Sunday Hike May 18
On a clear day you can see forever…from the summit of Hi Tor. Let’s hope Mother Nature will bless us with some sunshine. This week’s hike will take us up to an outstanding view of Canandaigua Lake and the hills that surround it. We will be using the FLT Orange and Blue trails. Copies of the maps will be provided.
We will all meet at the DEC parking area on Rt 245 in Naples (directions will follow this description). Our groups will use two different routes to scale the heights. Because two of the trails involve climbing, I will refer to them as Climbers 1 and Climbers 2. Hiking boots are recommended as the trail is rocky and wet. There are a couple of creek crossings for the climber groups.
Naturalists are the lucky ones today. They will begin at the parking area and meander through the flats along Naples Creek, checking out wildflowers, budding trees, and stream life. This group can saunter along the creek past the cut off for the FLT Orange trail and continue as long as the trail holds out.
Climbers 1 will proceed from the parking area along the Orange FLT Trail, bearing left after about one half mile. Soon they will begin a steady up hill climb for about 1.7 miles, gradual, not especially steep. Some scenic ravines along the way. At the junction of the Blue Trail, the group will bear left and continue uphill for another mile to the DEC lean to and scenic overlook. Return trip is descending by the same route. Total hike about 6.6 miles.
Climbers 2 will have a shorter but steeper route to the top. From the meeting place, this group will car pool to the Blue Trail access 5D on Parrish Hill Rd. and leave vehicles there. They will follow the Blue trail to the overlook. The trail heads up steeply then down steeply to cross a creek. Another steep ascent awaits, but climbers will be rewarded with gorgeous views of the gorge and falls. Eventually they will arrive at the lean to and scenic view down the lake. Total climb about 1.2 miles, approximately 45 minutes. Hopefully they will meet up with the Climbers 1 group at the lean to. This group can descend by the same route (for a total of 2.4 miles roundtrip) or take the longer hike down to the Orange trail and back to the meeting place on 245, where fellow hikers will hopefully ferry them back to retrieve their vehicles on Parrish Hill Rd. (4.5 miles total roundtrip)
Directions
From the North take Route 21 or Route 64 (which merges with 21 in Bristol Springs). Just north of the village of Naples, turn left on Rt 245. Parking area is just past bridge, in front of DEC building.
From the South, take Route 21 through the village of Naples. Turn right on 245, right across from Bob and Ruth’s. Parking area is about .1 miles, just past the bridge. Look for the Springwater Trails sign.
Social will be at the town park which is just East of the meeting place on 245. Please bring something to share or a contribution to the food fund. Mark may have some hots to grill.