Hikes led by Springwater Trails are generally held on Sunday afternoons and appear in this calendar in green.
- Categories
- Tags Barry Childs and Kathy Cloonan barry@africabridge Bike Bill Cooke Bob and Cindy Wagner Bob Menz (bert6952@yahoo.com) Bristol Hills Branch CANCELED Clarks Gully CLWA Colorado Trail Dog friendly Finger Lakes Trail FL FLT Gene & Georgia Binder (585) 236-5384 Gene and Georgia Binder (585) 236-5384 Greenway Gully Gypsy moth Hemlock Hike John L Katherine Humphrey? Kayak Landowner Liability Leader: Mark Lehigh Valley Trail Mark and Laure Allen (585) 662-9305 Mark and Linda Mary Ann Devey (315) 573-0774 Mary Lou Wenthe (585) 208-4337 Melissa Mitchellsville mjkcloonan@frontiernet.net Mushroom Foray Naples Nunda POSTPONED Rick Henchen Saralinda Saralinda Hooker Schribner Scott Sevensma (585) 413-8461 Sharon Boldt (boldtbs@yahoo.com) sugarbush hollow Summer Weekly Wendy Stevenson
Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stony Brook State Park 4:00 pm Stony Brook State Park @ Stony Brook State Park Sep 2 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm SPRINGWATERTRAILS HIKE FOR 4:00 pm (try to arrive at 3:55 PM), Sept. 2nd, 2018 LOCATION: Stony Brook State Park Special Note: There is a seven dollar charge per car to enter the park. Anyone that would like to car pool to … Continue reading → | ||||||
Hi Tor 2:00 pm Hi Tor @ HiTor WMA Sep 9 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm This week we return to HiTor WMA above Naples. All hikers will meet at the parking area on Dewolf Rd. (A on the map below – click on the map to see a bigger version). Poles and good tread are … Continue reading → | ||||||
Mushroom Hike 2:00 pm Mushroom Hike @ All Western Evergreen Nursery Sep 16 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Welcome to the Fifth Annual Mushroom Foray at the All Western Evergreen Farm. Three hiking groups are planned, all starting and ending at the farm house. We will explore much of the farm, enjoying views of the valley and close-ups of the … Continue reading → | ||||||
Canadice Tri-Modal 2:00 pm Canadice Tri-Modal @ Canoe Launch Sep 23 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm This Sunday, Springwater Trails is hosting the fifth annual tri-modal hike around Canadice Lake. Bring your bike, your kayak and walking shoes and celebrate one of the two undeveloped Finger Lakes. Canadice Lake is unique among the Finger Lakes with … Continue reading → | ||||||
Boughton Park 2:00 am Boughton Hill 2:00 pm Boughton Hill @ Stirnie Rd Parking Sep 30 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Boughton Park is located in the northern part of the Town of East Bloomfield, Ontario County. From the 1920s to the 1980s Fairport used the two reservoirs at this location for their water supply. We will have three hikes around … Continue reading → |
-
Categories
-
Tags
Barry Childs and Kathy Cloonan barry@africabridge Bike Bill Cooke Bob and Cindy Wagner Bob Menz (bert6952@yahoo.com) Bristol Hills Branch CANCELED Clarks Gully CLWA Colorado Trail Dog friendly Finger Lakes Trail FL FLT Gene & Georgia Binder (585) 236-5384 Gene and Georgia Binder (585) 236-5384 Greenway Gully Gypsy moth Hemlock Hike John L Katherine Humphrey? Kayak Landowner Liability Leader: Mark Lehigh Valley Trail Mark and Laure Allen (585) 662-9305 Mark and Linda Mary Ann Devey (315) 573-0774 Mary Lou Wenthe (585) 208-4337 Melissa Mitchellsville mjkcloonan@frontiernet.net Mushroom Foray Naples Nunda POSTPONED Rick Henchen Saralinda Saralinda Hooker Schribner Scott Sevensma (585) 413-8461 Sharon Boldt (boldtbs@yahoo.com) sugarbush hollow Summer Weekly Wendy Stevenson
This Sunday, Springwater Trails is hosting the fifth annual tri-modal hike around Canadice Lake. Bring your bike, your kayak and walking shoes and celebrate one of the two undeveloped Finger Lakes. Canadice Lake is unique among the Finger Lakes with a road and trail around the entire lake at water level. We will enjoy this trail on Sunday on foot and bicycle, and will add in some kayaking to complete the tri-modal event.
There are four hikes planned, depending on the interests of the participants.
Tri-modal: We will start on our bikes, traveling north from the Canoe Launch along Canadice Lake Rd. At the north west corner of the lake, we will enter the trail and continue around the lake, returning to the Canoe Launch. From there, it will be a short kayak across the lake, where we will leave our boats and hike north on the trail, planning to turn around at the Rob’s Trail bridge. Finally, we will return across the lake in our boats.
