This Sunday, we’re returning to Sonyea State Forest in Livingston County, to hike along the Keshequa Creek.  We will take time to enjoy the spring flowers.

We will meet at 2 PM at the gate that marks the head of the Keshequa Creek Falls Trail about 2.7 miles from the beginning of Union Corners Rd.  See directions below. All hikers will walk around the gate to a well groomed trail the heads down a steep hill to the creek.  Be careful walking down, and on the way back you will want to take your time climbing this hill.  But the hill is not long and most of the rest of the trail is along the old Genesee Valley Canal and railroad bed. Our hike will take us to the western side of the forest, where we will encounter the gorge along Keshequa Creek.  Within the gorge, we will see remains of the Genesee Canal and a major branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, as well as rapids and falls along the creek.

The Naturalists will hike about a mile along the trail to a beautiful wide point in the creek where we can explore the falls and the intricate cracks in the rocks. After exploring that location, Katherine will lead the Naturalists back to the car the way we came.

The climbers will continue on the trail past the falls to the end of the trail, and then will return to the cars by way of the field to the entrance of the State Forest, and will walk on Union Corners Rd. If conditions or time require, we may adjust the route and return the way we came.  Mark will lead the climbers..

After the hike, we will enjoy the August weather with a picnic in the woods.  Bring a dish to pass, or make a donation.  We will select a clear area so, bring folding chairs, and a table, if you have one.  There are no washroom facilities, not even portable ones, but lots of trees  If the day should turn out to be a rainy one, we will return to the Sunrise, in Dansville.

Directions: Please Note: Directions on Google Maps from Springwater takes you on NY 36 North to Craig Rd up through the Groveland Correctional Facility. This road is closed to cars, although walkers and bikers are allowed to use it as part of the Genesee Valley Greenway trail.. This is not a good way to get to our hike.  Please follow the directions below.

From exit 6 on 390, turn south on NY 36.  Then, take the first right onto CR 72, aka Presbyterian Rd.  Follow it for 3.7 miles, bearing right at the intersection with CR 11, to Union Corners Rd.  Turn right here and keep going for 2.7 miles,, till you see the gate.  Union Corners Rd is unpaved, with potholes, making for slow going so, consider this in planning your travel time. Turn around at the gate and park on either side of the road.

From Springwater: Take NY 15 west from the flashing light. At the top of the hill (1.5 mi), turn left onto Liberty Pole Rd.(CR 38). Continue for 8.1 miles as the road number changes from CR 38 to CR 1A to  CR 1. Turn left onto NY 63 S. In just 0.3 miles take the first right onto N 258. In 1.9 miles, continue straight across NY 36 and onto CR 72 (Presbyterian Rd). Follow the directions above to the state forest.

From Naples. Follow NY 21 S to Wayland.  At the first light, turn left to stay on NY 21. In 1.8 miles south of Wayland, turn right on I-390 N. In 16 miles, take Exit 6. Turn right onto NY 36. Follow the directions above.

This Sunday we will hike the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) starting at the Mt. Morris Dam and Visitors Center Parking Lot, as well as the Wildlife Loop Trail within the Dam property.  We expect to enjoy the start of spring colors and, as we follow the east rim of the Letch worth gorge, the spectacular views of the gorge and Genesee River below.

The Wildlife Loop trail within the dam property is beautiful in its own right, with forest and grassy fields.

Three levels of hiking are planned – “Climbers”, “Tourist, and Naturalists”.

The Tourists will hike south on the yellow blazed (FLT) trail along the rim of the gorge, jogging east slightly away from the river across a boardwalk through a small wet area, stop at Hogsback Overlook to view the Hogsback formation of the river gorge, continue on the trail and after hiking 1 hour, turning around to head back.  On the way back, we will follow the same yellow blazes but take the alternate orange blazed trail along the rim of the gorge which joins back up with the yellow trail, back to the parking lot.  Total hike is 3.25 miles. Tourists may wish to walk the “Wildlife Loop”, once back to the parking lot.

The Naturalists may wish to walk the “Wildlife Loop” that starts to the right of the visitors center.

