Please join us on Sunday Feb. 4 for an old favorite hiking spot, from a new perspective. A couple of years ago the DEC purchased additional land for their Stid Hill Multiple Use Area, including new frontage on Dugway Road with space for a generous new parking area. They also have created several new trails linking the new access point with their older trail network. We will explore these new trails and some of the older ones too.

All hikers will meet at the Dugway Road trailhead, about 1/3 mile west of Johnson Hill Road, Naturalists and Tourists will follow the old dirt road up to the hill to the intersection with the Yellow Trail Link, then follow the Yellow Loop to the Blue Trail intersection and return the same way. The Climbers will start off on one of the new DEC trails from the parking area, then join the old road to the Yellow Trail Link and on to the Blue Trail. We will then loop around through the familiar hilltop trail sequence, past the old truck and back to the start on another new DEC trail. Total distance will be about 2 miles for the slower group, and about 3-4 miles for the Climbers. We will be starting higher up the hill, so the elevation gain will be much less than the traditional hike into Stid Hill from Route 64. The trails are well marked and generally well drained, and the forecast is promising for hiking, but poles and good winter footwear is advised anyway.

Social: We will gather after the hike at Lock, Stock and Barrel, 5436 Route 64, Canandaigua, about 3/4 miles north of Bristol Mountain.

Directions:  From Springwater, go north to Hemlock, then east to Honeoye and beyond on Route 20A. At the Wizard of Clay domes, take a right on County Road 32, then another right on Route 64 in Bristol Center. In 1.25 miles, make a left on Dugway Road. In 1.75 miles, look for a parking area on your right, at the top of the hill.

From Naples:  Go north on Route 21 and then Route 64. About 6.4 miles north of the 21-64 intersection, turn right on Dugway Road. In 1.75 miles, look for a parking area on your right, at the top of the hill.

From Rochester or Victor: Take Victor Exit off 490 to Route 96 (Main Street Victor. Take Route 444 south toward Bloomfield, When you come to Route 5&20, go left, then right on Route 64. In about 6.75 miles, go left on Dugway Road. In 1.75 miles, look for a parking area on your right, at the top of the hill.

From Canandaigua or points east:  Head south on Route 21 through Cheshire. About 4 miles past Cheshire, make a right on Dugway Road. In about 1.4 miles, look for a parking area on your left, at the top of the hill.

To the Social: From the trailhead, go left (west) on Dugway Road. At Route 64, go south. Lock Stock and Barrell will be on your right in about 2.4 miles, at #5436.

This Sunday we will explore the woods and fields overlooking Honeoye Lake on the west side, followed by a dish-to-pass social at the Affolter farm.  Meet at 5422 County Road 37, about 2 miles south of Route 20A and 2 miles north of Canadice Town Hall.  Park in the drive or on the road shoulder. Our hikes will take us up the ridge, through wooded trails and along field rims.  Get a scenic vista of the whole expanse of Honeoye Lake, from a new and different perspective. There is a significant climb at the start which you can take at your own speed, but after that it’s pretty level for the most part. 

There will be a longer hike for the Climbers of 3 to 4 miles, and a shorter hike for the Tourists-Naturalists of 2 to 3 miles.  Hiking conditions should be good, cloudy with temperatures in the low 40s, but layers are advised, and be prepared for mud.  

Bring your favorite goodies along for an indoor dish-to-pass social at the hike starting point. 

Directions:  From Springwater, take Route 15A north 2.7 miles to a right on Johnson Hill Road.  In 1.1 miles, make a left on County Road 37. Continue northeast for 6.7 miles, including a turn to the left after Canadice Town Hall.  #5422 will be on your left, just before you leave the town of Canadice and about a half mile after you pass Hayward Hill Road and Jersey Hill Road. 

From Honeoye/Hemlock:  Take Route 20A east from Hemlock or west from Honeoye to the intersection with County Road 37. Go south approximately 1.9 miles. #5422 will be on the right, just past the Entering Town of Canadice sign. 

Join us on Sunday February 18th for a hike around Fisher Park . Located in the hamlet of Fishers, this 93 acre park is a diversity of passive and active recreation opportunities. Visitors can see a multitude of wildlife from deer, squirrels, and other woodland creatures to waterfowl and trout that spawn in the spring. Trails meander through the park across wooded ridges, through wetland areas, and along the banks of Irondequoit Creek.

