Many members of Springwater Trails work throughout the season to maintain the trails we are responsible for. Todate this includes the Springwater Trail at Sugarbush Hollow, the DEC Wheaton Hill Trail, and now beginning to maintain a portion of the Finger Lakes Trail, Letchworth Branch. This past month, Mark, Pam, Bob, Gene, Rick, Ellen, and Pam’s grandchildren, Brenin and Kalen, ages 6 and 8, worked on various projects on the Springwater Trail at Sugarbush Hollow. The trail maintenance included picking up sticks on the trail and identifying downed trees, removing and identifying woodland plants on the trail that could be damaged, raking, adding new trail blazes and signs weathered from the hard winter, and creating an identifiable entrance. We were very pleased that the Town of Springwater Highway Department also offered their services by creating a culvert and pathway at our trailhead on Pardee Hollow Road. Thanks to everyone who helped to maintain our Springwater Trail throughout the season. Watch for our new maps in our mailbox and on our website this coming week! The Springwater Trail continues to be open to the public thanks the family of Chuck Winship. Take a hike and enjoy the variety of terrain.

Howie Harris, first chairperson, SPT

Two bricks were placed on the trail honoring Howie Harris, first chair of Springwater Trails and
Chuck Winship, first landowner to open his property for a trail. Marked presented a dedication and thanks to members of the original Springwater Parks and Trails committee, Ellen Folts, Bob Radell, Howie Harris, Chuck Winship, Carol Koss, Pati Clark, Wendy Stevenson, Dean Faklis and Pam Masterson.

Pam passed out a mother’s day gift and educational brochure with colored pictures of 12 different spring wildflowers to identify on the hike. (Pati admits she now knows 5). From the trailhead 20 hikers broke into skill groups to explore the east and west hills of Sugarbush Hollow. Bonnie tipped toed very carefully through the trillium trail hedgerow as the dwarf size, densely packed trilliums were just budding. Jerry, extreme hiker, actually admitted she was tired after hiking 3.5 miles on the trail and riding a bike for 22 miles that morning.

Trillium are on their way

Joe and Jim got a little sidetracked on the trail looking for deer signs, and Pam was pretty impressed that her grandchildren became leaders and remembered the names of the wildflowers. Howie and Bonnie were scanning the area in their car trying to figure out what dirt and farm roads they could maneuver with their Handicap Accessible All Terrain Vehicle. Jason found a large shelf mushroom and plans on woodburning a design. All in all, everyone indicated it was a great hike. Welcome Back Amy from California, Joe from Florida, and new hikers Eileen from Caledonia and Jason from Livonia!

After Jim and Joe tore apart Pam’s kayak rack and left it in pieces to repair at a later date, 15 hungry, hot and tired hikers continued to the Mountain View in Atlanta to enjoy chicken and biscuits, little neck clams, potato skins, crispy fried chicken and some kind of Monkey IPA. We heard that a monkey was in the inn the day before promoting their speciality beer. Darn, we should of invited him to hike with us!

Watch our calendar for upcoming summer kayaking on Monday mornings 9:00 and Thursday evenings 6:30. Details to come.