This Sunday we will put a new perspective on Pam’s favorite hike from the Summer of 2011. We will be hiking down the hill from Rob’s Trail on Rt 15A to Hemlock Lake and then will continue north to the Park.

All hikers will meet at the Hemlock Park at the north end of Hemlock Lake. The Naturalists will carpool to the north-east public boat launch and walk the service road to the end. The Climbers and Tourists will carpool to the Rob’s Trail parking lot. Chris Williams will lead us across 15A to follow the Nature Conservancy / Hemlock State Forest boundary down toward the lake. About 15 minutes into the hike we will traverse north along the hillside with modest descents along the way. The final decent will go along the ridge of a large gully down to the lake where the group will proceed north on the old abandon road that once circled the lake.

The Climbers will meet the Naturalists at the bench not too far from the end of the service road and will return to the Hemlock park along the Service Road. If all works according to plan, the Tourists who will be a little behind, will catch up to the Naturalists at the Boat Launch and can carpool back to the park with the Naturalists. The Climbers will earn their reputation by walking out to the Park.

Following the hike we will have a picnic at the Hemlock Park. Please bring a dish to pass and something to drink or make a small cash contribution. Chris, who is a brewer for Rogues’ Harbor in Ithaca, promises to have some samples on hand. Joan and Pam will share preliminary plans for the summer hikes and you can help fill any gaps at that time.

From Springwater, take Rt 15A North over Bald Hill and turn left at the north end of Hemlock lake on Rix Hill Rd. From Hemlock, take 15A south and turn right On Rix Hill Rd. Park in the lot on the left of Rix Hill Rd about 0.3 miles off of 15A. At the park, we will be looking for a leader for the Naturalists who is familiar with the Boat Launch parking.

You can see a map of the hike at https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203559843629689924287.0004693e5fb77d99bda07&msa=0&ll=42.721795,-77.599354&spn=0.107069,0.110893 and a video from Rogues’ Harbor at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM0SznSJXoI
See everyone Sunday!