The Keuka Outlet Trail is seven miles long and follows the winding waterway where Keuka Lake flows eastward into Seneca Lake.  The trail runs along an old railroad bed, has only a slight incline, and the surface is a combination of dirt, gravel, and ballast. You can find more information at www.keukaoutlettrail.org.  There is also an audio tour, so bring a charged phone and you can listen to some of the history along the trail.

Meet up:  We will all meet at the Cascade Falls Access Point parking area, which is right between the two waterfalls, at 3:45 pm.  

Bikers:  After signing in, bikers will ride to the Dresden parking area, ride the full length to Penn Yan, and return for a total 14 mile ride.

Hikers: Head east towards Cascade Mills Falls, enjoy the view of the falls and then turn around and head west towards Seneca Mills Falls.  After viewing the Seneca Mills Falls, continue west to Turtle Pond. Keep heading west until it is time to turn around in order to be back at the parking area around 6:00 pm.

Social:  The bring-a-dish social will be at the Cascade Falls Access parking area.  Bring a lawn chair and a folding table if you have one. Also bring your own beverage and a dish to pass, or make a $5 donation to our social fund.

Directions from Canandaigua:  Take 5 & 20 through Canandaigua, just before you reach Geneva, take 14A south to Penn Yan. Make a left onto Elm St. Sunoco Gas station on one corner and Walgreens on the other corner, Rt. 54A comes in on the right, there is no street sign here.  Pick up directions below continuing on Elm St.

Directions from the south, Wayland, Dansville, Cohocton:  travel north on Rt. 53 towards Naples and make a right onto Italy Valley Rd.  Continue with directions below from Italy Valley Rd.

Directions from the north Honeoye, Springwater: make your way to Rt. 53 just south of Naples and turn left onto Italy Valley Rd.  Continue with directions below from Italy Valley Rd.

Directions from Italy Valley Rd.: Bear right at the Y onto Italy Tpk. Rd. go to the end and make a left onto Italy Hill Road bear right past Blue Eagle Tavern. Take Italy Hill Rd. (rt. 32) past Hunt Country Vineyards to the traffic light in Branchport. Continue straight through the Branchport traffic light this is 54A.  Stay on 54A which brings you right into Penn Yan and onto Elm St.  Go straight through the light and pick up the directions below continuing on Elm St.

Directions from Prattsburgh: Take N. Main St to Prattsburgh Italy Hill Rd., which turns into Italy Hill Rd. (rt. 32) continue around the bend, past Hunt Country Vineyards right into Branchport.  Continue straight through the Branchport traffic light this is 54A.  Stay on 54A which brings you right into Penn Yan and onto Elm St.  Go straight through the light and pick up the directions below continuing on Elm St.

Directions continuing on Elm St. in Penn Yan: Continue straight on Elm all the way to the end. Cornwall St. is to the left and Outlet Road is to the right.  Bear right onto Outlet Road.  Continue straight and you will pass Stiles Rd on your left, continue on and you will see a red barn on the right and a small parking area just past the barn, which is Seneca Mills Access. Go past this parking area and you will come to a road (Ridge Road/Mays Mills Road) on the right and will see another parking area straight ahead where we will be meeting.  This is the Cascade Falls Access Point parking area.

This Sunday we will hike the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) starting at the Mt. Morris Dam and Visitors Center Parking Lot, as well as the Wildlife Loop Trail within the Dam property.  We expect to enjoy the height of summer colors and, as we follow the east rim of the Letch worth Gorge, the spectacular views of the gorge and Genesee River below.

The Wildlife Loop trail within the dam property is beautiful in its own right, with forest and grassy fields.

Three levels of hiking are planned – “Climbers”, “Tourist, and Naturalists”.

The Tourists will hike south on the yellow blazed (FLT) trail along the rim of the gorge, jogging east slightly away from the river across a boardwalk through a small wet area, stop at Hogsback Overlook to view the Hogsback formation of the river gorge, continue on the trail and after hiking 1 hour, turning around to head back.  On the way back, we will follow the same yellow blazes but take the alternate orange blazed trail along the rim of the gorge which joins back up with the yellow trail, back to the parking lot.  Total hike is 3.25 miles. Tourists may wish to walk the “Wildlife Loop”, once back to the parking lot.

The Naturalists may wish to walk the “Wildlife Loop” that starts to the right of the visitors center.  (blue trail)

The Climbers who want a longer hike can hike from the Visitors Center following the yellow blaze Finger Lakes trail down to Lorenz Park in the village and return back on the Finger Lakes Trail. Climbers can continue along the Finger Lakes Trail south  following the yellow blaze markers  along gorge trail to complete the 2 hour hike.

 The Hike Assembly Point:

The Visitors Center should be open with bathrooms, however, if closed,  there is a bathroom adjacent to the parking lot that may be open on the day of the hike.  All hikers will begin the hike at the Mt. Morris Dam Visitor Center Parking Lot.  The trail access is at the west end of the parking lot (to your left as you face the gorge).

