Does the Springwater panther really exist in Reynolds Gull? We will search for the legendary cougar this week when we explore the Upper Reynolds Gull area high in the mountains of Springwater.   We will meet at the Evergreen Cemetery, 7394 Canadice Lake Road, Springwater,  at 1:45.  From our “tailgate” spot, we will carpool up Reynolds Gull Road to the intersection of Town Line Road and Ross Road.  Be prepared with long pants, bear spray (if you have it), good hiking shoes and optional creek walking shoes.  The hunting season is also beginning, therefore wear some form of clothing with bright or orange colors.

After a discussion with Jim Howe, Executive Director of the Nature Conservancy, we learned that the Nature Conservancy’s 320 acre parcel in this area  was just sold this past spring to New York State Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation. Before its sale, the Nature Conservancy filled in the pond by the historical cabin and eliminated the dam area we previously used to cross the creek.  The stream now provides a habitat for brook trout.  It will be interesting to see what other types of activities will take place in this unique wilderness environment.

All hiking levels will hike 1/2 mile down the dirt road of Reynolds Gull Road to the Nature Conservancy sign. To reach the creek bed within Reynolds Gull,  hikers will follow a steep grassy road into the gully bed.  It is easy walking going down but more difficult coming out. From the cabin, hikers will divide into 3 groups.  Naturalists will explore the area around the cabin area, hike back out to Reynolds Gull Road, and continue down the road to Canadice Lake Road and the Evergreen Cemetery for a total of 2 miles.   Tourists will explore the creek bed area to the east, return to the cabin area and then back up to Reynolds Gull Road  and continue to the Evergreen Cemetery. Climbers who are expert creek walkers can expect their western return route to the cemetery to be challenging, as the rocks can be slippery, water may be higher due to recent rains, and there are few ways out once you begin. At the end of the creek walk, hikers will have to climb a steep hill to get out of the ravine.   Weather conditions may change the hiking options.

After hike social will be at the Evergreen Cemetery. Please consider bringing something other than desserts to pass in order to provide a variety of healthy food options.

Also if you would like to camp at a nearby campground, Tamarack Campground skirts the Reynolds Gull area. A tent site or small cabin can be rented for a reasonable fee.

Please note that Saturday, October 10th, 2015 is Columbus Day holiday weekend.

• UPDATE: Change in plans for a second year in a row.  Since the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail is in need or reparations due to flooding, VHT has changed plans and will not lead an October hike there this year.  Instead, the October VHT guided hike will be on the BHB-FLT in Prattsburgh.  Meet at Victor Town Hall at 9AM, or at the trail in Prattsburg at 10AM.  For more info consult the VHT website.

Carpool will form behind Victor Town Hall, located at 60 East Main Street in Victor,NY (GPS = 42.9821448,-77.4087837 ), with intended leave time of 9:00AM on Saturday 10/10/2015.

VHT, in The Pathfinder Fall 2015 edition newsletter on page 4, provided the following info for meeting in Prattsburgh:   VHT will be hiking the south end of this section of trail. Fall colors should be near peak. Expect some hilly terrain with plenty of rest stops for water. Looking at 7 to 8 miles of hiking. If you are coming from the south  (or elsewhere in the area), you can meet the group in Prattsburg on Route 53, in front of the Prattsburg Market Place, 2 S. Main St, Prattsburgh, NY 14873 at 10 A.M.. We should return to Victor between 3:30 and 4:30 P.M. Please consult the VHT website for further details and updates.

Some S/T hikers may want to take this opportunity to hike and learn about this southern section of the BHB-FLT with a group of hikers like-minded to S/T.

Previously scheduled but now cancelled – Perhaps you have an interest in hiking the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, but that may be seen as a bit far for S/T to plan a hike.  Well, here is a VHT hike on the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, on Oct 10th, 2015.

(This Keuka Lake Outlet Trail hike had been scheduled for 2014, but had to be cancelled because parts of the trail washed out, due to the May 2014 severe rainstorm with torrents of rain in the Keuka Lake area causing floods.)

