NOTE: As of Sunday morning, it looks like light rain much of this afternoon. The hike is still on, but the social will be at a restaurant. See you at 4:00.
This Sunday, we’re returning to Sonyea State Forest in Livingston County, to hike along the Keshequa Creek. Since the last time we hiked in this forest, the DEC has made some (minor) improvements, including designating 5 primitive camp sites. On our hike, we may find a campsite you will want to return to for a respite from the daily grind.
We will meet at 4 PM at the gate that marks the head of the Keshequa Creek Falls Trail about 2.7 miles from the beginning of Union Corners Rd. See directions below. All hikers will walk around the gate to a well groomed trail the heads down a steep hill to the creek. Be careful walking down, and on the way back you will want to take your time climbing this hill. But the hill is not long and most of the rest of the trail is along the old Genesee Valley Canal and railroad bed. Our hike will take us to the western side of the forest, where we will encounter the gorge along Keshequa Creek. Within the gorge, we will see remains of the Genesee Canal and a major branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, as well as rapids and falls along the creek.
The Naturalists will hike about a mile along the trail to a beautiful wide point in the creek where we can explore the falls and the intricate cracks in the rocks. After exploring that location, Katherine will lead the Naturalists back to the car the way we came.
The climbers will continue on the trail past the falls to the end of the trail, and then will return to the cars by way of the field to the entrance of the State Forest, and will walk on Union Corners Rd. If conditions or time require, we may adjust the route and return the way we came. Mark will lead the climbers..
After the hike, we will enjoy the August weather with a picnic in the woods. Bring a dish to pass, or make a donation. We will select a clear area so, bring folding chairs, and a table, if you have one. There are no washroom facilities, not even portable ones, but lots of trees If the day should turn out to be a rainy one, we will return to the Sunrise, in Dansville.
Directions: Please Note: Directions on Google Maps from Springwater takes you on NY 36 North to Craig Rd up through the Groveland Correctional Facility. This road is closed to cars, although walkers and bikers are allowed to use it as part of the Genesee Valley Greenway trail.. This is not a good way to get to our hike. Please follow the directions below.
From exit 6 on 390, turn south on NY 36. Then, take the first right onto CR 72, aka Presbyterian Rd. Follow it for 3.7 miles, bearing right at the intersection with CR 11, to Union Corners Rd. Turn right here and keep going for 2.7 miles,, till you see the gate. Union Corners Rd is unpaved, with potholes, making for slow going so, consider this in planning your travel time. Turn around at the gate and park on either side of the road.
From Springwater: Take NY 15 west from the flashing light. At the top of the hill (1.5 mi), turn left onto Liberty Pole Rd.(CR 38). Continue for 8.1 miles as the road number changes from CR 38 to CR 1A to CR 1. Turn left onto NY 63 S. In just 0.3 miles take the first right onto N 258. In 1.9 miles, continue straight across NY 36 and onto CR 72 (Presbyterian Rd). Follow the directions above to the state forest.
From Naples. Follow NY 21 S to Wayland. At the first light, turn left to stay on NY 21. In 1.8 miles south of Wayland, turn right on I-390 N. In 16 miles, take Exit 6. Turn right onto NY 36. Follow the directions above.