>>> update Sat 4/18/2015:  If you were one of those kids who always wished that you could be the first kid on the block to do whatever, then here is a hike for you.   Likely Springwater Trails will be the first organized hiking group to hike this newly acquired park land in the Town of Rush. The large parcel adjacent the NYMT is the former Monroe BOCES#1 Campus in Rush, and prior to that was part of the NYS Agricultural and Industrial School in Rush dubbed “Industry” and alternately known as Oatka Residential facility, a NYS juvenile reform school.

Being that Sunday is predicted to be low-mid 60s temperatures with some sun, and winds described as breezy, we will be holding our after-hike social outside at the picnic grove of the NYMT adjacent the NYMT parking lot.    And being that weather has offered only one day of rain as of late, likely this hike will NOT be a muddy one.    Reminder: consider BINOCULARS for use at the hill top vista.     end of update. <<<

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NOTE: New York Museum of Transportation (NYMT) opens at 11:00AM.    This is a Springwater Trails (S/T) “hike combo event”, a hike coupled with a visit opportunity to the NYMT in Rush NY and a special program presentation at 1PM in the NYMT on topic of “The Interurban Era”. (There is a $5 admission fee to the NYMT, see “Hike Event Details:” section below.)  Hikers are encouraged to allow themselves ample time for touring the NYMT and to see the ~ 45 minute program (including time for questions) on “The Interurban Era” prior to 2:00PM hike time.  History appreciators need longer time to see the NYMT exhibits, casual lookers need less time.

If you wish to hike only, and not visit the NYMT, you may do so. Admission fee is only required inside the NYMT, not for grounds admission.

If we have a substantial size group present prior to 12Noon in the NYMT, there may be opportunity to have a specially timed presentation of “The Interurban Era”.  Please consider an RSVP so that we can determine in advance the possible arrangements for a S/T 12:00Noon presentation of “The Interurban Era”.

Arrival of hikers to the NYMT between 11:00AM and ~11:50AM, and identifying yourself as an S/T hiker upon gaining admission, will allow admission desk staff to maintain a tally of our hiker numbers, and suggest whether a 12:00Noon “specially timed for S/T” presentation of “The Interurban Era” will be presented.  We need a minimum number present for a 12:00Noon presentation.   Barring this happening, we all will hope to fit in the limited seating viewing gallery where “The Interurban Era” special program will be presented for the scheduled 1:00PM presentation.  (Of course if this preferred time frame does not work for your personal circumstance, arrive when you can.)

HIKE EVENT DETAILS:

PLEASE NOTE: Hike is slated to start at 2:00PM on Sunday 4/19/2015 at the two tall white silos adjacent a fence and historic Greyhound and RTS buses displayed at the NEW YORK MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION (NYMT) located at 6393 East River Rd.  (On the provided map, NYMT is depicted at the upper right corner.)   Majority of the hike (“Plan A”) is to hike the adjacent newly acquired Town of Rush park lands (approximately 350 acres) which generically utilize a park access road at 6565 East River Rd (6565 ERR Park).    Please take note: Today’s hike is NOT slated to actually start at 6565 ERR Park “center campus”, nor via that access road.

Overall, this is a hike on flat to mildly sloped trails through open fields and woods. This will be a great outing for younger hikers.  There will be more than one hike group.  Hike group formation will offer hikes at various level of pace and distance, as well as subject interest of hikers. All hike groups are slated to finish in under two hours.  Hikers will have opportunity to indicate their group of choice when assembling, at the hike meet point.  Binoculars are suggested for use on the first portion of this hike, as a panoramic vista point will be hiked to.  After the vista point, groups diverge upon their customized routings. (And, yes if you want to see the vista point a second time, your group can hike to it near hike end.)

>>A hike MICRO-challenge, is spelled out at the bottom of this hike announcement, should any hike group(s) or hiker(s) wish to accept the challenge.

