SpringwaterTrails and the New York State Forest Owners Association, Western Chapter (NYFOA) joined together on August 8, 2015 for a “woods walk” into the Canadice Outlet, a section of forested land in the DEC Hemlock/Canadice State Forest. Thanks go out to the DEC and the City of Rochester for allowing special permission to our organizations to travel from a historical abandoned road behind private property on Bald Hill to the restricted area of the “curved dam” on RT. 15A.

The reward was an immediate steep ascent

Following the ridge of the steep gully with views of the Canadice Outlet Creek below, 4 leaders, Peter Muench, Pam Masterson, Ellen Folts , and Rick Osieki, educated hikers on the diversity of the forest  as well as the history of an old milling village called Dixon Hollow and the development of the Canadice Outlet dams by the City of Rochester. Remains of an abandoned road, sawmill, grist mill and bridge which once spanned the outlet were identified and the curved dam on Rt. 15A was viewed from the back and front. A variety of mushrooms species (including a nice hen in the woods), jack in the pupits, red and white dolls eyes, fringed polygala and bloodroot were pointed out by Ellen Folts and Georgia Binder.   Peter Muench educated hikers regarding the differences in the oak trees along with enjoying the size and beauty of the Hemlock pines.

A separate advanced group, led by Bill Cooke, traveled back through the creek bed area, crossing the low water level creek at various locations. This creek walk is not possible other times of the year as water levels can change drastically due to spring thaw or storms which turn the creek into a “raging river” which historically powered the old mills located along the creek. Viewing the forest above from the bottom of a gully provided a different perspective to explorers.

Hikers enjoyed an after hike social which included everything from fresh summer vegetables, salads and hot dogs with homemade condiments to homemade pies and desserts.  Rick provided information regarding his website on Hemlock and Canadice Lakes and foresters shared the beauty of what Ellen identified as a “ecological extravaganza!”