Please join us this  Sunday to explore a  hiking site not far from Springwater. A few years ago New York State acquired several new parcels of land to the south of Harriet Hollister Spencer Park, linked to the main park by an established snowmobile trail called C4.In the past, we’ve hiked the section of the C4 trail closest to the main park, and this Sunday The Climbers will start from the main parking lot and hike out following Ruthies trail  to C4 off Deremus trail  going as far as the intersection of Canadice Hill Road and Tibbals Road, a.k.a Townline Road (that’s the town line between Canadice and Springwater – also the Ontario-Livingston County Line). Climbers can return to the main parking area by returning back on C4 or following the Canadice Hill Road back. Total distance for Climbers is about 4 miles round trip. Tourists and Naturalists will follow the same route  until the C4 turnoff but stay in the main park,  for a total hike of 1.5 hours and about 2.5 miles.

Wear proper clothing according to prevailing weather conditions . As always, bring water, good hiking footwear and poles if you typically use them. The trail is gently rolling – no especially steep sections.

Social:  After the hike we will repair to Birdhouse Brewing Company at 8716 Main Street, Honeoye,  for their menu of craft beers and food.

Directions:  

From Springwater and Wayland – take Route 15A North from Springwater, turning right on Wheaton Hill Road. Take a left on Canadice Road (County Road 42), forking to the right when County Road 42 divides off from Canadice Lake Road. Make the next right, on Tibbals Road (formerly Town Line Road). The trail head is where Tibbals Road ends at Canadice Hill Road/Wetmore Road.

From Rochester or Canandaigua – go to Honeoye, and follow Route 21A (Main St. Honeoye) west toward Hemlock. About a mile out of Honeoye turn left on County Road 37. Follow County Road 37 until it makes a 90 degrees turn to the right across from the Canadice Methodist Church; at this point go straight onto Canadice Hill Road instead of County Road 37. Continue straight on Canadice Hill Road, taking the left fork at Ross Road, and passing the main entrance to HH Spencer Park. The trail head is 1.7 miles south of the main park entrance, and 8.5 miles from Route 21A. Beyond the trailhead Canadice Hill Road turns into Wetmore Road.

Directions from Hike to Social at Birdhouse Brewing Co.

•  Take Canadice Hill Rd. going toward Harriet Hollister Parking Lot.  Keep going straight, it will become County Rd. 37.

• When you come to Route 20A you will make a right. (at the intersection, St. Mary’s Catholic Church will  be on the Right corner). Take 20A into Honeoye.

• Birdhouse Brewing will be a brown building on your left, four buildings past the traffic light.

On Sundays they serve Hot Dogs and Hamburgers and are open until 7:00pm.

Please join us this  Sunday to explore a  hiking site not far from Springwater. A few years ago New York State acquired several new parcels of land to the south of Harriet Hollister Spencer Park, linked to the main park by an established snowmobile trail called C4.In the past, we’ve hiked the section of the C4 trail closest to the main park, and this Sunday The Climbers will start from the main parking lot and hike out following Ruthies trail  to C4 off Deremus trail  going as far as the intersection of Canadice Hill Road and Tibbals Road, a.k.a Townline Road (that’s the town line between Canadice and Springwater – also the Ontario-Livingston County Line). Climbers can return to the main parking area by returning back on C4 or following the Canadice Hill Road back. Total distance for Climbers is about 4 miles round trip. Tourists and Naturalists will follow the same route  until the C4 turnoff but stay in the main park,  for a total hike of 1.5 hours and about 2.5 miles.

Wear proper clothing according to prevailing weather conditions . As always, bring water, good hiking footwear and poles if you typically use them. The trail is gently rolling – no especially steep sections.

Social:  After the hike we will repair to Birdhouse Brewing Company at 8716 Main Street, Honeoye,  for their menu of craft beers and food.

Directions:  

From Springwater and Wayland – take Route 15A North from Springwater, turning right on Wheaton Hill Road. Take a left on Canadice Road (County Road 42), forking to the right when County Road 42 divides off from Canadice Lake Road. Make the next right, on Tibbals Road (formerly Town Line Road). The trail head is where Tibbals Road ends at Canadice Hill Road/Wetmore Road.

From Rochester or Canandaigua – go to Honeoye, and follow Route 21A (Main St. Honeoye) west toward Hemlock. About a mile out of Honeoye turn left on County Road 37. Follow County Road 37 until it makes a 90 degrees turn to the right across from the Canadice Methodist Church; at this point go straight onto Canadice Hill Road instead of County Road 37. Continue straight on Canadice Hill Road, taking the left fork at Ross Road, and passing the main entrance to HH Spencer Park. The trail head is 1.7 miles south of the main park entrance, and 8.5 miles from Route 21A. Beyond the trailhead Canadice Hill Road turns into Wetmore Road.

