**Please note, this hike is the last of three hikes that have been scheduled in weekly succession at Letchworth State Park by the Southern Tier Greenway Hiking (STGH) group with an interpreter provided.  Subsequent weekly hikes that STGH has planned will be held on trails that are further south and west of Letchworth S.P.   (At full disclosure, posting to the ST website for the previous two hikes was with only one day or so notice prior to each of those two hikes, so somewhat unfortunate in notice given for any interested hikers.  However for this hike it has been posted 4+ days in advance.)

An opportunity for a 7/31/2017 Monday hike, at Letchworth State Park, exists for ST hikers to join the members of Southern Tier Greenway Hiking group (STGH).  STGH is made up of hikers who hike the southern section of the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park (GVGSP aka GVG) and many more locations.  ST has hiked with some of these hikers during the Friends of Genesee Valley Greenway (FOGVG) annual event held in early November.  And some STGH hikers have joined-in on some ST hikes. The information about this Letchworth hike is as follows.  

Join us for a hike at the Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area. Harriett was a Rochester horticulturist, rose expert and civic leader. Over 600 acres in the park was donated to New York State from her estate in the 1960’s. It is part of the New York State Park System. There is a panoramic view of the countryside from the Overlook Trail. Some folks take the long drive up just to gaze at Honeoye Lake and the surrounding hills from this two thousand foot high vantage point. On a clear day, the Rochester skyline is visible. For some this will be a familiar destination, for others an opportunity to explore a variety of trails through the forest with some intriguing terrain. As usual we will gather at the designated parking area to welcome everyone and to form our hiking groups. Maps will be provided to hike leaders.

Naturalists will head out on Ruthie’s Run to the Chalet Trail. This area is an old road that once led to a large chalet and cabins which housed a camp at one time. Two of the old red cabins are still standing. One is used by the Nordic Ski Patrol during the winter season. This group will continue on until the trail meets The Pines trail. There they will stroll through a lovely corridor of Norway Spruce, eventually arriving at the picnic area and restrooms. From there they can amble along Overlook Road to take in the scenic view for as long as they wish. A short half mile hike up the road or along the trail that parallels the road, will return them to the starting point. Total mileage about 2.5 miles. Hike leader to be recruited.

The Tourist group will follow the Overlook Road for a brief way to connect with Cannonball Run, a shady fern covered section of the woods. Where Cannonball meets the park road, the Tourists can stop to admire the outstanding view before proceeding on to Raccoon Run and the Blue Spruce Trail, an easy meander through the forest, with a few small hills to navigate. This group will return to the parking area via the Chalet Trail for a total of about 4 miles. Wendy will lead this group.

Climbers will tackle a number of trails, beginning at Big Oak, to hike around the perimeter of the park in a clockwise direction. This group will sample most of the park trails during their 5 + mile journey. They will also enjoy a stop at the famous Overlook. Hike leader to be recruited.

Social: Following the hike we will have a dish to pass social at the parking area. Bring a dish to pass or make a donation to the Social Fund. Also bring your own beverage.

Directions: From 1 mile north of Springwater on Rt. 15A, turn up Wheaton Hill RD. Drive all the way to Wetmore RD. and turn left. Continue straight onto Canadice Hill RD. and drive another 2 miles to the park on the right.

From Honeoye: Take County Road 37 and continue straight onto Canadice Hill Rd. to the park on the left..

Chimney Bluffs State Park, on the Lake Ontario southern shoreline in eastern Wayne County, just east of Sodus Bay is indeed a unique place, and a quintessential hiking destination.  This locale is distant enough from the Springwater and surrounds area such that not likely that Springwater Trails (ST) would plan a hike here … due to the travel distance.   BUT, HOLD ON, … for those interested in hiking this destination with a group of like minded hikers, well, Victor Hiking Trails (VHT) is leading a hike here on Saturday, August 12, 2017. All hikers are welcome.  And of course, ST & VHT as organizations share numerous common bonds.

This hike will be a good opportunity to see this unique scenic area, and the erosion caused by the high levels of Lake Ontario that have been the case in this 2017 Spring & Summer season.   Chimney Bluffs area is constantly changing due to the geological make-up of this place.  Erosion is a constant here, and increased erosion in 2017 hastens the change and loss at Chimney Bluffs.  The uniqueness of the area is always under constant change, and erosion eventually claims the various geologic formations here, … sometimes sooner rather than later.

Any updated details can be gleaned from the Victor Hiking Trails website.

