Please join us on Sunday July 7 for a look at the newly regroomed and renamed Hickory Ridge Trail, formerly known as the West Hill Preserve, off Seman Road in Naples. Springwater Trails was responsible for maintaining the Finger Lakes Trail segment through this property and on down the hill to Naples for many years, so many of you will remember the “Maintenance Hikes” here, with loppers, chainsaws, virulent multiflora rose, and muddy boots. The lower portion of the trail, heading down to Naples, has been closed due to owner permission issues, but the Nature Conservancy, which owns the 550 acre uphill section, has devoted significance resources in the past 8 months to rerouting and improving the switchback loop at the Seman Road end, eliminating the muddy sections, enlarging the parking area, softening the steep parts and making it user-friendly for multiple user groups.
Meet at 3:45 for a 4PM start at 6795 Seman Road, Naples. All groups will start on the same route, with the Climbers completing the full counterclockwise loop of about 4 miles and the Tourists and Naturalists tackling the easier east side of the loop and returning as they came, for a total of 2-3 miles. The trails are all wooded, well groomed and wide, with gentle elevation gains. Bring water and sun protection.
Our Social afterwards will be a dish-to-pass at the Lake View Point Scenic Overlook at 7083 County Road 12, Naples for a terrific vista of the lake, Vine Valley, Bare Hill, and the surrounding hills and vineyards. Bring your own beverage and your favorite dish, or make a $5 donation to our Social fund. There are only two picnic tables, so bring a lawn chair and a folding table if you have one.
Directions:
From Springwater: Go south to Wayland and east on Route 21, through Naples. At .4 miles past Bob and Ruth’s and Route 245, take the first left onto County Road 12. IN 1.8 miles, take the left fork onto Rhine Street. At the first intersection (3/4 mile) go left on Seman Road. The Hickory Ridge parking area will be on your left in about a half mile.
From Honeoye: Go south on East Lake Road, then turn left onto County Road 33 (Egypt Valley Road). Continue on 33 all the way to the intersection with County Road 34; keep straight on County Road 33, whose name now changes to West Hollow Road. Continue for 4.3 miles, passing Clement Road on your right. Turn left on Seman Road. Go 1.3 miles to Hickory Ridge Trailhead on your right.
From Rochester/Victor/Canandaigua: Follow 5 and 20 to Route 64, Then south on Route 64 through the Bristol Valley about 13 miles to Bristol Springs.Just past Gannett Hill Road, go right on County Road 12. Go 2.8 miles, pass the Scenic Overlook, and take a right on Oakley Road. At the intersection in 3/4 mile, go straight onto Seman Road. In a half mile, the trailhead will be on your left.
To the Social: From the trailhead, go east toward Gannett Hill, straight on Oakley Road Road, and turn left on County Road 12. In 1/4 mile, the Canandaigua Lake Scenic Overlook will be on your right.