools are recommended.  Please remember that these carpools are self-organized.  You need to be on time and you should leave at the designated time to reach the hike on time.  Please click the links below  for directions to the carpool locations. If you are coming from Dansville, Wayland or Springwater, meet at the Springwater Town Hall at 2:30 and leave promptly at 2:45 for Perinton.  Hikers from Honeoye, Naples and Livonia should meet at Sandy Bottom Park on the north end of Honeoye Lake at 2:50 and leave the park promplty at 3:00 for Perinton.  Dishes for the social can be left at Mark and Linda’s during the hike.  All hikers parking at the house will leave promptly at 4:00 and meet hikers parking at the trail head about five minutes later.

Click here for directions to the trail-head and to Mark and Linda’s.

Please remember the Hiking guidelines for all trailways in Perinton:

· No motorized vehicles
· No litter, dumping, fires or camping
· Protect trees, plants and crops
· Hike at your own risk
· Stay on the trail

 

Indian Hill Trail Head – Directions

The Indian Hill trail head is located at (43.06881, -77.42591) on the south side of Rt 31 east of Turk Hill Rd. The directions below are to the trailhead on Rt 31.

Heading east on Rt31 past Turk Hill, the road switches to two lanes at the second left Quailbush.  There are 4 or 5 houses on the right side of Rt 31 after it becomes 2 lanes.  Immediately past the last house, turn right into the parking area.  It does come up fast and it is before Rt 31 curves to the right.

From Rochester: Take I490 East to Rt 31 (Pittsford Palmyra Rd)  (Do not exit at Rt 31F Fairport).  Turn right from the exit onto Rt 31 and go 3.2 miles through 7 lights.  You will pass Wegmans on the left between lights 3 and 4.  Light 7 is Turk Hill Rd.  Just past Turk Hill, the road switches to two lanes at Quailbush.  There are 4 or 5 houses on the right side of Rt 31 after it becomes 2 lanes.  Turn into the parking area on the right just past the last house.

Honeoye and Sandy Bottom Park: Turn right coming out of the park on County Rd 36 north.  Turn left at the light on US 20A.  Turn right onto Co Rd 37 north.  At West Bloomfield this road becomes Rt 65.  Just north of W Bloomfield, stay straight on W Bloomfield Rd (CR 35) as Rt 65 curves to the left.  6.5 miles north of W Bloomfield, turn right on Rt 251 (Rush Mendon Rd).  After 3.4 mi, turn left on Philips Rd.  This is a sharp left just as the main road curves to the right.  At the light turn right on Main St Fishers.  Turn left on Rt 96, past the entrance to the thruway and by the East View Mall parking lots. Turn right on Turk Hill Rd.  Turn right on Rt 31 (Pittsford Palmyra Rd) at the second light.  The trailhead is 0.3miles down Rt 31 on the right.

From Springwater: From the flashing light, head north on Rt 15A for 21.7 miles.  About 2.8 miles north of Lima, bear a slight right toward Honeoye Falls.  Curve to the right and continue onto W Main St.  In Honeoye Falls, this road joins Rt 65 North.  About 4 miles north of Honeoye Falls at the traffic circle take the first exit onto Rush Mendon Rd (Rt 251).  Stay on 251 through Mendon Center (a flashing light).  2,5 mi past Mendon Center, turn left on Philips Rd.  This is a sharp left just as the main road curves to the right.  At the light turn right on Main St Fishers.  Turn left on Rt 96, past the entrance to the thruway and by the East View Mall parking lots. Turn right on Turk Hill Rd.  Turn right on Rt 31 (Pittsford Palmyra Rd) at the second light.  The trailhead is 0.3miles down Rt 31 on the right.

From Dansville and Geneseo: Take I-390 North to Exit 15 and I-590.  Take exit 2 for Rt 31 toward Pittsford. Follow Rt 31 for 7.3 miles past a couple of Wegmans stores and across the canal three times, past Turk Hill Rd to the Trail Head on the right.

Summer Schedule 2013 – Final

Thanks to the diligent work of Gene, and thanks to the 12 hike planners who volunteered to plan and organize a hike, the Summer schedule for Springwater Trails hiking group is complete.

You can help also.  I hope that each hiker will send a thank-you email to Gene. Would you like to plan a hike?  Send an email to [email protected] with your ideas.  If you are having trouble thinking of a good place to hike, go to our hike history and pick one out.  We will help you plan the hike by providing descriptions of old hikes, suggestions, and other support you may need.

All hikes will start at 4:00PM during the months of June, July and August.  Please note that  locations may change due to weather, trail conditions and other events unforeseen at this time.  Please check the website newsletter prior to all hikes. Download a pdf of the Springwater Trails Summer Hiking Schedule to print.

