Monthly Archives: June 2013

How to share a hike location on Bing Maps

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When you plan a hike, it is very useful to tell people how to get to the hike. This is very easy using Google maps, Bing maps or probably your favorite mapping website.

There are three ways to help people find the hike.  Our most common is to write out turn by turn directions from Springwater and other towns.  The second is to provide a link to one of the mapping websites and help get directions to the correct point.  Third is to provide the GPS coordinates that can be entered into a car’s GPS.  Providing all three allows each person to select the appropriate technology.

In Bing maps, click on Share to see a link. You may need to click on "show full URL" to see the latitude. Click on this picture for a larger version.

In Bing maps, click on Share to see a link.

Bing seems to be a little more obvious than Google for this task.  Since Gene could not make the Google directions work, I suspect others also had trouble.  So here are step by step directions for Bing.

  1. Browse to bing.com/maps.
  2. Enter an approximate location for the hike in the search box.
  3. Browse the map to find the exact spot where you want to meet.  Use Bird’s eye (or click the dropdown to the right of Bird’s eye) to select aerial – find the best for you internet speed) to place the position exactly.
  4. Switch back to Road view.  To get a GPS coordinates, click on the trail head and press the right mouse button.  You can then highlight the grey area and press CTRL-C to copy the coordinates.
  5. Click on “Share” to get a link to this view. Click on “Show full URL” to get the detailed address.
  6. Highlight the link, press CTRL-C to copy and paste the link into an email.

Google Maps directions

Get a link to your Google Map.

Get a link to your Google Map.

The following directions for Google Maps work in the Chrome browser on Windows 7.  It is probably similar for you.

  1. Browse to maps.google.com.
  2. In the search box, type the approximate location of the hike. For example, enter Springwater, NY.
  3. Browse the map to find the exact spot where you want to meet.  Trail heads are usually visible on the Satellite view if you zoom in far enough.  If you have a slow internet connection, you may want to get close using the Map view before switching to satellite view
  4. Once you find the meeting spot, point to it with your mouse and press the “right mouse” button to get a context menu.  Select “directions to here”.
  5. This will give you directions from the approximate location you entered to the real location.  To help the person you are sending the link to, you can remove the approximate location by highlighting and deleting the From address.
  6. Click the “chain” icon (see the red circle in the picture above) and press CTRL-C to copy the link.  Then paste the link into an email and send it off.

The link will look like https://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=Canadice+Lake+Rd&hl=en&sll=42.699674,-77.567296&sspn=0.011575,0.017424&geocode=FciWiwIdHHJg-w&t=h&mra=ls&z=16

Clicking on the link will show the map the way you had it.  So this is a good way to share.  Also, the longitude and latitude is right there (42.699674,-77.567296) if you have a GPS.v=2&cp=42.669683~-77.585483 &lvl=13&dir=0&sty=r& rtp=adr.~pos.42.702303_-77.566199 _near%206615 %20Canadice%20Lake%20Rd%2C %20Springwater%2C%20NY%2014560___a_ &mode=D&rtop=0~0~0~&form=LMLTCC.

Canadice Triathalon

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canadice-triathlon-018Regardless of the questionable weather which effected the launching of kayaks, the first annual Canadice Triathalon took place on Father’s Day, June 16, 2013.  Hikers became a little nervous when a sighting of Big Foot was reported on Canadice Lake by two fishermen.    Follow up interviews with a local resident confirmed that he had just taken some new internet growth pills, and although he couldn’t remember what actually happened, this could possibly explained the mystery.

canadice-triathlon-025To prepare for the hot weather to come Char gave a braiding demonstration prior to the hike and 4 spots were secured for our after hike social on Canadice Lake.  Ranger Pat, DEC, and John, City of Rochester, made their usual visit to check numbers, parking spots and to ask if we have seen anything unusual.  No one from Springwater Trails had seen Big Foot, just fawns and water snakes.

