There will not be any Springwater Trails hike this Sunday.  However, we are planning to start up again next weekend with boating and hiking at the north boat launch at Hemlock Lake. Please join us then.

Meanwhile, everyone is encouraged to go outside and enjoy the spring weather.  Opportunities are available from walking around your house to pick up from the winter, to hiking the Finger Lakes Trail. Check here for recommendations for use of the FLT and other hiking trails during the COVID epidemic.

As the COVID-10 pandemic recedes and New York opens up Springwater Trails will resume hiking on May 24th – Memorial Day. We want to encourage prudent social separation until the governor recommends otherwise so we’ll be planning on plenty of boating and bicycling over the next few months as a natural way of operating as a group and keeping well separated. We would like our hikers to carry masks for the times when we do gather to talk as a group, but doing anything strenuous while wearing a mask isn’t going to work. Our hikes during the pandemic will be “in-and-out” hikes, and we will avoid car sharing and the shuttling of cars to pick up at the far end of a one way hike.

Kayaking on Hemlock Lake

The Memorial Day hike will be at Hemlock Lake. We will meet at the parking area near the north boat launch at 4:00. For those who choose to walk there’s Rob’s Trail running south along the shore of the lake; paddlers are asked to arrive about 20 minutes early to have time to ready their boats for a 4:00 launch.Rob’s Trail isn’t suitable for normal bicycling, though dedicated mountain bikers are welcome to try it.

Boaters will head south along the eastern shore from the launch for 2-3 miles, depending on the conditions and the speed of the paddlers. After 1 hour they will turn back to the launch along the western or eastern shore.

Hikers will all walk south on Rob’s Trail as far as they as comfortable with, and then turn back.

The Social

We will have a social at the end of the hike. We won’t share food as we usually do, but we can gather at the picnic tables at the north end of the lake and each hiker can deal with his or her own lunch box.

Directions

From NY15A south of Hemlock, NY turn  west onto Rix Hill Rd. then immediately left onto Boat Launch Rd.  The launch and parking area are 1.1 miles south.

This Sundays hike will include a 3 mile easy hike and (or)  kayak in the wetland pond known to locals as ” The Marrow Beds”. This pond was excavated during the late 1800”s and was reported to be as deep as 45 feet. the pond has silted in over time and the deepest spot is about 4 feet. The morrow was loaded on a small set of railroad tracks and sent across town to the cement works.

There is an abundance of wild life (water birds of various kinds, turtles,beavers and occasional eagle sightings).

We will have a Social in the yard, practicing “social distancing”.  Bring a snack with you also.

Directions

From Wayland: From the intersection of Rt 15 and 21, head west on NY-63 (Naples St) for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Dieter Rd. Dieter Rd will make a 90° right turn, and then you should immediately turn left toward the Rod and Gun Club.  Rick is the home on the left.

We need a few volunteers to help re-route a section of the FLT between Seman Road and the Old Cemetery in Naples. Ideally we need 2 crews of at least 2 people each, one to paint out the old blazes and one to paint blazes on the new route. We estimate the job will take about 2 hours. Painting can be messy, so wear old clothes.

If you can offer some time, meet at 11:00am on Wednesday June 3^rd at Bob and Ruth’s Parking Lot at the junction of Route 245 and Route 21 in Naples.

This event will combine a downstream paddle on the West River and a hike on the Middlesex  Valley Rail Trail (aka the Lehigh Valley Trail).  The best time to paddle this waterway is Spring.  Let’s hope we  have timed it right.  According to Native American legend, this is the birthplace of the Seneca Indians.   For images and additional information http://www.ilovethefingerlakes.com/rivers/west.htm

Paddlers  The West River is a lazy stream, so we will be able to do an out- and -back with no problem.  Launching at the Sunnyside Bridge, we will head downstream through a marshland full of waterfowl, turtles, and possibly eagles and osprey.  Distance  will depend on conditions, but likely 4 miles round trip (2 hours).  PLEASE ARRIVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES EARLY, READY TO LAUNCH AT 4:00.

Hikers  The rail trail is a level path that parallels Rt 245 for 2.6 miles from Sunnyside to Parrish Hill Rd. There will likely be mud, so dress accordingly. The easy terrain lends itself to observing the surprises that nature has to offer.  You might want to bring a camera.  Distance will depend on hikers choice.

Directions  From Route 21 in Naples head northeast on Route 245.  Turn left on Sunnyside Rd and park on the left before the bridge at the brown and yellow DEC sign “West River Fishing Access Site”.  Parking for 4-5 cars.

Social  For those who wish to gather after the event,  the Community Park on Route 245 just east of Naples has a large picnic area with tables and pavilions.  Please bring your own food and drinks.  Social distancing will be observed.  Masks are also advisable.