Monthly Archives: November 2013

Stony Brook State Park, November 10, 2 PM

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Stony Brook This Sunday, we return to Stony Brook State Park, south of Dansville.  Being it’s a state park, we won’t be competing with hunters, who might mistake you for a deer, wearing a bright orange cap and jacket.  This park features a fairly steep trail up a beautiful gorge, with 3 waterfalls and surrounding forests.

I have received word that they are no longer collecting an admission charge.  Therefore, we can meet at the parking lot at the first (north) entrance.  From Springwater, take 390 to exit 4 and turn right, going south on 36.  Park entrance is on your left.


Their most scenic trail is the one that follows the gorge, passing the 3 waterfalls.  This trail can be treacherous when icy and is, therefore, closed in the winter.  Next Sunday, it may, or may not, be open.  If it’s open, we will take this trail to the top, and descend down the west rim trail, through the late autumn forest.  If it’s closed, we can ascend by the east rim trail.  Total is about 2 miles.  Those, who would like to hike longer can go halfway up the east rim trail, and back, adding another mile.  Those, who would prefer to not make the steep climb up the gorge, can carpool to the south entrance parking lot and hike down the gorge or west rim trail.

Click for Dansville, New York ForecastAfter the hike, those, who would like, can enjoy the fellowship and fine fare at the Sunrise Restaurant in Dansville.  Turn right, out of the park entrance, going north on 36.  Go straight across Main St, 1 more block, and turn left.  Go 1 & 1/2 blocks to the large parking lot in back of the Sunrise, on your left.

See you there.  Put in your order for a sunny and crisp November day.

Directions: Click here for detailed directions.  Take I390 to Dansville, NY, Exit 4. At the end of the exit, turn right on Rt 36S. The park is on the left, less than 2 miles south. Follow the park road to the parking lot.

For Google directions, click here.

On your GPS use 42.526417,-77.696533 as your destination.

Eagle Crest Hike – Nov 3, 2013 – 2:00PM

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IMG_0235Back by popular demand, this Sunday we will be hiking the Nature Conservancy lands on the west side of Hemlock Lake around the Eagle Crest Winery, with wine tasting and a potluck social at the winery. Once again, Joan and Bob have stepped up to plan this adventure. These have been popular hikes in the past so you don’t want to miss it.

Three reminders before we start. clock_9753cEastern Standard Time starts Sunday morning. This means that if you forget to change your clocks, you will have to wait an hour for the hike to start. Of course, only old timers can remember back when we actually had to set our clocks, rather than just looking at our cell phone for the time.

Along with standard time, the days are still getting shorter. In particular, sunset on Sunday is at 5:00 PM. Gene has suggested that hikers ought to put a flashlight in their pockets before the hike.

The predicted high for Sunday is 36 degrees with snow.  Please dress in layers, wear something orange so bow hunters can see you, and bring an extra coat for the social when you aren’t working as hard.

IMG_0227Back to our description. We will meet at the Eagle Crest Winery parking lot off of Mission Rd. (42.739874,-77.622831).  We will explore the Nature Conservancy land that surrounds the Winery, and some hikers will climb to the lake and explore the narrow strip of land that is part of the Hemlock Canadice State Forest.

Following the hike, we will meet at the tent outside the winery for an optional social. Please bring a dish to pass or make a contribution to the social fund.

Directions:

From Springwater: Take Rt 15N from the intersection with 15A for 8.2 miles. Stay straight when Rt 15 bears to the left onto CR 56 (Federal Rd). Turn right onto Durkee Rd, the left onto Partridge Corners Rd, right on Bishop Rd, left on Mission Rd and right onto Vineyard Rd.  The parking lot is 0.2 miles down Vineyard Rd.

From Hemlock: Take Rt 15A south for 0.7 miles past the intersection with 20A from Honeoye. Turn right on Rix Hill Rd at the north end of Hemlock Lake.  Go up the hill and turn a sharp left onto Blank Rd.  Stay on Blank Rd when it becomes a dirt road and then becomes Mission Rd (which is paved).  Vineyard Rd is on the left 1.4 miles from the dirt road, and within sight of the end of Mission Rd. The parking lot is 0.2 miles down Vineyard Rd.