Meet at the designated locations by 9:30.

April 25th. Meet at the New Covenant Baptist Church Parking lot on County Road 46.  Hike Main St to CR 46. (3mi)

May 9th.  Meet at the New Covenant Baptist Church Parking lot on County Road 46.  Hike CR 46. to Depot Road (5mi)

June 6th. Meet at Depot Road. Hike Depot Rd to Stanley Junction (3.8mi)

July 11th.  Meet at BOCES parking lot.  Hike Stanley Junction to Boces (3.5mi)

August 15th. Meet at the Orleans water tower. Hike Boces to Orleans (4.5mi)

September 12th. Meet at Rt 96 trail head.  Hike Wheat Rd to Rt 96 (3.8mi)

October 10th. Meet at Gifford Rd.  Hike to Wayne county line and back (3.6mi)

You can download a PDF with more information.

Rob’s Trail Oct 30, 2011

This Sunday’s hike is a special hike from the west side on Hemlock Lake to the east side of Canadice.  How often can you hike around two Finger Lakes on a single one day hike?

Here is the schedule:

• 10:00 am: Meet at Hemlock Lake Park.  Carpool to the DEC parking area on Blank Rd, just north of Niver Rd. Start hike on left branch. Bushwhack down to the Walnut trail along the west side of the lake.
• 10:45 Break at Hemlock Lake Park. Replenish water. Continue walk to North Boat Launch on the east side of Hemlock Lake.
• 11:20 Continue on road after the boat launch to the end of the maintained road. Stay on the old road for about a mile.  Bear to the right, following orange survey tape blazes to bushwhack up the hill to the corner of the Nature Conservancy land.  From there, follow yellow blazes until in sight of the road.  Finally cross 15A at Old Bald Hill South.
• 1:45 Break at Rob’s Trail parking area. Replenish water.
• 2:00 Continue onto Rob’s Trail, heading to the right around the top circle.
• 2:40 The Naturalists continue around the loop on top, and back to the parking area.
• 2:40 The climbers and tourists turn right to head onto DEC land and down to Canadice Lake.  After crossing the bridge at the bottom, turn right and follow the lake side trail to the inlet and the southern entrance on Canadice Lake Rd.
• 3:20 The Naturalists return to the Rob’s Trail parking area and drive to the southern entrance on Canadice lake.  If time permits, they may hike in on the lake-side trail to meet the climbers and tourists.
• 4:00 Car pool back to the Rob’s Trail entrance and then on to Hemlock Lake Park for a social.

Hikers are welcome to join the hike at 10:00, 11:30 or 2:00 depending on their schedule and interest.

The hike from Blank Rd on the west side of Hemlock Lake to the east side of Canadice is about 11 miles and will require that we move right along to keep on schedule. The hike starts on an existing trail from the north-most parking area on Blank Rd. At the lowest point of this trail a previous hiker has marked a trail down the hill to the Walnut Trail along the edge of the lake.  At this time of year, the trail down the hike is relatively easy with no underbrush, although it is steep and good hiking shoes are required. We will find there are a couple of missing culverts on the Walnut Trail but these are easy to cross.  Then the route literally becomes a walk in the park to the boat launch road to the bench providing a nice view to the south. But no time to stop, we will continue to follow the overgrown old road.  A few shallow gullies to cross and a few brambles to watch for. We will pass an old foundation about a mile south of the bench, and soon after that we will pick up a trail marked by the Nature Conservancy up Bald Hill to Rob’s Trail.  Look for Orange tape heading up the hill.  Just as you are about to give up and impeach the hike planner, a pretty waterfall will appear ahead.  This is a good time to drink some water and enjoy the view.  We are fortunate to be seeing the falls in the spring with water flowing over them.  About half way up, we cross a small creek and the tapes switch to yellow.

Heading down from Rob’s Trail to Hemlock Lake in June 2012. We will climb the hill on Sunday.

The Nature Conservancy is planning to make this a Rob’s Trail extension to eliminate some of the bushwhacking.

At about 1:45 we plan to be at the Rob’s Trail parking lot for a small snack and to meet up with the rest of our hikers to continue the hike around Rob’s Trail and down to Canadice and out the south end of the lake.

Now, please pay attention.

If you wish to hike all the way from Blank Rd to Canadice Lake Rd (about 11 miles), then meet us at the Hemlock Lake Park at 10 am.  We will carpool to the start point on Blank Rd. Please pack a lunch and bring water. Additional water will be available at the park and at the Rob’s Trail entrance.

If you wish to only hike Rob’s Trail (3.5 miles), then meet at the trail head on Old Bald Hill Rd South between 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm. The Tourists will hike Rob’s trail starting to the right, then to the steep trail down to Canadice Lake.  At the bottom, we will turn south and hike to the inlet of the lake. Meanwhile, the Naturalists will continue around Rob’s Trail on the top of Bald Hill.  When they return to the cars, the Naturalists will drive to the south end of Canadice and hike on the west trail to meet the Tourists.  The Naturalists will help to carpool hikers back to their cars at the Rob’s Trail trailhead.

