The Springwater Trails hikes this week will traverse forest, fields, gullies but probably not flower fields. For those of you who have hiked with the group here before this hike will start at a different spot – the original entrance to the preserve on Wesley Rd.

With a high of 20 forecast, expect parts of the trail to be icy.  Crampons for your shoes and/or poles for your hands will make the hike easier. And after the hike, we will warm up with a social at the Middletown Tavern in Naples.

A word of caution – Enter Wesley Rd from Gulick Rd. Do not try to access Wesley Rd from East Lake Rd, in spite of what your GPS might tell you. The road is closed below the trail head and if you try it you will readily see why.

Wesley Hill Nature Preserve was founded in 1999 by the generous donation of 90 acres by the children of three artists – John Weinrich, James Havens and Colburn Dugan – to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Since that time the preserve has grown to over 390 acres by way of the purchase, by the land trust, of three parcels and a gift of the fourth.

Briggs Gully, the original Weinrich cabin, a bird watching area, breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, a pond and extensive forest with a wide array of wildlife are just some of the features this lovely property offers.

Our hikes will start and end at the same point – the parking lot on Wesley Road. The preserve entrance is across the road from the parking area. From this entrance we will follow the trails laid out within the preserve, visiting the bottom of the preserve up to the top of the preserve on Gulick Rd.

The Tourists (led by Dena) will start on the yellow trail.  They will turn at the blue trail, follow it around the lower part of the preserve.  The blue trail connects back to the yellow trail and then returns to the parking area. (2 miles)

The Naturalists (led by Mark) will follow the tourists around the blue trail.  This group has not hiked the blue trail before and the Naturalists will take some time to discuss the various trees of the preserve and the specifics of the terrain.  (1.5 miles)

The Climbers (led by ?) will stay on the yellow trail until it comes to the red trail then continue on the red up to the Gulick Rd trail head, then around and then follow it back to yellow trail and to the original start point. (3.5 miles).

Maps are available at the kiosk at the trail entrance. Trails are all clearly marked and depending on weather and energy level there is the option for the groups to extend their hike onto adjacent trails. Tourists and naturalists will traverse gentle slopes and flat terrain; climbers will hoof it up some dandy hills.

Directions are available here. To get to the Middletown Tavern after the hike, go back up Wesley Rd.  Turn right on Gulick Rd and follow Gulick Rd for 8.4 miles all of the way to the stop sign at CR 36.  Turn left on CR 36.  The Middletown is on the right at the bottom of the hill at the intersection with Rt 21.