Bi-modal Climbers: The climbers will start in kayaks and spend about an hour on the lake, ending at the west side of the lake. They will beach their boats, leaving their paddles and life jackets in the boats, and turn left on the trail to hike around the south end of the lake and back to the Canoe Launch.
Bi-modal Tourists: The tourists will do the reverse hike of the climbers. They will carpool with the Naturalists to the south end of the lake, and then hike in to where the Climbers have left their boats. This hike will be slightly more than an hour, giving time to check the fall flowers near the trail. The Tourists will use the Climber’s kayaks to return across the lake to the Canoe Launch.
Naturalist Hikers: Hikers are invited to join the Naturalists for a hike along the Canadice Trail. Hikers will carpool to the southern entrance to the trail, and will hike for one hour, and then turn around and return to the cars and the Canoe Launch.
Following the hike, join us for a pot luck social at the Canoe Launch. We will grill hot-dogs. Please bring a dish to pass and your own beverage or make a donation to the social fund.
NOTE: Some of you may have noted that our plans depend on equal numbers of Climbers and Tourists. This may require some flexibility on your part and adjustments on the precise routes.
So, dust off your bike, load up your car and come enjoy a sunny fall afternoon on Canadice Lake.
Directions: All participants should meet at the Canoe Launch near the south end of Canadice Lake. Please arrive early enough to unload your boat and bike and stage them for the start of the event.
NOTE: the Canoe Launch is 1.5 miles south of the motor boat launch site.
From Springwater: Purcell Hill access: Go North on 15A for 7.6 miles. Turn right on Purcell Hill. At the end of Purcell Hill Rd, turn right onto Canadice Lake Rd on the east side of the lake. The Canoe Launch is 2.9 miles south.
From Springwater: Johnson Hill access: Go North on 15A for 2.7 miles. Bear right on Old Bald Hill Rd S and then an immediate right on Johnson Hill Rd. Take the first left onto Canadice Lake Rd. The Canadice Canoe Launch is 1.8 miles north of Johnson Hill Rd.
From Honeoye: Take Co Rd 37 South from 20A, Turn right after 3.7mi to stay on Co Rd 37. Stay straight onto Burch Hill Rd. At the lake, turn left onto Canadice Lake Rd. The Canadice Canoe Launch is 2.1 miles south of Burch Hill Rd.
From Hemlock and Rochester: Take NY Rt 15A south from Rochester through Lima and Hemlock. Just past Hemlock, Rt 20A goes left. Continue straight on 15A for 3,2 miles after 20A. Turn left on Purcell Hill. At the end of Purcell Hill Rd, turn right onto Canadice Lake Rd on the east side of the lake. The Canoe Launch is 2.9 miles south.
Please obey the No Parking signs at the launch area.
Boughton Park is located in the northern part of the Town of East Bloomfield, Ontario County. From the 1920s to the 1980s Fairport used the two reservoirs at this location for their water supply. We will have three hikes around these old reservoirs (now often referred to as “ponds”), one of which will be “accessible” to hikers on a scooter. The trails are good with very mild elevation changes. There is poison ivy beside the trails. If you stick to the trails you are okay, but be sure you can identify it if you get off trail. It is often just beside the trails, but not on them.
Carpooling: Parking (by permit only) is available at the trail head, but we are limited to 10 parking permits. Please plan to carpool, to preserve both gas and parking spots. Unsupervised carpools will start from the Springwater Town Hall or from the Sandy Bottom parking area at the north end of Honeoye Lake. Plan to arrive at Sandy Bottom at 1:15 to leave promptly at 1:25 for the hike. Or meet at the Springwater Town Hall at 1:00 to leave promptly at 1:10.
Hike Meet Location: All hikers will meet at the Stirnie Road parking lot. Please park at the Stirnie Road entrance, where the pavilion is located. We will have parking permits when you arrive – so please be on time! For clarity there is another parking lot off Boughton Rd, which we are NOT using as our “hike meet location”.
Optional After-Hike Social: We are planning a social at the pavilion near the parking. Please bring a dish to pass and your own beverage.
Hike Plans: Boughton Park consists of 330 acres and 5 miles of designated trails. The area has some rolling hills with perhaps 50-100 foot max elevation change. The park is reserved for residents of Victor, East Bloomfield and West Bloomfield and their guests. On Sunday, Springwater Trails will be guests. For more information, click on the Boughton Park link.
The Victor Hiking Trails Seneca Trail connects to the north end of Boughton Park and from there, you can hike all the way through Victor to Perinton and the Crescent Trail. The section from Boughton Park to the Apple Farm is closed during hunting season, so we will stay within the Park boundaries.
