This Sunday’s hike at High Tor Wildlife Management Area in Naples will take us back to many of our previous hikes including:

• a hike by Springwater Parks and Trails at least one and a half decades ago
• a winter hike just before Covid hit
• and a follow-up to our maintenance hike on the Blue trail three weeks ago.

We will all meet at the DEC parking area on Basset Rd near the west end of the road (See the map to the right).  Please arrive in time to start the hike at 2:00 PM. We will have two hikes based on distance.  Hike leaders may adjust the hikes to accommodate our hikers and the weather. Please note: in the following hike descriptions, the term road refers to the maintenance road, which  is more accurately called a wide trail.

All hikers will start on the same trail out of the parking area. The Naturalists will take the left route and follow the maintenance road up to the BHB orange trail. Turning left onto the BHB (orange blazes) they will quickly come to the pond and will explore the shore of that. Returning on the BHB to the maintenance road, the Naturalists will follow their own footsteps back to the cars.

The Finger Lakes Trail from Naples to Parrish Gully. The Howard Beye memorial bench.

The Tourists will join the Naturalists up to the BHB orange intersection. The Tourists will continue straight on the maintenance road to the lean-to and overlook of Canandaigua Lake. Returning on the road, they will retrace their steps to the point where the BHB turns right. The tourists will continue straight (not on the BHB) south to the cars. They will likely meet up with the Naturalist on the final leg and will then return together to the cars.

The Climbers will also take the same route as the Naturalists. When they reach the BHB orange trail, the will turn left and continue around the pond. The Blue trail will break off to the right and the Climbers will follow that down to the Finger Lakes Community College property on East Hill Rd. Climbers are welcome to bring small clippers to do minor maintenance on the trail as we go.  We will station a couple of cars at the final parking lot to ride back to the start point.

Following the hike, please join us for a social at Kelley’s home in Atlanta (NY).  See directions below.

Directions:

From Naples: Take NY 53 south from Naples for 1.1 miles. Turn left onto Italy Valley Rd (CR 21) for 2.1 miles. Turn left onto Basset Rd, when the main road takes a sharp right turn. Parking is on the left in 0.2 miles.

Additional directions are available here.

Directions To Kelly’s in Atlanta: Return to Naples by going right out of the parking area, then right onto Italy Valley Rd, then right onto NY-53 N. In 1.3 miles, turn left onto NY-21 S. In 4.5 miles, in N. Cohocton, turn right to stay on NY – 21. Take the next left onto University Ave. In 0.4 miles, Kelly’s home is the second house after the farmer’s field on the right.

We are looking forward to hosting a hike on October 27th. The meeting point will be 9181 Ashley Rd, Livonia, NY at 1:45. We will gather and then proceed on the hike which will start out flat, going through a wooded area and then we will climb a hill for a beautiful view before heading back. The trail through the woods can be muddy at times.  The social is a dish to pass at our home after the hike.

Directions-  Ashley road runs between County road 37 and Reed road.  Ashley road is also the only road off of county road 37 between 20A (Valley Inn is in the corner) and Richmond Mills Road. If heading south from Rochester it will be a right, if heading north from the Valley Inn it will be a left. We will be the first house past White Road in the left.

The water in Hemlock Lake is very low at the moment and a wide swath of beach is exposed. We will take advantage of the unusual conditions to walk a few miles to the south and back on this Sunday hike. The beach is generally 12-15 feet wide and varies between stony and rough stone chips. It will be a slow and careful walk but there’s plenty to see along the way and the lake and the late autumn woods on the opposite shore are very scenic. For those who prefer the easier dirt road parallel to the shoreline, there are several points to switch back and forth between the beach and the road. As a bow hunting season precaution, please wear some red or orange outerwear.

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.  This will be an out and back hike; we will all start out with a group on the beach and a group on the shore. All hikers may return at any time they are ready, or switch between groups at about the one mile point or about the two mile point. Ambitious hikers may want to head partway up Rob’s Trail after about 3 miles, where it veers to the east and up the hill.

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.

PLEASE NOTE – CHANGE OF HIKE MEETING PLACE,  BIKE RIDE CANCELLED

Come join us for a hike in Sandy Bottom Park, starting from the East Lake Road Trailhead. The bridge and boardwalk linking the two sides of Sandy Bottom Park are out of commission for a few weeks, so we will meet at 1:45 at the 4932 East Lake Road parking area and limit our hike to the 1.5 mile loop around the field and down to the stream to observe the improvements. Those seeking a longer hike are invited to go around again.  The planned bike ride is cancelled due to rain.

