Hikes led by Springwater Trails are generally held on Sunday afternoons and appear in this calendar in green.
Weather Update Based on our pre-hike on Saturday,, we recommend snow shoes or possibly skis if you have them. The snow was 6 or 7 inches deep and it will be easier to be on top of the snow.
Springwater is home to the highest point in Livingston County at 2244 feet above sea level. You can compare this to the highest point in the surrounding counties. Ontario County (Frost Hill) above Wesley Hill Preserve is 36 feet higher, and Steuben County (Jackson Hill) south of Canisteo is 156 feet higher. On the other hand, Hopper Hill west of Boughton Park in Monroe County is 1200 feet lower.
This Sunday, we will hike on New York State land in the north east corner of Springwater to the actual high point. We will start at the Ontario/Livingston county line on Wetmore Rd at 2000ft and will generally follow the snowmobile trail along the county line and then south through the woods to the highest point. The high point is on private land and we have permission this Sunday to see the actual benchmark placed in 1939. We will then continue south to Dutch Hollow Rd at about 1850ft.
Small portions of this hike will be off the trail, but overall it is not a difficult hike.
We will divide into two groups. The Naturalists/Tourists will primarily stay on the snowmobile trails and will cover 2.4 miles. They will end on Dutch Hollow Rd and we will carpool back to the start point. The Climbers will follow the same route, but will walk back to the cars, stopping to see another benchmark at the corner of Tabors Corners Rd and Wetmore Rd.
Following the hike, join us at John’s home on French Hill Rd. Directions will be available at the end of the hike. Please bring a dish to pass, your favorite beverage and your singing voice. We will do some seasonal singing around John’s piano.
Directions
From Springwater: Head north on NY 15A. In 0.8 miles, turn right onto Wheaton hill Rd. At the tee (in 3.4 miles) turn left onto Wetmore Rd. In 1 mile, park on the left side just before Tibbals Rd.
From Honeoye: Head west on US 20A. Turn left onto CR 37. In 3.7 miles, when CR 37 turns right, continue straight onto Canadice Hill Rd. Continue straight when Ross Rd turns slightly to the right. Go past Harriet Hollister Spencer SRA. At the Springwater Town Line, park on the right just past Tibbals Rd.
From Naples:
(Note that there are seasonal roads between Naples and our hike. If you want to use your GPS (good luck) and take the back roads, head first to the intersection of Garlinghouse and Pardee Hollow. Do not go over Richards Rd, Coates Rd, Liddiard Rd, Warner Rd or Feather St. If you want to get there without incident, follow the directions below).
Take NY 21 S through North Cohocton. Turn right in North Cohocton, to stay on NY 21. In 3.8 miles, turn right onto CR 37 (The sign says Bowles Corners). Stay on CR 37 as it becomes Livingston CR 36 (Tabors Corner Rd) for 5.4 miles until the first stop sign. Turn right onto Wetmore Rd. In one mile, park on the left side just before Tibbals Rd.
Located in Chemung County in the town of Big Flats, Steege Hil is a 794 acre preserve acquired in 2001 by the Finger Lakes Land Trust from an anonymous donor. In 1970, this area was nearly ruined by heavy logging. The Town of Big Flats took action to stop the degradation on the hill by shutting down the operation and passing a law regulating future logging within town limits. Now the original forest is making an impressive recovery. Numerous species of hardwoods prevail, mixed with conifers on the steeper slopes. Wildlife include black bear, timber rattle snakes, and Allegheny Mound Ants. Their distinctive nests can be found trail side and in open areas. For additional information and maps go to http://fllt.org/preserves/steege-hill-preserve
Steward, Bob Corneau has maintained a network of more than 6 miles of trails, mostly over old logging roads. It is our good fortune to be able to enjoy the quiet beauty of these tails on a winter afternoon, Check the Springwater Trails website on February 11 for an update on trail conditions. If there is snow we could ski or snowshoe.
Parking in very limited at this preserve so car pooling is strongly encouraged.
Hike Description
All groups will depart from the parking area on Steege Hill Rd. After a short but steep ascent, our groups will branch out as follows:
Naturalists will follow the yellow loop in a clockwise direction, enjoying some gentler terrain as well as views of the Chemung River and ponds. The ant mounds are numerous on this trail. Out nature experts will no doubt enjoy identifying the many varieties of trees and birds. Hike length will be about 2.5 miles.
Tourists will head our on the yellow loop in a counter clockwise direction, past the ponds and then onto the blue trail to loop through the forest back to the yellow trail. Views of the valley as well as the lower slopes should be nice. Hiking distance about 3.5 miles.
Climbers An ambitious journey awaits you, a complete circuit of the trail system.. This group will veer off from the initial climb to follow the white trail, traversing some significant ups and downs. They will sample the blue and red trails (more hills) before returning home on the yellow loop for about 5 miles. It’s all down hill on the return.