Also of note, Saturday November 14, 2015 is a VHT Boughton Park hike (this one is in VHT home range); and Saturday, December 12, 2015  is a VHT hike at Ontario County Park’s new north trails    VHT Message Line , phone (585)-234-8226 includes info about the next hike.

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.

We are returning to the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve this Sunday. This fall walk is always a beauty of colors and nature’s smells.

The preserve was founded in 1999 by the generous donation of 90 acres by the children of three artists-John Weinrich, James Havens and Colburn Dugan- to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Since that time the preserve has grown to over 359 acres. This property offers Briggs Gully, the original Weinrich cabin, breathtaking views of surrounding hills, a pond and extensive forest.

We will all meet at the Preserve parking lot, on the west side of Gulick Rd at 2:00 pm.

PLEASE ONLY use the Gulick Road parking area,(Wesley Road parking area is only available for Bow hunters and we won’t be there!). If you park on the road, please be careful parking and getting out of your car – watch for the edge of the road and for other traffic.

We will follow the red trail by the pond and around the preserve. At the green intersection, some hikers may want to take the green trail down to the gully and back up, depending on the condition of the trail (and of the hiker!).  We will return to the red trail and then head back to parking lot. It is bow season, and we will be staying in the no hunting area.  However, this is a good time to get out your orange jacket or hat for this season of hiking.

Optional after-hike social will be in the parking lot. Bring a beverage and dish to pass or a donation.  Italian sausage with onions and peppers and rolls will be provided.

If weather is wet, please wear appropriate footwear and walking sticks and traction devices. The terrain is slopes and gullies.

Directions (42.724168,-77.467531): Click here for more detailed directions.

From Honeoye, take Rt. 20A east to East Lake Road. Follow East Lake Rd. south for a short distance and then turn left on County Rd. 33. Continue a short distance and turn right Pinewood Hill Rd. Follow Pinewood Hill, then Gulick Road south toward Cumming Nature Center, for a total of 6.4 miles to preserve entrance, on right.

Please check out more details on this preserve on the Finger Lakes Land Trust website. You may want to print a trail map for future hikes.

This is a Springwater Trails combo hike event, scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2015 in Avon, consisting of: a 2:00PM Program (optional) ; a 3:30PM hike on the Erie-Attica Trail & the Genesee Valley Greenway (GVG) trail, with varied hike routing distances provided for various groups of hikers depending on ability & interest; and a 5:45PM after-hike social (optional).

Historical note: “Opera Houses”  (not to be confused with Grand Opera Houses) often were built in rural areas of the USA, many built in the 19th century (from the 1860s on), became popular community gathering places utilized for purpose of entertainment (complete with a stage), yep, theatrical performances, Vaudeville, minstrel shows, traveling Opera, and more, dances, lectures, political meetings, and school graduations & such; and most were considered places relatively accessible to rural sparsely populated locales far from city centers of population yet closer to small rural communities. Some were built in combination as a civic or government building.  Most often an Opera House of rural America would be located in a community with proximity to railroad service which was a leading transportation mode of the time when Opera Houses were in vogue and most utilized.  Some Opera Houses still exist today, and some are still vibrant, others are once again “found”, and some on the rejuvenation rise.  Some were built questionably in design and ultimately were lacking in egress and safety features, some succumbed to fire, some were closed due to occupancy and safety codes that evolved, and some deteriorated over time.  Whether utilized today, standing neglected, or gone from the landscape, Opera Houses made a mark in the USA.

				Erie Attica Trail | New York Trails | TrailLink.com
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Erie Attica Trail 2

				Erie Attica Trail 2 Use a smartphone or GPS device to navigate to the provided coordinates. Look for a regular hidden container. When you find it, write your name and date i…
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One geocache on the south side of the Erie Attica trail, cited here.   http://www.geocaching.com/seek/gallery.aspx?guid=cbd7a212-01a4-42fb-a3ee-f47eaca650a9   (send in the kids!)

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notes from an internet search, albeit not sure this info is totally up to date.

 

Genesee Greenway Trail and Erie-Attica Trail  
2419 Avon-Geneseo Road
Avon 14414
585 226-8210 (Fairview Golf Course)  – so this phone number is either obsolete or was originally incorrect
www.fogvg.org

Avon Driving Park 
Spring Street 
Avon 14414 
585 226-8118 (Village of Avon)
“baseball fields, basketball court, volleyball court, ice skating rink, play area, gazebo, picnic pavilions”  (there is a north picnic pavilion and a south picnic pavilion)

http://www.fltconference.org/trail/whats-happening/hike-programs/passport/

FLT Conference :: FLT Passport Program

				FLT Conference :: FLT Passport Program Home > What’s Happening > Hiking Programs > FLT Passport Program
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The hike on Sunday, October 18, 2015 in Avon, is designed as a combo event.  At 2:00, the Avon Preservation and Historical Society (APHS) is sponsoring a presentation by Kelly Cole entitled the 1876 Opera Block. In order to allow hikers to attend this presentation, our hike has been moved to 3:30. Join us at 2:00 at the Avon Historical Society.  Following the presentation, our hike is just a mile west.

**update October 18th  – you may appreciate an extra pair of sock & shoes for the after-hike social & ride home, and perhaps an umbrella in case it rains during the hike. 

Starting at the Erie-Attica Trail trailhead parking lot off Farmers Rd, we will hike on the Erie-Attica Trail and the Genesee Valley Greenway (aka Greenway, aka GVG).

From the Erie-Attica Trail trailhead, all hikers (except Flatlanders) will head west on the Erie-Attica Trail. Crossing the Genesee River, we enter the Town of Caledonia.  The Erie-Attica Trail (EAT) ends at the Genesee Valley Greenway (albeit someday the EAT will extend further westward to W River Rd aka Co Rd 84).  We will turn left and follow the Greenway as far as seems reasonable.  At about 4:30, we will turn around and retrace our route back to the cars.

Four hiking groups are planned for. Presently planned routing: The Climbers will follow the Greenway across Rt 5 and across Rt 20.  The trail goes parallel to Batzing Rd, where we expect to turn around.

Meanwhile, Tourists will likely turn around at Rt 20, and the Naturalists will turn around at Rt 5.  Flatlanders will utilize the Erie-Attica Trail (EAT) segment situate east of the Farmers Rd trailhead which is a paved segment to Horseshoe Blvd alongside a pond.  Additionally, as capable, they may utilize the EAT westward from the Farmers Rd trailhead over the truss bridge and beyond, before returning to the trailhead.    See some points of interest on the Greenway at the FOGVG website.

Directions:  

From the 1876 Opera Block:  From Genesee St, go round the traffic circle a bit shy of 360^o, and head west on Rts 5&20 (aka West Main Street). After about 0.8mi, turn right on Farmers Rd (partially paved and part gravel surface).  The parking area is on the right, just after you pass under the flyover for the former RR truss bridge (now the Erie-Attica Trail truss bridge).

From Springwater: Take Rt 15A North. In Lima, turn left on US 20. Follow Rt 20 for 7.6 miles (you will cross over I390, pass through East Avon and the Village of Avon. After the traffic circle in the village, continue on Rt 20 for 0.8mi and turn right on Farmers Rd. The parking area is on the right, just after you pass under the flyover for the former RR truss bridge (now the Erie-Attica Trail truss bridge).

After-hike social ~5:45PM at Tom Wahl’s Restaurant picnic pavilion (behind the restaurant), 283 East Main St, Avon, NY.  For more details about the social click here, and then scroll down as necessary to the heading for the after-hike social.

**notes for future Avon hikes: 1) An alternative hike routing involving multiple access points on the EAT & GVG including that utilizing access from Fowlerville Rd which gives quickest access (.85 mile hike) to the “rubbing” marker post, listed in hike #5 of the “Wegmans Passport to family wellness” Program booklet for the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park was considered for this 10/18 Avon hike, but decision was made to defer such possibilities to a future hike.  Vehicle placement logistics and transport of such a hike would utilize more time than a simple “out & back” type hike. 2) The Genesee Valley Conservancy’s railroad-bed-trail just south of the village of Avon and south of Ashantee’s historic and scenic five arch viaduct (the former Erie RR viaduct on the Avon to Mt Morris route) over Conesus Creek, runs south off Fowlerville Rd essentially at the jct with NYS Rt 39 (aka Avon Geneseo Rd).  This trail can be a future S/T hike. 3) There is also a short trail segment in vicinity of the Ashantee five arch viaduct, and as well at nearby Avon Downs Park which is situate at the end of Spring St (respectively aptly named for the race track at “Avon Downs” and the natural spring that once was the center of a spa resort edifice and activities in Avon.

***Toward establishing future S/T hike & Genesee River paddle event possibilities in and near Avon, … S/T kayakers may want to take time to assess the “Genesee River access point” at the NYSDEC fishing access area at the southeast corner of Rts 5&20 and the Genesee River.  This is approximately opposite the Rts 5&20 and Farmers Rd intersection. (The locale is sometimes referred to as Berry’s Park, and you’ll find a blue and gold NYS Education Dept historic marker there titled “Berry’s Tavern”.)***

Last Sunday’s hike (Oct 18th) was on old railroad lines, and was nice and flat.  So watch out, this Sunday we will be doing a hike that is anything but flat. Although not a technically difficult hike, this will be a strenuous hike for each of the hike levels.  For steep downhills, walking poles will provide some appreciated extra stability.

The hike will start an an elevation of 1600ft to the east of Hornell and will climb to 1800 over the first half mile. Views should open up here at the top, allowing us to look north toward Wayland and Springwater, before starting down to 1200ft over about 2 miles. After crossing the road and Big Creek (Its name on the maps, and an accurate name too), the Climbers will have an opportunity to earn their name over the final mile and a half with a climb up to nearly 1700ft and back down to the cars.

This hike will be a one-way hike, which means some shuttling cars and car-pooling. Although all groups will walk the same trail, we will start and end at different points to allow for different length hikes. In an attempt to simplify the car shuttling and to save some gas, we will all meet at the Wayland Parking lot behind the firehall at 1:00PM (leaving promptly at 1:15).

Climbers will leave some cars at the Econo Lodge (D) in North Hornell (7462 Seneca Rd N, Hornell, NY) which will be the end of the hike. From there, we will car pool to Lower Glen Ave (A) to start the hike.

Tourists and Naturalists will leave some cars on Big Creek Rd (Steuben CR70A) opposite Beltz and Patton Roads (C), which will be the end of their hike.  From there we will car pool to Lower Glen Ave (A) where the Tourists will start their hike.  The Naturalists will then drive to Laine Rd and Upper Glen Ave (B) to start their hike at the high point of the trip.  The Naturalists and Tourists will meet on the way down to CR70A and their cars.

The challenge will then be to find all of the cars we have left at the start of the hikes.  Gene will be in charge of that!

Following the hike, we will visit a restaurant in Hornell for dinner and to review the hike. Please come with ideas for Winter hikes since it is time to start that planning.

Directions:

All Hikers to meet at Wayland Parking (42.568606, -77.590562):

Plan to be at the parking area at 1:00.  We will distribute maps and select cars for carpooling.  We will leave at 1;15 for Hornell.  Please be on time. If you can’t make the parking lot by 1:15, you can try to meet us at the trail head on Lower Glen Ave.

From Springwater: Head south on NY-15 to the light in Wayland.  Turn right on Rt 63 (W Naples St). In about 150ft, turn right between the Fire House and the Sugar Creek building to get to the parking lot in the center of the block.

From Dansville: Head east on Rt 63 toward Wayland.  Just before the second light in Wayland (at NY-15) turn left between the Fire House and the Sugar Creek building to get to the parking lot in the center of the block.

From Naples and N Cohocton: Head west on NY-21S toward Wayland.  Go through the light at NY-15. In about 150ft, turn left between the Fire House and the Sugar Creek building to get to the parking lot in the center of the block.

Carpool directions to Hornell:

To Econo Lodge (42.363603, -77.666032): End of Climbers hike.

From Wayland: Exit from the parking lot next to the Fire Department. Turn left on Rt 63, then right (south) on NY-15/NY-21. Stay on NY-21S for 18.5 miles.  At the stop sign, turn left onto Seneca Rd N.  Take the second left onto Filter Plant Rd.

To Big Creek Rd and Beltz Rd (42.363675, -77.648883 ): End of Tourist/Naturalist hike.

From Wayland: Exit from the parking lot next to the Fire Department. Turn left on Rt 63, then right (south) on NY-15/NY-21. Stay on NY-21S for 18.5 miles.  At the stop sign, turn left onto Seneca Rd N. In 0.9mi turn left onto CR 70A (Big Creek Rd). After 0,9 mi, turn right on Patton Rd and immediate left onto Beltz Rd.

To Lower Glen Ave: (42.336779, -77.620044): Trail head Climbers/Tourists

From Wayland: Exit from the parking lot next to the Fire Department. Turn left on Rt 63, then right (south) on NY-15/NY-21. Stay on NY-21S for 18.5 miles.  At the stop sign, turn left onto Seneca Rd N. In 3.4mi turn left onto Main St for 0.5mi. Turn left onto Tobes Hill Rd, then an immediate right on Florence St which becomes Glen Ave after the left corner. In about 0.6 miles, take a slight right onto Lower Glen Ave. The road will cross the creek three times.  At the third crossing, look for signs for the Finger Lakes Trail and the North Country Trail.  There is shoulder parking available.  If you get to Laine Rd, you have gone too far.

From the Econo Lodge:  Turn left (south) onto Seneca Rd for 2.5 miles. Turn left onto Main St for 0.5mi. Turn left onto Tobes Hill Rd, then an immediate right on Florence St which becomes Glen Ave after the left corner. In about 0.6 miles, take a slight right onto Lower Glen Ave. The road will cross the creek three times.  At the third crossing, look for signs for the Finger Lakes Trail and the North Country Trail.  There is shoulder parking available.  If you get to Laine Rd, you have gone too far.

From Big Creek Rd (CR 70A) and Beltz Rd: Head Northeast on CR 70A for 2.3 miles. Turn right onto Butchers Corners Rd CR 56.  Take the first right onto Hungry Hollow Rd and the next left to stay on Hungry Hollow Rd for 1.5mi.  Make a sharp right onto Middle Rd (Lower Glen Ave).  After crossing Laine Rd, head down the hill (about a quarter mile) and look for Finger Lakes Trail signs at the creek crossing.

To Tobes Hill Rd, Laine Rd and Upper Glen Ave Intersection (42.342806, -77.622447): Trail head for Naturalists.

From Lower Glen Ave trail head: Head east up Lower Glen Ave.  Turn left onto Laine Rd.  There is shoulder parking at the intersection with Upper Glen Ave and Tobes Hill Rd.

Every fall, Trail Maintenance and Trail Quality hold two meetings for trail maintainers and any other interested parties.  One of the meetings, intended for hikers or workers on the  main trail between Portageville (M 7) through Watkins Glen (M 14), the Letchowrth, Bristol Hills, or Crystal Hills Branches and the Queen Catharine
Marsh and and Montour Falls Historic Loops, will be held at the Bath Fire Hall.

Each meeting will be informed by your specific questions and the problems you have encountered, but both will include about any trail management policies which you need to be familiar with.  This years meeting will feature Marty Howden, Western Regional Coordinator for the FLTC and Coordinator of the Chainsaw Training.  Marty and Lynda Rummel, FLTC VP for Trail Quality, will talk about the status of the NPS & USFS chainsaw and cross-cut saw certifications and the increased emphasis on working safely in the field.

Who should attend? All hikers who enjoy the Finger Lakes Trail system including Springwater Trails members who wish to help maintain the Bristol Hills Branch.

For more information, please see the full meeting announcement.

10 AM sharp.  Bring your lunch, your questions, and your ideas.  Coffee, apple juice and some breakfast goodies provided.

Directions:

From Springwater: Take Rt 15 South for 6.9 miles. Turn left to merge onto I-390 South for 20.2 miles. Take exit 38 from I-86 (Rt 17) for Bath.  Turn left onto W Washington St.  Turn right at the 2nd cross street on W Morris St.  The firehouse is on the left about a half mile down Morris St (past Pulteney Park). Parking is available behind the fire house.

*** First off – let’s give a reminder – – – annually the first Sunday in November (Nov 1st in 2015, yep that is this hike), there is a time change from “Eastern Daylight Savings Time” to “Eastern Standard Time” (fall back one hour), so it gets dark one hour earlier and progressively days further shorten (sunset happens earlier and earlier) as we head toward Winter Solstice (near the end of December).  So be sure you’ve reset your clock, or you may be an hour early for the hike and standing around wondering where all the other hikers are!

That said . . . This Sunday, November 1st, 2015, at 2PM the Springwater Trails hike will actually be a part of a planned Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway (FOGVG) hike.  Springwater Trails will be joining FOGVG for this hike (an official FOGVG annual event coupled with the FOGVG annual meeting and optional additional activities following the hike), that these wonderful FOGVG folks have planned on the Genesee Valley Greenway (GVG) in the Geneseo environs.  {Approximate areas of Cuylerville (Mt Morris to Piffard) would pretty much encompass the GVG Geneseo environs.}

Please note the hike event schedule as set out below.  It is a bit different in schedule than most S/T hikes in a number of ways.  One difference, we’ll be syncing with an additional group of hikers, and following lead as it is FOGVG’s hike plan, so some organizational time beyond our S/T norm may be required.   Another difference, the hike starts at 2PM and there is a program that starts at 4PM in Geneseo, so hikers should be sure to arrive far enough in advance of 2PM for covering incidentals and organizing hike groups, so the hike can start at 2PM.

*** Below is the hike event schedule pretty much pulled from the Facebook page of FOGVG, on 10/2/2015 from a Sept 25th post.  The hike on the GVG definitely covers two towns, Leicester (including the hamlet of Cuylerville) and its eastern neighboring Town of Geneseo.

– – Please note at present, 10/21/2015, details are basically set for this hike, but minor changes for this hike event may occur, so a small chance that not all salient info may be presented in this Hike Event Announcement.  Please feel free to check the FOGVG website (or FOGVG Facebook page) for possible future updating of hike details.- –

⇒Announcing: FOGVG Annual Event at the Geneseo United Methodist Church, Route 63 and Court Street, Geneseo, New York, Sunday, November 1, 2015.  The event consists of a Hike, Program, Dinner & Meeting.

2:00 PM – Guided Hike – Meet at the Genesee Valley Greenway (GVG) Cuylerville Parking Area (on Rt. 20A): Hike the Greenway north to enjoy picturesque farmlands and large ponds that are a favorite with birders. Return to Cuylerville for a 3.5 to 5 mile hike or post a car at the GVG Piffard Parking area for a 3.5 to 4 mile one-way hike.

4:00 PM – (optional) Program – Meet at Geneseo United Methodist Church, Route 63 and Court St., Geneseo, New York. The History & Development of the WAG Trail by FOGVG member and Senior DEC Forester Ron Abraham The WAG Trail is a 9-mile multi-use recreation trail and historic transportation corridor in Allegany County, extending from the Village of Wellsville to the Pennsylvania state line. The Trail follows the route of the former Wellsville, Addison and Galeton Railroad along the upper Genesee River, just a few miles from its headwaters. New York State acquired the property in 2009 and substantial progress has been made in developing this trail with 8 miles currently open to the public.

5:30 PM – (optional) Dish-to-Pass Dinner: Bring your favorite dish-to-pass, your table service, and join us for a delicious meal. Beverages will be provided.  (Springwater Trails group will bring the “potluck tote” with paper plates, plastic utensils, etc, but S/T hikers should feel free to be environmentally friendly by bringing their own durable flatware and silverware at this tables and chairs equipped indoor social venue.)  

6:30 PM – (optional) Brief FOGVG Meeting, For members and potential members.

Everyone Welcome: Join the hike, Come for the program, Stay for dinner See You in Geneseo! Geneseo United Methodist Church.

S/T hikers and others are welcomed to become members of FOGVG, annual member dues are $ 20 for an individual, $25 for a family.  You need not be an FOGVG member to attend any of the components of this hike event.

ADDITIONAL S/T INFO FOR THIS GVG HIKE

Hike Meet Location (further defined):  ⇒ GPS Coords: 42.777222, -77.870382  on the north side of NYS Rt 20A (concurrent NYS Rt 39) in the hamlet of Cuylerville (Town of Leicester) at the GVG trailhead parking area (mile 29-30 of the GVG). Point of reference – Cuylerville is situate a bit southwest of the village of Geneseo.  [hint: Parking area is very near (just east of) an ~85^o pronounced bend in Rts 20A/39, also described as west of Boyd Parker Memorial Park, and northeast of The National Hotel.]   Parking is available at the trailhead.  (Look for the “yellow trail gates”, set back some distance from the public roadway.)  Carpooling by S/T hikers is encouraged, in consideration of limited vehicle parking space at the trailhead parking area.

{You’ll note directions are given by: landmark, direction, compass orientation, and GPS coordinates.  Something for everyone.}

After-Hike Social (in sync with FOGVG plans): Please bring a dish to pass.  S/T will be bringing the tote/tub utilized at potluck socials, to this social event.

Directions to the hike Meet Locale:  

From Springwater: Take NY-15N west from the flashing light for 1.5 miles.  Turn left on Liberty Pole Rd (CR 38).  This road changes names and numbers (CR 1A and then CR 1) but continue for 8 miles. Turn right onto NY-63N for 9.4 miles. Take a sharp left turn onto US-20A W (NY 39 also). The parking area is on the right in 2.4 miles just before US-20A turns a sharp left in Cuylerville.

From Wayland: Take NY-21 south to Interstate 390.  Turn right to take I390N for 22 miles to exit 7 – NY 408.  Turn right onto NY-408N then slight left to continue on NY-63 for 3 miles. Take a sharp left turn onto US-20A W (NY 39 also). The parking area is on the right in 2.4 miles just before US-20A turns a sharp left in Cuylerville.

From Honeoye: For the entirety of the trip from Honeoye to Cuylerville, you’ll take US-20A W for about 22 miles of driving to the trailhead parking area.  Its just that simple!  But routing can be a bit confusing in some places, such as a junctions and where there are concurrently running routes, so watch signs carefully.  ⇒Further detailed description (if you need it): Follow US-20A W from the hamlet of Honeoye through the hamlet of Hemlock and villages of Livonia and Geneseo and then heading into the small hamlet of Cuylerville. (Watch signs for US-20A carefully on the SW side of the village of Geneseo, or you may go astray.)  SW of village of Geneseo, US-20A W & NY-39 W & NY-63 S all briefly run concurrently. Staying on US-20A (& concurrently running NY-39 W), from the US-20A (NY-39 also) split from NY-63 at the SW side of Geneseo, you’ll then travel 2.4 miles to the trailhead parking area located on the right just before US-20A (NY-39 also) turns a sharp left in Cuylerville. (By-the-way, as a digression, a short-cut on Big Tree Rd in the towns of Richmond and Livonia, circumventing a segment of US-20A, saves a mile but not any time).