Hike Routes: For a larger map, click on the map or check the board at the trailhead.
Climbers: Climbers will hike around both ponds, (including a new loop at the southwest corner), then north along the west pond, to the east pond, and south along the east side of this pond, followed by the gravel road back to the north end, and along the west pond back to the pavilion, this is about 4 miles.
Tourists: Tourists can keep it to 2 miles by making a loop around the west pond only.
Naturalists: Naturalists can make the easy hike north to views of the west pond, then on the gravel road to the west pond, and return to the pavilion, 1 mile total.
Directions: To carpool locations
Springwater Town Hall: Please be at the Springwater Town Hall at 1:00PM to carpool to Boughton Park. Click here for directions to the town hall. Remember, this is an unsupervised carpool and drivers will be leaving promptly at 1:10PM.
Sandy Bottom: If Honeoye is more convenient, please meet at Sandy Bottom on West Lake Rd at 1:15PM to carpool. Drivers should leave promptly at 1:25PM.
Directions: TO THE HIKE: Set your GPS to (42.937581, -77.441284) or to 1911 Stirnie Rd (parking is on the east side of the road).
From Honeoye and the Sandy Bottom Park (carpool location) :
– From Sandy Bottom, head north on West Lake Rd.
– Take Rt 20A east for 5.9 miles
– Turn left onto CR 2 for 1 mile, then continue straight onto Oakmount Rd (CR2 turns right).
– Turn left onto Rts 5&20 and travel 1 mile.
– Turn right onto NY-64
– In a half mile, turn right onto Eddy Rd.
– Take the first left onto CR 39 and continue onto CR 39 for 1.7 miles.
– Turn right onto Boughton Rd (CR 39 will continue to the left)
– Take the first left onto Stirnie Rd. The parking area is 0.8 miles ahead on the right. (past a curve to the right, and a curve to the left)
From Springwater and the Town Hall (carpool location):
–Take Rt 15A north from the flashing light in Springwater.
–Turn right onto Rt 20A toward Honeoye. After 4.0 miles
– Turn left on CR 37 to go north to West Bloomfield.
– Turn right onto Rts 5&20 east at the West Bloomfield Congregational Church.
– In 3.7 miles, turn left onto Cannan Rd, (its the first road that crosses US20 both left and right).
– Cross NY64 where the road becomes Bennett Rd.
– At the first road, turn right onto CR 39.
– At the right hand curve on CR39, take a slight left onto Boughton Rd
– Take the first left onto Stirnie Rd. (It’s a VERY VERY short travel on Boughton Rd) The parking area is 0.8 miles ahead on the right. (past a curve to the right, and a curve to the left)
From Rochester area:
– Take I490 East to the Victor Exit 29.
– Merge onto Rt 96 S into Victor.
– Turn right onto Maple Ave (Rt 444) (follow the sign to Bristol Mt).
– At the flashing light turn right onto Boughton Hill Rd (CR 41) (At Ganondagan)
– Take the 1st left onto Murray Rd.
– At the T, turn right onto Town Line Rd.
– Take the 1st left onto Stirnie Rd. The parking is on the left after 0.4 miles.
Hike or Bike at Keuka Bluff
Sunday, Oct. 7, 2-4 PM
Our event for Sunday Oct. 7th has hiking and bicycling options, starting and ending at Keuka Lake State Park, just east of Branchport, on the northwest fork of Keuka Lake. The park has a sandy beach area and boat launch as well as nice trails through the wooded slopes and gullies along the hillside. NOTE: Bow hunting is permitted within the park in October, so HIKERS PLEASE WEAR RED OR ORANGE OUTER GARMENTS FOR HIGH VISIBILITY.
Park Fee and Car Pooling – On weekends the park changes a vehicle fee of $7 per vehicle, regardless of age. There is no charge for people entering the park on foot or on a bicycle, and there is a scenic overlook on Route 54A, just west of Pepper Road, which is the park entry road. To minimize vehicle fees, people may rendezvous at the scenic overlook at 1:40 and hitch a short ride with others in the group. Bikers and pedestrians may leave cars there and ride or walk in, about a quarter mile.
Everyone will meet at 1:45 at the lakefront parking lot within the State Park. Turn right after the entry booth and go past the playground to the second lot. All Hikers will start out on the White Trail into the woods, stopping first at the secluded and charming Beddoe-Rose family burial plot dating from the early settlement period of Yates County (14 burials from 1815-1908). The White Trail leads to the upper park road, where camp sites are laid out in three loops. Following the road past the camp sites, hikers will take the Green Trail, Orange and Yellow Trails looping through the woods and along several small gullies, ending at the lakeside and boat launch area for a total of about 3 miles. Tourists may return to the parking area along the park road, while Climbers wanting more of a challenge can follow the Purple and Blue Trails looping back up the hill and down to the cars, for a total of about 4 miles. Naturalists can explore the White Trail and cemetery at their leisure, climbing as far as the Park Road and returning on the park road or the wooded Red or Blue Trails.