The Climbers who want a longer hike will carpool down to Lorenz Park in the village and pick up the Finger Lakes Trail and follow the yellow blaze markers south back up the gorge to the dam.

The Hike Assembly Point:

The Visitors Center will be closed.  However, there is a bathroom adjacent to the parking lot that may be open on the day of the hike.  All hikers will begin the hike at the Mt. Morris Dam Visitor Center Parking Lot.  The trail access is at the west end of the parking lot (to your left as you face the gorge).

Social:

After the hike, all are welcome to gather at the larger pavilion located adjacent to the parking lot.  Bring a dish to pass or a donation to the club fund would be appreciated, drink, and a chair.

Directions:

The Mt Morris Dam Visitor Center is about 45 minutes from Springwater, so please plan ahead. If you have a GPS, try entering Mt Morris Dam as your destination. Or enter Damsite Rd or 6103 Visitor Center Rd, Mt Morris.

From Springwater: Take Rt 15N and then left on Liberty Pole Rd.  Stay on that road all the way to Rt63. There, take a left, and a quick right, onto Rt 258. At Rt 36, take a right and proceed to Mt. Morris. Turn left onto NY-408 South.

From Wayland: you can take I-390 north to exit 7. Turn left at the exit on NY-408 S to Mt. Morris. NY-408 goes left at Main St, then right on Chapel St.

From Hemlock and Honeoye: follow 20A West through Livonia and Lakeville to 390S. Exit at exit 7 NY 408 S to Mt Morris. Stay on 408 through Mt Morris.

From Rochester: Take I-390S to Exit 7 NY 408S.  Stay on Rt 408 through Mt Morris.

From NY 408 in Mt Morris: Go south on 408 for 1.8 miles to Visitor Center Rd. Turn right at the Visitor Center Road and follow the road all the way to the Dam and Visitor Center Parking lot.

Join the group Sunday May 21 from 2-4PM for a lakeview hike around Onanda Park in the Town of Canandaigua. This park was originally a YWCA camp at the turn of the 20th century and was purchased in 1989 through a cooperative effort between New York State and the Town of Canandaigua and opened to the public in 1990. Onanda, the town’s largest park, contains both lakeshore and upland sections. We will begin on the upland section which features a two-mile trail through the woods. We will continue on adownhill path to the creek which, due to the dry weather, is easy to navigate and low enough to observe the creek creatures such as bullfrogs.

There is a short side trail slightly above the creek, as well. After a bit there are numerous downed trees in the creek which can be climbed over depending on how far anyone wants to go down the waterway. An additional trail with lovely views overlooking the creek is accessible via stairs on the opposite side of the creek and there is access to the lakeside area via a tunnel under the road. Overall, at least an hour and a half’s worth of hiking for us. There will be options to accommodate all hiking preferences.

The social will be a lakeside picnic with dish-to-pass and bring your own beverage. There is an open-sided pavilion with a roof, picnic tables and a grill. Another grill is located right on the shore as well as Adirondack chairs and a floating dock with a large attached bench. With temperatures forecasted for 70s and, at this time, no rain it should be a lovely outing.

DIRECTIONS: From the South: Take Rte 21 N to CR 16, right onto CR 16 and left into Onanda Park upland parking lot.

From the North: Take Rte 332 South, turn right onto Parrish St, left at light onto CR 16/West Lake Rd, Onanda Upland parking on right.

From the West: Take Rte 20A east to Rte 64, turn right onto 64 then left onto Dugway Rd, left onto Rte 21 N then right onto CR 16, Onanda will be on your left.

From the East: Take Rte 5 & 20 west to Rte 332, turn right onto 332 then left onto Parrish St and right at light onto CR 16, Onanda will be on the right.

The Stid Hill Multiple Use Area is a 847 acre tract of land situated in the townships of Bristol and South Bristol in Ontario County. It is bounded by Route 64 on the west and Dugway Road on the north. Ganargua Creek, better known as Mud Creek, flows along Route 64. At one time, Stid Hill was productive sheep and cattle grazing land. Today the grazing has been eliminated. The mixture of steep hills, ravines, gullies, gorges, woods, and open areas create scenic vistas and also provide varied wildlife habitats.

