Harriet Hollister Spencer Park-Hike, Ski or Snowshoe, Springwater

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Our Sunday event will be a hike, cross-country ski or snowshoe excursion on the groomed trails of the Finger Lakes State Park Region’s Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area (https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/harriet-hollister-spencer-state-recreation-area) Because of the high elevation (over 2000 feet), the Park has been well used over the past few weeks of cold, snowy weather, and the groomers have kept the trails in great condition for both fast and slower skiers and for those on snowshoes.

Meet at 6775 Canadice Hill Road, Springwater NY 14560 Ontario County. Park in the main lot near the road and gather near the kiosk at 1:45pm for a 2:00pm start. Rest rooms are available next to the lot. We will divide into groups depending on desired activity and distance.

  • Cross Country Ski – A good easy run for skiers is the Overlook Road to the Raccoon Run trail and back.
  • Snowshoe – A good route for those on snowshoes is an out and back on the Overlook and Bear Cub trails.
  • Naturalist’s Hike – Hiking in the winter is limited because the trails are groomed for use by skiers and those on snowshoes. However, the Overlook Road is wide enough that hikers can go out and back (for a total of about 2 miles) without having to worry about colliding with skiers or post- holing the tracks. Poles and traction devices are recommended.

Trail Map 

The trails are not well marked so it is recommended that you take a photo of the trail map at the kiosk or print a trail map using this link –https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/HarrietHollisterTrailMapWinter.pdf

 

Directions to Harriett Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area 

From Springwater take East Avenue up the hill and then a left on Canadice Road (CR42). Make a right on Town Line Road (aka Tibbals). At the end, make a left on Canadice Hill Road. Go about 1.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.

From Honeoye/Hemlock take Route 20A east from Hemlock or west from Honeoye to the intersection with County Route 37. Go south approximately 3.7 miles to the point where County Route 37 curves to the right; go straight here on Canadice Hill Road. In about 3.2 miles the park entrance and parking area will be on your left.

Social 

The social afterwards will be at Tee & Gee Bar and Grill, 6028 Big Tree Road, Lakeville, NY 14480 (585) 346-7387

Directions to Tee and Gee: From the park entrance go right on Canadice Hill Road for 3.2 miles to where it intersects County Route 37.  Head straight (north) on County Route 37 for 3.7 miles.  Turn left onto US-20A W / Honeoye Rd. (4 miles.)  Turn right to stay on US-20A W / NY-15A / Main St (2.1 miles.)  Keep left to stay on US-20A W / Richmond Mills Rd (proceed 4.5 miles.)  You made it!  Arrive at US-20A W / NY-15 / Big Tree Rd.  The last intersection before Tee & Gee is Junior Crescent.  If you reach Camp Run Dr, you’ve gone too far.  Turn around and come back. Don’t worry, we’ll save you a seat!

Rob’s Trail at Hemlock Lake Shore

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Due to the warm weather, we have decided to move this week’s hike to the east shore of Hemlock Lake where the trail should have less mud.

This Sunday we will enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Hemlock Lake shore on the northwest section of Rob’s Trail.  The trail offers a good flat and mostly well-drained surface. Here and there we will encounter a minor stream to cross by either wading or jumping, so waterproof footwear and poles are advised. Just in case of lingering ice, spikes or yaktrax are a good idea too.   

Meet at the north boat launch, at the end of the old east lake road, a sharp left after you first enter Rix Hill Road from Route 15A.  This will be an out and back hike; Naturalists and Tourists may return at any point. At about 1.75 miles we will encounter a more substantial stream across the trail, probably too large to leap over. Any Climber wishing to proceed on Rob’s Trail past this point is advised to bring wading boots. Turning around at this point will give you a hike of 3.5 miles and a little under 2 hours. 

Optional Social: Please join us at the Tee & Gee Bar and Grill, at 6005 Big Tree Rd, Lakeville, NY 14487. That is located on NY-15, NY 20A just west of Bronson Hill Rd.

Directions: From Springwater: proceed north on Route 15A 19 miles, then make a left on Rix Hill Road and an immediate left on Old East Lake Road, a.k.a Boat Launch Road. 

From Honeoye and points east:  Take Route 20A west from the Bristol Valley and Honeoye. When 20A meets Route 15A, make a left and go about .6 miles to Rix Hill Road. Make a right and then an immediate left on the dead end road to the boat launch parking area in one mile. 

From Rochester and points west: Take Route 15 south from Henrietta or Route 15A south from Honeoye Falls, or Route 390 south to the Lakeville-Livonia exit, then go south on Route 15 and then east on Route 20A  through Hemlock. When Route 20A turns east toward Honeoye, go straight another .6 miles and make a right on Rix Hill Road. Then make an immediate left onto the boat launch road and go to the end, 1 mile. 

To the Social: From the Boat Launch parking area, return to Rix Hill Road, make a right and then a left on Route 15A. Go 1.9 miles to the north end of Hemlock and make a left on Big Tree Rd. In about 3 miles in Livonia the road will become a street, called Big Tree St.  Keep going across NY-15, (Commercial St) and then you will come to the end of Big Tree St at Main St (20A). Turn left onto NY-20A and you will be back on Big Tree Rd. Go 1.3 miles.  Tee & Gee will be on the left at 6028 Big Tree Rd.