This Sunday hikers will venture into the east side of Letchworth Sate Park on a branch of the Finger Lakes Trail which travels a length of 25 miles through the park.  A serene forest of mixed hardwoods and hemlock awaits us.  Some gorgeous gullies will add excitement to our trek.  Along the way there is a nice overlook of the Genesee River gorge with a view across the river of the former hamlet of St. Helena, now buried in mud from flood waters. The trail is changing but rewarding.

Note earlier start time at 1:00 due to length of hike and change to EST.

Hiking Groups

All groups will meet at the junction of River and Oakland roads in the town of Mt. Morris, (AKA Access G on the Letchworth Map 2).  There is shoulder parking and some additional off-road space.  Please consider car pooling with a friend or two.  The trail is rugged and may be slippery.  Hiking boots and poles are needed.

Naturalists will depart heading west on a .4 mile access trail.  Turning north at the junction with the Finger Lakes Trail, they will encounter a rustic shelter, used by through hikers.  From there they can continue north as far as time and energy permit, before returning along the same route to the parking area.  A hike leader is needed for this group.  Map will be provided and the trail is blazed.

Tourists  will head west on the park access trail then turn south on the Finger Lakes Trail. There will be some moderate climbs around the ravines. After taking in the view at the St. Helena overlook, they will take a side trail up to River Rd for a short road walk back to the parking area.  Total hike 4 miles.  A hike leader is also needed for this group

Climbers will follow the same route as the Tourists up to the overlook. This group will travel an additional mile before reaching the road.  A road walk of 1.5 miles will return them to the parking area. Total hike 5.5miles.

Post Hike Social

We will be reviving our weary bones at Scovill’s Grill, 60 Red Jacket St., Dansville.  The menu is good and it is on the way home to Springwater.

See what they have to offer at www.scovillsgrill.com.

Directions:

From Springwater: At the flashing light, turn west on Rt 15 North for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Liberty Pole Rd (CR38), past the All Western Tree Farm. This road becomes CR1A, and then CR1 (don’t ask me why, since it is all the same county) so follow the road for 8.1 miles until it ends. Turn left onto NY-63 S for a quarter mile and turn right only NY 258W. In 1.9 miles, turn right ony NY-36 N. Continue for 3.1 miles on 36N past the Croveland Correctional Facility. Take the second left past the Correctional Facility on Dutch St Rd (CR 30) for 1.3mi.  Turn left onto Ridge Rd, At the end of Ridge Rd, turn left on River Rd. The parking lot is on the left in 4.2 miles, just past Oakland Rd.

From Naples, Wayland and Dansville: Follow NY-21 from Naples. Turn right at North Cohocton to stay on 21 to the light in Wayland. Continue straight on NY-63N to Dansville. Turn left on NY-36N (Ossian St). In 0.8 miles, NY-36 turns right, but continue straight on Ossian St as it become NY436 W. There are some twists, but continue straight ahead for 18.2 miles on NY-436 through Nunda. Turn right onto Oakland Rd,the first cross street (1.5 miles) after Nunda. At the end of Oakland Rd, turn left onto River Rd and park on the left or on the shoulder.

From Rochester and Mt Morris: Take I-390 S to Exit 7, NY 408S to Mt Morris. Turn left onto NY-408S. Jog to the left at Main St, then right to stay on NY 408S. In 2.6 miles, turn a slight right onto River Rd. In 6.3 miles, the parking lot is on the left in 4.2 miles, just past Oakland Rd.