This weekend, February 11th & 12th, 2017, you’ll have two Springwater Trails (ST) hike event opportunities.  The Sunday hike is a “travel hike” to Steege Hill in Big Flats, NY.  There is also a ST “Bonus Hike Event” on Saturday in form of a Hike Combo Event in Penfield, NY, … which is the subject of the ‘event post’ you are reading (here and now). This Hike Combo Event in Penfield is also a “travel hike”, albeit a closer travel than is Steege Hill.

The Saturday 2/11/2017 ST hike starts at 1:00PM in Penfield, NY.  There are two separate start points for the ST hike event!!!   In fact there are two different parks, both in Penfield NY, which are holding the hike routes and start points for this ST hike event.  One hike is described as strenuous, hilly, 5-6 miles in length at Lucien Morin Park (aka Rifle Range Trail & more trails), a hike for ST Climbers. (Mildly stated, it is highly likely you’ll want TDs for this hilly hike at this time of year, be it snow/ice/mud for trail conditions.  See the further description about TDs below.)   The other hike is described as easy, ~ 2 miles on mostly flat trails, a hike for ST Tourists & Naturalists.  After-hike social to be held at MacGregor’s Grill & Tap Room at 1129 Empire Blvd, Penfield.

This ST Bonus Hike Combo Event is scheduled in Penfield so as to conveniently sync with the 6th Annual Hikers’ Jamboree (HJ2017), which is badged as an “Indoor Hike” event, organized by Penfield Trails Committee (PTC), scheduled for 10:00AM-12:00Noon at Penfield Town Hall Auditorium situate at 3100 Atlantic Avenue, Penfield, NY.  Following HJ2017, two outdoor hikes are subsequently provided at 1:00PM at two separate parks in Penfield, both with some included history components.  This years program presentation for HJ2017 is on the famed railroad high bridge (viaduct) situate in Letchworth State Park. The viaduct high above the Genesee River is 140+ years old and will soon be replaced by a new viaduct.  You’ll learn much more about these two viaducts at the HJ 2017 viaduct program presentation which runs ~10:30-11:40am.   Penfield Town Hall is located at 3100 Atlantic Av, Penfield NY; ~ GPS coords  43.160959 , -77.446125

(Of note, many ST hikers will recall a ST hike on Oct 13, 2013 in Letchworth State Park where all three hiking subgroups by chance were on the trail near the base of this 1875 railroad high bridge, when we all had chance opportunity to view a train pass overhead!  Thanks go to superb arrangement by that day’s Hike Planners Joan & Bob for the rare experience.)

During HJ2017 light refreshments will be served, so you’ll have sustenance/fuel opportunity before availing of choice of two outdoor hike locations with an 1:00PM start time.        For easy reference and more info, here is an Event post about Hikers’ Jamboree 2017 as published on the ST website.

  ⇓ TWO HIKES ⇓ Start times for both at 1:00PM.

Those ST hikers desiring a  Climbers level hike, (which will finish ~ 3:15PM), will hike in Lucien Morin Park, an “undeveloped” Monroe County Park, located at 1135 Empire Blvd. Climbers, as a ST subgroup, will actually be “joining-in” a GVHC hike that is led by Ryan B.  (A number of ST hikers are previously acquanted with Ryan from previous hikes & socialization.)  The hike start is at the entrance to Lucien Morin Park (a Monroe County Parks System park), the park entrance is off Empire Blvd near the foot of Irondequoit Bay, and situate immediately east of MacGregor’s Grill & Tap Room Restaurant (1129 Empire Blvd).

This hike will be hilly and will be adjacent Irondequoit Creek in some areas, and will traverse areas that were used in World War reserve troop training, including rifle training and more.  Remnants of training areas still remain suggesting some of the training that took place.  The “lost city of Tryon” lies on the the east side of Irondequoit Creek as does Tryon Park, an undeveloped Monroe County Park.  Tryon Park can be seen accros the creek at various places on this hike.

