Boating on Hemlock and Canadice Lakes

For 20 years I had my small rusty fishing boat lying year-round along the side of the boat launch on Hemlock Lake and my grummen canoe on Canadice Lake.  Nothing was said about the local residents who for many years felt they had a special privilege with the City of Rochester.  Since the sale of the land to the DEC and the adoption of the Hemlock/Canadice State Forest with new state regulations, local residents were required to remove their boats from the lake shores for a mass clean up, or have their boats impounded with a fine for pick up.  Since my canoe disappeared during one May storm many years ago, out of respect for the new laws I was one of the first to remove my row boat and purchased a kayak to continue exploring the lakes by water.

Bob took a boating safety class

Bob took a boating safety class

A couple of years ago it was evident that during the planning of our summer schedule for Springwater Trails many of our hikers were also kayakers and canoists.  We reorganized our schedule to add a subgroup of boating to some of our weekly hikes to take advantage of what these beautiful undeveloped lakes had to offer during the summer months.  This wasn’t an easy task, as now it involved more than just planning hiking routes.  Planning boating adventures including boating safety, contant weather reports, earlier arrival times for launching, while continuing to plan hikes around the state forest.

Launching our boats

Launching our boats

While hikers had their adventures on the trails, last week’s hike attracted 11 boaters and one dog to enjoy the calm waters of Hemlock Lake at the north end.  Thanks to our leader Bob, who managed to keep an eye on the safety of beginners to advanced boaters, we traveled the east shoreline, then crossed the lake to find the remains of the beaver lodge we encountered last year when we hiked the west shoreline to Eagle Crest Winery.  Linda, Mac in their bumper kayak and a few other kayakers enjoyed a relaxing ride and remained on the east shoreline.

Watch out for Linda and Mac in their bumper kayak

Watch out for Linda and Mac in their bumper kayak

Being that the water level of the lake is much higher this year, we found some wet branches protruding above the water and much to our surprise saw an underwater lodge.  On the shoreline, placed over a creek was the old beaver lodge we walked up to last year.  Last year this lodge was completely out of water and the entrance and exit holes were fully exposed.  What was even more interesting was a deep water channel created between the two lodges.  One may have to explore the area at night to have an encounter with a beaver if the lodge is active. Some air bubbles were noticed and  boaters should be aware of not damaging the underwater lodge as it is pretty close to the surface and hard to see.

one on shoreline one underwater

one on shoreline
one underwater

Traveling the west shoreline, we crossed the lake to return to the boat launch and give the climbers a ride back to their cars parked at Rob’s Trail.  A fantastic social was enjoyed on the new deck of Bob and Joan’s chalet, complete with fresh vegetables and nasturtiums from Joan’s garden. Thanks Bob and Joan and to all those that provide delicious healthy Pam at beaver housemeals for all to enjoy.

If you would like to kayak during the week, contact Pam at [email protected]

Summer Wildflowers, Plants and Herbs in the Little Finger Lakes

Sweet Peas

Sweet Peas

Mid-July is upon us,  and the Little Finger Lakes area is filled with summer wildflowers that dot the sides of roads, trails, fill the unmowed fields, and isolated sunny areas in the forest.  I plan to take a walk tomorrow and photograph these colorful flowers blooming this time of year. Keep on eye on our photo gallery for new photos of summer wildflowers which will be added throughout the summer season.

Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot

Identifying wildflowers and herbs is somewhat of a hobby of mine and I consider myself an amateur.  I starting my hobby over 20 years ago when we moved to Bald Hill in Hemlock.  Before building my home, I took a trip to Sturbridge, Mass and was lucky to meet the museum herbalist while touring the historical gardens.  She recommended a Readers Digest book called Magic and Medicine of Plants, and I purchased some historical medicinal plants such as hyssops, pot marigold, and horehound, and planted them in my garden. From there I began to purchase other herbs and made over 30 different kinds of herbal vinegars, then became interested in the wildflowers and plants that surrounded me between Hemlock and Canadice Lakes.  Today I am mostly interested in native plants and with the help of Amanda Gardens I planted my first native perennial garden this July.    Thanks to 3 friends, Paula Jones, Amy Hapeman and Ellen Folts,  I have increased my knowledge of herbs, wildflowers, woodland plants, and recently native plants around the little finger lakes.

 

Day Lilies

Day Lilies

Many of you have noticed common bright

Chicory roots can be used as a coffee substitute

Chicory roots can be used as a coffee substitute

orange lilies along the roadside called day lilies as well as pretty sky-blue flowers named chicory. Combined with the other colors of oxeye daisies, sweet peas, and Queen

Queen Anne's Lace has purplish-black dot in middle

Queen Anne’s Lace has purplish-black dot in middle

Anne’s lace, these flowers make beautiful flower arrangements. Although these are not native plants,  I prefer to leave them in place for others to enjoy and photograph. As I am not a wildcrafter, I never  dig any plant up by the roots as this would destroy the plant.  Note that queen anne’ lace should not be confused with poisonous water hemlock which has a similar look.