The published basics of the hike are:

• VHT will meet in the parking area behind the Victor Town Hall (85 East Main St) at 9am, and carpool to the hike.

• Hike Chimney Bluffs State Park

  On Saturday, August 12th, Victor Hiking Trails will lead a hike at Chimney Bluffs State Park in Wayne County, NY.

  There are 4 miles of moderate trails through woods, meadows and along the shore of Lake Ontario. Comfortable hiking boots are recommended. Please, no pets on this hike.

  Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, something to drink and a snack.We may stop for lunch on the way home.

  Meet in the rear parking lot of Victor Town Hall, 85 East Main Street, at 9:00 A.M. to carpool to the trailhead. Or meet at the park entrance located at 7700 Garner Road, Wolcott, NY 14590 at 10:15 A.M. There is a $5.00/per car fee.

  Check the website www.victorhikingtrails.org, Facebook, Meetup or the voice message line (234-8226), for additional details.

Genesee Valley Greenway (GVG) hike on Saturday, 8/12/2017. Series Hike #5—Fowlerville Road going north.

Historic Interpretive Hike Series (Wegmans Hike #5): Fowlerville Rd going north Saturday, August 12, 2017 10:00 AM GVG Parking Area Fowlerville Road, Town of York, NY.   Meet at the parking area on the south side of Fowlerville Road (GPS: N42 53.505 W77 49.419) Starting at GVG mile 21, hike to just past mile 20 on easy, flat trail with a mixed surface. (2.7 miles total)

The guide will provide history of the Town of York and also point out historic canal and railroad features, including stone remaining from the Genesee Valley Canal Lock #5, and interesting natural features along the way. This hike is one of 14 hikes in the Wegmans Passport to Wellness Program. Completion of hikes in this series makes the trail user eligible for Wegmans grocery coupons or a NYS Parks Empire Passport. Passports will be available at the time of the hike and there will be an opportunity to complete the rubbing for this hike. Questions: fogvg@frontier.com or (585) 493-3600

Please note, that this section of trail contains a mixed surface, … one segment is surfaced with a thick layer of stone dust / finely crushed stone chips and is unique in that it affords a degree of shock absorption for hikers with aging and/or ailing joints.  A unique trail surface indeed.  This unique surface is owing to a major trail washout and subsequent trail rebuild that was completed about 1 1/2 years ago, and this unique surface was put in place as completion of the trail rebuild. – –  Spring 2016 found a delightful shock absorbing surface for hikers on this reopened segment, and though the surface has since been compacted it likely still affords a uniqueness.

The Genesee Valley Greenway State Park is hosting this hike. There is no charge to attend this hike. Therefore, please consider joining us.

For more information, check the Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway (FOGVG) website, their Passport page, and the complete 2017 GVG Passport Series.

– – – Additionally, the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park (GVGSP) Facebook page usually lists the upcoming GVGSP events, and the FOGVG Facebook page also lists numerous GVG events in our area albeit a greater proportion of events listed on this page may at times be in the “Southern Tier” portion of the GVG as planned by a group of hikers known as the Southern Tier Greenway Hiking Group (STGH or STGHG) who welcomes all to hike with them.

– – –    We also have a short history of the Greenway.

The Springwater Community Day has been rescheduled for August 13 at the Larry J. Canute Memorial Park on School St in Springwater.

Pancake Breakfast    7:00AM-10:30AM
Chicken BBQ         11:00AM til gone
Classic Car Show     9:00AM-3:00PM
Antique Tractor Pulls  9:00AM-4:00PM
Wheaton Hill Hike        4:00PM – 6:00PM
Hemlock Lake Kayak   4:00PM – 6:00PM

No coolers or containers allowed in park.
No dogs or bicycles allowed in park. 
Dogs are welcome on the Wheaton Hill Hike.

The goal of this Sunday’s hike is to provide a physical connection between hiking trails at the Hemlock Canadice State Forest and the Park in the Hamlet. The members of Springwater Trails help maintain the state forest trails on Wheaton Hill which we will be hiking.

All hikers will meet at 4:00 at the Springwater/Webster Crossing Historical Society Museum at 8130 Route 15 (S Main St) in Springwater.  This museum is less than half a mile from the festivities at the park, so visitors at the Park festivities can walk or drive to the museum. Come early  to explore the Museum prior to the hike. You can meet at the Springwater Trails banner at 3:00 to walk to the Museum.

