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.

The fourth hike in our Bristol Hills Branch series will be called the up and down hike.The longest climb on this section will be 300 feet in elevation over half a mile, but there are two of those plus a third climb of about 150 feet. So this hike is a challenge to select a sections that are less steep, so you will find that the hikes are a little shorter than usual, allowing some time for catching our breath.

All hikers will meet at Access Pt 15 on CR 77.  This is the same spot that we meet last month. 

The Naturalists and Tourists will carpool to Williams Rd to the north. This hike starts with a short step descent from the road, followed by a half mile of uphill. A downhill section through woods and down shared driveway will cross CR 74 and follow Presler Rd into the Bud Valley Campground. This is the targeted end of the Naturalist hike and cars will be pre-staged here.  Based on the interest of the hikers, and the time, the Naturalists can explore the campground or continue on with the trail as it climbs to an abandoned road and another high point. The Tourists should check their watches at this high point and turn around to return to the campground.

Meanwhile, the Climbers will leave CR 77 and head north on the BHB. The trail immediately starts a climb to about 1600′ and to open views to the north. After crossing a creek, the trail turns west to follow an abandoned road between fields and descends to the campground.  Continue to follow the campground driveway north to CR 74. After crossing the road, we continue north along an old shared road. Follow the blazes and don’t miss the sharp left off the road. This hike ends at Williams Rd at the Naturalists cars.  Hikers intent on completing all of the BHB trail should turn right and follow the road to the next driveway where the trail enters the woods to the left.  We will continue the trail at this point after hunting season.

Following the hikes we will need to find all of the cars and then return to Naples for a social. 

Directions:

From Springwater (and Wayland, N Cohocton and Naples): Take Rt 15 South to Wayland.  At the stop light, turn left and follow Rt 21 through North Cohocton (take a left at the stop sign) to the south end of Naples.  At the stop sign, turn right onto NY 53S for 12.1 miles.  Turn left onto Waldo Rd. Continue straight onto CR 77 (Shuart Rd).  In 2.3 miles, parking is on the right hand shoulder just past the “Pulteney” sign.  

From Bath: Take Exit 37 from I86 (NY 17) for NY 53. Head north on NY 53 for 8.8 miles.  Turn right onto Bean Station Rd and take the first left (in 0.4 miles) on Muck Rd. At the end of Muck Rd, turn right on Shuart Rd.  Parking is on the right in 1.6 miles.

Directions to Williams Rd: Head west on CR 77. Stay on Cr 77 (turns to right) at Waldo Rd, and continue past Flynn Rd. The next right is Trant Rd which continues straight onto Williams Rd. The trail head is 0.3 miles up on Williams Rd.

This Sunday, Springwater Trails will continue our monthly hike series on the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail.on the hills east of Italy Valley. Next month we will hike down from these hills to Italy valley but for this hike we will stay between 1400ft and 2100ft. As of Friday, Snow and temperatures at 32 are predicted.  Expect some slippery slopes where walking sticks will be helpful.

NOTE: Due to hunting season closures, we will be skipping the section of the Bristol Hills Branch between Williams Rd and Pulteney Rd. But don’t worry, we will return to this section in January.

The trail from Pulteney Rd to Dunn Rd begins and ends with road walks. The 2.1 mile off road portion will form the heart of our hikes, of which we will have three levels.

All hikers will meet at the parking area at the end of Dunn Rd.  This will be the end point for the Climbers and Tourist hikes. From the parking area, we will all carpool to the two starting points, while dropping off cars to pick up the Naturalists on CR 34 (Italy Turnpike).

IMPORTANT: If you are a Naturalist (wanting to hike 2.1 miles) and are willing to arrive at 1:45 to leave your car to transport Naturalists back to our meeting place, please RSVP by email to info at springwatertrails.org.

The Climbers‘ hike (4.8 miles) will include all road walks for hikers who want to complete the entire BHB. We will start at Access 11 with a road walk along Pulteney Rd.  The road has a gradual downslope to Fivemile Creek. This is followed by a steep climb up about 120 ft, where the orange trail leaves the road to the left.The trail is fairly level for 2.1 miles. We will travel along a corn field before entering a Sugarbush around a beautiful stream with small waterfalls. The first road we cross is Italy Hill Rd.  Turn left and walk a hundred feet to the next hedge row. It is the same at Wetmore Rd – turn left on the road to the first hedgerow. At Emerson Rd the trail continues just a bit to the right.We will come out on onto CR 34 at mile 3. From this point, turn right on CR 34, and then left on Dunn Rd, to finish at the original gathering spot. Cars that were left at the end of Dunn Rd, can be used to retrieve the  climber’s cars on Pulteney Rd.