Everyone will meet at the parking area at 7938 Main St, Fishers(Victor),  at 1:45 for a 2PM start.

The Hike:

Naturalists will explore mostly the outer perimeter on the White and Red trails. Included will be nice wide trails, a vista at a high point with a beautiful view looking out over the western side of the park, a stroll along Irondequoit Creek, and trail maps every so often showing your present location. Hikers will then loop back to the parking lot.

The hike length is about 1.5miles with an option to add (we will vote on it) some small inner trails to extend hiking time.

Climbers/Tourists will also head out on the White trail but will cover more of the Yellow trails with rolling hills, ending on the Red trail along Irondequoit Creek and then loop back to the parking lot.

Hike length is about 3 miles.

The Social:

The social afterwards is at the Cottage Hotel in Mendon, at the 4 corners in Mendon at 1390 Pittsford Mendon Road.

Directions:

Directions from Springwater and Honeoye:  take County Road 37 north from Route 20A about 7 miles north to Route 5 and 20 in West Bloomfield.   Route 65 begins there.  About a half mile north Route 65 makes a sharp left turn.  Do not go left, go staight onto County Road 35, otherwise known as West Bloomfield Road.  Go about 6 miles up to Route 251 and turn right.  You will come to the traffic light at the 4 corners of Mendon.  Go straight ahead  to Mile Square Road.  There is no road sign at Mile Square Road so look for some bright lime green home made signs on either side of the road in about 1/2mile.  Turn left onto Mile Square Road.  Main Street Fishers will be the third road on your right.  After you pass Old Dutch Road on the right look for a green house at 7937 Main Street.  The sign for the entrance to the Park is right after that house on the right.

Directions from Canandaigua and Farmington:  Take Route 332 north to Route 96. Go north on Route 96 through the village of Victor  all the way to a large intersection with a Valvoline, a Burger King, a car wash and a Chili’s Restaurant at the corners.  Rowley Street goes to the right but turn left onto County Road 42.  Go through the little hamlet of Fishers past the old Firehouse on the left and past Wangum Road on the left where the first entrance for Fishers Park is.  You want the second entrance to the park farther down the road on the left.

Directions from Rochester:  Take Route 495 East all the way to the Victor exit.  It will take you right onto  Route 96 South.  At the first large intersection with Chili’s Restaurant on the right hand corner, turn right.  Drive through the little hamlet of Fishers and after the old fire house on the left you will see a sign for the first entrance to Fishers Park on Wangum Road.  Do not turn there.  Go a little farther until you see the second entrance to the park on your left.

Directions to the Cottage Hotel:

Turn left (west) out of the parking lot of Fishers Park and go all the way to the end of Main Street. Turn left onto Mile Square Road.   Turn right onto Route 251.   Drive to the 4 corners of Mendon to the light.   The Cottage Hotel is on the right.

When: February 25th, 2024  @2pm-4pm

 

Meet at 1:45pm at the northwest corner of Hemlock Lake at the Rix Hill Road trailhead parking area just west of the Hemlock Outlet and Hemlock Lake State Park.  There are small parking areas on both sides of the road, and a kiosk on the south side.  Naturalists will first follow the Bur Oak Trail north for about 1/2mile and then return to the start. Then they will cross the road and continue on to follow the Walnut Trail south through the woods for about 1 1/2 mi round trip. This requires some agility in stream crossing. At the end of the trail, we will vote on either returning the way we came or take a path down to the shoreline, walk a bit, then head back to the parking lot.Bring good waterproof winter footwear and poles.  Those wanting a shorter hike will have ample opportunity to bail out as we pass the starting point. At the end of Walnut Trail, there is a very steep climb that some bold hikers take down the ravine to get to the shoreline. It is advisable that if you want to walk the beach, it might be safer to double back the way you came to where a flagged path makes a much safer trip down to the water. There is another flagged path to get back up to the trail, and then back to the parking lot.