Parking at Lucien Morin Park: There is a parking lot for this park at the end of the rather short park entrance road (entrance road runs off Empire Blvd).  You can see the parking lot from Empire Blvd.  Additional parking if needed can be had at MacGregor’s Grill & Tap Room Restaurant parking lot, said parking lot is immediately adjacent the park’s parking lot and entrance road. Please be respectful of this business who allows hikers to utilize the lot for overflow parking, if needed please park as far back in this business’s parking lot as is possible.

Being Climbers subgroup is joining-in a GVHC hike, GVHC hike rules apply (which are quite similar to ST hike rules).  Perhaps the most glaring difference of hike rules … on GVHC hikes DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED!  So, if you want to hike with your dog on today’s ST provided for hike, you’ll need to do so with the Tourists/Naturalists which is wholly a ST hike (ie – not a join-in with GVHC).  

Note: Climbers should expect many more hikers at this hike than ST hikers usually experience at a hike.   Lucien Morin Park hike route is hilly and can be strenuous for some, but hey, that’s what Climbers are all about.

Naturalists & Tourists will hike in Ellison Park as accessed via Blossom Rd (at the bottom of Blossom Rd hill, ~1809 Blossom Rd).  Ellison Park is a Monroe County Parks System park. Start point for this hike is in the parking lot on the north side of Blossom Rd, … the parking lot at the bottom of Blossom Rd hill that is not the “Dog Park” parking lot but is slightly east of the Dog Park parking lot.  Well behaved dogs accompanied by owners are allowed on this Ellison Park hike route, where Gene will be the ST Hike Leader.

This Ellison Park hike route is mostly a flat route for an easy hike, substantially paralleling two bifurcations of Irondequoit Creek, reaching a memorial marker of an Indian trading post and site of Fort Schuyler where a reproduction of the original fort structure is situate.

⇓  TRACTION DEVICES, A HIKER’S FRIEND  ⇓

Given that it is winter season, Traction Devices (TDs) may be in order (read … probably an excellent idea) for each of these two hikes routes.  Lucien Morin Park trails are hilly and under certain conditions can be strenuous sans TDs.  TDs help to tame the hills when they are slippery with ice &/or mud.  Ellison Park trail route can also be slippery albeit the trail route is mostly flat.  TDs such as Kahtoola MICROspikes, Hillsound Trail Crampons, Hillsound Trail Crampons Ultra, and similar, may be desirable on Lucien Morin Park hills, and same type or lesser aggressive TDs may be good for Ellison Park.

If your best guess is there is no snow and/or ice if hike day’s temps are higher than average, well… that could equate to mud on the hills which equates to a need for added traction.   (A side note, I have under similar conditions seen hikers quickly return to the start point due to lack of having TDs and the trail being beyond their best adjudged capabilities without them.)

Hug The Trees, Please!  When wearing TDs with spikes/cleats & similar … please be kind to trees … whenever possible anticipate your footing placement on the trail and step over tree roots, not directly on them which can puncture and damage roots & ultimately health of those trees and on larger scale the forest and ecosystem.  Think about it … If you were lying on the trail gazing at the sky would you rather have a group of hikers wearing sharp piercing TDs step on you, or, step over you or around you.  Safe to say if hikers were NOT stepping on you you’d be unscathed by those sharp cleats and spikes of said passing hikers, but not so if alternatively they stepped on you with those sharp metal cleats & spikes.

