In the early 19th century, New York governor DeWitt Clinton comissioned the building of a barge canal, in the Mohawk River valley, between Albany and Buffalo.  This canal was very instrumental in the development of the new country’s interior, by facilitating the transportation of interior merchandise to the coastal ports, and supplying products from Europe, to the interior.  A path was constructed alongside the canal for mules to tow the barges.  Although long since replaced by the more efficient transportation of trains, planes and trucks, “Clinton’s Ditch” remains a great recreational rescource for boating and hiking.

On this first Sunday of Spring, after enjoying a great lunch of pancakes and fresh maple syrup, at Stoney Ridge Farm, made by your fellow hikers, and helping our hiking club treasury by doing so, come to our starting point by the Erie Canal, at the east end of Macedon.  Follow the directions to Stoney Ridge, on CR 28.  After your lunch, turn right on 28 and, where it ends on SR 31, turn left, till you come to a small plaza (which has a Chase Bank), about 1/2 mile on your left, and meet us in the parking lot.

We will carefully cross 31 and hike east on the towpath, about 2 miles, till you come to a canal lock and park in Palmyra.  Here, you can see how the canal locks helped the barges (and now, kayaks) negotiate the elevation changes encountered.  Here, all hikers will have a choice.  For those of you that feel that 2 miles is enough fun for you, we will spot cars at this point, to take you back to the start.  If you prefer a 4 mile hike, simply turn around and walk back to the starting point.

Because weather, at the end of March, can be anything, we planned 2 choices for the after hike social.  If the day was going to be nice and warm (at least 50), and the snow had melted to open up the parking lot, we would have taken advantage of the nice restrooms and picnic tables to have our first picnic of the year, where you bring a dish to pass.

Although the park in Palmyra is very nice, I somehow don’t think you would enjoy an outside picnic in 20 degree weather. A bowl of steaming chili in a heated setting sounds much better (and should keep the bedroom warm that night too).  Therefore, using (or abusing) the authority you so kindly vested in me last Sunday, I advised Macedon Hills of our invasion after the hike and their hospitality will be extended to us. You can select your dinner from their extensive menu, along with your favorite beer or wine.   From our staging area, turn left on 31, and the place will be about a mile down, on your left side.

There may still be snow on the towpath, in case you’d like one more try in your skis or snowshoes.

Low bridge, everybody down

Low bridge, we’re coming to a town

Where you gotta know your neighbor, and you gotta know your pal

Doing 15 miles on the Erie Canal