Sunday May 28, 2023 we will all meet at the Stid Hill MUA parking area on Rt. 64 at 1:45pm.  At this meeting point we will divide into groups.  Climbers will carpool to Dugway Rd. and hike back down to Rt. 64.  The Tourists and Naturalists will follow the trails from this access point on Rt. 64.  The ground is uneven so you may want to bring poles.  There may also be very wet and muddy spots along the trail so waterproof hiking shoes or boots would be recommended.   

The Meeting Place

We will all meet at the Stid Hill MUA parking area on Rt. 64 at 1:45pm. This parking area is for the northern portion of the Stid Hill area.  It is after Bristol Mountain ski area if coming from Naples, and after Dugway Rd if coming from 5&20 or 20A.

Getting There

Route 64 runs north-south, so there are only two directions of approach.

From the north, (Honeoye and Bloomfield) starting at Route 5 & 20 in Bloomfield, come down Route 64,  past Bristol Center and CR32. 4.8 miles past the intersection with 20A, the parking area will be on your left.  If you reach Bristol Mountain Ski Area you have gone too far.

From the south, starting at Bristol Springs head north on Route 64 past Bristol Mountain Ski Area for 1.4 miles, and the big wooden sign that says Stid Hill, you will then see the parking area on your right. If you come to Dugway Road or Bristol Center you’ve come too far north.

From Springwater, Google Maps recommends heading north to 20A through Honeoye, then south on 64 for 4.8 miles. The parking area will be on your left.

The Social

Will be at Lock Stock and Barrel on Route 64 just north of Bristol Mountain  and south of the Stid Hill Hike parking lot. 

Our hike Sunday June 4, 2023, starts at 4pm (please arrive by 3:45 to carpool to our starting point).  This is a one-way hike around farm fields, following trails through sections of woodlands, continuing along paths beside the Cohocton River to the Old Erie Railroad bed ending in the Hamlet of Atlanta. We will meet at our ending point in Atlanta.  Across the street from the E J Cottrell Library, 3 Beecher Street, Atlanta.  Look for the Springwater Trail’s parking sign.

Most of this is private land except for portions of the Railroad beds that the DEC have for fishing access.  We will drop the Naturalist off on Parks Road to begin their flat hike down the Old Erie Railroad Bed for 1.5 miles.  If they finish before the rest of the group, they can tour the Clark property which is forever in a wetland reserve.  There are trails throughout the property that you can follow.  Check out the Birdhouse for a bird’s view of the river, hiking paths and wildlife.  If by chance you prefer to just tour the wetlands that is also an option by starting at the parking lot, walking a short distance up the Old Erie Railroad bed and entering the reserve.  The first entrance on your right will have trails throughout the reserve.  The 2^nd entrance will be the home of the Birdhouse which you are welcome to climb and see the views.

The Tourists and Climbers will start downhill together before the Tourists change directions through a short uphill climb through a sugarbush to the crossing of the Cohocton River.  They will then work their way around the headlands to the Old Erie Railroad bed, flat terrain, for a total of 3.25 miles.

The Climbers will head off for an up and down trail through the woods to the flat path along the Cohocton River.  Once they cross the river, they will follow the headlands to the Old Erie Railroad bed for a total of 4.25 miles.

We might even be lucky to see Fred and Francis down by the river.

DIRECTIONS

From Springwater: take Route 15S to Wayland for 4.9 miles.  At the light in Wayland turn left onto Route 21N, drive 5.9 miles to Beecher Street.  Continue on Beecher Street for .5 miles with parking on the right.  Watch for the Springwater Trail sign.

From Naples: take Route 21S to North Cohocton.  Turn right to stay on 21S.  Go .8 miles turn left onto Beecher Street.  Continue on Beecher Street for .5 miles with parking on the right. Watch for the Springwater Trail sign.

The Social will be at the Mt. View Inn at 34 Main Street in Atlanta.