Do you use an electronic calendar? Never miss a hike by connecting  the Springwater Trails hiking calendar right into your calendar using the link: http://www.google.com/calendar/ical/t8egl06u1q3tqhopptm2lj6suc%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

Date Description Town Hike Planner Social
Jul 7, 2013
4:00PM
Triathalon, attempt II, Canadice Lake  Canadice Pam Picnic at Canoe Launch
Jul 14, 2013
4:00PM
The Bristol trail
Seman Rd. to DEC parking area on route 245
 Naples Gene and Georgia Picnic at DEC parking area
Jul 21, 2013
4:00PM
 Hanging Bog Rushford Garrett Picnic-parking area
Jul 28, 2013
4:00PM
 Trail Maintenance TBA Mark
Aug 4, 2013
4:00PM
Italy Valley – FLT Bristol Branch
Possible campout, Sat-Sun
Italy Valley Melissa Tailgate picnic
Aug 11, 2013
4:00PM
FLT Letchworth, Portageville to Parade Grounds. (Alternative plans for Kayak/Hike possible) Portageville Joan Picnic at parade grounds
Aug 18, 2013
4:00PM
 Stid Hill Bristol Marty  TBA
Aug 25, 2013
4:00PM
 trail maintenance TBA Mark
Sept 1, 2013 4:00PM
(Labor Day Weekend)
Rob’s trail and Canadice Lake Trail Hemlock Mark & GVHC  Joan and Bob’s
Sept 8, 2013 2:00PM
(Grandparents Day)
Wesley Hill S. Bristol Dena Dish to pass -Java Mama, Honeoye.
Sept 14 2013 (Sat)
10:00AM – 6:00PM
Fiddler’s Fair – Parking  Springwater  Springwater Trails
Sept 15 2013
2:00PM
Rattlesnake Hill Carol and Pati Picnic
Sept 22, 2013
2:00PM
 All Western Christmas Tree Farm Springwater Katherine Katherine’s house
Sept 29, 2013
2:00PM
Hemlock Lake Shoreline Springwater Pam Picnic, Hemlock Park, N end of lake

Poison Ivy

Caution:  The following article may cause you to itch!!

Unfortunately we ran into some Poison Ivy while clearing roses at Wheaton Hill a few weeks back.  And Don and I previewed the Cresent Trail route for June 30th and saw quite a bit more.  So, with lots of help from Don, here is some information about Poison Ivy for all of you who enjoy getting out on the weekends.

First, some general information:

LEAF (AND PLANT)  –  A very NON-detailed description of the poison ivy leaf (compound leaf) is that it is made up of three leaflets, two leaflets form a pair on opposite sides of the leafstalk, while the third leaflet stands by itself at the tip of the leafstalk.  Leaf size can greatly vary, as can color and numerous other characteristics.  While this stark base description must be added to, to be more useful, for the wholly uninitiated the saying “leaves of three, let them be” may serve well, because it just could be poison ivy.  The stems, vines and roots all contain the same irritant that is contained in the leaves, and in all seasons!. Poison ivy comes in more than one form. Basically a vine, it creeps on top of the ground and underground, it climbs and hangs from trees and bushes, and occasionally becomes a bush itself, It is chameleon like in that it has several different appearances in many different seasons, and even in the same season.

FAVORED GROWING LOCATIONS  –  A favorite type of place for poison ivy to grow and flourish is at a transition area – the edge of a road, field, forest or water source.   You’ll not likely find poison ivy in the middle of a field, but put a shed or other structure in the middle of that field and you just may have created a homey location for poison ivy to take-up residence, you’ve created a transition area or edge.

THE TOXIN  –  Urushiol (you-Roo-shee-ol) oil or resin is the active irritant in – Poison Ivy.  Urushiol oil causes a contact dermatitis rash in many humans which can be quite bothersome and painful and can last many weeks or months, and can appear to spread on the body once contracted.  Proper treatment and care are important in an attempt to prevent worsening symptoms or scenarios.  While some humans seem immune to it, such immunity if present can change.  So just because you have never had poison ivy and know you have come in contact with it, do not think you will always be immune to it.  The more times you come in contact with it, the more likely you may develop an allergic response to it.

CONTACT – Poison ivy exposure can be contracted not only by direct skin contact, but also by contact with anything that has been in contact with the poison ivy and still has the oil on it, such as clothing, hats, tools, dogs and other animals (hello, deer hunters and other game hunters)  Apparently dogs are do not get a rash, but they can pick up the poison ivy oils on their coat and serve as source to cause it to come in contact with you.   Bruising or crushing the plant highly increases urushiol oil exposure, so a dog rolling in it is a bad scenario.  Wash your pets with lots of water to remove the usushiol.  Caution should be exhibited when so as to avoid transfer of the urushiol oils to the dog’s bather.

DERMATITIS RASH ONSET  –  If this is the first time you have had an allergic reaction to poison ivy, the rash usually takes about 7-10 days to show up after exposure.  The rash usually appears much sooner after the next exposure.

TREATMENTS – There are numerous treatments (or said treatments) for urushiol contact dermatitis rash, including washing with cool water quickly after possible contact (note: hot water opens pores and serves to more easily facilitate urushiol permeation thru our skin’s somewhat protective barrier, which you do not want, SO DO NOT USE HOT WATER TO WASH OFF URUSHIOL), to a prescription from a doctor for the steroid MethylPREDNISolone tablets (taken orally).  Check the American Academy of Dermatology for additional tips. The best way to prevent a rash is to avoid the plants and to protect your skin from contact.

Don has suggested the website http://www.poison-ivy.org for lots of information about Poison Ivy. This site has many pictures showing different stages of the three leaves, and uses humor to keep you interested.  I like the picture of the poison ivy shrub in the winter – it still contains the oil.

Other sites you may check if you don’t itch too much already:

http://www.poisonoakandpoisonivy.com/poisonivypoison.html

http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/fastfacts.html

tutorial site with a poison ivy quiz.

A couple of sites just about Poison Oak and Poison Ivy.

A site with some serious scientific information.