⇓  DIRECTIONS TO HJ2017 AND THEN TO TWO SUBSEQUENT SEPARATE HIKES  ⇓

Directions to PENFIELD TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM, 3100 Atlantic Ave aka NYS Rt 286.  For Penfield Trails Committee’s (PTC) “Indoor Hike” aka Hikers’ Jamboree 2017 scheduled 10:00AM-12:00Noon.  From points south of Rochester take expressway I-390 northbound, to expressway Rt 590 northbound, to exit for Browncroft Blvd / NYS Rt 286, head east on NYS Rt 286 which is also Browncroft Blvd and which will change names to Atlantic Avenue at the intersect with Whalen Rd & Scribner Rd 4-way intersection, continue on NYS RT 286 / Atlantic Avenue to just past Jackson Rd and then turn let into the Penfield Town Hall driveway.

 ⇓ Directions: to the two separate hike start locations (1:00PM hike), from Penfield Town Hall. ⇓

To LUCIEN MORIN PARK (1135 Empire Blvd) – NO DOGS ALLOWED on this hike: From Penfield Town Hall utilize Town Hall’s entrance/exit drive aka Columbus Crossing (westbound) to Jackson Rd and turn right onto Jackson Rd, proceed northbound on Jackson Rd to Plank Rd & turn Left, proceed on Plank Rd to Empire Blvd, turn left onto Empire Blvd and near the bottom of the Empire Blvd hill on the left you will find the entrance drive to Lucien Morin Park.  (It is immediately adjacent MacGregor’s Grill & Tap Room Restaurant.)

To ELLISON PARK (~1809 Blossom Rd) – DOGS ARE ALLOWED on this hike: From Penfield Town Hall utilize the Town Hall’s Atlantic Av aka NYS Rt 286 entrance/exit drive, turn right heading westbound onto NYS RT 286 aka Atlantic Av, continue on NYS RT 286 / Atlantic Av westbound (realizing Atlantic Av will change names to Browncroft Blvd at the intersect with Whalen Rd & Scribner Rd 4-way intersection), continue on NYS RT 286 / Browncroft Blvd to the 4-way intersect with Creek St and Blossom Rd, turn left onto Blossom Rd and proceed on Blossom Rd down a winding hill to the Ellison Park parking lot on the right which is is slightly east of the Dog Park parking lot. (hints: There is a porta-potty at the far west side of this hike meet parking lot, and also a winter ice skaing rink immediately contiguous to the west side of this parking lot. Hike Meet point is about in the middle of this designated parking lot.  If as you travel on Blossom Rd, you reach the dog Park parking lot, you went to far and have passed the designated hike meet parking lot.)

⇓  Directions: to the two separate hike start locations (1:00PM hike), from points south of Rochester.  ⇓ 

Directions to LUCIEN MORIN PARK:   –  take expressway I-390 northbound, to expressway Rt 590 northbound, to the exit for NYS Rt 404 / Empire Blvd exit, head east NYS Rt 404 / Empire Blvd to the bottom of the hill / foot of Irondequoit Bay, Lucien Morin Park (1135 Empire Blvd) entrance road and parking lot is immediately east of MacGregors Grill & Tap Room Restaurant at 1129 Empire Blvd.

Directions to ELLISON PARK: – take expressway I-390 northbound, to expressway Rt 590 northbound, to Blossom Rd exit, head east on Blossom Rd to the bottom of the hill, where Ellison Park will then be on both sides of Blossom Rd.  Ellison Park parking lot for this hike is on the north side of Blossom Rd (a left turn into the lot), further described as the parking lot at the bottom of Blossom Rd hill that is not the “Dog Park” parking lot but is slightly east of the Dog Park parking lot.     (If you reach “Gatherings Catering” Company – at “Daisy Flour Mill” Party House / Restaurant, situate in the circa 1840 Daisy Flour Mill building, on the right side of Blossom Rd, you’ve gone too far.)

AFTER-HIKE SOCIAL & ⇓ Directions thereto ⇓:  After-hike social is at MacGregor’s Grill & Tap Room Restaurant [phone=288-8630] located at 1129 Empire Blvd next to Lucien Morin Park.   So Climbers will merely walk nextdoor from the hike end portal to MacGregor’s.

