Sometimes you just have to seize the moment when our “little finger lakes” provide an unusual hiking opportunity. The weather has been unseasonably warm, the lake level of Canadice Lake is unusually low, and bow hunting season is upon us in the DEC Hemlock/Canadice State Forest  The City of Rochester has been working on clearing debris in the Canadice Outlet area and log jams on the dam off Rt. 15A in Hemlock and maintenance on the Canadice Lake spillway/gate area.    This has resulted in the lowering of the Canadice Lake waters, keeping Hemlock Lake higher due to our storms in May and June and passage of the waters from Canadice Lake through the Canadice Outlet.   For the past two years, Springwater Trails  have  hiked the shorelines of Hemlock Lake at this time of year.  This year, the Canadice Lake shoreline provides hikers a unique opportunity for us to experience. Please note that dogs must be under control at all times and regulations require that they do not have contact with the water.

While kayaking on Canadice Lake this past week, I followed the shoreline to the north end to examine the possibility of an entire hike around the shoreline of Canadice Lake.  What I experienced confirmed that a change of hike location was needed for our local hikers.    We will meet at the South Canadice Lake Trail on Canadice Lake Road at 1:45 for immediate take off at 2:00.    Following the south grassy trail through the swampy area to the west side, we will drop onto the shoreline and hike to the spillway area at the northwest end of the lake, then cross over to the northeast shoreline and hike at least to the boat launch or further, time permitting.  Climbers will attempt to hike the entire shoreline at a fast pace, Tourists will hike to the boat launch for a pick up, and Naturalists may walk at their desired pace as far as they wish for an hour and return to their cars at the south end.    Bring your cameras for capturing fall foliage pictures, sighting the eagles, and colorful reflections in the water.

After hike social/campfire will be at Pam’s on Old Bald Hill Road.  Bring a healthy fall dish to pass and your drink of choice. Also, for those interested in beginning archery, bring your bows and arrows! We have a special guest hiking with us today from Kentucky, Bill Cooke.  He recently authored a book narrating his hike of the 486 mile Colorado Trail.  He is passing through the area to attend the ALDHA Conference in Williamstown, Mass. and will offer a slide show presentation of his Colorado hike.
Directions for the south entrance at Canadice.