Sunday October 9 we will visit East Hill Farm, home of the Rochester Folk Art Guild, for a hike across their 350-acre hilltop farm and woodlot and a tour of their craft workshops. The Guild is a community of craftspeople, some resident and some visiting, and the weekend of October 8-9 is their annual Fall Open House and Apple Festival, a celebration of the season with a fresh pressed cider, early pears for sale, and demonstrations at the pottery, wood, weaving and graphic arts studios. Admission is free, and the event runs until 5 PM. See https://www.folkartguild.org/events/6650/  for  more details on the festival; come early to enjoy the tours and demonstrations before the hike, and stay afterwards for shopping at the Gallery and our social. If you come early, lunch food will be available from the Guild as long as it lasts – homemade bread, salad, squash soup and desserts.  This is a no-dogs event. 

Follow parking directions at the site – 1445 Upper Hill Road, Middlesex (directions below). We will convene at 1:45 at the side of the East Hill Gallery, the first building on the left as you come in the driveway.

Climbers will make a circuit of about 4 miles through the Guild’s fields and woods, passing a mix of farm buildings and Guild-designed and built structures, a pond and sauna, a spruce grove, and  the “Golden Valley”, named for its spectacular fall color and views to the east.

Tourists/Naturalists will make a shorter loop through the same terrain. Trails are gently sloped and well cleared, but grass is ankle-deep in many areas, so bring good hiking footwear and tick protection. 

Social – Bring  your own snack or supper to enjoy on the grounds of East Hill Farm, where benches will be provided at the cider press site. Cider and pears will be in abundance; bring along whatever else you’d like. This is not a formal dish-to-pass social – more of a  bring-your-own picnic, to minimize the complexity in the context of a larger event.

Directions: from Springwater/Naples: Take Route   15 south to Wayland and Route 21 east/north to Naples. Turn right on Route 245 opposite Bob’s and Ruth’s Restaurant, at the north end of the village. Follow Route 245 north to Middlesex, about 8.75 miles.  Turn right on Route 364 and go up the hill, one mile. Turn right on Upper Hill Road and go 1.5 miles.  East Hill Farm will be on your left, at #1445.  Park on the road shoulder and walk in the driveway to the Gallery building, the white house on your left. 

From Rochester and points north: Head to Routes 5 and 20 via Bloomfield or Canandaigua. At the east edge of the City of Canandaigua (first light after Wegmans/Post Office), turn south on Route NYS Route 364 (a.k.a. East Lake Road).  Follow Route 364 south 12.5 miles to Middlesex, where 364 turns to the east and you will make a left onto Route 245 and then an immediate right to continue on 364.  Go up the hill, one mile. Turn right on Upper Hill Road and go 1.5 miles.  East Hill Farm will be on your left, at #1445.  Park on the road shoulder and walk in the driveway to the Gallery building, the white house on your left. 

The Sunday hike on October 16th 2022 will most cover the FLT 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; there 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 Middletown Tavern, 183 S main Street in 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 16th 2022. 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 Middletown Tavern, 183 S main Street in Naples

.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This Sunday’s hike we will be hiking Stony Brook Park enjoying the beautiful autumn colors set in a unique backdrop of waterfalls and stonework originally created by the CCC (civilian conservation corps.) during the early nineteen hundreds. We will all meet at the main parking area 1/4 of  a mile  from  the North Park entrance. We will hike the Gorge Trail starting at the pool area and hike to the top of the park and cross over the stone bridge to get over to the East Rim Trail. we will follow the East Rim Trail back down to the North Park parking lot where we started the hike. There are optional  side trails for the faster hikers to extend their hike if they wish.

The weather as of this writing calls for a 30% chance of rain but 67 degrees, so plan accordingly.

Social Following the hike: We will plan on going to the Sunset Restaurant on Main Street in Dansville.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This Sunday’s hike we will be hiking Stony Brook Park enjoying the beautiful autumn colors set in a unique backdrop of waterfalls and stonework originally created by the CCC (civilian conservation corps.) during the early nineteen hundreds. We will all meet at the main parking area 1/4 of  a mile  from  the North Park entrance. We will hike the Gorge Trail starting at the pool area and hike to the top of the park and cross over the stone bridge to get over to the East Rim Trail. we will follow the East Rim Trail back down to the North Park parking lot where we started the hike. There are optional  side trails for the faster hikers to extend their hike if they wish.