Tourists and Climbers will first follow the Bur Oak Trail north all the way up to the grassland loop off Blank Road, and return for a total of about 2.5 miles. We will then cross the road and follow the Walnut Trail south through the woods and back. This requires some agility in stream crossing. At the end of Walnut Trail, there is a very steep climb that some bold hikers take down the ravine to get to the shoreline. It is advisable that if you want to walk the beach, it might be safer to double back the way you came to where a flagged path makes a much safer trip down to the water. There is another flagged path to get back up to the trail, and then back to the parking lot. Bring good waterproof winter footwear and poles.  Those wanting a shorter hike will have ample opportunity to bail out as we pass the starting point.

Well, the title of this hike calls for winter activities, but I don’t see any snow, so please join us for an early spring hike.

We are planning three hikes for this coming Sunday (3/3/24). The Climbers will earn their stripes by climbing from the creek at the bottom of the valley up to the top of the surrounding hills (about a 300 foot climb). We will take a few minutes at the top to point out the approximate location where the sun should be during the April 8th eclipse. Expect about 4 miles hiking through woods and open fields with up some steep but comfortable slopes.

The Tourists will take a longer route to the top of the hill across the road for a different view. We are planning on a 3.5 mile hike primarily in woods.

Finally, the Naturalists will climb only about 100 feet to a trail through the woods along the valley. This will be about 2.5 miles depending on time.

Please join us after the hike for a social. If the weather behaves, we will set up a picnic out by a fire with marshmallows for former scouts.  Bring a  dish to pass and your own beverage (or donate to the social fund).

Directions:

Please note that Schribner and Giles Roads are seasonal between Strutt St and our home. Without snow they may be passible, but we recommend you use Quanz Rd to Giles off Strutt St. But preferably use Tabors Corners Rd to get to Schribner.

From Springwater: Head north on Rt 15A from the light in Springwater.  Take the first right on Wheaton Hill Rd (Co Rd 16).  Turn right on Wetmore Rd at the stop sign at the top of the hill.  At the end of Wetmore, bear right on Tabors Corners Rd.  After 3.5 miles turn right on Schribner Rd.  The driveway is on the left one mile up Schribner Rd and about 10 feet before the intersection with Giles Rd. There is room for a few cars in the driveway, or turn around at the intersection and park on the the road.

From Wayland: From Rt 15, head east on Rt 21 toward North Cohocton for 3 miles. Turn left on Tabors Corners Rd (Steuben Co Rd 37).  After 2 miles, turn left on Schribner Rd (the second left).  The driveway is the 2nd driveway on the left one mile up Schribner Rd and about 10 feet before the intersection with Giles Rd. Turn around at the intersection and park on the west side of the intersection.

From Honeoye: From Rt 20A, head south on Ontario Co Rd 37.  At Canadice, continue straight ahead on Canadice Hill Rd as Co Rd 37 turns right. Bear right on Ross Rd.  In 2.7 miles turn left on Tibbals Rd. At the stop sign, turn right on Wetmore Rd. Continue straight ahead for 2.2 miles. Bear right on Tabors Corners Rd.  In 3.5 miles, turn right on Scribner Rd.  The driveway is the 2nd driveway on the left one mile up Schribner Rd and about 10 feet before the intersection with Giles Rd. Turn around at the intersection and park on the west side of the intersection.

From Naples: Take Rt 21 south for 4.5 miles to N Cohocton.  Turn right to stay on Rt 21 towards Wayland.  After 3.8 miles turn right on Tabors Corners Rd (Steuben Co Rd 37).  After 2 miles, turn left on Schribner Rd (the second left).  The driveway is the 2nd driveway on the left one mile up Schribner Rd and about 10 feet before the intersection with Giles Rd. Turn around at the intersection and park on the west side of the intersection.

A hike through the Mitchellsville Gorge.

The hike on Sunday 10th March 2024 will follow a section of the main path of the Finger Lakes Trail in Urbana, just south of Hammondsport. It’s an easy hike of about 3.5 miles, and it follows the rim of a deep gully cut by the Mitchellsville Creek. This section slopes gently downhill from Mitchellsville Road  with just a few short steep sections. The northern two thirds passes through a dense hemlock wood, and the path is a soft bed of hemlock needles; there are views of the deep gully along the way. There are two ‘beauty spots’ along the route; about a third of the way from the top there’s a short side track that juts out over the gorge giving good views from a height, and about two thirds of the way down there is a pretty creek. Unfortunately, we can’t get too close to either spot; this section of the trail is on private land and we can’t wander off it. The gorge overlook is crumbling and is dangerous, and access to the creek is specifically denied by the land owner.

