This 
week’s hike starts at Ann and Rick Laffords, 6270 McNeil Hill Rd. To get there from Main St. in Dansville, heading south on 63 leaving town, take Sahrle Hill Road, bare left until on top of the hill, then left on Sterner until it turns into McNeil Hill Rd. Follow McNeil Hill Rd until the dead end. Rick & Ann’s home is on the left. Parking is at the dead end turn-around or in the driveway. All hikers will start at Ann and Rick Lafford’s home. We will have a social after the hike at Ann’s and Rick’s. Please bring a dish to pass and your beverage – or make a donation to the social fund.
Climbers
This week’s walk will cover approx. 5 miles of tree farm and forest terrain, some of it following logging trails. The hike involves two climbs of approx. 400’ but these are separated and occur over a ¼ and ½ mile distance. There is one steep descent down a logging trail.
Tourists
This week’s walk will cover approx. 4 miles of tree farm and forest terrain, some of it through old vineyard. The hike involves one climb of approx. 300’ and another of 200’ but the slope is gentle and this is a relatively easy hike.
Naturalists
This walk includes the hang-glider launch site, tree farm and forest, all on a well-groomed trail, with only moderate ups and downs.
Social
Following the hikes, you are invited to stay for a social at the house. Please bring a dish to pass or make a small ($5) donation to the social fund to help cover supplies and our hosts’ costs. Also, please bring your own beverage – which also should be a reminder to bring water for the hike. Even in cooler weather it remains very important to stay hydrated during our hikes.
Directions
Check here for detailed directions.
Just a note for everyone living in the lowlands (ie Rochester) and checking the weather for today’s hike – it snowed this morning up here in Springwater.
I have seen this respectful letter from Mr Hopkins from 2013 and wish to thank all for their cooperation.
Happy Hunting Season
– President Mark Hopkins
The fall hiking season for Springwater Trails, Inc matches the New York big game hunting season this year. Bow hunting starts October 1st and ends December 17th. Each year the executive board considers the hunting season when scheduling hikes. There are several hunting season rules we follow.
First and foremost is to avoid trails that are closed during hunting season. The Trillium trail off of the Springwater Trail in Sugarbush Hollow is closed from Oct 1 to Dec 31 for hunting season. This is noted on the sign at the entrance to the trail. Also, many sections of the Finger Lakes Trail are closed during hunting. These sections are marked on the FLT maps, including the interactive map available in the hiking section of http://fltconference.org. We do not hike on trails that are closed.
Our second rule is to get landowner permission to hike during hunting season. Prior to each hike on private land, the hike leader will obtain permission from the land owner. During hunting season, it is also important to discuss hunting at the time permission is obtained. The hike planner and the land owner should work together to ensure that the hike and hunting will not overlap in time and space.
Our third rule is to dress appropriately for any hike during hunting season. This means that hikers should wear orange or bright pink clothing. A baseball cap from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference is a safe way to support that trail. Or a simple orange safety vest is a good alternative. And don’t forget the dogs. Look for an orange safety vest at the pet store.
Finally, we try to remember we are sharing the woods with our neighbors and friends and we need to treat them with respect.
The fall is a wonderful season to hike. The bugs are gone and the leaves are changing. Many hikers want to be on the trail before the snow falls. Springwater Trails will continue to lead
our weekly hikes during this season. Now is a good time to get out your orange vest, your orange hat and your orange backpack and join us on the trails.
Bow hunting for Deer and Bear this year goes from Oct 1 to Dec 16, 2014. Small game seasons are slightly different from this and can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/huntingseasons14.pdf.
Just a reminder to everyone that Deer Season is currently open:
Bow Hunting opened October 1 until November 14 2014. Bow Hunters have only this short period of time to harvest and enjoy the outdoors. Lets fully respect their rights as much as us hikers would want to be respected.
Keeping quiet in the woods is a huge part of this. There are a few hikers that use this trail. that think that the whole outdoors belongs to them and their dog. By walking along calling the dog and talking to them selves or the person with them. Not thinking that there is someone else enjoying a peaceful bow hunting experience or watching wildlife. Please RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE.