SPRINGWATER TRAILS HIKE FOR 2:00 pm (try to arrive at 1:45 PM), March 4th , 2018
LOCATION: Stony Brook State Park Temperature is suppose to be ~ +40 degrees.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: Hikers will split into three groups. Each group will walk at their own pace.

Climbers will start from the southwest (SW trail on map) snowmobile trail off the main parking lot and climb along the western trail working their way up to the upper park and then down to the group camp area continuing along Acomb Drive where they will pick up the SW snowmobile trail (SW trail on map) taking them back down to the lower parking lot to their cars.

The Tourists will car pool to the upper park and walk southward alone the south border of the park for 1/2 mile and then down through the camping area (sites 1-135),cross over to the group camp area continuing along Acomb Drive where they will pick up the SW snowmobile trail (SW trail on map) taking them back down to the lower parking lot. Hikers with cars at the upper park will be shuttled back up to get their cars.

Naturalists: Can walk the the athletic fields and take in a walk along the creek in the lower park.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Dress accordingly, multiple thin layers(synthetic under layer, fleece 2nd layer. light shell 3rd layer; avoid heavy parka’s.
Trails are most likely going to be wet and slippery so poles and traction devices or hiking boots with good tread recommended.

After hike social: Will be the Sunrise Restaurant on the North end of Main St., downtown Dansville.

DIRECTIONS : From Downtown Dansville take RT.36 South for about 4 miles. Turn left into Stony Brook State Park. Drive to the main parking lot where we will divide into our three groups.

Learn the story of the Genesee Valley’s historic transportation corridor as it transitions from a 19th century
canal, to a railroad and then, a Greenway before becoming New York’s newest and longest State Park in 2011. Joan Schumaker, Local Historian.

See the full American Innovation: Winter Discovery Series schedule.

NOTICE: Daylight Savings Time starts on Sunday.

This week’s hike was originally scheduled for the Bristol Hills Branch through Hi Tor.  This section is 5.6 miles according to the FLT map, which is a bit longer than a standard climbers hike (4 to 4.5 miles), did not seem out of line with other hikes in this series.  However, the snow makes a difference. On Wednesday, Linda and I did a pre-hike which took over 5 hours – way too long, even if we started an hour early.  So, quick change of plans.

Sunday’s hike will be at 8664 Schribner Rd. There will be three hikes of 1, 2 or 3 miles long. Today (Thursday), the snow is 8 to 10 inches deep with a crust on the top. Snow shoes or cross country skis are highly recommended, although boots will be acceptable once a couple of snowshoes lead the way. Each hike will be adjustable by the hike leader to accommodate conditions. So plan on a two hour winter hike through fields and woods.

The Climbers and Skiers will head across the valley and then go south along the side of the valley. This hike will climb one short but steep climb up from the creek. On the way back, skiers may want to take off their skis since the snow is crusty and heavy and the trail is narrow. We will go down and back up the valley on either side of the old farmer’s fields. The fields are now filled with pines and other trees planted in the 1950’s.

The Tourists will also cross the valley, but will turn right for a slightly shorter hike. This hike will follow the edge of the hardwood forest that was harvested three years ago.  Hikers on the Cleveland Hill section of the BHB last month, may want to compare logging to encourage regeneration of Oak trees on Cleveland Hill, to logging to allow the small Maple trees to thrive.

The Naturalists will stay on the road side of the valley. The hike will only climb about 50 feet across a large field. At the top, be sure to turn around for the best view on the property. On the way back, we will take a quick peak inside the Red Pine woods planted in the 1930’s. You will see a few trees marked for telephone poles, but not worth the effort needed to remove them.

After the hike, please join us for a social at our house. Bring a dish to pass and your own beverage, or contribute $5 to the social fund.

Directions are available here. If you use a GPS, enter “Schribner and Tabors Corners Rd, Wayland NY” and the come up Schribner Rd for 1 mile. Park along the road just past the driveway, or park in the driveway if there is room.

For the fourth year in a row, the staff at Springwater Center has invited Springwater Trails to enjoy a hike on their scenic property overlooking the Springwater Valley. Our thanks to Wayne Coger and Susan McCallum and the entire staff of the center for their welcome.

If the weather forecast holds, expect some wonderful sun and plenty of snow on the ground to enjoy skiing, snowshoeing and hiking. Last year, the upper portion of the trails were perfect for skiing with a couple of short downhills for excitement for everyone.

The many well marked trails that loop through open fields and forested areas are mowed across the fields and were clear last fall through the woods and give opportunities for wonderful views of the surrounding hills and the valley below. Two of the trails parallel a creek bed and gorge and one loops to another seasonal creek. Keep your eyes open for the Marker Tree near the creek.

Following our hikes, we will set up a pot-luck dinner in the kitchen.  Everyone interested in Springwater Trails is welcome to the pot-luck and the Annual Meeting, and to the hike.