Trailheads are well marked, and trails are well maintained. Total elevation change for the full trail loop will be about 400 feet, while Naturalists and others sticking to the Red, White and Blue Trails will have about a 200 foot change. As always, keep an eye out for poison ivy along the trail sides and check yourself for ticks afterwards.
Cyclists will enjoy a lovely 14 mile circuit on rural roads down the center of Bluff Point and back up the lakeshore road on the west fork. From the park entry, we will go south on Pepper Road, east on Fingar Road, and turn south on Skyline Drive, riding along the ridge toward the center of Keuka Lake’s Y shape. At the end of the plateau, Skyline Drive turns east into the woods and provides a glimpse of the secluded Garrett Memorial Chapel, a small 1931 Norman Gothic chapel perched on the steep side of the lake bluff. (See http://www.garrettchapel.org/) Next is a scenic view of the south end of the lake, and then West Bluff Drive past the cottages of the west fork, back to the south entrance to the park and the cars. The roads are well paved, without marked shoulders but traffic is light.
Launching of canoes and kayaks is easy from the beach area, so paddling options are also available to group members if the weather is warm and calm.
Following the hike, the optional social will be at Deusy’s Restaurant at Reservoir Creek Golf Course, 8613 State Route 21, Naples, NY.
Directions:
From Springwater: Follow Route 15 South to Wayland, and 21 North to Naples, turning right on Route 53 South toward Prattsburgh. After about 1.5 miles, turn left on Italy Valley Road (a.k.a Ontario County Rd. 21, then Yates County Road 18). After about 6 miles, go right on Italy Hill Turnpike (C.R. 34). When it ends, take a left on Italy Hill Road, and soon after a right as Italy Hill Road (now C.R. 32) turns to the east. This will take you down the hill into Branchport. Continue straight through the Branchport intersection, and go 1.5 miles. Pass the scenic overlook (stop for car poolers) and make a right on Pepper Road, and then the first right into the State Park.
From Honeoye/points north and west: Go east on Routes 5 and 20 to Canandaigua. Pass Wegman’s, Walmart, etc and go up the hill, about 2 miles. Take a right on Route 247. Follow Route 247 through Rushville. About 3 miles past Rushville, Route 247 will join with Route 364. Follow 364 through Potter and past some flat valleys. About 4 miles past Potter, make a right on Guyanoga Road (follow road sign for Branchport). Guyanoga Road will take you to the Branchport intersection in 7 miles. Turn left at the intersection and go 1.5 miles up the hill. Pass the scenic overlook (stop for car poolers) and make a right on Pepper Road, and then the first right into the State Park.
Directions to the Social from the Park: return to Branchport, and go straight at the intersection onto Italy Hill Road. When it ends, turn left and the right onto Italy Hill Turnpike. When this ends, take a left on Italy Valley Road, to Route 53, the Naples-Prattsburgh Road. Go right on Route 53, and left on Route 21 to Reservoir Creek Golf Course and Deusy’s.
The Sunday hike on October 14th 2018 will cover several trails on Hatch Hill in Naples; the Fall colors should be at the finest for this hike. The hike will start at the Bob North bridge at the bottom of Ontario Street in Naples. There is a kiosk and a small parking lot there, and all groups will start at the same place. The Naturalists will walk along Matt’s Meander to the Naples Community Park and back, while the Tourist will walk south along Hatch Hill above the town to the south end of Naples. The Climbers will walk north on Hatch Hill to Conklin Gully. Both Tourists and Naturalists will walk back to the parking lot, while climbers will end up at the DEC parking area at the bottom of Conklin Gully and be shuttled back to Naples. Note: the last half mile of this hike is a very steep downhill, but it’s worth it; the are huge drops into the gully to the right of the trail, and wonderful view across the gully and down into it.
There is a DEC display board at the parking lot with a map of all the trails that meet there; all the day’s hiking trails are shown.
The social will take place at the Neapolitan Pizzeria in downtown Naples.
Naturalists
The Naturalists will cross Naples Creek on the Bob North bridge and bear to the left. It is a broad path through woods with the Naples Creek flowing to the left of the path. This trail is called “Matt’s Meander”, and it follows Naples Creek to the Community Park on Route 245. It is about a mile to the end of the trail and back.