The Tourists and Naturalists will start at the point where the trail leaves Pulteney Rd north of Access 11. Since the Tourists are hiking farther (3.9 miles) than the Naturalists (2.1 miles), they should take the lead. The trail  will cross three roads (Italy Hill Rd (go left), Wetmore Rd (go left) and Emerson Rd (slight right)) before coming out onto CR 34 after 2.1 miles. We will have a car waiting on CR 34 for the Naturalists, who can drive east on CR 34 to Dunn Rd and then back to the parking lot, Meanwhile the Tourists will continue to hike to the right on CR 34, and then left on Dunn Rd. 

Following the hike, we will return to Naples for an optional dinner at the Redwood Inn.

Carpool instructions at the Hike: These instructions may be modified based on the number of hikers on the day of the hike.
One naturalist will be needed to drive the naturalists back to their cars. This person will drive their car from the Dunn Rd parking lot to CR 34. Another car will pick this driver up to go to the start of the hike.
The Climbers will drive all hikers to the start. They will head south on Dunn Rd back to CR 34, Turn left on CR 34. At the intersection with Italy Hill Rd, we will cross the road and turn right onto Pulteney Rd. Just before heading down the hill to Filemile Creek, we will stop to drop off the Naturalists and Tourists. The Climbers will then continue south east until the road turns east. This is Access where the trail comes in from the west. Climbers should turn around and park to the east of the access point on the north side of the road.

Directions: From the southern end of Naples, follow NY 53 toward Prattsburg. In 1.1 miles, turn left onto Italy Valley Rd (CR 21). In 5.5 miles, take a slight right onto Italy Hill Turnpike (CR 34). In 2.6 miles, turn left onto Dunn Rd. A large parking lot is at the end of the drivable portion of  Dunn Rd. If the parking area is full, or too muddy, park along the road facing toward CR 34.

Are you looking for a great winter hike. This Sunday may be perfect. There was about 4 inches of snow on the ground Thursday, enough so you know it is winter but not so much as to interfere with hiking. Traction devices and even snow shoes will give you a stable base as you hike, and even XC Skis would provide an enjoyable trip for anyone willing to carry their skis across a few gullies. 

Bring you traction devices or snowshoes and dress for winter, but in layers because you will warm up. And poles for stability. And plan to arrive at 1:45 to carpool to the top. If you miss us at the bottom parking area, please go directly to the end of Pulver Rd

This Sunday, the sunset will officially start to get later. We will take advantage of the extra minute of daylight for a hike from Dunn Rd up on Italy Hill for 5 miles down to Italy Valley.  We will pass through Italy Hill State Forest, and follow an old logging road on a gradual descent of nearly 1000 feet. At the bottom, a short (0.2mi) road walk on Italy Valley Rd will return us to our cars. This is one of the best downhills you will find – a very shallow steady incline broken up occasionally by various sized gullies. The trail is very even and well cared for.

In addition to the forest all around us, highlights include a small waterfall, the “Outback Inn Shelter”, and an absolutely beautiful Hemlock lined small gully on the trail down..

As usual on our Bristol Hills Branch hikes, this hike is a one way hike for Climbers and Tourists, so we will have some car driving to do at the beginning of the hike.

All hikers will meet at the parking area on Italy Valley Rd (42.626312, -77.281368) just north of the Flint Creek crossing at 1:45. All hikers will then carpool up to the top of Italy Hill.

The Climbers will drive South on Italy Valley Rd to Italy Turnpike, then up the hill to Dunn Rd where they will turn left and park at the end of the road. We will hike straight ahead on an abandoned section of the road for 0.7 mi, and then turn right to continue on the trail over to Pulver Rd where we will pass the Tourist cars and continue on the same route they are taking.

The Tourists will also drive South on Italy Valley Rd, up Italy Turnpike, past Dunn Rd and turn left on Italy Hill, and immediately left again on Pulver Rd. About 2.5 miles up Pulver, there is a parking area. The Tourists then hike north on the abandoned part of Pulver Rd for 0.2 miles and then will turn right into the woods. At 1.5 miles we hike down to the stream and waterfall, then scramble up the other side. At 1.7 miles we will reach the Outback Inn. After a brief rest at the Inn (bring an energy bar since this “Inn” is a carry in/carry out self serve establishment), we will start a long descent to the valley floor.

The Naturalists will carpool with the tourists to Pulver Rd, and will follow them to the waterfall. Turning around at the waterfall will mean a 3.0 mile out and back hike, primarily on flat terrain. 

Upon reaching Italy Valley Rd, the Tourists and Climbers will turn right to follow the road back to the cars. We expect there will be enough cars left at the bottom to get everyone back up to the Tourists and Climbers cars at the top in one trip.

Total mileage, according to the FLT map, will be 5 miles for the Climbers, 3.7 miles for the Tourists and less than 3.0 miles for the Naturalists.

Following the hike, an optional social will be at the Neapolitan Pizzeria at 120 North Main Street in Naples, NY. 