Naturalists/Tourists will need to drive to the social.  From Ellison Park on Blossom Rd head east up a long winding hill, at the 4-way intersection of Blossom Rd & Creek St (where Browncroft Blvd aka Rt 286 intersects) continue straight onto Creek St, at Plank Rd turn left, at Empire Blvd turn left, at the bottom of Empire Blvd hill & the foot of Irondequoit Bay will be MacGregor’s of the left.

Springwater Trails (ST) and Genesee Valley Hiking Club (GVHC aka GVHG) both provide their hikes as open to the general public, no need to be a respective member to hike with either group.  Hike rules as set by respective groups and Hike Leaders apply.

Following the Sunday hike, join us for the Springwater Trails, Inc, annual meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to elect officers for 2017 and to plan for the upcoming year. Following the business portion of the meeting, Fran Gotcsik of Lima, NY, will share some of the experiences she has had during 26 years of working to launch new hiking and multi-use trails across New York. In 1991 Fran became the Local Coordinator for the Genesee Valley Greenway, and in 1996, she became the Executive Director of the Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway. In 2003, Fran joined Parks and Trails New York, where she is currently a Senior Consultant.

The Social and Annual Meeting is open to everyone interested in Springwater, trails and hiking. Your comments and advice are welcome during the meeting.  Voting for officers and other business brought up at the meeting is limited to members of Springwater Trails. Honorary memberships are awarded to hikers who have completed 20 group activities during the previous calendar year, to members of the executive board who have served for a full year term, and to individual who have served as a seasonal hike coordinator during one season. Membership forms will also be available at the meeting and memberships for 2017 can be purchased for $10 ($15 for a family).

There are six elected officers: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, VP of hiking, and trail master. We will be accepting nominations for all six offices during the annual meeting, and all members will be allowed to vote for one nominee for each office. The duties of each officer are described in Article IV of the By-Laws of the Springwater Trails, Inc.

Agenda

• Welcome to members and friends
• A review of 2016 and plans for 2017
• Nominations from the floor for Officers
• Election of Officers
• Trails of New York – Fran Gotcsik
• Adjournment

Victor Hiking Trails (VHT) will be leading a hike this Saturday 3/25/2017 at 8:00 a.m. from “the Apple Farm” to Boughton Park, around the two ponds (aka former reservoirs) in Boughton Park and back to “the Apple Farm”, a distance of 9 to 11 miles, rated as strenuous and hilly.  Guesstimate of 3.5 – 4 hour hike (thus end time on 12;00 Noon listed in the heading of this hike event announcement is an approximation).   **Traction Devices (TDs) will be very helpful for this hike (understated), given terrain and known conditions at this time of year.

The hike is part of the hike series of Genesee Valley Hiking Club (& GVHG Meetup).  All hikers are welcome.  Anyone who is interested is encouraged to sign up on the GVHG Meetup.   – – For this hike, parking and hike start point is at the Apple Farm. – –

(Of note, Springwater Trails hikers have hiked a few of our weekly Sunday hikes in Boughton Park.)

As in part described, this hike will cover not only parts of Boughton Park but also substantial mileage on the Seneca Trail and the spur trail that is within “the Apple Farm” (aka the Victor Apple Farm).

FYI – as was in the news – “the Apple Farm” (in Victor), located at 1640 NYS Rt 444 (on the west side of Rt 444), sustained a fire in the sales and office building on November 4th 2016, a total loss.  The remainder of the farm structures and orchard remain intact, and intent is to rebuild a sales and office building.

The Apple Farm is one of many property owners who grants access for hiking trails on privately owned property.

One thought for a possible future hike – – plan a hike in the autumn at the Apple Farm, and provide for post hike apple picking  (perhaps as a social event itself, or as part of a social that may be held at the Apple farm where picnic tables are provided, or separate from a social).  A symbiotic hike event, such that the Apple Farm as landowners provides hiking trails (and access thereto), and hikers support the business of the landowners by purchasing apples and other goodies.