From Rochester: Take I390 S to Exit 8 (NY 20A).  Turn right onto 20A W for 12 miles. The parking area is on the right in 2.4 miles just before US-20A turns a sharp left in Cuylerville.

Directions to the Dish-to-Pass Social at Geneseo United Methodist Church (42.802549, -77.827199): 

Head east on US 20A for 2.6 miles. Take a slight left to stay on NY 63N (20A goes straight). In 1.2 miles, the church is on the left.  Parking is in the back.

Carpool: A non-supervised carpool from Springwater Town Hall is scheduled to leave the Town Hall promptly at 1:15.  Please be there at 1:00.

If you look great in Autumnal Orange (or blaze orange), and even if maybe you’re thinking you don’t, well, … this hike is during Bow Hunting Season for big game, so wearing some of that orange would place you right in fashion this time of year.

Below this double line, you’ll find ancillary information, relevant but not crucial to this hike.

This 11/1/2015 FOGVG hike is principally represented in the Wegman’s Passport to family wellness booklet for the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park as hike #7.  W Passport booklets for the GVG will be available at the start of this hike, for those who do not already have one and would like one.  – – – If you are thinking “what is that?”, then here’s an explanation.

A facsimile from a previously published description – – -Some hikers may be interested to know there is a “Wegmans Passport to family wellness  Program booklet” for the GVG which consists of a total of 14 listed hikes on the GVG. The Wegman’s “Passport to family wellness” Genesee Valley Greenway State Park booklets are available (free) at select Wegman’s locations (likely W store locations closeby to the GVG) at the store’s service desk.  (You may want to call first, if it would mean a special trip for you. Wegman’s Chili-Paul location in the Town of Chili, does have them currently.)  Picking one up (and maybe several for fellow hikers) on your own assures that you have one in hand.  A limited number of these “Passport to Wellness” GVG booklets will be available at the hike.

(Of note, S/T has three hikes on the GVG this autumn hiking season, 10/18, 11/1, & 11/8.)

Included here is a FOGVG brochure map.

FOGVG contact info. Telephone: (585)-658-2569 or fogvg@frontiernet.net   [658 exchange is considered a Mount Morris exchange.]

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For those folks unaware the GVG is now a NYS Park (a linear park) and as such now gets more attention from NYS in programming.  The GVG is still fostered by the FOGVG, the long standing group which assisted and continues to assist in GVG development and maintenance.

_{– – – SOME HYPERLINKS TO ADDITIONAL INFO ABOUT THE GENESEE VALLEY CANAL. – – –} 

For hikers interested in history of the Genesee Valley Canal (GVC), here is an online article published in Fall 1994 edition of Rochester History.  It now is published on-line on the Rochester Public Library website.

You’ll also find some photos of various canals in NYS at the following URLs, listed as links.

http://www.nygeo.org/index.htm

http://www.nygeo.org/EEC_Locks.html

http://www.nygeo.org/EEC_Structures.html

If you’ve a keen identifying eye, and check out some of these photos, you’ll find one is of the culvert with a road through it, passing under the Erie Canal, which is located on . . .yep, you guessed it, Culvert Rd.  Located about a mile east of Medina, Orleans County, NY.  This is the only place in NYS that the roadway went under the canal, and it still exists today.  And if you’ve driven the roadway recently, you’ll likely find two inosculating trees north of the culvert on the west side of the road and within view of the culvert.  Or perhaps you’d say they’re hugging, intertwining, or twisting (Chubby Checker, anyone?)

A S/T article about the GVC when we hiked part of the GVG in Letchworth State Park in Autumn 2012.

Facebook page of FOGVG – Southern Tier section GVG hikers.

Announcement about 14 interpretive hikes in 2015 & 2016 on the GVG which is now a (linear) State Park. One each 2nd Saturday of the month April-October (7 hikes in 2015 & 7 hikes in 2016).

tidbit (historic and present): In Cuylerville, the historic National Hotel (built circa 1840), still in operation today, was an important business along the canal route.