Directions

From Springwater, Wayland and Dansville: Take NY-15 south to Wayland. Turn left at the light onto NY 21 N.  In 6.7 miles turn left to stay on NY-21. At the stop sign in Naples, turn right on NY 53S. In 1.3 miles, turn left onto Italy Valley Rd. In 7.7 miles, just over the bridge, there if parking for the Bristol Hills Branch. Please arrive at 1:45 to give us time to carpool to the top of the hike.

From Honeoye: Take CR 36 (West Lake Rd) into Naples. Turn right on NY 21S and continue straight onto NY 53S. In 1.3 miles, turn left onto Italy Valley Rd. In 7.7 miles, just over the bridge, there if parking for the Bristol Hills Branch. Please arrive at 1:45 to give us time to carpool to the top of the hike.

NOTE: Just a reminder that we will not be hiking next Sunday on Christmas Eve. Join us on New Years Eve for a 2:00pm hike at Harriett Hollister Spencer Park. 

We will be hiking from Stevenson Forest Preserve to and thru Robert H. Treman State Park. Distance 8.8 miles (there will be no shorter hike offered).  We start the hike along the Stevenson Forest Preserve for about .5 mile and then have an early road walk with an uphill on Porter Hill Road.  Overall, we will be going on a descending plane on the hike.  Poles are recommended.  On the way, we will have an option of going thru the Bock-Harvey Preserve and will pass nearby the Pinecreek Campground. We will enter the State Park at Woodard Road.  The trail parallels the Enfield Creek.  Please come out and join your fellow hikers to get those legs moving on our spring hike in honor of Wally Wood. 

Please check for updates on the FLTC Website.

HIKE LEADERS

Theresa and Jay Evans 

MEETING TIME

9:30 a.m.  Please try to be there and ready to go at this time

MEETING  LOCATION

Parking area on Rt. 13/34/96—918-998 W. Danby Rd., Ithaca, NY  14850 – coordinates 42.3982,-76.5426 or N 42.23.8934 W76 32.7699, which is outside of Robert H. Treman State Park  (Eastern End) .

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING LOCATION

From Rt. 81 N/S take Exit 12onto Rt 281 to Rt. 13, continuing on thru Dryden, then to Ithaca, NY, Continue on Rt. 13 past entrance to Robert Treman State Park.  You then bear to left lane onto Rts. 34/96 and left again (circle around), parking area is the 2^nd right (comes up quickly) – Google the FLT interactive map if not familiar with this area.

(NOTE:  there will be a car pool shuttle (about 10 minutes) to the start of the hike at Stevenson Forest Preserve (on Trumble Corners Road). 

Annually, one of two big shindigs that Victor Hiking Trails (VHT) sponsors, is National Trails Day (NTD) observed each year on the first Saturday of June.  In 2018 the date is June 2nd.  VHT is of course one of many hiking groups that plans some organized observance on NTD.  Yep, that word “national” does in fact imply many groups across the USA observe or celebrate NTD in some manner.   Now, before I describe more about NTD activities that VHT hosts, you were wondering what the other big shindig that VHT has annually.  Weren’t You?  Answer: the second big shindig VHT does is the VHT “challenge hike” usually held sometime around late September.

NTD in Victor with VHT is usually three serial hikes, with a break in between each of the three hikes for rest and refreshment. The first hike is a morning hike and the last hike finishes in the afternoon.

Details for 2018 are:  On Saturday, June 2nd, Victor Hiking Trails will host the 26th annual National Trails Day in Victor. Come to Finger Lakes Community College, Victor Campus, located at 200 Victor Heights Parkway, Victor, NY 14564, at 8:30 a.m. for a free continental breakfast. There will be three easy hikes beginning at 9:00 A.M., bottled water and snacks, a free pizza lunch with drinks and raffle prizes. Everyone who completes all three hikes will receive a free one-year membership to Victor Hiking Trails.

You can also read about National Trails Day 2018 in the the VHT newsletter The Pathfinder Spring 2018 edition (volume 23, issue 1, pages 2 & 7).    A direct hyperlink to a VHT webpage about NTD 2018 is here.  And of course, you can check the VHT website for updated details about VHT’s NTD hike for June 2nd, 2018.

See hike description at https://www.fllt.org/events/30-for-30-anniversary-hike-at-the-wesley-hill-nature-preserve    Event includes a dish-to-pass

get-together with grill at the end of the hike.

We need a few volunteers to help re-route a section of the FLT between Seman Road and the Old Cemetery in Naples. Ideally we need 2 crews of at least 2 people each, one to paint out the old blazes and one to paint blazes on the new route. We estimate the job will take about 2 hours. Painting can be messy, so wear old clothes.

If you can offer some time, meet at 11:00am on Wednesday June 3^rd at Bob and Ruth’s Parking Lot at the junction of Route 245 and Route 21 in Naples.