Tourists
The tourists will cross the bridge and bear to the right. The trail runs south along Hatch Hill above Naples Creek, and goes parallel to both Naples Creek and Naples Main Street, though a lot higher up the hill. This path is not blazed or marked at all but it is well trodden for most of the way; it becomes a little harder to see at the southern end, but once the Turkey Federation parking lot is in sight then it’s not hard to find a way down to it. The trail passes through land that was once grazed and then terraced for vines, but is now returning to woodland. Traces of the shallow terracing for the vineyards can be seen all along the trail, and occasionally an abandoned farm building. The creek can be seen in the valley below the trail all the way along. This trail ends at the south end of Naples, on Mark Circle, where several streams come together to form the Naples Creek. There is water supply facility there, a swimming hole, and an antiques shop. The group will return to the Ontario Street parking lot via Naples Main Street. This walk is 2.1 miles. with just one short modestly steep section.
Climbers
The Climbers will take the Finger Lakes Trail to Conklin Gully through the High Tor Game Management Area. They will cross the bridge and bear left along with the naturalists, and then about half way down Matt’s Meander the FLT branches off to the right. The group will follow the ORANGE blazes on a long uphill section; it’s steep in places with some switchbacks – the trail seems to be going the wrong way at times. There are some ponds at the top of the hill (it’s a mystery – where does that water come from?) with the Howard Beye memorial bench on one of them. It’s important to stay with the orange blazes here – there are several logging roads that make it easy to take the wrong path. Where the trail meets the top of Conklin Gully there is a lookout with a fine view of the Naples Valley and a well organized scout camp, complete with fire pit. The path down the hill from the camp is broad and easy walking. The group will leave the FLT where it branches off to the right over a bridge to the memory of Tom Noteware and follow the BLUE blazes down the hill to the DEC parking lot at the bottom of Parrish Hill.
The Meeting Place
We will meet at the trail head parking lot on Ontario Street, Naples, at 2:00pm on October 14th 2018. The climbers will shuttle some cars to Parrish Hill before starting off.
Getting There
From Springwater and Wayland, come south on Rt. 15 to the traffic light at Rt 21. Turn left on 21 and keep going all the way to Naples. Go through the downtown business area and turn right on Ontario Street, opposite the school. Go to the bottom of the hill and the parking lot is on the left.
From Dansville, follow Rt. 63 to Wayland where the road turns into Rt 21; continue on 21 all the way to Naples. Go through the downtown business area and turn right on Ontario Street, opposite the school. Go to the bottom of the hill and the parking lot is on the left.
From Naples, go to the school on Main Street (Rt. 21). Turn down Ontario Street opposite the school, go to the bottom of the hill and the parking lot is on the left.
The Social
The social will take place at the Neapolitan Pizzeria in downtown Naples.
Our hike this Sunday is the second in our Letchworth Branch series. In August, we hiked up from the Genesee Valley Greenway through the Al Lorenz Livingston County Park.to the Mt Morris Dam area. This week we will continue on the next section with spectacular views of the gorge above the dam, including the Hogsback overlook.
To help with car transfers, all hikers with go in the northbound direction, so it is important to pay attention to the description below.
Climbers who can get to Letchworth a bit early (1:40) should go directly to the Visitor Center (Access B) parking area at the Dam. We will park cars at the south end of the parking lot and all hop into one car to meet the rest of the hikers at the Hogsback overlook at the end of the hike. At the end of the hike, we will have enough cars at the Dam to take us back to our cars.
Tourists, Naturalists, and climbers who are running late, will meet the early climbers at Access C, the Hogsback overlook, on Visitor Center Rd on the east side of Letchworth Park. Please arrive by 1:50 to sign in and hear instructions.
Tourists and Climbers will carpool to Access D on River Rd, where they will enter on the blue access trail. The access trail will meet the main yellow trail and all hikers with turn right through forest above the gorge. The Tourists are headed back to the original meeting spot at Hogsback overlook for a 4 mile hike. The Climbers will keep up a slightly faster pace, and will pass right through the overlook, heading to the Visitor Center parking lot for a total of 4.9 miles. Purists need to watch the blazes and stay on the Yellow trail, when an alternate orange trail goes to the left.
Naturalists will start from the Hogsback overlook, heading to the right (north) from the parking area. With the gorge on their left, they will follow the yellow blazes until the trail splits. Stay to the left on the orange trail along the rim for 0.2 miles, and then rejoin the yellow trail. Continue straight ahead to the Visitor Center lot. Some naturalists may wish to cross the parking area to the Dam based on the time available. Finally, return to the trail and follow the yellow trail back to the starting point (total of 1.8 miles). To see the entire trail, stay on the yellow trail when it jogs left away from the gorge and the orange trail used on the way north.
Following the hike, join us at Questa Lasagna in Mt Morris. This is a 50 seat restaurant so we should call (585-658-3761) from the hike. [Charred Bar and Grill diagonally across the intersection is a less expensive alternative).
