On Sunday we are going to try to snowshoe in Mendon Ponds Park, if the weather permits. Mendon Ponds Park is the largest Monroe County Park with 2,500 acres of woodlands, ponds, wetlands and glacially created landforms. In 1969, it was named to the National Registry of Natural Landmarks due to its geologic history and presence of significant kames, eskers, and kettles.

Sunday, from 11 to 4, is the Mendon Winterfest. Come to Mendon early and learn about and try out other winter activities such as ice fishing, orienteering and ice boating. While Winterfest is geared towards families, it should be an enjoyable day for everyone no matter how cold or warm the weather. Springwater Trails will be at the Evergreen Shelter with a display of traction devices for winter hiking.  Volunteers willing to help explain the various devices should meet at the Shelter at 10:45.  After examining the various traction devices, you will want to take the opportunity to try snowshoes at the ADK display in the same shelter. Check the schedule for other events.

Springwater Trails will meet for our Sunday hike at 2:00 on Pond Road at the parking area behind Lookout Lodge. We will all start out together on the Quaker Pond Loop (Purple trail), heading to the right to loop around the pond in a counter-clockwise direction.

After a quarter mile, we will join the Birdsong Trail and cross a small bridge. Naturalists will stay on the Birdsong Trail for a short loop and an opportunity to feed the Chickadees. After completing the Birdsong loop across a second bridge and back to the original Quaker Pond Loop, the naturalists will follow Quaker Pond loop in the clockwise direction south to the lookout platform with a view of the pond. Heading back to the cars from this point will make a 2 mile hike.

The Tourists will join the Naturalists for the Birdsong loop, but will return to the Quaker Pond Loop in the counter-clockwise direction. There are two branches to the left to lookouts over the Quaker Pond.  Continuing on around the loop and back to the cars makes a 3 mile hike.

The Climbers will stay on the Quaker Pond Loop trail, past the first lookout.  As the trail loops around the pond and starts back north, the climbers will take a short side trail to connect to the Southern Meadow Trail.  They will turn right on the Southern Meadow trail and then loop around back along Pond Rd and finally back to the Quaker Loop trail, where they will head north to the car for almost 4 miles total.

Following the hike, we will gather at the Brewery Pub and Grill at 8 W Main S in Honeoye Falls for refreshment and warm conversation.

Directions:

From Springwater: Head north on 15A for 21.6 miles through Hemlock and Lima. Take a slight right exit to Honeoye Falls.  Stay on W Main St into the villiage where you will pass the Brewery Pub and Grill on the right at the intersection with NY 65 (1.9 mi).  Continue straight onto NY 65 for 4.4 mi. (At 2 miles, you will go around a traffic circle.  Stay on NY 65.) Turn right onto Pond Rd.  The parking area is on the right in 1 mile. NOTE: to get to the  Evergreen Shelter before the hike, stay on NY 65 for another 1.2 miles past Pond Rd.  Turn right on Canfield Rd.  The shelter is on the right 0.7 miles down Canfield.

From Honeoye: From US 20A, head north on CR 37 for 8.2 miles to W Bloomfield. Continue straight on NY 65 for 0.7 miles, then continue straight onto CR 35/W Bloomfield Rd for 6.6 miles.  Turn left onto Pond Rd.  Inside Mendon Ponds Park, the road will come to a T – turn left to stay on Pond Rd.  The parking area is on the left in 0.2 miles. Note: to get to the  Evergreen Shelter before the hike, stay on W Bloomfield Rd for another 1.7 miles past Pond Rd.  Turn left on Canfield Rd.  The shelter is on the left 2.1 miles down Canfield.

From Rochester: Exit I590 at Monroe Ave toward Pittsford. Turn right (south) onto NY 65 (Clover St). In 6.7 miles, turn left onto Pond Rd. The parking area is on the right in 1 mile. NOTE: to get to the  Evergreen Shelter before the hike, turn left from NY 65 in 5.5 miles onto Canfield Rd.  The shelter is on the right 0.7 miles down Canfield.

From the Evergreen Shelter: Head west on Canfield Rd for 0.7 miles.  Turn left onto NY 65 for 1.2 miles.  Turn left onto Pond Rd. The parking area is on the right in 1 mile.