canadice-triathlon-019Mark and Pam participated in the biking event to ride an estimated 10 miles around Canadice Lake.  Mark took a few little side trip adventures to add a little excitment.  Pam indicated she had not been on a bike for over 5 years and was somewhat skeptical of riding with such an experienced mountain biker.   Later to take a trip over the handbars, Pam warns of a rut on the trail near the south end of the trail between mile marker 1 1/2 and 2 on the west side of the trail.  Bikers should beware! Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

Mark climbing a gravel mountain

Mark climbing a gravel mountain

Hikers continued on the Canadice Lake Trail, some hiking to the 2 mile mark and returning, and others hiking the entire trail for a distance of 4 miles.  Wecome back Tawn and Pati’s visiting sister!

When the weather on the lake died down, some kayakers experienced a beautiful calm ride on the lake after the enjoyable social along the lake.  We’ll try the triathalon again on Canadice Lake again on July 7th, so practice up! Bike, Hike, Kayak/Canoe.

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Hemlock South Kayak and Hike – Sunday June 23, 2013 – 4:00PM (42.668316,-77.592123)

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On Sunday June 23rd, Springwater Trails will be hosting a hike and kayak event on the South end of Hemlock Lake. The meeting place will be at the South end parking area off route 15A prior to entering the south end lake access road. We will be doing a tailgate after the hike so please bring a dish to pass and your drink of choice.

You may choose to either kayak or hike. For those who might want to try kayaking but do not have kayaks we will have a couple of additional kayaks for use. Please send an email response if you do need access to a kayak.

Once we all meet, those wishing to kayak will proceed down the lake road access to the boat launch. The hikers will continue on their hikes as outlined below.

KayakerKayakers:

Since we missed kayaking last week, we will start by ensuring everyone knows the basics about kayaking.  Then Mac will take the lead heading north along the lake shore, enjoying the solitude of the lake.  Some kayakers may wish to head west across the south end of the lake to the inlet to explore the grasslands from the water.  (In case you missed it above: For those who might want to try kayaking but do not have kayaks we will have a couple of additional kayaks for use. Please send an email response if you do need access to a kayak.)

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The Naturalists will begin their hike down the lake access road continuing through a gated area just past the boat launch. This trail runs along the east side of Hemlock Lake for about 1.5 miles. The Naturalists will then return along the same trail back to the parking area for about a total of 3 miles. The will then proceed across 15A to view the lower Reynolds Gully waterfall which is a short walk along the side of the Gully.

Tourist/Climbers:

IMG_0708 WebNaturalists:The Tourist and Climbers will begin their hike at the Hemlock Lake south end parking area with a .5 mile hike up Bald Hill Road to the Johnson Hill Trail Head. Johnson Hill Trail will lead past a 50-foot-high County Line Falls in a drainage tributary to Hemlock Lake. The trail is well groomed but does have some wet areas with up hill climbs. It was developed in 1995 as part of a small timber harvest. After completing the Johnson Hill Trail the hike will continue back down Bald Hill Road to the parking area. This portion of the hike will be about 3 miles with some gradual up hill climbs. For those who would like to continue hiking we will proceed across the road to hike Reynolds Gully for another .5 miles up to a beautiful waterfall. This trail is not groomed and has tall grass and vegetation along with wet areas. So it is recommended that you wear long pants and appropriate shoes for this part of the hike. It is well worth the hike.

 

Father’s Day update

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11:45 AM Sunday:  We are watching the weather before today’s hike.  Please check back on this website before coming.

The wind is keeping up and Pam says the lake is pretty choppy.  So, we are going to cancel the Kayaking – we don’t want to have anyone swimming in the lake. So come and hike and/or bike.  We will still meet at the Canoe Launch as in the original description.  For anyone wanted to Bike and Hike, we will have a nice route laid out when you get there.

Check the website for updates.  See everyone at 3:45.