The weather as of this writing calls for a 30% chance of rain but 67 degrees, so plan accordingly.

Social Following the hike: We will plan on going to the Sunset Restaurant on Main Street in Dansville.

We will meet in the parking lot at the north end of Canandice Lake that is on Purcell Hill Rd and will divide into two groups, Hikers and Bikers. 

Red LIne – Hikers
Black Dotted Line – Climbers
Black Line – Bikers

Hikers – 

This hike offers a little of everything, and hikers can choose the difficulty level and pace that is best for them. The Canandice Lake Trail is an 8.4-mile out-and-back. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2h 35min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking.  For the more adventurous; about 2 miles into the hike, you come to Robs Trail, which is a steep incline that brings you up the side hill to Rt. 15A.  The round trip for this portion of Robs Trail is 2.9 miles out and back and takes about an hour and a half.  

Bikers–

This is an enjoyable 10.5 mile ride around Canandice Lake.  There is only one moderate hill at the very beginning of the ride.  Bikers will take a left out of the parking lot onto Purcell Hill Rd. and take the first right onto Canandice Hollow Rd. This road eventually winds around to the right and reaches Canandice Lake Rd. We will follow Canandice Lake Rd. all the way to the South end of the lake where we will make a right onto the Canandice Lake Hiking/Biking trail which runs along the west side of the lake back to the parking lot.

Social

Following the hike will be a Social at the Hemlock Lake Park please bring a dish to share.  In case of weather that may make an outdoor social uncomfortable, please check the website on Sunday morning for an update on the social. Warmer alternatives include the Birdhouse Brewing on Main St. in Honeoye, NY 

Directions-

Coming from the South – take 15A north and make a right onto Purcell Hill Rd.  Parking will be on your right towards the bottom of the hill almost to Canandice Lake Rd.

Coming from the North – take 15A south and make a left onto Purcell Hill Rd.  Parking will be on your right towards the bottom of the hill almost to Canandice Lake Rd.  

Oatka Creek Park is a hidden gem of the Monroe County Park System, a smaller property perfect for a fall hike or winter ski.

Highlights include mature woods, isolated meadows, beautiful view of Oatka Creek, and the visible remains of the gypsum mines, which operated in the hamlet of Garbutt until the 1930’s.

https://www.townofwheatland.org/single-post/gypsum-mining-in-garbutt

We will be hiking the perimeter of the park using portions of all of the named trails, slightly over 4 miles of rolling hills.  The Naturalists may shorten the hike by skipping the steep-ish red trail loop and heading straight back to the main park at mile 3.

We will meet in the upper parking lot just off Quaker Road as the lower lot is smaller and may be used by those renting the pavilion.

Social afterward at RUSH CREEKSIDE INN, 6071 E Henrietta Rd, Rush, NY 14543

Directions: From Interstate 390, take Exit 9 (Rush) and go west on Route 251. After crossing the Genesee River, go straight ahead on Quaker Road when Route 251 turns north toward Scottsville. In about 2.25 miles Quaker Road will end in a T at the park entrance. Go straight ahead to the first parking lot.

Alternative from Springwater: Take Route 15 north to Route 251 intersection. Go west, cross river, keep going straight ahead on Quaker Road to park entrance.

Loop Hike

This Sunday, Springwater Trails will return to the trails of Ganondagan State Historic Site. This is a favorite location for hiking with trails contributed by the Friends of Ganondagan and by .Victor Hiking Trails. Our hikes will include the Seneca and Dryer trails, The Earth is our Mother Trail and the Trail of Peace, and will include both wooded and open grass areas, plus flat and hilly terrain. We will lead two hikes on  Sunday, a loop trail that will return to the Seneca Parking Lot (about 2.5 miles), and a through hike on the Seneca and Dryer trails to the Granary Hill and the Fort Hill parking lot on Boughton Hill Rd.(about 4 miles). We will stage a couple of cars to bring us back to the Seneca Trail Parking lot.

Through Hike. Click on the image for more details and to print.

Following the hike, we will gather at the Irish Mafia for a brewery social.

Directions To the Seneca Trail Parking.