Directions:
From Springwater: Head west from the flashing light on NY 15 N, up the hill. After the curve at the top, turn left onto Liberty Pole Rd (CR 38). The road changes names to Springwater Scottsburg Rd (CR 1A), and Groveland Scottsburg Rd (CR 1). At the tee, turn right onto CR 63. At the next tee, turn left on NY 408 into Mt Morris. At the light, jog left then right to stay of NY 408. From Main St, follow NY 408 south west for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Visitor Center Rd. The overlook is on the left in 1.1 miles. Early Climbers should continue to the end of Visitor Center Rd and turn left into the Visitor Center parking area. Go past the Visitor Center and turn left to get to the end of the parking area near the trail.
From Wayland: Head south on NY-21. Enter I-390N on the right and continue for 16 miles to Exit 6 (NY-36) (That is the 3rd NY-36 exit).Turn left onto NY 36 N. At the first light in Mt Morris, turn left onto NY-408. Follow NY 408 south west for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Visitor Center Rd. The overlook is on the left in 1.1 miles. Early Climbers should continue to the end of Visitor Center Rd and turn left into the Visitor Center parking area. Go past the Visitor Center and turn left to get to the end of the parking area near the trail.
From Geneseo: Take 20A W to Mt Morris Rd. Continue straight on NY 63 (20A bears right). Continue straight onto NY 408 (63 turns left) into Mt Morris. At the light, jog left then right to stay of NY 408. From Main St, follow NY 408 south west for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Visitor Center Rd. The overlook is on the left in 1.1 miles. Early Climbers should continue to the end of Visitor Center Rd and turn left into the Visitor Center parking area. Go past the Visitor Center and turn left to get to the end of the parking area near the trail.
From Rochester: Take I390 south to Exit 7 for NY 408. Turn left onto NY 408 (63 turns left) into Mt Morris. At the light, jog left then right to stay of NY 408. From Main St, follow NY 408 south west for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto Visitor Center Rd. The overlook is on the left in 1.1 miles.
This Sunday’s hike will be on a tree farm on Schribner Rd, Wayland. In 1932, the original lot was used primarily for sheep grazing and growing hops. Many acres were barren, eroded land with only 2 small woodlots and hedgerows. Over the years, more acres were added and many thousands of various tree species were planted. Today it is still being maintained on the DEC forest management program.
Hikers will be following mostly logging roads or grass trails around ponds. There are many springs and the water table is high, so hiking routes will be wet in places. Waterproof footwear is highly recommended. Because of bow season or poor weather conditions, wearing a bit of hunter orange if you have it would make you more visible (although there should not be any hunters on the property today). Dogs must be on-leash at all times and well behaved.
Please arrive by 1:50 for parking instructions and sign-in by the camper trailer.
Climbers: From the top of the driveway, ascend the hill following the ORANGE survey tape markers. Please ignore any orange ground flags you see along the hike, as those mark seedling trees. At the intersection at the top of the first hill, go straight across and continue following orange tape down Quarry Rd to an Adirondack style lean-to at the bottom. From here head to the large wood pile, then bear right. This leads to a field which you will cross. Follow this trail to the right around the bend and turn left at the flagged curve. This takes you downhill to the Cohocton River.
Those who wish can climb the steep grade back up to the field, or backtrack along the field. Hike back to the first corn field but turn right this time. Follow it around the end and turn right into the woods at the orange flags. This trail goes up and over a hardwood ridge; down the other side, across a stream and up again to an open field at the top of the hill with a good view.
Proceed straight across to the other side and continue to follow orange tape down the other side, and then up again to a bench with a very nice view over a red pine clear cut. You will now follow both orange and green markers back to the starting point.
Tourists: The first section is a loop trail of about a mile. From the top of the driveway, ascend the hill up and turn left. Follow the GREEN survey tape straight past a small spring and pond on the left. Go past a neighbor’s property marker on the right and follow markers up and across the hill. You should see some trees marked with blue tape that are scheduled for removal. Then you will come back down on a smaller trail to the first road and back to where you started. The next section will pass straight uphill, merging with the orange markers, and at the intersection, go straight across. Green markers will then split with orange, with green turning left through hardwoods. You will pass a large woodpile on your left. When you come to the open fields, follow the green flags to the left. This will take you to the bench with a nice view where the climbers (orange tape) will also be hiking. Follow both orange/green back to starting point.
Naturalists: Across the road there are ponds with grass trails. Because it is extremely wet behind the main pond, we will avoid that area in getting to the woods. Walk across the lower field to the south (left) to the bottom corner. Turning right over a small culvert bridge will bring you into the woods. Here you have two choices: you can either go though the old spruce forest bearing left at the first intersection as far as is comfortable OR go a short distance around to the left where there is another pond. There is a small trail around the back of this pond and then a mowed lane up to the road where the original farm house is located.