Hikers will explore the nature trails and wetlands of Sandy Bottom Park.  Our hike (about 1.5 or 3 miles) will be a combination of field and woods on a relatively flat terrain. Recommended attire – rain gear, umbrella, and sturdy waterproof shoes with good treads.

Social:  Please join us to dry out after the workout at the Bird House Brewery, 8716 Main St, Honeoye, NY 14471. For menu see: https://commerce.arryved.com/location/BeNKYUPu/modality/pickup

Directions:
From Springwater: Head north to Route 20A in Hemlock. Turn east on 20A. Go through the Village of Honeoye to the East Lake Road intersection, just past the School, make a right and go about .3 miles to the Sandy Bottom Trailhead on your right.

From Naples:  Go north on County Road 36, and right on Route 20A at the Honeoye traffic light. Go through the Village of Honeoye to the East Lake Road intersection, just past the School, make a right and go about .3 miles to the Sandy Bottom Trailhead on your right.

From the east (Bristol, Canandaigua, etc): Take Rte 64 south to Rte 20A, make right onto 20A, left onto East Lake Road as you come down the hill into Honeoye. Go about .3 miles to the Sandy Bottom Trailhead on your right.

From the west (Hemlock, Livonia, etc): Take Rte 15A to Route 20A, go through the Village of Honeoye to the East Lake Road intersection, just past the School, make a right and go about .3 miles to the Sandy Bottom Trailhead on your right.

Springwater Trails started as the Springwater Parks and Trails Committee around 2010 with initial funding from the Fiddler’s Fair. This committee was modeled after the Crescent Trail Association, a non-profit, incorporated organization active since 1980 with the full support of the town of Perinton.  They have created over 23 miles of foot trails in the town. In the early 90’s, residents of the Town of Victor created a similar  organization to develop and maintain trails in Victor.  They adopted Bylaws and created a not-for-profit corporation in 1992 and continue to develop and expand their trail system. According to their strategic plan published in 2016, 55 miles of trails have been developed in Victor with 28 miles maintained by Victor Hiking Trails (VHT), 15 miles by Genesee Region of Cyclists (GROC) and the rest by the town of Victor.

This Sunday, we will explore the Dryer trail located in Ganondagan State Historic Site and in Dryer Rd Park. Dryer Road Park is the home of 15 miles of bike trails (Click that link for an amazing map).

We will lead two hikes. Both hikes will be out and back, starting from the parking area on School St. This lot has only 7 parking spots, so carpooling would be good.  We can also double park within the group. And there is a large parking area on Boughton Hill Rd where overflow can park and then carpool to School St.

Linda will lead the Naturalists and Tourists along the Blue Dryer Trail up Fort Hill to the Granary Trail that loops around the top of the hill where a Seneca granary store a significant amount of corn prior to July, 1687, when the Denonville campaign from Montreal destroyed Ganondagan and burned the granary. Hikers can read entries from the Denonville journals and enjoy views to the south of the hills around Canandaigua Lake. The trail up Fort Hill has several switchbacks making it a much easier route than the other trails to the granary.

The Climbers will stay on the Dryer Trail to Dryer Road Park. On the return hike, we will stop at the Granary as time permits.

Following the hike, join us for a social at a local restaurant.

Directions 

Can be easily found using GPS

From Springwater and South – Take Route 15A north Just past the green dollar store in Hemlock make a right onto 20A.  Make a left onto County Rd. 37 just before the Valley Inn on the corner.  Take County Rd. 37.  Continuing straight it will become Rt. 65, then W. Bloomfield Rd. (CR-35).  You will turn right onto Boughton Hill Rd. (CR-53 which becomes 41) Make a left onto School St and the parking lot will be on the left.

From Rochester, take I-490 to the Victor exit, then Route 96 to Victor. At the second traffic light in Victor, use the right turn lane onto School St. Continue on School St (it switches to School Rd outside the village) for 1.5 miles. The parking are is on the right.

Alternate parking is available at the Visitor Center. Go south from the School Rd lot to Boughton Hill Rd. Turn left, and the parking lot in on the left.

Powder Mills Park, off Route 96 in the Town of Perinton (just west of Eastview Mall), is one of Monroe County’s outstanding hunting-free hiking parks, with a nice group of wooded glacial ridges and lowlands on a 380-acre property with a fish hatchery and a ski hill. It has been a county park since 1930, after an interesting history as a gunpowder factory.

As you enter the park via Park Road, off of Rt. 96, on the left hand side you will see the infamous Mushroom House. This eclectic private house, built in 1970, resembles giant mushrooms. The architect, James H. Johnson, designed its five concrete stems and pods to suggest Queen Anne’s Lace (wild carrots). Even though it is a private home, there is a lane leading up to other homes, which you can drive up for a closer look prior to the hike. Please be respectful and stay near the end of the driveway for viewing and taking pictures.