Directions from Hike to Social at Birdhouse Brewing Co.

•  Take Canadice Hill Rd. going toward Harriet Hollister Parking Lot.  Keep going straight, it will become County Rd. 37.

• When you come to Route 20A you will make a right. (at the intersection, St. Mary’s Catholic Church will  be on the Right corner). Take 20A into Honeoye.

• Birdhouse Brewing will be a brown building on your left, four buildings past the traffic light.

On Sundays they serve Hot Dogs and Hamburgers and are open until 7:00pm.

Come fight off of your Christmas day hangover with a hash walk at Another World Bed and Breakfast on Sunday December 26^th at 2 pm. We will wander around the property with three goals in mind:

1. Don’t get lost
2. Have food and drink afterward
3. Pick on John L at every opportunity.

For those who may not be familiar with hashing, a hash follows a marked route that contains checkpoints and false trails to keep you thinking and get you frustrated. You will be driven on by the fact that a cold beer awaits when you finish. The original idea of the hash was to promote physical fitness, get rid of weekend hangovers, acquire a thirst that will be slated, and persuade all-comers that they are not as old as they feel.

Directions

From Naples: Take Main Street to Clark Street (Middletown Tavern is on the corner) and take Clark out of the town. After about 2 miles turn left on French Hill Road. After about 1 mile, Another World will be on the right at 8404 French Hill Road. Park in the driveway

From everywhere else in the universe: Take your favorite route to Naples and follow the direction above!!!!!!!

The Social

Soup, Dessert, and refreshments will be served to all survivors.

The Hike:

A First Day hike along Canadice Lake.

Start the New Year the way you mean to go on – come for an inspiring hike along Canadice Lake! This is an easy, 1.8-mile each way hike along the shore of the lake; the trail is level and well-maintained and the lake views are lovely. For most hikers it will be a walk along the lake for an hour or so, and then back the same way; more enthusiastic hikers can veer off on Rob’s Trail that leads over the ridge and down to Hemlock Lake – this is a moderate to hard trail with several steep uphill and downhill sections. We’ll take a roll call the day of the hike if anyone wants to walk Rob’s Trail. We’ll arrange for transport back for those who only want to walk one way. Dress appropriately for the weather, carry water and some energy food, and carry a walking pole if it helps. Leashed pets are welcome.

A First Day hike along Canadice Lake.

This is not a “routine” Sunday hike – for a start, it’s happening on a Saturday! The hike is promoted by the NYS DEC, and is part of a larger program of First Day Hikes to encourage people to get out and experience the magnificent Sate of New York that they live in.

The Meet-Up Location

All First Day hikers should meet at the parking area off Purcell Hill Road, Town of Canadice, Ontario County. Google Maps (leaves this website)

The Social

There won’t be an organized social on this hike.

Our hike this Sunday will be on the southern portion of the Crescent Trail in Perinton, NY. The Crescent Trail is a system of footpaths within the Town of Perinton suitable for uses such as hiking, cross-country running, snowshoeing, nature study, and photography.  Approximately thirty-five miles of footpaths provide public access to wooded hills, Town parklands, scenic overlooks, the margins of wetlands, and other preserved open spaces. Our hike will start on the Seneca Trail, one of the trails in the Victor Hiking System. We will hike north on the Seneca Trail to connect the trails systems of the two towns, and then along the main Crescent Trail,

From the parking lot, we will head NW on the Seneca trail to Lasalle Parkway that runs parallel to Highway 96. After a quarter mile on Lasalle we join the Crescent Trail system on a gray trail to join the orange trail that links Route 250 to Turk Hill Road. From the 50 Square Drive to the Orange trail is a 35 minutes walk. Then:

• Naturalists will go west on the orange trail for as long as they want and return on the same route to 50 Square Drive and to the Distillery if they wish.
• Hikers will go east on the orange trail for as long as they want and return on the same route to 50 Square Drive and to the Distillery if they wish.

The trails are steep in parts, run along creek beds and are very pretty. Lots of ups and downs. Poles are recommended.

Following the hike, the Distillery across the parking lot is available for a social. Please bring a mask for entering the restaurant.

