You are invited to hike, on a very special private property at the Affolter family homestead (circa 1900), on Sunday March 30^th!

The farm, which originally spanned over 360 acres, has been in the Affolter family for over three generations.  The property is rich with historical significance and amazing views of the Naples Valley including Honeoye Lake!  Weather permitting, we also explore Affolter Gully.

The hike on Sunday, March 30 will begin at 2:00pm.  Please plan to arrive by 1:45pm, dress for the conditions and feel free to bring poles. The terrain is varied with a small hill, open areas and wooded terrain.

Location: The Affolter family homestead is located at 5422 Co Road 37, Hemlock, NY  14466 is well marked and is on the high side of the road. There is plenty of room for parking on the property next to the house and or the barn.

Social: After the hike, plan to warm up and join the group onsite at the Affolter homestead. Please bring a dish to pass or small monetary donation.  We look forward to seeing you all!

Come join us for a leisurely hike or bike along the Lehigh Valley Trail on Sunday April 6th!

With its flat even surface, the trail is a hidden gem for walking, hiking, jogging, biking.  It is 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. The 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.

Location

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.  Hike or bike groups will walk or ride for about an hour, then turn around and return to the parking area.

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. http://www.firesidegrillsportsbar.com

Save the date! This is one of our group favorite hikes.

Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill is one of the highest points in Ontario County and located in the scenic Bristol Hills. At an elevation of 2,256 feet above sea level, you’ll enjoy expansive views to the East and view portions of Ontario County and the hills behind Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.

Location

6475 Gannett Hill Park Dr, Naples, NY 14512

The hike on Sunday, April 13th will begin at 2:00pm.   Please plan to arrive by 1:45pm, dress for the conditions and feel free to bring poles.

The Social

More details to follow-please check back.

No hike has been scheduled for this date due to the Easter Holiday.  Enjoy the break, spend time with loved ones and eat chocolate bunnies. This will give you something to burn off next week

Mystery hike coming your way!  Please check back for more details.

Tour of Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse and Hike or Bike Genesee Riverway Trail

A special treat has been planned for this hike date!  We have been invited to tour the Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse BEFORE our regular scheduled hike time.  For those interested in the tour, you will need to RSVP Kelly Rell (kellrell@verizon.net) NO LATER than FRIDAY 5/2/25 by 10AM so that the Lighthouse can have enough tour guides for the group.  Plan on an hour for the lighthouse and home tour. Note there is an admission fee of $5.00 for adults aged 18 and over.

Please plan to arrive by 12:45pm for the tour.

Hike:

We will meet at Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse (in the parking lot of the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church) at 1:45pm for our hike or bike to Turning Point Park.

Cyclists: will follow the Genesee Riverway Trail down to Turning Point Park and beyond doing a 1 hour loop and return.

Climbers: After climbing the lighthouse steps they will follow the Genesee Riverway Trail the 2.2 miles to Turning Point Park and return.  If time allows they can add a walk towards Lake Ontario Park.

Naturalists/Tourists: Will follow the Genesee Riverway Trail for a 1 hour loop and return.

PARKING: Parking for the Lighthouse shares the lot with Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church at 4492 Lake Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612.  Please use the address of the church for your GPS.

Social:

Will be held at the Hose 22 Firehouse Grill, 56 Stutson Street, Rochester, NY  14612

http://www.hose22.com

Directions to Social: Turn left onto Lake Avenue out of the Church parking lot.  Go 2 blocks and turn into parking lot for Hose 22 Firehouse.  You can enter off of Lake Avenue or by turning left onto Stutson St.  You can also leave your car at the church lot and walk down to the social!

May 4th is the New York State “I Love My Park” day – the day the state begs for free labor to pick up trash on the land that it owns. We usually do our bit, and this year the bit we have chosen is Canadice Lake. The trails themselves don’t need much cleaning up, but the parking areas are usually dumping grounds for some less courteous visitors.

We plan to clean up both North and South boat launch parking areas.  We will meet at the north boat launch, at the end of the old east lake road, a sharp left after you first enter Rix Hill Road from Route 15A.

We will send the first 6 people to do the loop down to the lake and around back to the parking lot, and then around the lot. After the first 6, we could send groups of 6 to other parking/boat launch areas around the lakes.  And if we can organize it, we could have a small boat at the Hemlock North Boat Launch to take 6 to the Rob’s trail connection for putting up blazes if we can get hold of the paint in time.