A hike through the Mitchellsville Gorge.

We will meet top of the gully on Mitchellsville Road  (42.404269 , -77.290893)  at 2:00pm and walk down the gully to the Pleasant Valley Inn in Hammondsport. There’s and FLT trail sign at the side of the road and a broad mown passage through a farmer’s field to the trail head.

The Hike

This will be a one-way hike and we’ll arrange for cars a the hike’s end to ferry people back to Mitchellsville.

All hikers will start together at the top of the gorge on Mitchellsville Road.

The Climbers will hike all the way down the gorge to the parking lot across the road from the Pleasant Valley Inn in Hammondsport. Please look for the trail markers at the bottom of the gorge; it’s easy to miss them and wander into the private vineyard.

The Tourists and Naturalists will start at the meeting point and walk as far as they are comfortable with and then turn back.

The Social

We’ll have a social at the the Mountain View Inn at 34 Main Street., Arlanta.

Directions

From Honeoye: Follow W Hollow Rd (County Road 36) to Naples. Turn Right at the Middletown Tavern on to Rt. 21 South, and then bear left on to NY-53 South. Continue for 17.1 miles through Prattsburg and then turn left to County Rd 13/Mitchellsville Rd in Wheeler. Continue along Mitchellsville Road until you see the white church in Mitchellsville and then continue about a mile or so, as far as the FLT trail sign.

From Naples: Take NY-21 South, and then bear left on to NY-53 South. Continue for 17.1 miles through Prattsburg and then turn left to County Rd 13/Mitchellsville Rd in Wheeler.  Continue along Mitchellsville Road until you see the white church in Mitchellsville and then continue about a mile or so, as far as the FLT trail sign.

From Rochester: Take I-390 south until exit 37 (Rt. 53), then follow NY53 north to State Route 13 (Moitchellsville Road). Turn right to County Rd 13/Mitchellsville Rd in Wheeler and then continue along Mitchellsville Road until you see the white church in Mitchellsville.  Continue about a mile as far as the FLT trail sign

Please park on just one side of the road. It’s a single lane each way road and is fairly well used.

Hike or Bike the Lehigh Valley Trail in Rush, NY

Sunday March 17, 2024 @ 2:00pm EDT

The Hike

Come join us for a leisurely hike or bike along the Lehigh Valley Trail.  This approximately 15-mile trail is located in the southern-most portion of Monroe County, beginning at the Genesee River and extending through the Towns of Rush and Mendon to the Ontario County Line, and extending north to the Town of Henrietta.

With its flat even surface, the trail is a hidden gem for walking, hiking, jogging, biking, cross-country skiing, and equestrian use.  It is also a vital link in the area’s expanding regional trail network, connecting the Genesee Valley Greenway Trail to the west with Victor’s Auburn Trail to the east.

We will meet at the Stevens-Connor Lehigh Valley Lodge 2611 Pinnacle Road, Rush, NY 14543. Please plan to arrive by 1:45pm to ensure timely departure for the hike or bike.

The Social

After working up an appetite, we will meet at the Fireside Grill & Sports Bar 3939 E. Henrietta Road, Henrietta, NY 14467 to eat, drink and be merry.

This Sunday, we’re returning to Sonyea State Forest in Livingston County, to hike along the Keshequa Creek and enjoy early spring flowers.

We will meet at 1:45pm 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.

After the hike, we will enjoy an April weather 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.

From Rochester: take 390 south to the Sonyea exit.Turn left onto Route 36 and drive a short distance then turn right on to county road 72. Drive a few miles and turn right onto Union Corners Road. Drive a couple of miles where you will enter the Sonyea State Forest. Drive about half a mile in until you reach the parking area. There is some logging going on so the road is a little bumpy but passable.

From Dansville: and points east, take Route 36 north toward Sonyea. Turn left onto CR 72. From there follow the directions above.