Directions:

From Springwater, Wayland and Honeoye:  Head north on NY 15A. Take the first right outside town onto Wheaton Hill Rd. Turn left onto Canadice Rd CR42 (the first left). Stay on CR42 as it turns right up the hill toward Canadice. The road becomes CR 37 in Ontario County.  Stay on CR37 with a left at Canadice and all the way to West Bloomfield. Continue straight onto NY 65, and then outside of W Bloomfield, stay straight onto CR 35 as NY 65 curves left. This road becomes CR 66 in Monroe County.  Turn right onto NY 251, Rush Mendon Rd. Stay on NY 251 for 3.4 miles. Turn left onto Phillips Rd, as 251 curves to the right. At the light turn right onto  Main St Fishers, then left onto NY-96. In 1.7 miles (probably the 4th light) turn right onto Turk Hill Rd and then turn left into the plaza at the first light.  We will meet in the parking lot on the right in front of the office building.

From Naples: Head north on NY 21. Continue straight onto NY 64 in South Bristol when 21 turns to the right. In 13 miles, turn left at the light onto Rt 5 & 20.  In 1.2 miles, turn right onto NY 444 toward Victor. In Victor, turn left onto NY 96 for 4.2 miles. Turn right onto Turk Hill Rd, and then turn left into the plaza at the first light.  We will meet in the parking lot on the right in front of the office building.

From the Thruway: Use Exit 45 for I-490 W. Take the first exit (Exit 29). At the light turn right onto NY 96. Turn right onto Turk Hill Rd, and then turn left into the plaza at the first light.  We will meet in the parking lot on the right in front of the office building.

From Rochester: Use I-490 E to Exit 28. Turn left onto NY-96. In 1.3 miles, turn left onto Turk Hill Rd, and then turn left into the plaza at the first light.  We will meet in the parking lot on the right in front of the office building.

From Fairport and Penfield: Take NY 250 south. Turn left onto NY 96. In 0.6 miles, turn left onto Turk Hill Rd, and then turn left into the plaza at the first light.  We will meet in the parking lot on the right in front of the office building.

The Genesee Valley Greenway State Park is a 90-mile open space corridor that follows the route of the Genesee Valley Canal (1840-1878) and the Pennsylvania Railroad Rochester Branch (1882-1963) from the Erie Canalway Trail in Rochester’s Genesee Valley Park to the Village of Cuba in Allegany County. The Greenway will eventually extend to Hinsdale in Cattaraugus County. This Sunday’s hike will start at the Erie-Attica Trail parking area on Farmers Rd in Avon, as parking is limited at the road crossings of the Greenway itself.

All groups will do a 2 hour out-and-back hike or ski, depending on conditions.  The trail is flat for almost the entire distance, with minor hills at the trail intersection and a farm road crossing.  The Greenway is often popular with snowmobilers, which can create a rough skiing surface.

All groups will head west on the Erie-Attica Trail across the Genesee river bridge and continue for 1.1 miles to the Greenway intersection.  Several sets of bridge abutments are visible along this stretch, with the largest marking the bridge which carried the Erie-Attica Railroad over the Pennsylvania Railroad. Interested hikers may find the planning study report for the Erie-Attica Trail of interest.

All groups will turn right (north) on the Greenway and continue until the turn-around time.  The views in this area are at risk from the proposed Horseshoe Solar Array which will likely start construction soon in Caledonia and Rush.

Following the hike, join us for a social hour at The American Hotel in Lima, famous for their soup selection.

Directions to the Farmers Rd Parking Area

From Springwater: Head north on NY-15A for 18.8 miles to Lima.  Turn left at the light onto 5 & 20 and travel 7.6 miles west (through the traffic circle in Avon) to Farmers Road on the right just before the Genesee River Bridge.  Follow Farmers Rd for half a mile, passing through the underpass under the trail. The underpass may have a pool of water under it. The parking area is on the north side of the underpass.

From Naples: Head west from Naples on CR 36 for 14 miles to Route 20A in Honeoye.  Turn left and travel 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Big Tree Rd, travel 3.5 miles to Route 15A.  Turn right and continue to Lima, following Springwater directions to trail parking.

From all points north: Take Route 390 to Exit 10 (Avon).  Turn left onto Route 20 west and continue through traffic circle in Avon and to Farmers Road (3.5 miles)

The American Hotel is on the corner of Route 20 and Route 15A in Lima. Turn left at the exit from Farmers Rd and continue for 7.6 miles to the light in Lima.

Pond from the cabin as seen in 1966.

Our Sunday hike this week will be on private property around the Schribner Valley in Springwater. In order to adjust to weather conditions on the day of the hike, the plan below may need to change. This plan has been updated to reflect the heavy snow on the ground as of Wednesday. We highly recommend snowshoes or skis to best enjoy the snow – poles will be valuable to everyone.