Also, prior to the hike, just past the Mushroom House on the left, you can check out the Fish Hatchery at Powder Mills Park, which was established in 1933. The hatchery is open all year long. Throughout the year, up to 20,000+ brown and rainbow trout in various stages of development are raised there.

The Meeting Place:

Meet at the Rand Lodge Parking Lot on Park Road at 1:45 PM for group photo and 2 PM start. Water bottle, warm layers, hiking poles and good boots are strongly advised. Due to prior and same day rain forecasts, anticipating some slick, wet leaves, & muddy conditions.

On the day of the hike, two restroom options will be available: restrooms at Rand Lodge & a handicapped port-potty next to the Oak Tree Lodge.

The Hike:

The Climbers and Tourist/Naturalist groups will start off together, briefly stopping by a marker which tells the story of Powder Mills. From there, the groups will hike along the easy Trillium Trail (yellow trail markers), a .5 mile (one way) of wetlands and unique plant life. The groups will then cross over Woolston Road and enter the Pine Forest Trail (black trail markers), staying to the left; woods filled with pine, maple, oak, and many other types of trees. There will be a short uphill climb at the start, but the Tourist/Naturalist group should be able to manage it. When the groups reach a newly-built wooden trailhead, the groups will veer off to the right, picking up the Creek Trail (white/pale yellow markers). The groups will hike along this trail till reaching an impassible point (too wet and muddy); at this point, the groups will turn around and head back to the Pine Forest Trail (black markers).

The Tourist/Naturalist group* will then go right, heading back down the Pine Forest Trail, and then turn to the right to pick up the Creek Trail (white markers); once crossing over a small muddy patch of the trail, the group will go left, continuing on the Creek Trail, returning to Woolston Road; the group will crossover the road and return to the Rand Lodge via the Trillium Trail (yellow markers), exiting via the trail along the chain-linked fence and over the bridge (~2+ miles total). If enough time, the Tourist/Naturalist group are welcome to drive over and check out the Fish Hatchery before the optional Social.

The Climbers group* will then go left, completing the Pine Forest Trail loop, and then turn to the right to pick up the Creek Trail (white markers); once crossing over a small muddy patch of the trail, the group will go left, continuing on the Creek Trail, returning to Woolston Road; the group will crossover the road, continuing on the Trillium Trail (yellow markers). At the second Ridge Trail (green markers) path, turn right to hike up trail to the top, hike most of the Ridge Trail (has an overlook point that allows you to see west for miles & the remains of the old Rand household), before returning down the same path to the Trillium Trail, exiting via the trail along the chain-linked fence and over the bridge (~3.5 miles total).

The Social:

Please join us afterwards for our optional post-hike Social at Champps Kitchen & Bar on Route 96, located at 819 Eastview Mall, next to the main central entrance facing Route 96. Menu at: https://www.champpsfead.com/victor-menu

Directions:

From Springwater: Head north on 15A and make a right on Kellogg Road to County Road 37. Continue on CR37 to West Bloomfield, then continue straight on County Road 35, (a.k.a. West Bloomfield Road). Continue past Route 251, and make a right on Smith Road. Continue past Route 64 and make a left on Mile Square Road, which becomes East Street. In 2.6 miles make a right on Park Road. The Rand Lodge parking area will be on your right.

Via 490: From Interstate 490 – take the Bushnell’s Basin exit. Go left on Route 96, pass the Garnsey Road light, and take a right on Park Road. Go past the Fish Hatchery and Corduroy Road, then take the first left into the Rand Lodge parking lot.

Although we have visited this preserve numerous times over the years, it is good to pause and reflect on the history of this gem of the Finger Lakes.  Over one hundred years ago, after the sawmills of the Bristol Hills fell silent, white pine, hemlock, and oak seedlings began to sprout along the northern rim of Briggs Gully, one of the largest gorges in the Finger Lakes. The peaceful beauty of the forested glens and groves inspired three artists–John Wenrich, James Havens, and Colburn Dugan–in 1926, to purchase a 90 acre parcel which forms part of the preserve.  They built the cabin, which we will visit on our route, as a retreat. Their children, who inherited this small paradise, entrusted its care to the Finger Lakes Land Trust, who purchased it and additional parcels in 1999, then added a land grant from Chris White to create what is now the 390 acre Wesley Hill Preserve.

At this time bowhunting is permitted on 2 of the trails (Blue and Yellow) thus they are closed to hiking.  Please respect this. Our hikers will be traversing the Red, Orange, and Green Trails.