After Hike Social will be at Tag’s Restaurant on Rte, 352 in Big Flats.
Getting There Parking is VERY LIMITED. Roadside parking is not advisable. Please carpool from the Springwater Town Hall, leaving at 12:30. Drive time is about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Directions: Take 390 South to I 86 East. Take Exit # 48. Turn Right on NY 352. Go 1.5 miles. Turn right on S. Corning Rd. (Chemung CR 10). Go .7 miles. Just after bridge turn left on Steege Hill Rd. Go 1 mile. Slow down. Parking is on left. Preserve sign is difficult to spot.
Social There is a great little joint called Tags, recommended by local folks. To get there, retrace your steps back to Rte 352. Turn right and travel about 0.6 mile. Restaurant is on the right. Menu is full of salads, burgers, wraps and apps. See it at tagsrestaurant.com
Trail conditions Update 2/11/17. Looks like freezing rain tonight and rain tomorrow. Best bet is to wear waterproof clothing and bring traction control devices/ hiking poles in case conditions are slippery.
Anyone want to prehike Sunday’s hike. I plan to meet at Thorp Rd at 10:00 Thursday and hike up to the top of Hunt Hollow ski area. Please give me a call or email me at info@springwatertrails.org.
I Love My Park Day (ILMPD) is annually held on the first Saturday of May, a NYS Parks initiative. May 6th 2017 is the the 6th annual ILMPD and there are numerous opportunities in which to become involved on ILMPD. Many NYS Parks have planned activities for ILMPD, and many of the activities are targeted with improvement of the respective park.
Info is available on “Parks and Trails New York” website at a special webpage = www.ptny.org/ilovemypark Information also may be available for some opportunities and activities on the NYS Parks website. (Of note, the www.ptny.org website also holds information on numerous other observances and opportunities that occur throughout the year, all targeted at outdoor areas for recreation, relaxation and enjoyment.)
The three STATE PARKS closest to the homerange of Springwater Trails hikers that have participating opportunities in 2017 are Genesee Valley Greenway State Park (aka GVG), Stony Brook State Park, and Letchworth State Park.
GENESEE VALLEY GREENWAY STATE PARK
FOGVG website (in conjunction with the GVGSP) has posted info about opportunities in the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park for ILMPD 2017. FOGVG Facebook page
A clean-up event in Little Black Creek Park, located off Scottsville Rd along the GVG (Chili, Monroe County), is scheduled at 9:00AM-12:00Noon. There is a former Genesee Valley Canal culvert and waste weir on the GVG in Chili, so there’s an opportunity to learn and view some history at this clean-up event. (Details can be gleaned from the FOGVG Facebook page.)
FOGVG is also leading a hike on miles 80-83 of the GVGSP at 10:00AM May 6th, in Allegany County near the hamlet of Black Creek. (Details can be gleaned from the FOGVG Facebook page.)
STONY BROOK STATE PARK has a participatory event scheduled from 10:00AM-12:00Noon; meet at Clara Barton Shelter near the main parking area. One of the planned activities is picking up of the gorge trail, which seasonally closed Nov 19, 2016. (You can be one of the first this season to traverse the Gorge Trail on this day.) Grounds cleaning, Ball Field improvements and grass seeding are also among some activities.
LETCHWORTH STATE PARK from 8:30AM – 1:00PM has planned the following participatory events. Project/Event Description: Leaf and trash removal, garden cleaning, stone staircase maintenance (Shoveling), Playground maintenance, and invasive plant removal. Meeting Location is at Trailside Lodge. All ages welcome.
These are merely a small smattering of the opportunities to participate in during ILMPD – NYS 2017. – – – If passing through a park admission gate enroute to ILMPD 2017, be sure and inform the staff that you are participating in ILMPD efforts, and ask for directions to the meeting location if you need direction.
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.
What better way to kick off the New Year than by getting a jump start torching off those holiday calories in the great outdoors. Springwater Trails is leading one of the dozens of sponsored hikes held each New Year’s Day on public lands across the Empire State.
Local volunteers and staff from DEC and State Parks will be leading family-friendly walks and hikes. The hikes range from one to five miles depending on the location and conditions. Check out the great hikes available.
Our hike will be along Canadice lake. The trail will be easy to moderate difficulty. There are approximately 14 miles of marked hiking trails on Hemlock-Canadice State Forest. The trip length will be family-friendly and determined by participants.
Please dress appropriately for the weather. Bring snowshoes if there is snow. Bring hiking poles, wear good boots and carry water with you.
Directions: v Springwater: Head north on NY-15A. In 7.6 miles, turn right into Purcell Hill Rd. Go up and over the hill (1.2 miles). At the bottom but before the lake, the parking is on the right.
From Rochester and Hemlock: head south on Ny-15A. Go through Hemlock NY. In 3.5 miles, turn left onto Purcell Hill Rd. Go up and over the hill (1.2 miles). At the bottom but before the lake, the parking is on the right.
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!
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