Following the hike we will have a social around a campfire with hot-dogs. Please bring something to sit on, a dish to pass, and your beverage of choice (or you can make a small $5 donation to the social fund).
Directions:
From Hemlock and Springwater: ***Please note that most mapping programs will direct you there via Strutt St. and then some very poor, seasonal dirt roads. The following directions will keep you on paved roads and bring you to the property from Tabors Corner Rd.
From Hemlock, travel south 10 miles and take a sharp left turn onto Wheaton Hill Rd.
From the flashing light in Springwater, travel north 3 miles and turn right onto Wheaton Hill Rd.
Then proceed 3.3 miles and turn right at the stop sign onto Wetmore Rd for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto Tabors Corners Rd for 3.5 miles then another right onto Schribner Road (just past a Nate McMurray sign). Hike parking will be .5 miles on the right.
From Wayland: At the intersection of NY 15 and NY 21 in Wayland, travel east on NY 21 N for 3 miles and (at the Bowles Corners sign) turn left onto Tabors Corners Rd. for 2 miles. Turn left onto Schribner Rd and continue .5 miles to parking on right.
From Naples: Take NY 21 South, turning right through the small town of N. Cohocton, then approx 3.8 miles to the Bowles Corners sign. Turn right turn onto Tabors Corners Rd (Steuben CR 37) for 2 miles. Turn left onto Schribner and continue .5 miles to parking on right.
This Sunday’s hike will be a maintenance session on Wheaton Hill in Springwater. We won’t be attempting to whack the grass this year, though if you want to you are welcome to bring a weed whacker and have at it. If you do plan to use a weed whacker, PLEASE BRING EYE PROTECTION! These devices can kick up a lot of dust and small stones. We will be cutting back the roses and other growths, and we’ll be sawing up some trees that have fallen across the trails. If the grass is too long for comfortable walking we will call in the City of Rochester to cut it – they have heavier equipment than we can bring to bear.
Bring gloves to protect your hands, loppers to cut branches and if you have one, a small saw for branches that are too large for the loppers.
The initial plan for a social afterwards is Sammie’s in Springwater. We’ll take alternative suggestions before we fire up.
Directions: Wheaton Hill is the first right turn north of the intersection of Rt 15 and Rt 15A in Springwater (0.9 mile north of the intersection). The trail head is 0.5 miles up Wheaton Hill just before the road turns straight east and heads up the main hill. More details are on the directions page.
What to bring:
- Gloves and clippers – hand clippers or long handled loppers for larger branches.
- A weed whacker if you want to cut grass, with gas mixture and extra string.
- Small bow saw.
- Plastic grocery bags in case you find any litter.
- Water to keep hydrated.
- Eye protection.
Description
This preserve, maintained by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, is a perfect refuge during hunting season. In fact, out hikers will be performing a service to the land trust by patrolling the woods as they walk. No worries. In sixteen seasons, patrollers have never encountered a hunter.
Steege Hill Preserve is about 800 acres, acquired in 2001 from an anonymous donor. The forest is regenerating after heavy logging in the 1970’s and contains many species of hardwoods. Preserve steward, Bob Corneau, has maintained a network of over 6 miles of trails, constructed largely on the old logging roads. On some of the steep slopes original hardwoods and conifers remain. From its hilltop vantage point there is a bird’s eye view of the Chemung River.
Worth mentioning are two notable creatures that inhabit this forest. Timber Rattlesnakes have long been residents here, especially on the sunlit rocky outcroppings and in the shade of the forest. They may be snuggly out of sight at this time of year, but be cautious when stepping off the trail. The distinctive nests of Allegheny Mound Ants are a common sight at trailside and in clearings that the ants have fashioned for themselves by destroying shade plants to insure adequate sunlight and warmth for the colony. Black bears also have been sighted in the area recently. For more about this preserve go to http://fllt.org/preserves/steege-hill-preserve
Hiking Groups
All groups will depart together from the parking area on Steege Hill Road, heading uphill for about a half mile on a moderate pitch. There are four trail loops to explore.
Please note: The parking space is very limited. Carpooling is highly recommended. Meet at Springwater Town Hall on Route 15 at 12:45 as the drive is 1 hour.
Naturalists will cruise around the Yellow Loop, a gentle 2 mile jaunt with a few small inclines and a tranquil pond. We may be fortunate enough to have the steward of the refuge join this group. If not, a volunteer leader is needed.
Tourists will traverse the blue and orange trails, enjoying a variety of terrain with some moderate climbs, about 3.5 miles. A volunteer leader will be needed for this group.
Climbers will tackle the white and red trails which offer some up and downhill challenges, as well as a nice valley view. Distance is about 4.5 miles.
Hopefully all groups will arrive back at the starting point at approximately the same time.