There will be four routes for Climbers, Tourists, Naturalists and Skiers. Hikers and snowshoers can enjoy the first three routes. The skiing trail has been marked, but will be led by a volunteer on the day of the hike.  A map will be provided, but it is important to follow the ski track to avoid getting lost.

Please note that these hikes are on private trails with various levels of maintenance. You will need to step over some recently fallen trees. With the deep snow each step should be done carefully.

All hikers will meet at our house.  There is parking available on the driveway in front of the garage, and also on the road, both around the intersection and turning to the right on Schribner.

All trails will start up our open field. Follow the tracks in the snow.  When tracks cross, please continue straight across without disturbing the crossing trail so the other group can also follow their trail.

The Naturalists will head up hill along a trail near the road. Upon reaching the top of the field. A left turn will take us to a second field along a Red Pine forest planted in the early 1930s. From there, we will follow the edge of the valley to our A-frame built back in 1962 from logs cut on the property, and then by the parent White Pine which was out in an open field in the 1950s. This hike will be about 2 miles with an over elevation change of 200 feet.

The Climbers and Tourists will head up the valley, crossing onto our neighbors  property. We will curve around crossing the valley following logging trails. After returning to our woods, the climbers will turn right heading up to the top of the hill. They will definitely earn their name on this climb, but the reward will be that “its all down hill from there”. The tourists will continue straight on a more level trail.

The Skiers will also head up the field for a view. Taking advantage of gravity, they will come back down the field, then head down past the old cabins and climb up the other side of the valley.  A left turn will take them along the old farmer’s road across onto another neighbors who has given us permission to enjoy the snow.  Follow the trail as it turns right and returns on the uphill side of the woods. Another right turn will head down the hill – this will be the steepest hill on the route and likely a good time to practice carrying skis on your shoulders. From the creek, follow your tracks up and continue straight back to the house.

Following the hike, all hikers are welcome to join us around a bonfire for a dish-to-pass social. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will move the social inside with a fire in the stove. Please bring a dish to share, or a personal sandwich depending on your risk tolerance. Chilled drinks will be available, or bring your own beverage.

Directions:  

Warning: Schribner and Giles roads are not plowed to allow travel to our house from Strutt St in Springwater. Assuming there is ANY snow on the ground, you must come down Tabors Corners Rd to Schribner Rd. Set your GPS to “Tabors Corners and Schribner Rd, Springwater, NY“.

From Springwater: Head north on NY 15A from the light.  Take the first right onto Wheaton Hill Rd. Go all the way to the top of the hill and the stop sign at the tee.  Turn right on Wetmore Rd. At the next stop sign, turn right onto Tabors Corners Rd. In 3.5 miles turn right onto Schribner Rd.  In 1.0 miles, the driveway is on the left at the intersection between Schribner and Giles Roads.

From Wayland: Head east on NY 21 North toward N Cohocton.  In 3 miles from the light in Wayland, turn left onto (Steuben) CR 37 (Tabors Corners Rd).  In 2 miles, turn left onto Schribner Rd. In 1 mile, the driveway is on the left at the intersection between Schribner and Giles Roads.

From N Cohocton and Naples and Canandaigua: Take NY 21 South through Naples and N Cohocton toward Wayland. In 4.5 miles from the right turn in N. Cohocton, turn right onto (Steuben) CR 37 (Tabors Corners Rd). In 2 miles, turn left onto Schribner Rd. In 1 mile, the driveway is on the left at the intersection between Schribner and Giles Roads.

Please join us this Sunday for a cross country ski, , snowshoe or hike,  while exploring  a hiking site not far from Springwater. A few years ago New York State acquired several new parcels of land to the south of Harriet Hollister Spencer Park, linked to the main park by an established snowmobile trail called C4.In the past, we’ve hiked the section of the C4 trail closest to the main park, and this Sunday we will snowshoe and hike from the parking lot, following Ruthies trail, to Chalet trail  to C4 off Doremus trail. We will follow C4 to a point where we will turn onto a old single track hiking trail(red dashed) that crosses  the “Sidewinder” trail through the south east section of the park. we’ll follow this around and return back to the parking lot via the  single track trail  (red dash trail) which runs parallel with the overlook road.

Skiers will start out at the parking lot and may choose to take any of the many trails in the park or venture out of the main park on C4. This is a challenging  ski as there are a few uphill climbs but  finishing with a nice view out in a wide open field. Skiers can return to the main parking area by returning back on C4.

Wear proper clothing according to prevailing weather conditions . As always, bring water, skies and poles good hiking footwear, snowshoes and poles if you typically use them. The trail is gently rolling – no especially steep sections.