If the 6565 Town of Rush park lands are too wet overall, though doubtful, for reasonable hiking on hike day, “Plan B” is to hike a rail trail closeby.  The Lehigh Valley Trail (LVT) and the Genesee Valley Greenway (GVG) are both rail trails with access points within a few minutes drive from the NYMT.  Curent thoughts are Plan A will work. Regardless, Plan A or Plan B, hike meet point is at the two white silos of NYMT (as was further described above).

Coupled with this hike is the opportunity to visit the NYMT, “off season” admission: $5 adult and $4 children under 12, is in effect on April 19th.  The NYMT is open 11AM-5PM year round Sundays only.  >> At 1PM in the NYMT there is a special program on “The Interurban Era”, early 20th century high speed trolley / rail lines that connected various cities in Western NY and the Finger Lakes Region of NY.  This era was before the advent of popularization of automobiles which diminished popular use of Interurbans and ultimately led to their demise.  The special program on “The Interurban Era” is included in admission fee to the NYMT.  This program is the last of the varied special programs of the Jan-April 2015 winter program series at the NYMT.

Consider that trains, trolleys, trucks, construction equipment, and all kinds of other neat stuff, as well as an outdoor adventure equate to a great adventure and memories for kids and families, as well as for mature audiences.  Minors accompanied by parent or guardian are welcome at all facets of this event.

No pets are allowed inside the NYMT buildings.  Well-mannered, leashed, and cleaned-up after pets are welcome on the hike.

DIRECTIONS:

New York Museum of Transportation & the Springwater Trails hike meet and start points are at:  6393 East River Rd, located in the Town of Rush’s northwest section, in southern Monroe County, NY.  Use lat/long coords of:  43.016616, -77.710161    (Note: if you use 6393 East River Rd in GPS unit, input may need to be West Henrietta rather than Rush.)

As a generic reference point, NYMT on East River Rd (ERR) is just south of the jct with Rush Henrietta Townline Rd, and is in plain view from that jct.

Via northbound or southbound on NYS Route I-390, exit at Exit 11:   **(up-front a directions cautionary: Route I-390 exit 11 has multiple ramps, and the intertwining NYS Rt 15 & NYS Rt 251 all present with multiple junctions can be confusing.  If utilizing I-390 as your approach, as you approach I-390 exit 11, carefully follow signs for NYS Rt 251 westbound.)**               >>> From Exit 11, travel on NYS Rt 251 west (for ~1 1/2 miles) to the fourway intersect of East River Rd ; turn right (northbound) on East River Rd.  (The NYMT is ~ 1 mile north of this intersection.)  As you progress northbound on that one mile stretch of East River Road you will pass (on your left) the access road (driveway) for 6565 East River park and will see numerous red barns on the campus core of the park (this access road is not utilized to get to the meet or start point for this hike). The next access road (driveway) on the left is the NYMT access road and is labeled with museum signage nearby. Turn left onto this access road and follow the signs for visitor parking.

Via northbound or southbound on NYS Rt 15 or NYS Rt 15A:             >>>At the jct with NYS Rt 251, turn onto NYS Rt 251 heading westbound.   Travel NYS Rt 251 west to the fourway intersect of East River Rd ; turn right (northbound) on East River Rd.  As you progress northbound you will pass (on your left) the access road (driveway) for 6565 East River park and will see numerous red barns on the campus core of the park (this access road is not utilized to get to the meet or start point for this hike). The next access road (driveway) on the left is the NYMT access road and is labeled with museum signage nearby. Turn left onto this access road and follow the signs for visitor parking.

A directions cautionary: As you are westbound on NYS Rt 251 be sure to carefully follow signs for NYS 251. Some possibility for confusion exists at some intersections.

