On Sunday, 5/4/14, 18 energetic hikers showed up at Sonyea State Forest. This was a new location for our group. The sky was partly cloudy and temps in 50s, making for pleasant, almost ideal, hiking conditions. Before hiking, we went, briefly, to a cemetery, across the road from the parking area. During the 19th Century, there was a “home” for epileptic patients, on the site. When a patient died, he was uncerimoniusly buried, with just his patient number to mark his grave. One grave had a stone, with a name, probably put there by the family. 
But, we were here to hike. Rick lead the majority of hikers along the west side of the forest, along the Keshequa Creek Gorge, mainly on a trail made from former Pennsylvania Railroad tracks. Scenic rapids and falls in the creek could be seen, as well as canal remnants. Rick deviated slightly from our prehike path, coming out of the gorge, but, all got back well, enjoying a nice Sunday hike, about 4 miles.
A field of red Trillium
3 of us hung back, starting out slowly, to try to identify the many spring flowers on the trail. Among those in full bloom were hepatica, spring beauty, bloodroot, coltsfoot, blue violets, spring rue, blue cohosh, and both red and white trilliums. Mayapples were identified, but not yet blooming. There were huge expanses of daylilies, not in bloom now, but should be quite a sight in about a month. Spicebushes were in bloom. Too early for mushrooms but many kinds of last year’s polypores were seen. We could have checked out lots more but had to keep moving to complete the 3.7 mile loop before 4 PM.
Our social was a picnic at the parking lot. Turned out to be vegetarian but some very healthy and delicious choices. In our discussion, it was noted how our group uses Sunday afternoons to maintain our health with vigorous exercise, followed by a nutritious and enjoyable meal.
Information on some future events: (keep up to date on our calendar)
Saturday, May 10: We are invited to join the Victor Hiking Group for a hike at scenic Chimney Bluffs on Lake Ontario.
The hike will be 3 to 4 miles on varying terrain. Bring a bag lunch and something to drink. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy hiking boots. Meet in the rear parking lot at Victor Town Hall, 85 East Main Street at 9:00 a.m. to carpool to the trail head. Or meet at the park in the large parking lot off Garner Road at 10:00 a.m. Map
Additional details can be found by calling 585-234-8226.
Sunday, June 1: On our scheduled hike for that day at the north end of Letchworth State Park, co-leader Don has arranged a special tour of the Mt. Morris Dam for our group, at 12:30. A minimum of 20 participants is required. Anyone interested in doing this most informative tour is asked to contact Don at [email protected]. You can also contact Don for information about the hike this Saturday at Chimney Bluffs.
Friday, May 9: Anyone who would like to join Pam, and others, to help clear and work on the Springwater Trail, please come, with loppers and other tools, to the Sugarbush Hollow sugar house at 9 AM.
Someone is still needed to organize the hikes for the summer months of July, August, and September.
Volunteer committees are being organized to maintain the Springwater Trail, and the Letchworth Trail. If you would like to help in any of these endevours, please reply to [email protected].
June 14th, Saturday offers one more opportunity. A quintessential experiencing, learning, and networking opportunity with all kinds of outdoor activity possibilities is the 17th Annual ADK Expo to be held at Mendon Ponds Park on Saturday June 14, 2014 10:00AM-4:00PM.
Organized by the Adirondack Mountain Club – Genesee Valley Chapter (ADK-GVC) this day consists of hikes, bike rides, kayaking and canoeing, equipment trials & info, demos, learning workshops and presentations, and more, all with the outdoor enthusiast in mind. Beginner Orienteering, Geocaching, GPS selection & use, kayak selection & technique, personal gear & clothing, Backpacking 101, Camping essentials, Smart Phones for the outdoors, Family hiking with kids & curiosity, and much more are all on the schedule. In fact there are as many as 10 activities to choose from at one time and about 70 separate activities planned in the schedule, so pretty much guaranteed to be numerous opportunities of interest for all outdoors oriented folks.
With so many activities, and participation and presentation by so many hiking and outdoor related groups, outdoor equipment outfitters & retailers, municipal and service agencies alike, perhaps the toughest part will be choosing which opportunity you want to participate in over another. Further details can be gleaned from http://www.adk-gvc.org/Expo Oh, and did I forget to mention, it is all FREE? No admission to Mendon Ponds Park or to the ADK Expo. I should also mention that Gene will be there all day, and will be presenting info on invasives.
If you as a S/T hiker wish to volunteer for two hours at the ADK Expo, the organizers would greatly appreciate the offer. Of note: many hiking groups are participating, two of which are Victor Hiking Trails & Crescent Trail Assoc. Springwater Trails is also considering having a display and willing hikers for staffing would be helpful.
So, there you have it Springwater Trails hikers, some varying new opportunities and for sharing. One never knows what we can learn, and apply to the Springwater Trail and our S/T hiking group. Hope to see you on the trail along with newly acquired knowledge as well.