It’s Spring and time to revisit the Springwater Trail at Sugarbush Hollow. Bob, Mark, Rick, Ellen and Pam have been busy doing some trail maintenance for our upcoming Mother’s Day Hike on May 11th. We will meet a little earlier at 1:30 at our Springwater trail signs on Pardee Hollow Road, just a little south of the Sugarbush Hollow Sugarhouse and the pond. Springwater Trails, Inc will hold a dedication ceremony honoring two of the founders of Springwater Trail.  Howie Harris was the first Chairman of the Springwater Parks and Trails Committee from July 2010 to Dec 2011.  Chuck Winship was a member of the committee and was the first land owner to sign a permit allowing the trail to be built through his property.  The ceremonial laying of two paving bricks on the trail will be the first of many bricks honoring the supporters of the Springwater Trail.

From Pardee Hollow Road, we will separate into our 3 skill level groups, each taking a separate route to explore sections of the 3.5 mile trail. Colorful Spring woodland wildflowers and wild leeks are prolific, so bring your cameras, and breath mints if you plan on tasting the leeks! New maps of the Springwater Trail at Sugarbush Hollow will be available.

Naturalists will drive to the top of Coates Road to explore the Trillium Trail, open only from January to September due to the fall deer hunting season. The trail is fairly flat, follows around active farm fields and passes through bordering hedgerows. Many wildflowers at 2000′ elevation will be noted along the way with the highlight of a delightful patch of trillium in the far east section of the trail. Hopefully nature will cooperate this coming week and bring some sunshine to the trillium’s dainty 3 leaves noted this week.

Tourists will hike the east hill with a rise of 300 ft at the beginning to catch up with the naturalists on the Trillium Trail. The trail will pass through the Sugarbush, noting the rich abundance of wild ramps and spring woodland wildflowers along the way. They will continue down Coates Road to Pardee Hollow Road and if time permits extend their hike up the west hill, and return by climbing another 300, passing through a black cherry and sugar maple plantation planted by Chuck Winship, Bruce Winship, and Pam Masterson in 2005. My, have the trees grown and the cherry trees are in blossom!

Climbers will hike the entire Springwater Trail at Sugarbush Hollow starting on the west hill by entering the orange farm road trail just across from Coates Road, travel to a pick up point on Tabors Corners Road, then return via the blue trail to the Pardee Hollow Road parking area, picking up the east hill trail, extending to the Trillium Trail and return through the sugarbush to their parked cars on Pardee Hollow. The views at the tops of the hills at 2100′ are breathtaking, farm fields are beginning to be planted, and the forest is alive, fresh and green. Take some time to smell the forest coming alive after a long winter’s nap, note the spring wildflowers, and taste the leeks.

Mothers will be given a break for the social this week after 3 picnic socials in a row. No cooking needed! For especially those female hikers that provide excellent dishes to pass each week, this is a your day off! I thought a minute about having the men cook, but decided a restaurant may be a better idea. We will have our social at 4:30 at the Mountain View in Atlanta where Chicken and Biscuits is their Sunday special if desired. I like their little neck clams.

It’s a good day to hike with your family, so bring your mother, grandmother, children, or grandchildren to share what we are proud to own THE SPRINGWATER TRAIL!

Directions:

From Springwater, take Rt 15A north. Take the first right onto Wheaton Hill Road (Co Rd 16), (sign to Tabors Corners) go to end of road and turn right onto Wetmore Road, go to end of road and turn right onto Tabors Corners Road, turn left on Pardee Hollow road at Punky Hollow lighthouse sign (watch for maple bucket road sign on right), turn right at end of road and follow signs to Sugarbush Hollow, 8447 Pardee Hollow Road.

(More directions below this gallery of trail work.)

From Hemlock, take RT. 15A south over Bald Hill. Just before the hamlet of Springwater, turn left onto Wheaton Hill Road (Co Rd 16), (sign to Tabors Corners). Follow the Springwater directions to Sugarbush Hollow.

From Wayland and Naples, take Rt. 21 toward N. Cohocton. Just west of N. Cohocton (watch for maple bucket road signs), turn left onto CR 38 which is also known as Rowe Road. Go .6 miles and turn left on to Pardy Hollow Road. Follow for 3 miles to Sugarbush Hollow 8447 Pardee Hollow Road.

From Honeoye:  Take Co Rd 36 south past Hunts Hollow ski area. Turn right onto French Hill Rd.  Turn right at the stop sign to stay on French Hill Rd.  Take the next left onto Garlinghouse Atlanta Rd.  Just past the Schum Acres Farm, turn right onto Pardee Hollow Rd. Follow for 3 miles to Sugarbush Hollow 8447 Pardee Hollow Road.