AFTER-HIKE SOCIAL (optional):

Pot-luck after-hike social is slated for approximately 4PM to be held either at the outdoor picnic grove of the NYMT, or if factors such as weather suggest otherwise the pot-luck social will be held inside an historic trolley  (the “party trolley”, formerly located inside the Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurant in downtown Rochester).  This trolley now housed inside the display buildings of the NYMT, has been in the NYMT collection since 1996.  If the social is held in the trolley inside the NYMT, all who attend would be responsible for having paid the NYMT $5 admission.

Please bring a “dish to pass”, or make a contribution to the S/T social fund (suggested $5) to help defray expenses.  Also bring an appropriate beverage of choice.  Note: there is a “no alcohol policy” in the party trolley inside the NYMT.  If bringing a “dish to pass” in a crock pot is essential to keep warm during your NYMT visit and hike, likely we can plug in a crock pot or two.

SUGGESTIONS / finer points:

In this hike, subgroups will first climb a gradual slope to a hill top where there is a commanding view to the north and east, with no trees obscuring views.  Binoculars are highly suggested, and possibly a map of Monroe County, to orient to reference points and landmarks, while on the hill top.

For historic cemetery appreciators, depicted here is a photo of the no longer utilized cemetery of the NYS Agricultural and Industrial School in Rush, NY (eventually dubbed “Industry”).  The large white cross in the cemetery can be seen from near the museum rail tracks.  Prior to the acquisition of the lands in Rush, “out in the country”, this school existed (sans the Agricultural moniker) at the location now known as Edgerton Park, in the City of Rochester, circumscribed by Backus St, Bloss St, Dewey Ave, and Emerson St.  Most edifices, from “back in the day”, of this school have been razed at the present Edgerton Park, but a few remain.  The for decades now known as Stardust Ballroom is one such edifice, and it houses the Edgerton Model Railroad Club aka Edgerton Model Train Room in the basement of this building.

Being we are still early in Spring, had a deep snowpack that still was partially in place at some spots on April 2nd, and being that this park lands parcel is adjacent the Genesee River, … some trails or traverses are likely to be soft, perhaps occasionally muddy.  Translated, if you have underfoot Traction Devices (TDs) that are apropos for soft terra and mud bring them.  If you have an extra pair that you are willing to loan for the hike, likely another hiker will appreciate opportunity to borrow & trial  them.  As usual, some hikers may find trekking poles useful.  One topic of hiker discussion at the after-hike social will hopefully be comparison of TDs.  (Update Note : Based a a recent preview hike, TDs are optional for this hike, since there is no ice, nor steep soft/ muddy trails.  So if you have no idea what TDs are, “No Worries, Mate”, and likely you can learn about these from some fellow hikers.)

Restroom inside the NYMT, with indoor plumbing / lavatory sinks.  No kitchen facilities or other water faucets at the NYMT.

Check for possible updates at the head of this Hike Announcement, just prior to hike day.

note: generically for 6565 East River Rd park, lat/long coords are 43.013208, -77.707463 (entrance driveway), but this is neither the meet nor start point for today’s hike.

View an unofficial draft map of the 6565 East River Rd, Town of Rush park lands here.   Rush_Reserve_Trailmap_DraftLR    *You may wish to print a copy of this map and bring it on hike day for your personal use and edification.

Please note on the map, NYMT is in the upper right corner of the map, turquoise colored trail is at the corner of the NYMT parking lot.  Hike start progresses nearly directly southward on the park campus road, and then either through or along the perimeter of pasture land up a hill.  Hill top with a vista, binocular worthy, can be referenced on the map at the approximate point as described. >> On the map across the midsection, is the word DRAFT. Where the bottom of the lower of the two horizontals of the “F” in DRAFT intersects with the vertical of that “F” is the hill top with a view.  Also described as ~ 43.010123, -77.713647  ~or~   43°00’36.4″N 77°42’49.1″W   [A no longer utilized flag pole (wooden utility pole with a pulley near the top but with no rope) is situate at that approximate location, and is a reference point when at the park.]