This past winter Springwater Trail hikers explored the snowmobile trail around Lanning/Richards/Atlanta Garlinhouse Roads on the border of Livingston/Ontario/Steuben Counties, and extension into the unique Wolf Gull area in the Township of Naples. Access to this area is only by private road and permission from landowners. Following up on the suggestion of Mr. Shipman, local landowner, we were invited to return to the ponds where ferns were said to be 4 feet high and the aquatic life vibrant around the first of July. Boots and insect repellent is suggested.

Ellen Folts from Amanda’s Garden will be our Naturalist leader, following a mostly flat private road through the gull area. Ellen will identify a variety of native perennial plants, various types of ferns and wetland plants, taking time to photograph and enjoy the unique environment.

Tourists and Climbers led by Pam and Rick will explore the fields high above Wolf Gull, dropping 600′ into the Wolf Gull area to seek out many side roads, hunting cabins, creeks that flow both north and south, and the aquatic environment of the ponds.

After Hike Social will be at the Mountain View in Atlanta.

Directions:

We will meet at Schum Acres on Atlanta Garlinghouse Road. Watch for our Springwater Trails sign.  Detailed directions are here.

On Sunday, our Trail Master, Rick, will lead Springwater Trails volunteers on cleaning up the Wheaton Hill trails for the summer season.  Please come and take a hike around the four Wheaton Hill loops and help make the trails sparkle for visitors to Springwater.

Update: Following our hard work, stay for a picnic social at the trail head. The social is hosted by Springwater Trails, Inc.  We will provide hot dogs and burgers grilled on a charcoal grill and salads. You may want to bring something to drink. 

The primary need is to mow the trails.  Rick will bring a tractor mower that will clean up the parking area and the Spruce Loop trail on the north east side of Wheaton Hill Rd.  He will then try to get around the Redbud Trail (south west of the road).  The Pine Trail on the north west side is not passable for the tractor.  If anyone has a smaller mower with a high blade able to avoid small rocks on the trail, please contact Rick as soon as possible. The mower needs to be able to mow grass and small roses and other prickers.  And you need to be able to get it across a small gully across the trail (walls about 2 feet high).  Or, if you can, bring a string weedwacker to help mow.

There are at least two logs across the Pine Trail about 3 inches in diameter – a small bow saw should be sufficient.  There is also one large leaner across the trail which we will not try to remove.

And, clippers for the roses will be useful on all of the trails, although hard work last year means that the roses no longer get in the way of hiking these trails.  You may find some that need trimming before the get out into the trail, or you may choose to attach a large bush at the side of the trail. Clippers and gloves are very important for this work – if you always keep the bush away from your arms and legs you can avoid scratches, and more importantly, poison ivy which seems to like the roses.  Plan to wash your cloves and any other clothes that may have touched the poison ivy.

Directions: Wheaton Hill is the first right turn north of the intersection of Rt 15 and Rt 15A in Springwater (0.9 mile north of the intersection).  The trail head is 0.5 miles up Wheaton Hill just before the road turns straight east and heads up the main hill.  More details are on the directions page.

What to bring:

• If you have a trail mower, contact our Trail Master before Sunday.
• Gloves and clippers – hand clippers or long handled loppers if you want to attack a large rose bush.
• Small bow saw.
• Plastic grocery bag in case you find any litter.
• Water to keep hydrated.

Our hike on Sunday is a one way hike along the Old Erie Railroad and through new trails in the woods near the Cohocton River. We will meet Sunday, June 15, 4pm at our ending point and car pool to the start of our hike. For Tourists and Climbers, we will start out at the corner of Beecher Street and Route 36 in the hamlet of Atlanta (4 miles). The Naturalists and Tourists will start at Parks Road (2 miles).

Between Beecher Street and Parks Rd, the hike will follow a flat 1.4 mile trail owned by the Atlanta North Cohocton Club (ANC). This is part of a groomed flat 6.6 mile snowmobile trail to Wayland that was formerly the Erie Railroad line. Last weekend there was a 10’ section underwater filled with tadpoles but you are able to walk around this.

At around 1/2 mile past Parks Road we will detour right through private land to trails being built by Matt Deusenbery on the old Ouderkirk property. We will need to cross the Cohocton River and you will have two choices. A chance to cool your feet by a short wade (left) through the river or for the more adventurous a walk on the rails (right) to the other side. So bring a pair of flip flops if you don’t want to fill your hiking boots as you walk through the ankle deep river.

We will then take a walk around the hay field (hay is off so the stubble may be sharp on the legs) to get to a 1 mile stroll beneath the canopy of trees.  Only little inclines here and there.  You might even be lucky and see some wildlife or summer flowers which are in bloom.   Since this is prime deer country you will want to bring the bug spray and make sure you are covered.

We will end up back at our river crossing or under the shade trees to share a dish to pass.  Cheryl will make sloppy joes.  Pack your chairs, bug spray, fishing pole and license if you want to see if anything is biting.

DIRECTIONS

From Springwater: take Route 15S to Wayland for 4.9 mile.  At the light in Wayland turn left onto Route 21N, go 3.6 miles. Turn right into the Adam’s homestead driveway (brown two story house with large two story barn, second house past Bowles Corner – GPS 42.562640, -77.522183).    Continue down the driveway staying to the left of the garage down the farm lane till you get to the Cohocton River (yes keep going you will finally get to the river).   Park anywhere along the lane leaving one side open to leave room for those who will drive to our starting point to get out.

From Naples: take Route 21S to North Cohocton.  Turn right to stay on 21S.  Go 3 miles from N Cohocton.  Turn left into the Adam’s homestead driveway (brown two story house with large two story barn, it’s the third house on the left past Parks Rd – GPS 42.562640, -77.522183).    Continue down the driveway staying to the left of the garage down the farm lane till you get to the Cohocton River (yes keep going you will finally get to the river).   Park anywhere along the lane leaving one side open to leave room for those who will drive to our starting point to get out.