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.

Ontario County Park is a gem hidden in our own back yard.  I am anxious to reveal it to those who have not explored its beauty. The fields and forests are peaceful in winter.  The view from atop Gannett Hill is inspiring.   Our groups will all begin their hikes from there. Not to worry, you will get to do some climbing on the way back up.  With so many trails available it is difficult to select the routes.  But as hike planner I must make these difficult choices. Of course hike leaders are free to diverge from the plan. Please take a minute to read some history of Ontario County Park.  You may also want a brochure showing all of the trails inside the park.To access a brochure with photos and maps of the park trails please go to the following link.

Please come prepared for the weather.  It can be cold and windy in February, especially at 2,160 feet elevation.  Bring Snowshoes if there is snow cover. Micro spikes or Yax trax would be a good idea in case of slippery footing.  Skis would be OK if you ar going to stick to the park and day trails.

The easiest route is to take NY 64 to Bristol Springs and turn west on Gannett Hill Rd.  There is a sign indicating Ontario County Park.  At the top of the hill turn right onto  South Gannett Hill Road.  The  park entrance is straight ahead.    Follow the park road for about .5 miles to our meeting place which is the parking area along the park road near the information kiosk.  Look for the Springwater Trails sign.

Naturalists will wander through the park trails in the shelter of hardwoods and pines, following the  purple and green loops for approximately 1.5 miles.  If they are feeling ambitious, there is also a loop of about .5 miles around a pond near the park entrance.  Hopefully Gene will be available to head this group.

Tourists will explore the moderately hilly mountain bike trails that traverse the hillsides, for a total of about 3 miles.  Melissa will lead this group.

Climbers can test their endurance on the Finger Lakes trail and/or the yellow loop that leads down the mountain and then back up fro a two hour journey. We will need to recruit a leader for this group.

Social:  After our hike, weather permitting, we will picnic in the park at one of the pavilions.  Please bring something yummy to share.  We will have camp stoves on which to cook or heat things up.  If the weather is not conducive to alfresco dining we will convene at Brew and Brats  http://www.brewandbrats.com/ in Bristol Springs.  Directions will be available at the hike.

By the way, the Ontario Pathways Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner will be held at the Holiday Harbor Club House, Canandaigua, from 4:00 to 8:00 Sunday. Speaker will be Marty Dodge, former FLCC conservation professor.   Any hikers interested in attending their meeting (with their yummy dish to pass) are encouraged to do so.