Following the hike, we will have a pot luck social at Hemlock Lake Park at the north end of Hemlock Lake. Please bring a “dish to pass”, or make a contribution to the S/T social fund (suggested $5) to help defray expenses.  Also bring a beverage of choice.

All Residents of the Town of Springwater are strongly urged to take part in this workshop.

You will learn . . .

• What a Comprehensive Plan really is
• Why Springwater needs one
• Your participation, as citizens of Springwater, is important

Full information is available on the Town of Springwater website.

Come celebrate with Letchworth State Park on Sunday May 3rd from 1 to 4 pm, to honor all the park’s patrons and supporters for voting to help the park win a recent national poll as the #1 State Park in the USA.

Stop at the Glen Iris Inn under the tent for a special sweet treat, raffles for Whitewater Rafting with Adventure Calls and a raffle by Balloons over Letchworth.  Posters, bookmarks and other trinkets will be handed out by The Friends of Letchworth State Park.  Be part of a group photo at 2:30pm and enjoy a special guided hike touring the Glen Iris Grounds at 3:00pm.  Stop by the Park’s Visitor Center for a chance to win a 2 night stay at Letchworth State Park’s Conference Center and get a free bottle of water in the Visitor Center Gift shop courtesy of park concessionaire “The Basics”.

There is no entrance fee on May 3rd.  Handouts are available while supplies last.

The Finger Lakes Trail has a main trail, branch trails and loop trails. This Sunday’s hike will be in and around the Village of Naples on sections of the newest loop trail. Soon to be blazed with purple discs, the Grimes Glen Naples loop connects to the Bristol Hills Branch Trail and gives foot travelers a route past wineries, restaurants, historical sites and natural wonders.

We will meet at 2:00 at the parking lot for Ontario County’s Grimes Glen Park located at the end of Vine Street (off south Main). Splitting into 2 groups we will both walk through the Village to the end of Ontario Street where it meets Naples Creek. Taking a lane along the west side of the creek to Route 245, we will go up the trail on the east side to the Ontario Street foot bridge. Here the Naturalists will cross the creek and make their way back to the glen while the Climbers will continue straight on a local trail that goes above the creek, come out at Mark’s Circle, and head back to the glen. Both groups will travel about 4 miles.

Once back at the Park, hikers may choose to cross the foot bridge and take the trail along the stream of this classic Finger Lakes gorge. Where the trail ends, those wanting to see the 60′ waterfall will need to ford the stream and continue on up the gorge.  Non-slip water shoes and “high water” pants are needed for stream crossing/walking. The waterfall is about 1/2 mile from the parking lot.

The dish to pass social (or make a $5 contribution to the social fund) will be at the picnic area next to the parking lot at Grimes Glen. Hot dogs will be provided. Please bring your choice of beverage and (if possible) a lawn chair. In the event that it is raining, the after hike social will be at Middletown Tavern in Naples.

Directions; 

From Wayland: Take Route 21 E through N Cohocton and into the village of Naples, N.Y.  At Rt 53 in Naples, turn left to stay on Rt 21. In 0.5 miles, turn left onto Vine Street and continue until it comes to a dead end and a dirt parking lot with a small picnic area.

From Honeoye: Take West Lake Rd S (CR 36) into the village of Naples, NY.  At the Middletown Tavern, turn left onto Rt 21.  In 0.2 miles, turn left onto Vine Street and continue until it comes to a dead end and a dirt parking lot with a small picnic area.

From Rochester and Pittsford: Take NY 64 S past Bristol Mountain.  In Bristol Springs, NY 64 ends.  Continue straight onto Rt 21 into the village of Naples, NY.  In 7.2 miles, turn left onto Vine Street and continue until it comes to a dead end and a dirt parking lot with a small picnic area.

The parking lot is at the end of a residential street. Please use consideration for the neighbors when parking and using the picnic area.

The Bristol Valley Playhouse is at the corner of Vine and Main. Vine Street is marked and there is a small wooden sign  located  at the corner of Vine Street and Route 21 that points to Grimes Glen.

Meet at the designated locations by 9:30.

April 25th. Meet at the New Covenant Baptist Church Parking lot on County Road 46.  Hike Main St to CR 46. (3mi)

May 9th.  Meet at the New Covenant Baptist Church Parking lot on County Road 46.  Hike CR 46. to Depot Road (5mi)

June 6th. Meet at Depot Road. Hike Depot Rd to Stanley Junction (3.8mi)

July 11th.  Meet at BOCES parking lot.  Hike Stanley Junction to Boces (3.5mi)

August 15th. Meet at the Orleans water tower. Hike Boces to Orleans (4.5mi)

September 12th. Meet at Rt 96 trail head.  Hike Wheat Rd to Rt 96 (3.8mi)

October 10th. Meet at Gifford Rd.  Hike to Wayne county line and back (3.6mi)

You can download a PDF with more information.

Get your favorite mother and bring her to our Mother’s Day celebration at a new location for our group.  Mossy Bank Park is located on a hill south of Bath, overlooking the valley and city.  We will be greeted by our guest leader, Dr. Randy Weidner, a retired general practicioner and extraordinarily knowledgable amateur naturalist.  Many of you met Randy when he came to our mushroom hike at Katherine’s and identified the mushrooms we collected.