Social:  After the hike we will ??

Directions:  

From Springwater and Wayland – take Route 15A North from Springwater, turning right on Wheaton Hill Road. Take a left on Canadice Road (County Road 42), forking to the right when County Road 42 divides off from Canadice Lake Road. Make the next right, on Tibbals Road (formerly Town Line Road). In 1.0 miles, Take the first left onto Ross Rd. At the stop sign (2.7 miles), take a sharp right onto Canadice Hill Rd. The parking lot will be on the left in 0.8 miles..

From Rochester or Canandaigua – go to Honeoye, and follow Route 21A (Main St. Honeoye) west toward Hemlock. About a mile out of Honeoye turn left on County Road 37. Follow County Road 37 until it makes a 90 degrees turn to the right across from the Canadice Methodist Church; at this point go straight onto Canadice Hill Road instead of County Road 37. Continue straight on Canadice Hill Road, taking the left fork at Ross Road, The parking lot will be on the left in 0.8 miles..

Please join us this Sunday for a cross country ski, , snowshoe or hike,  while exploring  a hiking site not far from Springwater. A few years ago New York State acquired several new parcels of land to the south of Harriet Hollister Spencer Park, linked to the main park by an established snowmobile trail called C4.In the past, we’ve hiked the section of the C4 trail closest to the main park, and this Sunday we will snowshoe and hike from the parking lot, following Ruthies trail, to Chalet trail  to C4 off Doremus trail. We will follow C4 to a point where we will turn onto a old single track hiking trail(red dashed) that crosses  the “Sidewinder” trail through the south east section of the park. we’ll follow this around and return back to the parking lot via the  single track trail  (red dash trail) which runs parallel with the overlook road.

Skiers will start out at the parking lot and may choose to take any of the many trails in the park or venture out of the main park on C4. This is a challenging  ski as there are a few uphill climbs but  finishing with a nice view out in a wide open field. Skiers can return to the main parking area by returning back on C4.

Wear proper clothing according to prevailing weather conditions . As always, bring water, skies and poles good hiking footwear, snowshoes and poles if you typically use them. The trail is gently rolling – no especially steep sections.

Social:  After the hike we will ??

Directions:  

From Springwater and Wayland – take Route 15A North from Springwater, turning right on Wheaton Hill Road. Take a left on Canadice Road (County Road 42), forking to the right when County Road 42 divides off from Canadice Lake Road. Make the next right, on Tibbals Road (formerly Town Line Road). In 1.0 miles, Take the first left onto Ross Rd. At the stop sign (2.7 miles), take a sharp right onto Canadice Hill Rd. The parking lot will be on the left in 0.8 miles..

From Rochester or Canandaigua – go to Honeoye, and follow Route 21A (Main St. Honeoye) west toward Hemlock. About a mile out of Honeoye turn left on County Road 37. Follow County Road 37 until it makes a 90 degrees turn to the right across from the Canadice Methodist Church; at this point go straight onto Canadice Hill Road instead of County Road 37. Continue straight on Canadice Hill Road, taking the left fork at Ross Road, The parking lot will be on the left in 0.8 miles..

This week our Sunday hike will be an easy out and back, hike or x-country ski depending on the weather with an after social at the Cottage Hotel in Mendon, New York.  The Mendon trail begins where we park at the Little League ball field just off Route 251 west of the four corners of Mendon, 3865 Rush-Mendon Road (Route 251). We’ll be hiking or skiing west from Mendon out about an hour with a turn-around at Chamberlain Road.  That’s about 4 miles out and back.  Those that wish more hiking, if time, can explore the trail east from Mendon toward Fishers.

This linear park has an interesting history.  It’s a 15 mile trail extending from the Ontario County line through Mendon and Rush to the Genesee River with a north extension into Henrietta. It was purchased in 1995 for $1,300,000 and was completed and transitioned in 2004 from the old Lehigh Valley railway to a recreational trail for biking, running, cross-country skiing, hiking and horseback riding.

After the hike about 4 pm, we’ll be walking from the ball park parking lot to the four corners of Mendon to the Cottage Hotel on the north east corner.  They are open until 8 pm on Sundays.

Directions:  From West Bloomfield at the traffic light head north on Route 65 and in .7 miles, don’t take the curve, go straight and you will be on County Route 35 (West Bloomfield Road).  Travel straight for 5.9 miles, when you reach the stop sign at Route 251, turn right.  In about a mile, right across from the Ye Mendon Tavern on your left, turn right into the parking lot at the Little League Ball Field.  Plenty of parking there.