– – Back in the day, if this author recalls correctly, Maple Syrup from Sugarbush Hollow located in Springwater (owned by dearly departed Chuck Winship, a ST hiker and avid supporter of ST) was offered for sale at the Apple Farm store. – –

The NCS Honor Society has offered to do some maintenance and construction work on the BHB in Naples as part of their community service commitment. They will be working on the landscaping around the new bridge on Gideon Hanggi’s land. If you can spare a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon in October to help Donna, our FLT volunteer coordinator, to support these teenagers, please meet at Bob and Ruth’s parking lot on Rt 21 in Naples at 12:30. We will work from 1 to 3.  Please RSVP if you plan to come.

Springwater Trails has agreed to maintain the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail between Clement Rd and NY 245 in Naples. The FLT is sponsoring a workshop on trail mainentance on Oct 14th in Bath.

This is an opportunity for all hikers interested in helping to maintain hiking trail with Springwater Trails to learn more about the tasks required to maintain a great trail and to get to know other people who are also working on the trail.

Please look at this season’s Trail Tenders News for more details and RSVP if you are interested in attending.  We can arrange a car pool if we know you want to come.

Directions from Springwater: Take NY 15 south through Wayland. Turn left onto I390 S, which joins I86 E in 16 miles.  Take Exit 38 and turn left onto NY 54 N. Go under the expressway and turn right at the first intersection E. Morris St.  The Fire Hall is on the right in 1.1 miles.

It is time again for the Springwater Trails, Inc. annual meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to elect officers for 2018, to inform our members about the activities of the group in 2017 and the handle any new business concerning the organization and the year ahead.

The schedule for the day will be: Hike the Springwater Center property at 2:00, Social setup at 4:00, Annual meeting at 4:45, Traveling in Europe at 5:15.

Following the business portion of the meeting, our own Vice President, John Larysz will share his pictures and experiences traveling in Europe. There will be an opportunity for the audience to ask important questions such as the camera that he uses, how to rent a car that Americans can drive in Europe, or how to pronounce his name. You may have seen some of his pictures on Facebook, so this will be a great opportunity to hear commentary about the best of the best.

The Social and Annual Meeting is open to everyone interested in Springwater, trails and hiking. Your comments and advice are welcome during the meeting.  Voting for officers and other business brought up at the meeting is limited to members of Springwater Trails, Inc. Honorary memberships are awarded to hikers who have completed 20 group activities during the previous calendar year or to 5 maintenance events, to members of the executive board who have served for a full year term, and to landowners who allow the Springwater Trail on their property. Membership forms are also available on line and at the meeting and memberships for 2018 can be purchased at the meeting or before for half price ($10 for an individual, $15 for a family).

If you are able to join us for the social after the hike, please bring a dish to pass and a non-alcoholic beverage or consider making a cash donation.  There is a complete kitchen to store and reheat the dishes as needed.  

Please bring slippers as shoes will  need to be removed at the door.

There are five elected officers: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and VP of hiking. We will be accepting nominations for all five offices during the annual meeting, and all members will be allowed to vote for one nominee for each office. The duties of each officer are described in Article IV of the By-Laws of the Springwater Trails, Inc.

Annual Meeting Agenda

Welcome to members and friends
The year 2017 in review
President’s report
VP of Hiking report
Treasurer’s report
Nominations from the floor for Officers
Election of Officers
Plans for 2018

Traveling in Europe 
pictures and commentary from John Larysz

Adjournment

It is time again for the Springwater Trails, Inc. annual meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to elect officers for 2019, to inform our members about the activities of the group in 2018 and to handle any new business concerning the organization and the year ahead.

The schedule for the day will be: Hike the Springwater Center property at 2:00, Social setup at 4:00, Annual meeting at 4:45, Gardening with Native Wildflowers  at 5:15.

