Looking south from the hill to the west of Schribner.

The great thing about winter hikes is the great variability from week to week. But it looks like next Sunday will still be winter with temperatures similar to our Rob’s Trail hike on the 16th.

Join us for a hike to the top of Springwater.  We will hike to the top of the hills around Schribner Rd.  As we climb up from Giles Rd, we can expect views to the south and east showing the Cohocton valley and the wind turbines on the hill tops.  We will continue up and over the top to views to the west and north.  If the weather is clear, you will be able to see the Radar Tower on Story Rd and may be able to pick out the All Western Tree Farm.

Looking south from the hill to the east of Schribner.

Please meet at the intersection of Schribner Rd and Giles Rd.  Since both roads are closed at the west ends for the winter, be sure to enter Schribner from Tabors Corners Rd.  The easiest directions are: Go east on Rt 21 from Wayland for 3 miles.  Turn left on Tabors Corners Rd at the Boles Corners sign.  Go 2 miles.  Turn left on Schribner Rd, go 1 mile to 8664 Schribner Rd on the left.  Click here for more details directions.

The Naturalists will carpool up to the top of Schribner Rd.  From there they will head across the fields to the view of West Springwater and then hike down the ridge of the hill between Giles and Schribner.  The Tourists will walk a quarter mile up Giles and then take the trail to the fields above Giles.  They will pass the naturalists as they hike up to the top of the field and the views to the west, then around and back through the woods to the first field.  The Climbers will start with a side trip up around the pond and across the lower field before crossing Giles and following the Tourists trail.  Both groups will join together for the hike down to Schribner and back to the Giles intersection.

In spite of how it may look or feel, don’t let anyone tell you it is like hiking in the arctic.

The Springwater Trails Annual Meeting and our weekly social will follow the hike at the Hopkins house at 8664 Schribner Rd.  Please bring a dish to pass and your own beverage or make a small contribution to the social fund.

At the Annual Meeting, members of Springwater Trails will elect officers for 2014 and will vote on proposed ByLaws.  Everyone interested in hiking and building hiking trails in Springwater is welcome to join us for our Sunday hikes and for the Annual Meeting. Official Membership in Springwater Trails entitles you to vote on these procedures. You may earn a membership by hiking with Springwater Trails on 20 hikes in one calendar year or by volunteering to coordinate our hikes for one season or to serve on the executive board for the year.  Or you may purchase a membership (on sale up through the day of the annual meeting).  Please check the linked posts for additional information.

Monday is St Patricks Day, but Springwater Trails will celebrate on Sunday on Rob’s Trail and with a social at Bob and Joan’s.

Come enjoy this early spring snow hiking on Rob’s Trail and the Canadice Lake Trail.  As we write this, it is a blizzard outside.  But check the weather before coming on Sunday.

Based on the amount of snow falling on Wednesday, snow shoes are highly recommended.  They will give you a grip going up the hill, but we will take our time anyway.

After the hike, we will meet at Bob and Joan’s for corned beef and cabbage, and your favorite St Patricks Day dish to pass.  Bring your own beverage, although Bob will provide the green dye for those who want it.  Please bring a dish to pass, or make a contribution to the social fund.  The social fund is used to keep the bin with plates, bowls, forks and knives, napkins, coffee etc full, and to allow the host to make a special dish if desired.

This week we will offer four different hikes with different levels of difficulty.  All hikers should meet at the Rob’s Trail parking lot at the north end of Old Bald Hill Road South.  Be ready to start promptly at 2:00.  The four hikes will be:

1. Up from Canadice (The climbers).
2. Down to Canadice (The tourists).
3. Along Canadice with no climbing (The flatlanders)
4. At the top, around Rob’s trail (The naturalists)

The Climbers and Flatlanders will carpool from the parking lot to the South end of Canadice Lake.  Directions will be available at the start of the hike.

NOTE: Pets are not permitted on Nature Conservancy land at the top of Bald Hill. (See below).

The Climbers will start at the south end of Canadice Lake and will walk the trail on the west of the lake, then climb Bald Hill to Rob’s Trail and continue around Rob’s trail to the trail head and the waiting cars.  The Tourists will do the reverse hike, starting at the head of Rob’s Trail.  They will hike half way around Rob’s Trail and then descend to Canadice Lake, taking the lake trail out to the south end parking area.  They will use the Climbers cars to return to the Rob’s Trail entrance.

Hikers wishing to complete the full 4 mile hike should consider whether they want to climb up Bald Hill or go down the hill.  It is a 600 foot climb in 0.4 miles (just under 3%).  The Climbers will be going up the hill (requiring more energy), and the Tourists will be going down (harder on the knees). Note: Hikers with dogs should plan to start with the Climbers and then join the Tourists when the two groups meet.

Meanwhile, the Naturalists will stay on Rob’s trail at the top of Bald Hill.  This 1.75-mile Loop Trail with easy walking passes through a variety of early successional plant communities.

And the Flatlanders hike is open to anyone wanting a flat walk next to Canadice Like.  This group will start with the Climbers and will walk for 45 minutes along the lake trail and then will return along the same trail to the cars.

Click here for directions to Rob’s Trail parking lot.  Directions between the parking lot and the south Canadice Lake parking will be available at the hike.  Also, directions to Bob and Joan’s.