Well-mannered dogs are welcome to hike with us.  Dogs should stay in cars during the social.

If you are able to join us for the social after the hike, please bring a dish to pass and a non-alcoholic beverage or consider making a cash donation.  There is a complete kitchen to store and reheat the dishes as needed.  Please bring slippers as shoes will  need to be removed at the door.

Directions

From Springwater: Take Rt 15 to the West from the flashing light at the intersection with Rt 15A.  Follow Rt 15 up the hill.  Turn right at the top of the hill on Mill St Ext (just across the road from Harpers Ferry Rd) – you will see a Dead End sign. Springwater Center is the third driveway to the left (0.1 mile along Mill St. Ext., you will see the sign). Follow the driveway for 0.6 miles to reach the Center parking lot. The main building is just past the parking lot.

Additional directions to the Center are here.

It is time again for the Springwater Trails, Inc. annual meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to elect officers for 2018, to inform our members about the activities of the group in 2017 and the handle any new business concerning the organization and the year ahead.

The schedule for the day will be: Hike the Springwater Center property at 2:00, Social setup at 4:00, Annual meeting at 4:45, Traveling in Europe at 5:15.

Following the business portion of the meeting, our own Vice President, John Larysz will share his pictures and experiences traveling in Europe. There will be an opportunity for the audience to ask important questions such as the camera that he uses, how to rent a car that Americans can drive in Europe, or how to pronounce his name. You may have seen some of his pictures on Facebook, so this will be a great opportunity to hear commentary about the best of the best.

The Social and Annual Meeting is open to everyone interested in Springwater, trails and hiking. Your comments and advice are welcome during the meeting.  Voting for officers and other business brought up at the meeting is limited to members of Springwater Trails, Inc. Honorary memberships are awarded to hikers who have completed 20 group activities during the previous calendar year or to 5 maintenance events, to members of the executive board who have served for a full year term, and to landowners who allow the Springwater Trail on their property. Membership forms are also available on line and at the meeting and memberships for 2018 can be purchased at the meeting or before for half price ($10 for an individual, $15 for a family).

If you are able to join us for the social after the hike, please bring a dish to pass and a non-alcoholic beverage or consider making a cash donation.  There is a complete kitchen to store and reheat the dishes as needed.  

Please bring slippers as shoes will  need to be removed at the door.

There are five elected officers: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and VP of hiking. We will be accepting nominations for all five offices during the annual meeting, and all members will be allowed to vote for one nominee for each office. The duties of each officer are described in Article IV of the By-Laws of the Springwater Trails, Inc.

Annual Meeting Agenda

Welcome to members and friends
The year 2017 in review
President’s report
VP of Hiking report
Treasurer’s report
Nominations from the floor for Officers
Election of Officers
Plans for 2018

Traveling in Europe 
pictures and commentary from John Larysz

Adjournment

Learn some wildlife photography basics with John. Join in to discuss cameras, lenses, tripods, photo blinds,
and camouflage. John Adamski will instruct the audience on how, when, and where to find wildlife to photograph.

See the full American Innovation: Winter Discovery Series schedule.

NOTE CHANGE IN HIKE STARTING TIME

Have you been enjoying the aroma of boiling maple sap in the air?   We’re going to enjoy this year’s Palm Sunday with a lunch of pancakes with this year’s maple syrup, followed by a revisit to a hike which our group did back in 2016.  The pancake lunch will be today’s social.

We will meet at Wohlschlegel’s Maple Farm, near the east end of Coates Rd., west of Naples.  For $7.00, you can get all the pancakes you can eat, 2 sausages and beverage.  Their pancake kitchen opens at 8 AM but closes at 1 PM so, you will need to get there by 12:30 to enjoy your meal.  If there’s time after your meal, you can enjoy tours of their farm as well as samples of some of their maple products.   For more information on Wohlschlegel’s Naples Maple Farm you can check out their website at: http://www.fingerlakesbulkmaplesyrup.com/

Because you have to get there by 12:30 for your pancake lunch, we’re going to start our hike today at 1:30.  We will have our usual 3 hiking groups, starting on the snowmobile trail on their farm.  Mark will lead the climbers, possibly to the late Chuck Winship’s Sugarbush Hollow.  John has agreed to lead the tourists, Wendy will lead the naturalists.

There will be no hike next week so, enjoy your Easter.  See you in 2 weeks.

Directions:

Wohlschlegel’s Maple Farm, 8064 Coates Rd. Naples.  From Wayland.  Go east on SR 21.  Left on to CR 38.  At the end, go left at the T.  Left on Coates Rd.  Farm is on the left, about 1/2 mile.  Look for the bright purple roof.  There are also signs on the road to help you.  Don’t attempt to enter Coates Rd. from Pardee Hollow, as it may not be plowed and is a rough seasonal road at that end.