All hikers will meet at the Gulick Road Parking area.  Please be ready to hike at 2:00 PM.  Hiking boots and poles are highly recommended as the terrain is uneven and slippery in places.  To begin, all groups will head west on the Red Trail, around the pond and into the woods.

Naturalists will follow the Red Trail downhill toward the cabin along a lovely gully.  The cabin is in poor condition, but provides a glimpse into the past. There is a guest book and some interesting artifacts on the porch.  Hikers may be able to proceed a short way past the cabin on the Yellow Trail to a terrific overlook of Briggs Gully and Harriet Hollister Recreation area in the distance. If there is a closed sign, then they will need to head back up hill on the Red Trail to the pond and Parking area. Hike distance about 2 miles.

Tourists Shortly after the pond this group will turn right onto the Orange blazed trail.  They will follow this trail for1.2 miles to an intersection with the Yellow Trail. Turning left on Yellow will lead for .1 miles through the woods to the Red Trail .  At this point they can turn right downhill and walk to the cabin and Briggs Gully overlook.  They will then turn back up hill on the Red and follow it back to the pond and parking area.  Total Distance about 3 miles.

Climbers Be prepared for some climbing.  Following the Red Trail downhill from the pond, at the cabin turn left on Red down into a lovely gully and stream.  There is a steep uphill from the stream, up some rock steps with a railing and rope to help you climb.  Please use caution.  The Red Trail continues uphill along the gully, then flattens out at .7 miles where it reaches the Green Trail intersection.  The plan is to turn right and proceed downhill for .4miles into the famed Briggs Gully.  It is a steep rocky trail, but worth the trip.  If folks are not up for it, we can simply continue on the Red Trail which leads back to the parking area.  Total trip about 4 miles.

From Honeoye: take route 20A east through Honeoye to East Lake Road (CR 33). Turn right onto East Lake Road. (If coming from Bristol or points east, it’s a left onto East Lake Road).  Take the first left, staying on CR 33, then the first right onto Pinewood Hill which becomes Gulick Road. Travel about 5 miles to Wesley Hill Parking Area on the right side. Parking lot can fit about 16 vehicles; any late comers can park on the side of the road.

From Springwater: Head north on Rte. 15A toward Hemlock.  Just before Hemlock, turn right on Rte. 20A.  Follow Rt 20A to Honeoye and then follow the directions above.

From Naples: From the southern end of Naples, head west on Co Rd 36. Follow Co Rd 36 for 1.2 miles to the first right turn on Gulick Rd.  Follow Gulick for about 7 miles, past Cumming Nature Center.  The parking area is on the left.

The trail map for Wesley Hill is here: Wesley Hill Preserve

After taking a head count to make sure that no one has been left behind, We will gather at The Birdhouse Brewery on Main Street(RT.20A) in Honeoye for food and beverages.

The Holiday Market (local artisans) will be there as well as musical entertainment by Stephen Morrell.

Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY is one of the most remarkable Victorian cemeteries in America.  Since the cemetery’s dedication in 1838, a third of a million people have taken permanent residence in this exquisitely beautiful 196-acre site.

Hikers will walk the grounds on flat paved roads exploring thousands of monuments made from granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and bronze etc. fashioned into Greek temples, soaring Egyptian obelisks, ornately carved steles and columns, winged angels, bas relief portraits, stone figures in flowing robes along with flora and fauna of exquisite detail.

Along the way, hikers will also stop to visit some of the well-known graves including Susan B Anthony, Frederick Douglass, Nathaniel Rochester and William Warfield to name a few.  For additional information, check out Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetary www.fomh.org

Hikers will meet at 1:45pm at the North Gate entrance parking area in front of the 1862 chapel.

Social

Following our hike, join us for a social at Elmwood Inn– 1256 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 (practically a stone’s throw from the cemetery entrance.)

Directions

Mt Hope Cemetery is about 45 minutes north of Springwater, so carpooling should be considered.

From Springwater: Head north on NY 15A for 19 miles to Lima. Turn left on US-20 for 4.2 miles. Turn right onto I-390 N. At the split with 590, stay left on I-390 and then stay right to exit 16B for NY 15A/E Henrietta Rd. Continue straight past South Ave and turn right onto Mt Hope Ave. Go up and over the hill for 1.8 miles to the second entrance to the cemetery (north entrance).  There is parking inside the entrance.

From Naples: Take CR-36 (West Lake Rd) to Honeoye. Turn left on US-20A. In 5 miles turn right onto NY-15A and follow the Springwater directions.