Optional Social: Please join us at the Birdhouse Brewing Company in Honeoye – 8716 Main Street, just east of the traffic light, for craft beer and pub food.

Directions: From Springwater: proceed north on Route 15A 19 miles, then make a left on Rix Hill Road and an immediate left on Old East Lake Road, a.k.a Boat Launch Road.

From Honeoye and points east:  Take Route 20A west from the Bristol Valley and Honeoye. When 20A meets Route 15A, make a left and go about .6 miles to Rix Hill Road. Make a right and then an immediate left on the dead end road to the boat launch parking area in one mile.

From Rochester and points west: Take Route 15 south from Henrietta or Route 15A south from Honeoye Falls, or Route 390 south to the Lakeville-Livonia exit, then go south on Route 15 and then east on Route 20A  through Hemlock. When Route 20A turns east toward Honeoye, go straight another .6 miles and make a right on Rix Hill Road. Then make an immediate left onto the boat launch road and go to the end, 1 mile.

From Penn Yan:  Take 54A across the north end of Keuka Lake to Branchport. Continue straight onto Italy Hill Rd (CR32). In 4.9 miles, turn left to stay on Italy Hill Rd and take the 2nd right onto Italy Hill Turnpike (CR34). At the bottom of the hill (3 miles) stay to the left onto Italy Valley Rd (CR18). On entering Ontario County, Italy Valley Rd becomes CR21. Continue to the T and turn right onto NY 53 into Naples. Continue straight onto NY 21 North past the Wayside Market and turn left onto Clark St (CR 36). Continue for about 15 miles along Honeoye Lake. Turn left at the light onto US 20A. In 4.8 miles, turn At 0.7miles past the intersection with 20A, take the first right onto Rix Hill Rd into the Hemlock Lake Park. Take the first left and follow the boat launch road to the end.

To the Social: From the Boat Launch parking area, return to Rix Hill Road, make a right and then a left on Route 15A. Go .6 miles and make a right on Route 20A. In about 4.75 miles you will reach the traffic light in Honeoye. A few buildings beyond the light is Birdhouse Brewing on the left at #8716.

Mertensia flowers unite!  More details to follow about this very special hike.  Please check back.

Please join us on Sunday, May 7th to hike the newly renovated Hickory Ridge Trail (formerly known as the West Hill Preserve), off Seman Road in Naples. Hickory Ridge is alive with migrating birds in the spring. Over 150 bird species have been identified at the preserve. The list includes 10 species of hawks and falcons, 12 species of sparrows and 20 species of warblers. Listen for the signature drumming of ruffed grouse and the “who cooks for you” call of the barred owl.

Meet at 1:45pm for a 2:00pm start at 6795 Seman Road, Naples. All groups will start on the same route, with the Climbers completing the full counterclockwise loop of about 4 miles and the Tourists and Naturalists tackling the easier east side of the loop and returning as they came, for a total of 2-3 miles.  The trails are all wooded, well-groomed and wide, with gentle elevation gains. Dress appropriately for the weather.

Our Social-location will be communicated at a later date.

Directions:

From Springwater: Go south to Wayland and east on Route 21, through Naples. At .4 miles past Bob and Ruth’s and Route 245, take the first left onto County Road 12. IN 1.8 miles, take the left fork onto Rhine Street.  At the first intersection (3/4 mile) go left on Seman Road. The Hickory Ridge parking area will be on your left in about a half mile.

From Honeoye:  Go south on East Lake Road, then turn left onto County Road 33 (Egypt Valley Road). Continue on 33 all the way to the intersection with County Road 34; keep straight on County Road 33, whose name now changes to West Hollow Road. Continue for 4.3 miles, passing Clement Road on your right. Turn left on Seman Road. Go 1.3 miles to Hickory Ridge Trailhead on your right.

From Rochester/Victor/Canandaigua: Follow 5 and 20 to Route 64, Then south on Route 64 through the Bristol Valley about 13 miles to Bristol Springs.Just past Gannett Hill Road, go right on County Road 12. Go 2.8 miles, pass the Scenic Overlook, and take a right on Oakley Road. At the intersection in 3/4 mile, go straight onto Seman Road. In a half mile, the trailhead will be on your left.

More details to follow soon!  Please check back.