Please join us for a hike on Robs Trail. For this hike, we will take advantage of portions of Rob’s Trail on both the Hemlock and the Canadice sides of route 15A. There are two parking lots for Rob’s trail at the top of Bald Hill, so pay attention and meet at the parking lot that is located on Old Bald Hill Rd South. Don’t come to the parking lot directly on Rt 15A. See directions below.

The Tourists and Climbers will head west from the parking area and head across 15A to the trial. This trail will join the trail from the Hemlock side parking lot in about 1000 ft. We will continue down the trail to Hemlock Lake. At this point, the climbers will take a few minutes to walk out to the lake and rest while enjoying the beach, before returning to the trail and retracing the route back up the hill to the cars. Meanwhile, the Tourists will continue on the flat portion of the trail out to the north boat launch and pre-staged cars that will ferry hikers back to the cars at the start of the hike.

The Naturalists will head east from the parking lot and will explore the Rob’s Trail loop around the top loop of Rob’s trail. At about the mid-point, the is a bench and a branch trail that heads down the hill to Canadice Lake. On this hike, the Naturalists won’t take the steep trail down the hill, but will continue straight around the loop and back to the cars.

Following the hike, please join us for a pot-luck social at Hemlock Park at the North end of Hemlock Lake. Bring a dish to pass and your own beverage. Or donate $5 to the social fund.

For a more detailed description of Rob’s trail, check out their website.

Directions to the trailhead: 

From Springwater:  Take Rt 15A north.  In 5.9 miles north from the flashing light in Springwater, take a sharp right turn onto Old Bald Hill Rd S. The parking lot is on the left almost immediately. Just a reminder – don’t park on the left side of Rt 15A because we aren’t meeting there.

From Hemlock: Take Rt 15A south.  At 4.9 miles south of the 20A/15A intersection south of Hemlock, take a slight left onto Old Bald Hill Rd S. The parking lot is on the left almost immediately. Just a reminder – don’t park on the right side of Rt 15A because we aren’t meeting there.

From Honeoye. Take US-20A west. Turn left onto NY 15A about 4 miles past CR 37. In 4.9 miles south of the 20A/15A intersection take a slight left onto Old Bald Hill Rd S. The parking lot is on the left almost immediately. Just a reminder – don’t park on the right side of Rt 15A because we aren’t meeting there.

From Canandaigua: Take Bristol St from Main St in Canandaigua to the intersection of US 20 and NY 21. Continue straight across US 20 onto NY 21. Continue straight again onto CR 32. In 3.9 miles from US 20, take a slight right onto Fisher Hill Rd, then (after 0.4 mi) a left onto Vincent Hill Rd. In 1.9 miles turn left onto US 20A. Turn right to stay on US 20A, through Honeoye to a left onto NY 15A. In 4.9 miles south of the 20A/15A intersection take a slight left onto Old Bald Hill Rd S. The parking lot is on the left almost immediately. Just a reminder – don’t park on the right side of Rt 15A because we aren’t meeting there.

Direction to the Social from Old Bald Hill Rd S. Turn right out of the parking lot, then right onto NY 15A. In 4.2 Miles, turn left onto Rix Hill Rd.  The park is the third left in 0.1 miles.

SUNDAY WEATHER UPDATE:  The forecast is improving, with the chance of rain rising from 25% to 50% between 2 and 4 and no chance of thuderstorms. If you feel like paddling under these conditions, come on over. The hike will proceed rain or shine. Everyone meet at LaSalle’s Landing Park.  Questions? Call Saralinda at 585-705-1865. 

This event has options for both paddlers and hikers, with a common meeting place at La Salle’s Landing Park, 1080 Empire Blvd. Penfield, just across from Bay Creek Paddling Center. Afterwards both groups will gather for our social at the home of Gene and Georgia Binder at 1855 Westfall Road in Brighton.  PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT STARTS AT 2PM, TO ACCOMMODATE ANYONE RENTING A BOAT FROM BAY CREEK PADDLING, WHICH CLOSES AT 5.