Following the business portion of the meeting, Ellen Folts of Amanda’s Garden and one of the founding members of the Springwater Parks and Trails committee will present a talk about Gardening with Native Wildflowers. This will be an opportunity to see the beauty of our local plants and how they fit into your garden. 

The Social and Annual Meeting is open to everyone interested in Springwater, trails and hiking. Your comments and advice are welcome during the meeting.  Voting for officers and other business brought up at the meeting is limited to members of Springwater Trails, Inc. Honorary memberships are awarded to hikers who have completed 20 group activities during the previous calendar year or to 5 maintenance events, to members of the executive board who have served for a full year term, and to landowners who allow the Springwater Trail on their property. Membership forms are also available on line and at the meeting and memberships for 2019 can be purchased this month for half price ($10 for an individual, $15 for a family).

If you are able to join us for the social after the hike, please bring a dish to pass and a non-alcoholic beverage or consider making a cash donation.  There is a complete kitchen to store and reheat the dishes as needed.  

Please bring slippers as shoes will  need to be removed at the door.

There are five elected officers:

President
Vice President
VP of hiking.
Secretary
Treasurer

We will be accepting nominations for all five offices during the annual meeting, and all members will be allowed to vote for one nominee for each office. The duties of each officer are described in Article IV of the By-Laws of the Springwater Trails, Inc.

Annual Meeting Agenda

Welcome to members and friends
The year 2018 in review
VP of Hiking report
Treasurer’s report
Nominations from the floor for Officers
Election of Officers

Gardening with Native Wildflowers
Ellen Folts – Amanda’s Garden

Adjournment

The Steuben County Fairgrounds in Bath, NY will be transformed into a celebration of all things outdoors on Friday, July 26. The Finger Lakes Trail Conference along with the Steuben County Conference & Visitors Bureau and Friends of the Chemung River is excited to present the first Finger Lakes Trail Days over two jam packed days.

Kicking off the festivities Friday night is a concert featuring the Grammy Award winning bluegrass band, Steep Canyon Rangers. The duet of Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley will show off their guitar and vocal prowess warming up for the Steep Canyon Rangers.

Doors open at 6:00 pm and food and drink will be available.

Tickets can be purchased for either Friday evening’s concert or for Saturday; a two-day pass is also available. For more information on tickets, activities, on-site camping opportunities and the music schedule visit www.fingerlakestraildays.com or contact info@fingerlakestraildays.com

The Steuben County Fairgrounds in Bath, NY will be transformed into a celebration of all things outdoors on Friday, July 26. The Finger Lakes Trail Conference along with the Steuben County Conference & Visitors Bureau and Friends of the Chemung River is excited to present the first Finger Lakes Trail Days over two jam packed days.

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast who already spends weekends hiking, biking, kayaking or fishing/hunting or someone who has always thought about trying something new, Saturday is filled with outdoor recreation activities of all kinds.

Additionally, enjoy local food, drinks, and a remarkable musical line-up. From 8:30 – 3pm there will be hikes of varying lengths and difficulty levels (click here for more information).

Also, check out the guided tours of places of interest in the area.

Beginning at 11 am at the Fairgrounds, attend one of the many interesting presentations, ranging from Geocaching to Yoga, Birdwatching to Medicinal plants and more.

Local food trucks and beer garden will be available all throughout the day.

Attendees can also experience a zip line, climb a rock wall, learn to kayak or mountain bike and navigate a ropes course.

There is a stellar lineup of outdoor exhibitors available to answer questions and provide information about their organization. Hiking groups from around the state will be available.

And meet the experts to find out more about birding, conserving land, our local rivers or monarchs.

Throughout the day you will hear a music line-up featuring Sawyer Fredericks (the 2015 winner of The Voice), Cicada Rhythm, Joshua Davis, Aaron Lipp & the Slack Tones, and Joseph Alton Miller.

There are plenty of activities for the entire family!