The wind is howling outside, either it’s a nor’easter, a chimney fire, or the crackling of ice coming from the outlet or Canadice Lake. Being unable to sleep with the unusual sound of a storm and predicting a power outage, I might as well reflect a little about this past week’s adventure into the Canadice Outlet. We had a great turn out with over 25 hikers, mostly all prepared with ice clamps (which are a little difficult to get on)to explore an area of the outlet we have never experienced before.

Welcome back Pati, Joan, Bob and new hikers Dave and Sherri.

20 hikers began their hike at the Canadice Hollow Cemetary looking for Mary Wintermoot’s gravestone. She was 83 when she passed and was born in 1761. Another woman, Olive Spencer was 93 when she passed and was born in 1771. Could she be related to Harriet Hollister Spencer Park in Honoeye? We diligently followed our fluorescent leader Rick through the narrow snow covered DEC logging trail, cutting through private lands with permission, and picking up the Hemlock/Canadice State Forest again that followed the rim of a very steep gorge. Far below the rim we caught glimpses of the frozen Canadice Creek. Some dam hikers actually made it to the end of the outlet, a restricted zone, being picked up by their favorite chauffer Bob on Rt. 15A. Other hikers chose to hike the woods back, rather than hiking the road, and unfortunately missed seeing the water from the creek flowing at the dam location. An underground tunnel actually takes the waters from Canadice Lake through the Canadice Outlet to Hemlock Lake. Maybe I can post the video on u-tube for all to see.

Naturalists followed the old Dixon Hollow Road, lead by Jim and Pati’s wonder dog, Goose. I’ll have to find out what they saw so I can post more. Jim said they hiked down to the Hemlock Grill, had a beer and hiked back when we ran into them. Gene confirmed. Wow they are fast! I did hear a few hikers did make it to the creek and indicated it was ice covered with some open spots of flowing water. Naturalists met up with the Climbers and Tourists at the Dixon Hollow Road to exchange stories.

After hike social was enjoyed by all leaving their boots dancing by the door. A variety of fruit and vegetable salads, brussel spouts, kale, maple barbacue pulled pork and chicken, and yummy chocolate desserts. You don’t loose weight on our hikes.

Thanks to the City of Rochester for giving us permission to hike in the restricted area by the dam, Dan Bock and Lydia Edlund, Mary Jane and Mike Bowman, for letting us cross their property.

Special thanks to Rick and Ellen for leading our hikers on a very well planned route
that avoided many deep ravines that would of been slippery this time of year. Make sure you watch the outlet during the spring thaws to learn why the old mills of Hemlock were located here and why the City of Rochester wanted this land in 1910. It’s quite powerful!

HINT: This post has several small thumbnail size pictures. Click on any picture to see it full size.