Directions From Springwater, take I 390 south to I 86 E towards Corning. Follow I 86 east to exit 48, then follow Rt.352 east for 1.5 miles. Turn right on South Corning Rd. for .7 miles. After crossing bridge across the Chemung River, turn left on Steege Hill Rd.. Follow up hill for 1 mile. Preserve is on the left. Look for green and white sign.
Social will be at Tag’s Restaurant, 3037 Rt 252 in Big Flats, It is a very short drive from the hike. Good food. We have feasted there previously.
This month, our third hike in our Letchworth Series covers a relatively short section of the trail from Access D to Access E. The main trail is just 2.3 miles with 0.6 miles of access trail since we will park on the road. There as several park trails to views of the river which will afford us opportunities to adjust the route to accommodate hikes of different lengths.
Since this is a through hike, all hikers will meet at the southern end, Access E. From there, we will car pool back to Access D, in the Naturalists cars (an others if needed), leaving cars are Access E to pick up the Climbers and Tourists at the end of the hike.
All hikers will begin hiking at Access D. The Climbers will follow the blue access trail west to the main trail and then will turn left (south) on the main yellow blazed trail. In 0.7 miles we will cross under power lines, and in another 500 feet we will cross the Letchworth State Park trail #21. The climbers will turn right and follow LSP-21 to an excellent overlook of the river. After John has an opportunity to record the river on his camera, we will return on LSP-21 to the main trail and turn right to continue south. Look for a shelter on the right in 0.1 miles and a couple of crossings of LSP-16 in a mile. Most importantly watch for the Blue access trail. Turn left on the access trail and travel 0.4 miles to the cars at Access E. Total trip is 3.5 miles.
The Tourists will follow the Climbers but will stay on the main trail for a 2.9 mile trip. When the tourists reach LSP-16 (2 miles into the hike), they can check their watches and choose to explore LSP-16 if time permits. This trail goes to the right for 0.4 miles to a river overlook (and 0.4 miles back to the trail). Finally, continue south on the main trail for a half mile to the Blue access trail. It is 0.4 miles out to the cars at Access E. Total trip without exploring LSP-16 is 2.9 miles.
The Naturalists will also follow the Climbers and Tourists down the Blue access trail, then left onto the main trail. After passing under the power lines, watch for the LSP-21 trail. The Naturalists will turn left on the LSP-21 trail (away from the river) and follow that trail for 0.7 miles back to River Rd. Again, turn left on River Rd for about a quarter mile road walk back to the cars at Access D. Total loop is about 2.0 miles.
Following the hike, join us for an optional social at the Sunrise restaurant in Dansville.
Directions:
A self serve carpool will meet at 1:05 at the municipal parking lot behind the Wayland Fire Department off NY-63 in Wayland. Car pooling will leave promptly at 1:15.
From the carpool meeting spot: leave the parking lot to the south along the side of the Fire Department. Turn left onto NY 63, then right on NY-15S. In 2 miles, turn right onto I-390. Take exit 6 to NY-36 Mt Morris. Turn left onto NY-36. Continue past the Correctional Facility and take the 2nd left onto Dutch Street Rd. In 1.3 miles, turn right onto Ridge Rd. At the end turn left onto River Rd. The parking area is on the right.
From Springwater: Head south on NY-15 through Wayland. Turn right onto I-390. Take exit 6 to NY-36 Mt Morris. Turn left onto NY-36. Continue past the Correctional Facility and take the 2nd left onto Dutch Street Rd. In 1.3 miles, turn right onto Ridge Rd. At the end turn left onto River Rd. The parking area is on the right.
From Geneseo: Head out of Geneseo on US-20A West (South St). Continue straight onto NY-63. Continue straight onto NY-408 into Mt Morris. Turn left onto Main St, the right to stay of NY-408. Go past Visitor Center Rd, then turn slight right onto River Rd. In about 2 miles, continue past Ridge Rd. Then the parking lot will be on the right.
To the social at the Sunrise Restaurant: Follow River Rd north to the end. Turn left onto NY-208. At the light in Mt Morris, turn right onto NY 36. In 5 miles, turn right onto I-390. Take the Exit 5. Turn left to go under the expressway, then right onto NY-36. Turn left on Main St, and the Sunrise will be on the right. There is parking out back.
NOTE: The December hike from Access E to Access F is about 5 miles and will be held December 16th, a day when the sun sets at so we will need to start an hour earlier. If there is a lot of snow on the ground, we will need to skip this long section, so please keep your eyes on this page the week before the hike.
Looking for brochure.or mailing list so I can receive it in the mail.
Nothing opens up for mailing list.
There’s all kinds of very bizarre ads and post for viagra and other drugs above on calender page.
Please let me know if there’s a brochure available