Springwater Village c1913

We will car pool from the Museum to Wheaton Hill. From the entrance, we will follow the Spruce Loop to the right and then the Redbud Trail. At the bottom of the Redbud loop, we will head out on an unmarked route across one gully to exit at the entrance to the Hamlet of Springwater.  From there we will do a road walk along Main St through the hamlet back to the Museum. This will be a great time to share some history of the hamlet. Hikers with cars at the park will turn at Howe Av to return directly to the park.

Kayakers are also invited to join Springwater Trails at the Hemlock Lake South Boat launch at 4:00. Kayakers at the Community Day should leave the park or museum by 3:30 to provide time to unload equipment at the boat launch and be ready to push off at 4:00. Kayakers are required to wear a PFD (life jacket) and to stay with their group throughout the two hour paddle.

Hikers and Kayakers are urged to enjoy the Community Day and partake of the Chicken BBQ.Therefore, this Sunday only, we will not have our traditional social following our hike and kayak.

This Sunday hike is the second in our BHB Series. This series taking place on the third Sunday of each month for a year, will complete the entire Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail.

Sunday’s hike will take us through Pigtail Hollow State Forest, in the Towns of Wheeler and Urbana, beginning about halfway between Prattsburgh and Bath. The Climbers will do the full hike south to north from Access Point 18 to 17, a total of 4.4 miles. The Tourists will hike the southern 3/4 of the trail going north to south, with more descending than ascending. The Tourists and the Climbers will exchange car keys when they meet along the trail, and the Climbers will continue for the final mile beyond the Tourists’ starting point. The Naturalists will start at the same point as the Tourists, going south into the forest to Gramdma’s Camp and exploring some fairly level forest terrain.

Climbers will start at C and hike north. Tourists and Naturalists will start at T and hike south.

The Climbers hike starts with a steep uphill, moderating to a more gentle climb and then fairly level forest trails with steep stream crossings at a few ravines. There is a good deal of variety in the forest types we will see, including stands of young white pine, older red pine, hemlock on the north slopes, and spruce, as well as oak and other hardwoods. Signage notes some sections of harvested pine forest being returned to native hardwoods. The trail comes out of the woods and follows Hungry Hollow/Dinehart and then Two Rod/Colegrove Road for about a quarter mile, then returns to the woods for the final mile. The Tourists will cover the same trail, but without the final mile, and going the other way (more downhill), from Hungry Hollow Road to County Road 13, for a total of about 3.4 miles (roughly 2 hours).

We will meet at Access Point 18, the southern end of the hike, on County Road 13 (a.k.a. Mitchellsville Road) between Hungry Hollow Road and Randallville Road. There is ample parking along the southern shoulder of the road. This is the starting point for the Climbers, and the end point for the Tourists. Plan to arrive by 3:45 to allow time for organizing cars. Two or three Climbers will leave cars at the final destination, Access Point 17, and then meet the rest of the group at Access point 18 at 3:45. Tourists and Naturalists will then car pool to their hike starting point, where the trail meets Hungry Hollow Road (a.k.a Dinehart Road – a rugged dirt road) near the corner of Two Rod Road (a.k.a. Colgrove Hill Road, also a rugged dirt road). When the Climbers and Tourists meet in Pigtail Forest, they will exchange keys so that the Tourists can retrieve all cars from County Road 13 and bring them around to the north end, reuniting all hikers with their vehicles.

From the two end points we will adjourn to the Village Park in Prattsburgh for our social. Prattsburgh has a fine village square with a gazebo and several large tables and bench groups at the center and parking along the sides. Please bring a dish to pass and your own beverage. There is a small grocery store open until 8 PM across the street from the park, for sandwiches and ice cream etc.

To get to Prattsburgh from the end points (the intersection of Hungry Hollow, Dinehart and 2 Rod roads, proceed 2 miles north along 2 Rod (which changes names to Colegrove Hill Road). At the T, make a left on Bean Station Road. At the next T turn right on Route 53. It’s about 5.5 miles total. Don’t miss the Hillview Blueberry Farm on Bean Station Road. You will go right by it, and you can pick your own or buy terrific fresh blueberries already picked, reasonably priced.

Directions to the hike:

From Springwater: Head south on NY 15. At the light in Wayland, turn left on NY 21. In 6.7 miles turn left in North Cohocton to stay on NY 21. (In 1.5 miles, you may turn right onto County Line Rd and follow that to Blodgett Rd and NY53, but it is easier to go into Naples as follows).  Continue 4.5 miles to the stop sign on NY 21 in Naples. Turn right onto NY 53. Follow NY 53 for 16.8 miles through Prattsburgh. Turn left onto CR 13 – Mitchellsville Rd.  Part on the right side in 1.8 miles.  There are signs for the trail on the right and left sides.