From Springwater: From the light, head north on 15A. In 0.8 miles, turn right on Wheaton Hill Rd. Then turn left onto Canadice Rd (Livingston CR 42). Bear right to stay on CR 42, which becomes Ontario CR 37. Stay on CR 37  crossing NY 20A near Honeoye. At the 4-way stop, turn right onto Richmodn Mills Rd (CR 15) across Honeoye Creek. Take the first left onto CR 40 (Allens hill Rd). Follow CR 40 for 7.6 miles, crossing US 20 in Bloomfield. Turn right onto Main St, then left onto NY-444 N (Elm St). In 4.8 miles, after passing Boughton Hill Rd at a 4 way stop, the parking lot will be on the left across from Silverton Glenn Rd before you get to the village of Victor.

From Canandaigua: Take NY 332 north for about 7 miles to CR 41. Turn left on CR 41. In 3.3 miles, at the 4 way stop, turn right on NY 444. In 0.7 miles, the parking lot will be on the left across from Silverton Glenn Rd before you get to the village of Victor.

From Naples, and South Bristol: take NY 64 north for 13 miles. Turn left onto US-20, at the light (the Irish Mafia Brewery is straight ahead on the right), then right on  NY 444 (in 1.2 miles). In 6 miles, the parking lot will be on the left.

From Rochester and Victor: Take I-490 East, taking Exit 29 onto NY 96 into Victor. Turn right onto Maple Ave in the center of Victor. In 0.9 miles, the parking lot will be on the right.

Directions to the Irish Mafia.

From the Seneca Trail Parking Lot: Head south on NY 444. In 6 miles, turn left on US-20. In 1.2 miles at the light, turn left onto Whalen Rd. The Brewery is on the right (the second building).

Description

As the hunting season is upon us, our trail options are limited.  Steege Hill provides a perfect refuge with its 800 acres of wooded trails that are protected and patrolled.  The land for this preserve was donated to the Finger Lakes Land Trust in 2001 with the stipulation that during deer hunting season it would be patrolled a minimum of 12 hours per week to protect against trespass.  Our group will be contributing to this effort.

Located on a hilltop, the preserve provides a bird’s eye view of the Chemung River.  The scenery here never disappoints us.  The forest here is regenerating after heavy logging in the 1970’s and contains many species of hardwoods.  On some of the steep slopes, original hardwoods and conifers have survived the timber cutting era.  The six miles of trails are constructed mainly on former logging roads, allowing for easy navigation.

Worth mentioning are two forest residents.  Timber rattlesnakes are nor common in this area but are present here.  In warmer weather they enjoy sunning themselves on the sunny rocky outcroppings.  By late November they are unlikely to be out and about, however caution is advised if you step off the trail. The other creature of interest, the Allegheny Mound Ant, announces its presence in the numerous home sites established along the trail and in the clearings where they seek the sunlight to warm their homes. Black bears have been sighted here as well, so keep your camera handy.

For more information about the history and geology of Steege Hill Preserve go to http://fllt.org/preserves/steege-hill-preser

Hiking Groups

Although few hunters have been encountered here over the decades, please make yourself visible by wearing blaze orange.  The trails are well maintained, but conditions can vary with the weather.  Please wear sturdy hiking boots and bring hiking poles.

All groups will depart from the parking area on Steege Hill Rd.  There is a moderate 1/2 mile uphill walk to access the trails.  Depending on the number and hiking levels of the group, the following routes may be adjusted on site.

Naturalists will enjoy a meander around the Yellow Loop with its gentle slopes and scenic pond.  The distance is about 2 miles.  A volunteer hike leader will be needed for this group.

Tourists  will traverse the Blue, Orange, and Yellow loops, enjoying a variety of terrain and some nice views.  Uphills are moderate.  Distance is about 3.5 miles.

Climbers   will tackle the challenging White trail, then connect with the Blue trail to return to the start for a distance of 4.5 miles.  A volunteer leader will be needed for this group.

Each group leader will be provided with a map and Hunter Patrol Protocol

Directions 

For those who prefer to carpool, we will meet at the Springwater Town Hall at 12:30 PM.  From there, the drive is 1 hour and 8 minutes to Steege Hill.

Follow Interstate 390 South to Interstate 86 East.

Take I 86 to exit 48.

Turn onto 352 East and go 1.5 miles.

Turn right on South Corning Rd. and drive .7 miles.

After crossing the Chemung River, turn left on Steege Hill Rd.

Go .5 miles and after a steep S curve, turn left into the parking area.

Social Gathering 

After the hike we will make a short drive to Tag’s Restaurant which is located at 3037State Rte 352.

For a menu go to http://tagsrestaurant.com

Here’s hoping for some dry weather next Sunday.