St. John's Wort

St. John’s Wort

Other wildflowers and plants that seem to dot the meadows and roadsides are St.John’s wort, yarrow, dock, boneset, field horsetail, wild bergamot, and garden heliotrope. I remember finding some bouncing bet once along Canadice Lake Road.   The early yellow flowers of coltsfoot have disappeared and the leaves have become very large.  Mayapple leaves have withered and their fruit, if you can find them, could be ripe for eating.   Rose flowers of that invasive pricky shrub, multi-flora rose, have bloomed and emmit a sweet fragrance. My favorite very tall biennial plant, mullein,which can be 8 feet high, has bloomed with lots of yellow flowers this year.  Continued…..planting a native garden and more on summer woodland wildflowers.

mullein can stand 8 ft high

mullein can stand 8 ft high

Canadice Trimodal

Watching the radar screen all morning, Ann gave us a clear “heads up” for our 2nd attempt at the Canadice “Trimodal” this past Sunday on Canadice Lake and within the Hemlock/Canadice State Forest.  24 members choose to participate in 3 different recreational events:  hiking the Canadice Trail, kayaking/canoeing on the lake, or bicycling around the lake via Canadice Lake Road and the Canadice Trail.

Wendy Stevenson completed all 3 events

Wendy Stevenson completed all 3 events

Wendy Stevenson, an original board member of Springwater Parks and Trails, completed all three events, first biking 8 miles, then walking a mile with her bike, and finalizing the event with a kayak trip across the lake and back.  Family members greeter her at the completion of the trimodal.  Congratulations Wendy!

The hikers identified chantrelle Cantharelles_cibariusmushrooms along the trail, wild black raspberries, along with summer wildflowers, blossoming rose beds around old foundations, sweet peas, yarrow, oxeye daisies, day lilies and more.  Tourists and Climbers hiked the entire trail of 4 miles, but of course that was too easy for the climbers, who continued another 4 miles back to our starting point for a total of 8 miles.  Although warnings were issued about a rut on the trail, bikers unexpectantly came upon the same narrow north/south rut again near the 1 1/2 and 2 mile mark on the west side of the trail, and a near fall was experienced.  We hope this identified hazard will be fixed so that no one else will get seriously hurt.

Four kayakers and Pati’s 10′ canoe explored the west side of the lake, traveled north, then crossed the lake with a little wind and rain to return to the launch.  Watching the dark clouds carefully, Pam’s new speedy Calypso kayak got a chance to cross the lake in a mad rush to reach safety on the east shoreline.  Wave conditions can be a lot different in the middle of the lake compared to the protected shorelines, especially for a beginner. Luckily the weather held out despite the unpredictable storms that have hit the Little Finger Lakes in the past week, dumping tons of water on already saturated ground.

Congratulations to Georgia Binder Georgia Binder who completed the entire 500 mile Finger Lakes Trail.  Although she indicated it took her 7 years to complete, we all honored and toasted to her diligence and success.  After hike social along the road displayed a large array of fresh fruits, wild black raspberries, greens, salads and desserts, and every hot dog was eaten! Thanks to everyone who provided a healthy and delicious meal to pass!

 

Canadice Lake Trimodal Event – July 7, 2013 4:00 (*note arrival times)

Canadice Lake

Canadice Lake

Planning a hiking event around and across Canadice Lake on the 4th of July weekend can be a challenge with the recent rain storms that have flooded many of the creeks in the area and effected trail conditions.  And including options for three ways to enjoy this lake have increased those challenges. But come enjoy our Sunday event with a relaxed hike, kayak or biking around Canadice.

Participants should note that weather patterns can significantly change our events in the Little Finger Lakes area and we will keep you updated  as much as possible up to 2:00 on the day of the event,  Before you head out, check our website or call 245-1252 for update on this event.

We will meet at the south end of Canadice Lake at the Kayak/Canoe Launch on Canadice Lake Road.  This launch is .7 miles south of the motor boat launch.  Look for the Springwater Trails Hike sign which will be posted along the road. Note  if you are kayaking/canoeing we will meet at 3:00 for unloading and set up.  Bikers will arrive at 3:30 for set up.  Hikers will arrive at 3:45.  All events will begin promptly at 4:00.

Springwater Trail Sign

Springwater Trail Sign

Participants may choose from a variety of options for the event.  You can choose to travel in all three modes, beginning with biking 8 miles, then hiking, and ending with kayaking. This event allows you to enjoy Canadice from the land and the water and to leisurely travel with a group. Participants in the trimodal event will receive a food gift from Canadice Kitchens.

canadice-triathlon-028If you wish you can choose only one or two activities and leaders will be assigned for different skill levels.  Hikers will hike along the Canadice Lake Trail on the west side of the lake for a distance of 2-4 miles depending on skill level.  Bikers will travel along Canadice Lake Road and along the Canadice Lake Trail (depending on trail conditions) for a distance of 8 miles.    Kayakers/Canoers will travel along the south end of Canadice Lake depending on wind conditions.  canadice triathlon 006

After hike social will be at the kayak/canoe launch at 6:00.   Tables will be set up along the side of the road.  Hot dogs will be provided and please bring a dish to pass and your choice of drink.   Propane grills are allowed (no fires or charcoal).

Directions:  Click here for directions to the Canoe Launch.  Due to road construction, it is advised to take Purcell Hill Road, off Rt 15A, turn right on Canadice Lake Road and travel 3 miles to the kayak/canoe boat launch.