Trail head parking at (42.8965,-77.2462)

This Sunday (weather permitting) we are returning to the Ontario Pathways Rail Trail, east of Canandaigua.  This trail was created by a group of dedicated hikers (like us) in Ontario County, who converted a former railroad bed into a very user friendly level trail.  The trail goes from Canandaigua to Phelps, traversing much of Ontario County.  We will hike a small section of the western part of the trail.

The pre-hike, Thursday afternoon, was cold and windy so Mac and Duff decided to wait for Sunday to see most of the trail.  The trail is snow covered with a base of rough ice.  It doesn’t appear that snowshoes will be much help, but spikes, cleats or yaktrax are recommended.  The rough ice probably would make skiing uncomfortable.

Our meeting place is the trail parking lot on the west side of County Route 10, just north of CR 46.  Enter at the north entrance of the Ontario County Fairgrounds and park along the trees by the trail. From the north on CR 10, parking is on the right just past the hiking trail sign.

The trail head is 35 miles from Springwater.  A self-managed optional carpool will meet at the Springwater Town Hall parking lot at 12:50 PM  and will leave promptly at 1:00.    Let’s try to get to our hike starting site by 1:45, since we have to organize car spotting at the hike end sites.

An alternate carpool will meet at the the Richmond Town Hall in Honeoye at 1:10 and will leave promptly at 1:15. Cars coming from Springwater should stop at Honeoye to pick up any hikers who are there.

All hikers will head east on the Ontario Pathway. The satellite view to the right and the Ontario Pathways map show the farmland we will hike through. The first pickup point (B) will be just under 3 miles, at Freshour Rd. The second pickup (C) is about 4 miles, at County Rd. 47. Some hikers may explore a bit past the pickup points and return to the pickup if time permits. Both pickup spots are easily reached from the CR 10 parking area by going south of CR 10 and taking the first left on CR 46.  Freshour is the second right and CR 47 is the third right.  Trail parking on Freshour is on the east side of the road at the trailhead.  There is similar parking on the east side of CR 47, but if it isn’t plowed, we can leave a car on the west side.

Canandaigua has many restaurants.  We will decide between the Bee Hive Brew Pub, Eddie O’Briens Grille, and the  The Villager for an optional after hike social. Leave a comment on your favorite!  Sunday is expected to be 22 degrees, but we will need to warm up after the hike!

Directions:

If you wish to carpool please follow these directions to the Town Hall.  Since you may need to drive in the carpool, please bring the following directions to the trail head.

From Springwater Town Hall: Go north from the town hall, through the flashing light on route 15A for 10.8 miles.  Before Hemlock, turn right onto Rt 20A east toward Honeoye.  Hikers near Honeoye can meet the carpool at the Richmond Town Hall in Honeoye at about 1:15.  Continue on 20A to the T at Rt 64 North.  Turn left on Rt 64 for 6.9 miles, then right onto Rt 5 & 20 at the light.  After 4.2 miles, Rt 5 & 20 bears right, but we will continue straight on West Ave Extension into Canandaigua.  Continue across Main St onto Ontario St.  You will see the pathway crossing Ontario St twice before the traffic circle.  Turn right at the traffic circle on CR 10.  Parking is on the right 0.4 miles south on CR 10.

From Rochester: Take the Thruway East to Exit 44. Merge onto Rt 332 south toward Canandaigua for 8.9 miles.  There is a stop light where Rt 21 joins Rt 332 from the left. At the next light, turn left onto Ontario St (It is Ontraio St on the left, West Ave on the right side of Rt 332 (Main St).  Follow Ontario St  for 2.0 miles, then right onto CR 10.  Parking is on the right 0.4 miles south on CR 10.