From Rochester, Dansville and points north: Take I390 and I86 to Exit 37 and turn left on NY-53 north. Go 5 miles north, through Marshalls, and Wheeler. Take a right on County Road 13 at Renchans. Go 1.8 miles. Shortly after you pass Hungry Hollow Road on your left, you will see the trail crossing CR 13. Park on the right shoulder.

From Naples and points northeast: On the south edge of Naples, take NY 53 south off of Rt 21. Follow NY 53 for 16.8 miles through Ingleside and Prattsburgh to Renchans, where you will turn left onto County Rd. 13. Shortly after you pass Hungry Hollow Road on your left, you will see the trail crossing CR 13. Park on the right shoulder.

From Bath and points south: Take I86 north to Exit 37, and turn left on NY-53 north. Go 5 miles north, through Marshalls, and Wheeler. Take a right on County Road 13 at Renchans. Go 1.8 miles. Shortly after you pass Hungry Hollow Road on your left, you will see the trail crossing CR 13. Park on the right shoulder.

To get from Access Point 18 (south end) to Tourists starting point: From County Road 13, continue south on CR 13 for 0.8 miles. Take the second left onto Runner Rd (AKA Randallville Rd). At the tee (2.4 mi) turn left onto 2 Rod Rd.  At the stop sign (1.3 miles) turn left on Hungry Hollow Rd. In 0.2 miles park on the left side by 3 big maple tress. The trail head is back up Hungry Hollow Road directly across from the driveway of a neighbor who would prefer that we not park in front of the house.

To get from Tourists starting point to Access Point 17: Go east on Hungry Hollow Road, through the intersection where the name changes to Dinehart Road. Make a left when onto Glen Brook Road at the second intersection. In 0.2 miles, the trail crosses the road. There is a small kiosk and parking area on the right side of the road.
[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”17″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” override_thumbnail_settings=”0″ thumbnail_width=”100″ thumbnail_height=”75″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”20″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”0″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”1″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show as slideshow]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]

For hikers who may wish to do a group hike on a weekday, and that is within a reasonable driving distance from the Springwater & surrounds area, some hikes led by Southern Tier Greenway Hiking group (STGH) are posted on the ST website as hike opportunities.  Such is the case with this Bully Hill SF hike.  This particular hike is in the general area that ST has hiked in the past and has considered for future additional hikes.  – – –  Here is an opportunity to take up on a hike in Bully Hill SF, for your pleasure, and perhaps to consider as a possible future hike plan for ST.

STGH is made up of hikers who hike the southern section of the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park (GVGSP aka GVG) and many more locations.  ST has hiked with some of these hikers during the Friends of Genesee Valley Greenway (FOGVG) annual event held in early November in a past year.  Some STGH hikers have joined-in on some ST hikes, and vice-versa.

Additional hyperlinks on topic –

A map my hike link created by one of our own ST hikers in August 2012. http://www.mapmyhike.com/us/alfred-ny/bully-hill-state-forest-route-127941211

A link to info regarding a ST hike held in August 2012 in this area.    https://springwatertrails.org/2012/08/bully-hill-state-forest/

Another link about Bully Hill SF  – http://andyarthur.org/explore/new-york-state/allegany-county/bully-hill-state-forest

A youtube video of a hike in Bully Hill SF – video by Ed of www.cnyhiking.org website.   Depicted in the video is some of the natural beauty held on a hike in Bully Hill SF, and … this video is set to music.

This Sunday program includes a hands-on science program about water quality, followed by a short but strenuous hike up Grimes Creek. Steve Lewandowski, Springwater Trails member and retired environmental educator, will present the workshop on macroinvertebrates and their relationship to water quality, near the Grimes Glen parking area and bridge. The program will take place in the stream, so be prepared to get wet, at least from the knees down (maybe more!).  There is a single program for Climbers, Tourists and Naturalists. If you want a longer hike, come early, park in the village and walk to Grimes Glen on Vine Street from a distance. 

Macroinvertebrates are the small creatures that live at the bottoms of streams, under the rocks. You can tell a lot about the health of a stream by which macroinvertebrates are present. Steve will show how to capture, examine and identify these small residents of our waterways.  This is a great program for kids and adults alike. If the Sunday timing does not work for you, a similar event will be happening on the day before, Saturday the 26^th, at 10 AM, presented by the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association and the Finger Lakes Land Trust.