We will meet at the nature center cottage and go inside for a brief look at the facility.  Then, we will walk along the overlook road, where you will see a great view of the City of Bath and the valley below.  Have your camera handy for this one.

The Mossy Bank Park eagle feeding her chicks
May 2, 2015
– by Brenda Todd

After this, we will be treated to a once in a lifetime sight.  On a tree top, in the valley below, a pair of bald eagles have built a nest.  From the overlook, we can see the nest from above.  By the time we go there, the eggs will probably have hatched, and we’ll be able to see the chicks in the nest.  Bring binoculars.  After viewing the nest, we will hike the trails.  There will be at least 2 hikes, a long one and short one, and Randy will probably lead the long one.

The social will be a Mother’s Day picnic at the pavillion in the park, near where we started.  Bring a dish to pass, or make a donation.  Restroom facilities are available.

Visit the park web site, to read about the park.  Select “location” for detailed directions.

Directions:

From Wayland, go south on SR 21, under the viaduct, and turn left onto 390.  After exit 1 (Avoca), merge onto 86.   Take exit 38 and turn left, towards Bath.  After passing 86, turn right on Morris St. Go past Tops.  Stay right at the fork; go past the library. Right on Cameron St.  Over Cohocton River. Continue about 1.6 mi.  Watch for small Mossy Bank Park signs. Fork to the left onto Windfall Rd.  Go about 0.4 mi.  Left onto Mossy Bank Park Rd.  Go 1.3 mi. to gate, marked with a small sign.  Continue straight ahead until you pass between 2 large boulders into the park.

If you would like to car pool, or follow me there in your own car, go to the light in Wayland at the corner of Naples and Lackawanna Sts.  Go west on Naples and turn right, after the 7-11 store.  Park in the large lot behind the fire station.  Be there no later than 1 PM.

Meet at the designated locations by 10:00am.

May 12th. Meet at Gifford Rd.  Hike to Wayne county line and back (3.6mi)

May 19th. Meet at Rt 96 trail head.  Hike Rt 96 to Wheat Rd (3.8mi)

May 26th. Meet at the Orleans water tower. Hike Orleans to Boces (4.5mi)

June 2nd.  Meet at BOCES parking lot.  Hike Boces to Stanley Junction (3.5mi)

June 9th. Meet at Depot Road. Hike Stanley Junction back to Depot Rd (3.8mi)

June 16th.  Meet at the New Covenant Baptist Church Parking lot on County Road 46. Hike Depot Road back to CR 46. (5mi)

June 23rd. Meet at the Ontario Street parking lot. Hike County Road 46 back to Main St. (3mi)

You can download a PDF with more information.

This Sunday’s excursion will bring us to the wilds of Egypt (NY that is).  We will explore the White Brook Nature Area and  the Thayer Hill section of the Crescent Trail.  There we will find an assortment of terrain,  wetlands, ponds, streams, a small woodland, all on the fringe of suburbia. We will meet at the parking area/park of the White Brook Nature Area.  

Here is the plan for our three levels of hiking.  Maps will be provided to hike leaders and are also available on the Crescent Trail website.   My apologies for lack of photo preview.  My camera was left behind when I went on the pre-hike.  Trust me it is a beauty of a trail.

Naturalists will be anxious to amble through the fields on the main trail (orange) which is flat and open with some board walks.  Depending on the weather this week, it may be wet and muddy in spots.  There are options depending on the wishes of the group.  The trail makes a 2 mile loop to return to the parking area, or can continue on towards the Erie Canal.  Because it is an open area, sun screen and tick protection is advisable.  I hope to enlist a volunteer to lead this group.

Tourists Will head west across Aldrich Road from the parking area to follow a section of the Crescent Trail (orange to a blue loop) through a woods of lovely wildflowers, on past  ponds with some great blue herons dropping in and out.  The end section of this segment is closed due to construction so it is necessary to return by the same route to avoid a road walk on Rte 31.  This trail is only about 3 miles in length so the group can hike the Naturalist section upon return if desired. A hike leader is needed  for this group also.

Climbers  who are up for a challenge, can carpool down the road a ways to the Thayer Hill / Indian Hill section of the Crescent Trail for a loop of approximately 4 miles of ups and downs through woods and fields with some nice views of the surrounding area and the Rochester skyline.   Note that there is some poison ivy along the sides of the trail, so dress accordingly.  Melissa will lead this group.

Driving Directions  From route 5/20 in Bloomfield, head north on Rt 444 to the village of Victor.  Turn right on Rt 96 north, then take the first left (north) on Church St., which becomes County Rd 9. Follow CR 9 north to Rt 31 (Pittsford Palmyra Rd.).  Go east on Rt 31 for a short distance, then turn north on Aldrich Rd.  White Brook Nature Area is about .5 miles on the right.  There is a gate and a sign.   Plenty of parking and rest rooms.

After Hike Social will be at Noonan’s Pub, 7408 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd., Fairport, about 1.5 miles west of White Brook.  See their website for menu