Duff climbs to 2000 feet.

This week, enjoy hiking the woods, beautiful hills, cathedral pine forest, open fields and Christmas tree plantations (over 20 species of evergreens are planted – see how many you can identify) in the northwestern corner of the Town of Springwater at elevations from 1800 to 2000 feet on the 245 acre All Western Evergreen Nursery & Christmas Tree Farm. Last October we explored the area for mushrooms with the Rochester Area Mycological Association (RAMA) compliments of Gene and Georgia Binder. We hope to do so again this year and have invited RAMA members to do the identification for us (though there is a possibility that this won’t happen). A basket, small paper bags, a tool for digging out the fungus by its roots (as the substrate on which the mushroom is growing is a help in identification) are nice to have for the foray.  In case no one from RAMA is there, take pictures, top and bottom, and send them to Gene at [email protected], or to this web site, and we will get them identified.

Cathedral Pines

This time, we are hoping for a gorgeous fall day with hints of fall colors and a slightly cloudy sky. The farm is shaped like a Y and has entrances in three places: at the house located  at 6840 Liberty Pole Road, on Swartz Road between Carney Hollow and Springwater – Sparta Town Line (renamed Story Road), and off of Story Road.

We will begin and end the hike at 6840 Liberty Pole Road where there is ample parking at the  Christmas tree wholesale loading area between the Western redcedar and a path to the woods just south of the bee hives (belonging to George Karadimas, Conesus, vendor of pure natural meal
honey comb, 585-346-0528).

We will break up into several groups. The Climbers will be led by Char, the Tourists by Carole or Melissa, and the Naturalists by Katherine. If Bonnie comes she will be at the house for a game of Scrabble! If Don comes he might lead a group to the cathedral pines for rest (carrying folding chairs) and conversation. If Rosemary comes, you will meet a new hiker!

The lay of the land is about one mile from road to road, so depending on the route, the length can be any number of miles by hiking up through the woods, through the tree plantations, across the open fields, through the cathedral pine forest and along the Christmas tree farm lanes. The view of East Springwater is spectacular, so take time to enjoy it.

Hopefully, we will not have the wind to contend with in the open fields like a year ago (Springwater Trails people have planned hikes here 5 times since we started in 2010 and seen something different every time.)

The after hike social (4:30 – 6:30 p.m.) will be at the farmhouse where Soup and Sandwich materials, Milk and Ice Cream are available to augment the generosity of those who choose to bring a dish to share or to contribute $5 to the hike fund. The ping pong table is ready and a game is a highlight!

Directions: All Western Evergreen Nursery and Christmas Tree Farm, 6840 Liberty Pole Road (County Road 38) is located one mile west of Route 15, between Springwater and Webster Crossing. If using GPS, type in Dansville, NY, although we are on the Springwater Tax roles! Phone 585-669-2659 or 585-737-5205 or log into www.allwesterntrees.com for more information.

On Saturday, be sure to come to the Springwater Fiddlers Fair, at the Sugarbush Hollow Maple Farm.  Besides the great music, food, vendors, workshops, we will have our usual mushroom table, in the woods, where mushrooms collected on the maple farm, will be displayed.  Members of RAMA will be present to discuss and identify them.  2 years ago, about 100 species of mushrooms were found there, and it’s looking like it should be just as good this year.

We have not scheduled a hike this Sunday, so we can spend the day relaxing and recovering, and enjoying our memories from the Fiddlers Fair.  Be sure to join us the next Sunday, September 22, at Katherine’s christmas tree farm.  Look for details, in this column, next week.

This week we will once again venture into the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve where Briggs Gully, a former artists’ cabin, abundant forests, plant life and wildlife abound. A total of 360 acres contains five walking trails, ranging from easy to challenging. Click on the trail map to the right if you want a larger trail map in a new tab.

We will all meet at the preserve parking lot, on the west side of Gulick Rd., bright eyed and bushy tailed, and ready to start at 2 PM.

Climbers, lead by Melissa, will follow the red trail into the woods, pick up the orange trail, take a short jog on the yellow and then back to the red. At the intersection of the green trail, climbers will head down to the gully, then back up the green trail to the parking area on Gulick Road. Total distance is about 4 miles over slopes, hills and through forests and fields. Iridescent rocks may be spotted in stream beds along the way.

Tourists, lead by Dena, will take the green trail down to the red trail and follow the red loop back to the parking area, for a total of about 3 miles with lesser slopes than the climbers will tackle.

Naturalists, lead by pokey Gene,  will drive from the meeting place to the Wesley Road parking lot, and begin their journey starting on the yellow trail, and then picking up the blue trail, then following the yellow trail back from the scenic overlook for a total of about 2 miles. Those who select this option will have a special opportunity of being joined by our guest, Richard Aaron of Toronto,who is a professional nature leader, and member of the Toronto Mushroom Club.

Directions to the Gulick Rd parking lot are, from 15A, go east on 20A through Honeoye, turn right onto East Lake Rd. Take the first left following CR 33, then 1st right onto Pinewood Hill which becomes Gulick Road.  Wesley parking lot is 4.3 miles down Gulick, on the right side.

Optional after-hike social will be at Java Mama in the plaza on Main Street/Route 20A.  They’re kindly letting us use their facility but we are bringing our own food so, please bring a dish to pass, and your beverage, or make a donation.  The manager will make us a fresh pot of coffee and put out any leftover Danish they have.  Although they’re not charging us anything for all this, a basket will be available for those who would like to join me in leaving a tangible token of appreciation, which will be presented as a “tip” from our club.  Also, don’t forget to express your appreciation to Dena for all her work in organizing this great Sunday activity.