Boaters: Join us for the first SWT paddle of the season, in Irondequoit Creek.    Bring your own kayak or canoe to the launch site, or rent one from Bay Creek Paddling Center, just across Empire Blvd at #1099 and launch from their dock directly into the creek. See https://www.baycreek.com/rentals   for information and pricing on their rentals, which are by the hour and first-come first-served.  Please arrive between 1:30 and 1:45 to unload your boat or arrange your rental.  Irondequoit Creek meanders southward from the launch site through a peaceful wetland between Irondequoit Bay and Ellison Park.  You can enjoy quiet waters and abundant bird life along the creek, going as far as the Browncroft Blvd Bridge and back, or explore the shoreline at the south end of Irondequoit Bay.  We will not be in a single group, so please observe the boat buddy system and keep another SWT boat within sight as you paddle.

Hikers will explore one of Monroe County’s most interesting but least well known parks. Lucien Morin Park abuts the wetlands surrounding Irondequoit Creek, and contains some low but rugged hills and valleys, similar to nearby the Abe Lincoln and Durand Eastman Parks. In addition the property was used for target practice by the National Guard back in the mid 20th century, and has some interesting surviving site structures left over from the military use.

Hikers will gather at 2 PM at LsSalle’s Landing and carpool across Empire Blvd to the Lucien Moran trailhead parking area.  All hikers will follow the White Trail and dirt road along the wetland (west) side of the park, heading for the gazebo  where the officer used to oversee the shooting operations. Naturalists can return to the start from there for a relatively level and easy hike. Climbers and those looking for a more rigorous hike may continue south to loop around to the west and return overlooking the wetland.

Social: Please join us afterward for a dish-to-pass social at Gene and Georgia’s home at 1855 Westfall Road, Brighton, at the southeast corner of Westfall and Fairhill Drive. See directions and parking instructions below.  Bring  your own beverage and a folding chair along with assorted goodies, or donate $5 and help yourself. Bring a card table too if you have one.

Directions to LaSalle’s Landing:

Take your favorite route toward Rochester, via route 15, 15A, 390, or 490.   When you reach the Outer Loop (390/590), go north on Route 590 toward Irondequoit. About 2 miles after passing through the 490 intersection, take the Empire Boulevard/404 exit. Make a right on Empire Blvd, and go down the hill toward the bay. LaSalle’s Landing Park will be on your left at #1080, just across from Bay Creek Paddling Center.  Lucian Morin Park trailhead and parking lot will be on your right at #1135, just past the former McGregor’s.

Directions to the Social 185 Westfall:

Head back to the west on Empire Blvd.  You may take 590 south back to the Monroe Avenue (Route 31) exit, then make a left on Monroe and an immediate right on Westfall, proceeding to Fairhill Drive, the sixth left off Westfall. Turn around on Fairhill and park on the west side shoulder, next to 1855 Westfall, the house on the corner.

Simpler and more direct route: Head back to the west on Empire Blvd. Before you come to the 590 ramps, turn left on Winton Road. Take Winton Road all the way to Brighton – 4.6 miles. Cross Westfall Road, then take the next left on Fairhill Drive (it’s L shaped). Follow Fairhill around to the left, and park on the right hand shoulder at the last house on the right, 1855 Westfall.

On the last Sunday before the 4th of July we will have a leisurely walk around the magnificent Maplewood Rose Garden in the northwest quadrant of Rochester, at the junction of Lake Avenue and Driving Park Avenue. Maplewood Park is one of two original parks laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted to highlight the Genesee River. There is good parking at the Rose Garden at the driving Park Avenue entrance. The link to the Rochester city web site pages for Maplewood Park is here

All groups will walk together on this hike. It is intended to be an slow, easy, relaxing afternoon in a lovely part of Rochester.

The Hike

We’ll take up about an hour of the hike with walking around the avenues of roses – there are over 250 varieties on display –  then we’ll walk across Driving Park Avenue to the Lower Falls Park, which surrounds the lowest waterfall on the Genesee River. The walk down to the level of the park is fairly steep, but then it’s easy walking on level pathways. This park offers superb views of the park, a sculpture installation reminiscent of a small Stonehenge and finally Rochester’s own hydroelectric plant. The hydroelectric plant is downstream of a large salient in the river which acts as a supply pond for the turbines.