After the program we will hike up Grimes Glen, about a half-mile stretch of bubbling cascades with 200 foot hemlock-lined shale bluffs and two sixty-foot waterfalls along the way. There is a creek-side trail along about half of the distance, beyond which hikers will be walking in the creek. Substantial water shoes and hiking poles will help for stability. Grimes Glen is Ontario County’s newest park, established in 2008 after a community-based fund- raising effort.  See the Ontario County website for more on the park and its rich history, including the discovery of a fossilized Devonian tree excavated from the glen in 1887 and displayed at the New York State Museum.

Grimes Glen Park has a rest room building and a small parking area at the north end of Vine Street, Naples. It is a popular park on weekends and hot days. If the parking area is full, we can car pool to a Mill Street parking area, about a half-mile away, or park on the street.

Following the hike our social will be at Middletown Tavern, 183 S. Main Street, Naples. Follow Vine Street back to Main Street and turn right. Middletown Tavern is on the right, just before you come to Joseph’s Wayside Market and Dollar General.

Directions to Grimes Glen:

From Springwater/Wayland – Take Route 15 south to Wayland, and follow NY21 east to North Cohocton and then north to Naples. A few blocks past Joseph’s Wayside Market, make a left at the Bristol Valley Theater onto Vine Street. Take Vine Street all the way to the end, and park in the Grimes Glen parking lot.

From Rochester and points north – Take I390 south to Exit 3, Wayland, and then follow Route 21 north and east to Naples. A few blocks past Joseph’s Wayside Market, make a left at the Bristol Valley Theater onto Vine Street. Take Vine Street all the way to the end, and park in the Grimes Glen parking lot.

As a tradition started several years ago, the Springwater / Webster Crossing historical Society is serving Pulled Pork prepared by Ted Canute and Scott Standish.  The $10 Dinner includes Salt Potatoes, Vegetable in Season, dish-to-pass Dessert, and Pink Lemonade.  Cookies to advertise the Christmas Cookie Sale may be available for tasting or purchasing.  Society members will have tables set up in front of the Museum which is open for tours.  Everyone is invited to enjoy the occasion, the good food, and the pleasure of knowing they are helping to preserve our history.

Welcome to the Fourth Annual Mushroom Foray at the All Western Evergreen Farm.  Three hiking groups are planned, all starting and ending at the farm house.  We will explore much of the farm, enjoying views of the valley and close-ups of the floral and mycological specimens.

Friendly dogs are welcome on the hike; however, a leash will be needed near the farm house and you can expect a few other dogs will be hiking with you.

Paper bags and paper plates for collecting and displaying mushrooms will be provided.  Those who want to learn how to collect mushrooms will be instructed by Gene and Georgia, and any other Rochester Area Mycological Association members who will be our guests.

The plan is to hike between 2 and 4 p.m., RAMA members to identify the mushrooms collected between 4 and 4:30 p.m., followed by a social (4:30 – 6:30 p.m.) hosted by Katherine at her house (AWEN & CTF Soups are the Specialty).

Bring a dish-to-pass or make a small contribution to support the socials.  Bring your own beverage.  Dogs will want to stay in your car during the social.

We will begin all the hikes at 6840 Liberty Pole Road where there is ample parking at the Christmas tree loading area between the tall Western redcedar and the bee hives (belonging to George Karadimas from Conesus- 585-346-0528).  The mushrooms will be displayed on paper plates on the tables indoors in the basement.

Directions:

If using GPS, please try 6840 Liberty Pole Road, Dansville, NY 14437 (the mailing address) so as to not have a problem.

From Springwater: Go west from the Springwater light on Rt 15 North.  Just past the top of the hill, turn left on Co Rd 38 (Liberty Pole Road).  The farm is on the left 1.1 miles from Rt 15 at 6840 Liberty Pole Road.

From Geneseo: Go south on NY 63.  About 6.4 miles after passing RT 408, turn left on County Road 1 at Groveland Station.  This road becomes CR 1A at Scottsburg (Route 256) and then Liberty Pole Road (Co Rd 38) after you cross Stage Coach Road.  It is 7.1 miles from Groveland Station to All Western Evergreen Farm.

From Honeoye: Take 20A west to Hemlock and 15A south to Springwater.  Then follow the Springwater directions above.

Click a year below to see images from a previous Mushroom Foray:

[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”19″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_tagcloud” number=”45″ gallery_display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]