The Social

For the social we’ll drive to the Genesee Brewing Company plant at High Falls, the highest and most upstream waterfall on the Genesee River in Rochester. The address is: Genesee Brew House, 25 Cataract St, Rochester, NY 14605. It is 2 miles away, going south down St. Paul Street.

Directions to the Maplewood Rose Garden

The address is Maplewood Rose Garden, 250 Maplewood Ave, Rochester, NY 14613. The first choice for getting there is to tell your GPS that this is where you want to go, and then follow instructions.

GPS isn’t always first choice; here are traditional directions:

From the South:

1:  Take your favorite route to the I490 heading west – which is compass north for those of us living south of the city

2:  Take exit 13 for the Inner Loop

3: Take the exit toward Downtown/St Paul St/Clinton Ave, then use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto St Paul St

4:  Follow St. Paul Street until you come to Avenue E; turn left onto Avenue E

5: Continue onto Driving Park Ave. After you cross the Genesee River the road becomes Driving Park Ave; turn right shortly after the river into Maplewood Park. There’s plenty of parking there

Directions to the Social at the Genesee Brewery

The address is Genesee Brew House, 25 Cataract St, Rochester, NY 14605. Again, the first choice for getting there is to tell your GPS that this is where you want to go, and then follow instructions.

Traditional instructions are:

1:  Exit the Rose Garden parking lot and turn left on to Driving Park Avenue, which turns into Avenue E across the river

2:  Turn right on to St. Paul Street and continue for 1.4 miles.

3:  Turn right on to Cataract Street and the brewery is a hundred yards away in front of you, overlooking the High Falls waterfall.

This Sunday we have a choice of activities, both starting from Sandy Bottom Park at the the northwest corner of Honeoye Lake – a hike in Sandy Bottom Park and its adjacent creek, or a bike ride around Honeoye Lake. While we’ve done this event for the past few years, note that our starting point and the location of our social are different this year.  After the workouts we will enjoy a dish-to-pass social at the lakeshore in Sandy Bottom Park.

Everyone meets at 3:45 at the Sandy Bottom Park parking lot on Jack Evans Drive, off County Road 36 (West Lake Road), about .4 mile from Route 20A/Main Street Honeoye.  Hikers will explore the nature trails and wetlands of Sandy Bottom Park. Cyclists will circumnavigate the lake counter clockwise, first heading south on County Road 36 for about 8 miles to the intersection with East Lake Road, then heading north along the east side of the Honeoye Valley. At about the 12 mile point those looking for a breather may visit the Honeoye South Boat Launch for a stop (with rest room) by the lake. Continue north on East Lake Road to Route 20A (Main Street Honeoye) and return to the start by Main Street and West Lake Road. Total distance is about 17 miles of gently rolling terrain, with the biggest climb near the start.  Cyclists may go at their own speed;  please bring plenty of water, and helmets are required.

Social:  Please join us after the workouts for our optional dish-to pass social at the Sandy Bottom pavilion. The pavilion is to the east of the parking lot, past the Rotary Club building and next to the lake. Bring a lawn chair in case the pavilion is reserved.  Bring your own beverage and favorite dish to share, or contribute $5 to our social fund. There is no long term parking near the pavilion, but there is a gravel drive you can take to the left of the Rotary Building to drop things off for the Social.

Directions:
From Springwater: Head north to Route 20A in Hemlock. Turn east on 20A. Turn south on County Road 36 (west Lake Road) at the red light intersection. Go 0.4 miles to Jack Evans Drive, and park in the large parking lot next to the ball field.

From Naples:  Go north on County Road 36, and right on Jack Evans Drive just before reaching Honeoye Village.

From the east (Bristol, Canandaigua, etc): Take Rte 64 south to Rte 20A, make right onto 20A, left onto West Lake Road at the Honeoye traffic light, left on Jack Evans Drive.

From the west (Hemlock, Livonia, etc): Take Rte 15A to Route 20A, make left onto 20A, right onto West Lake Road, left on Jack Evans Drive.