Social:

After the hike, all are welcome to gather at the larger pavilion located adjacent to the parking lot.  Bring a dish to pass or a donation to the club fund would be appreciated, drink, and a chair.

Directions:

The Mt Morris Dam Visitor Center is about 45 minutes from Springwater, so please plan ahead. If you have a GPS, try entering Mt Morris Dam as your destination. Or enter Damsite Rd or 6103 Visitor Center Rd, Mt Morris.

From Springwater: Take Rt 15N and then left on Liberty Pole Rd.  Stay on that road all the way to Rt63. There, take a left, and a quick right, onto Rt 258. At Rt 36, take a right and proceed to Mt. Morris. Turn left onto NY-408 South.

From Wayland: you can take I-390 north to exit 7. Turn left at the exit on NY-408 S to Mt. Morris. NY-408 goes left at Main St, then right on Chapel St.

From Hemlock and Honeoye: follow 20A West through Livonia and Lakeville to 390S. Exit at exit 7 NY 408 S to Mt Morris. Stay on 408 through Mt Morris.

From Rochester: Take I-390S to Exit 7 NY 408S.  Stay on Rt 408 through Mt Morris.

From NY 408 in Mt Morris: Go south on 408 for 1.8 miles to Visitor Center Rd. Turn right at the Visitor Center Road and follow the road all the way to the Dam and Visitor Center Parking lot.

ional details about this hike are coming soon.  Please check back.

This Sunday we will hike the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) starting at the Mt. Morris Dam and Visitors Center Parking Lot, as well as the Wildlife Loop Trail within the Dam property.  We expect to enjoy the height of summer colors and, as we follow the east rim of the Letch worth Gorge, the spectacular views of the gorge and Genesee River below.

The Wildlife Loop trail within the dam property is beautiful in its own right, with forest and grassy fields.

Three levels of hiking are planned – “Climbers”, “Tourist, and Naturalists”.

The Tourists will hike south on the yellow blazed (FLT) trail along the rim of the gorge, jogging east slightly away from the river across a boardwalk through a small wet area, stop at Hogsback Overlook to view the Hogsback formation of the river gorge, continue on the trail and after hiking 1 hour, turning around to head back.  On the way back, we will follow the same yellow blazes but take the alternate orange blazed trail along the rim of the gorge which joins back up with the yellow trail, back to the parking lot.  Total hike is 3.25 miles. Tourists may wish to walk the “Wildlife Loop”, once back to the parking lot.

The Naturalists may wish to walk the “Wildlife Loop” that starts to the right of the visitors center.  (blue trail)

The Climbers who want a longer hike can hike from the Visitors Center following the yellow blaze Finger Lakes trail down to Lorenz Park in the village and return back on the Finger Lakes Trail. Climbers can continue along the Finger Lakes Trail south  following the yellow blaze markers  along gorge trail to complete the 2 hour hike.

 The Hike Assembly Point:

The Visitors Center should be open with bathrooms, however, if closed,  there is a bathroom adjacent to the parking lot that may be open on the day of the hike.  All hikers will begin the hike at the Mt. Morris Dam Visitor Center Parking Lot.  The trail access is at the west end of the parking lot (to your left as you face the gorge).

Social:

After the hike, all are welcome to gather at the larger pavilion located adjacent to the parking lot.  Bring a dish to pass or a donation to the club fund would be appreciated, drink, and a chair.

Directions:

The Mt Morris Dam Visitor Center is about 45 minutes from Springwater, so please plan ahead. If you have a GPS, try entering Mt Morris Dam as your destination. Or enter Damsite Rd or 6103 Visitor Center Rd, Mt Morris.

From Springwater: Take Rt 15N and then left on Liberty Pole Rd.  Stay on that road all the way to Rt63. There, take a left, and a quick right, onto Rt 258. At Rt 36, take a right and proceed to Mt. Morris. Turn left onto NY-408 South.

From Wayland: you can take I-390 north to exit 7. Turn left at the exit on NY-408 S to Mt. Morris. NY-408 goes left at Main St, then right on Chapel St.

From Hemlock and Honeoye: follow 20A West through Livonia and Lakeville to 390S. Exit at exit 7 NY 408 S to Mt Morris. Stay on 408 through Mt Morris.

From Rochester: Take I-390S to Exit 7 NY 408S.  Stay on Rt 408 through Mt Morris.

From NY 408 in Mt Morris: Go south on 408 for 1.8 miles to Visitor Center Rd. Turn right at the Visitor Center Road and follow the road all the way to the Dam and Visitor Center Parking lot.

ional details about this hike are coming soon.  Please check back.

Hemlock Lake and the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest remains a favorite location for Springwater Trails. This Sunday we will return to the North Boat Launch for Kayaking on the lake and Hiking on Rob’s Trail.

All boaters and hikers will meet at the north boat launch at 3:45. Following the hike we will enjoy a pot luck social at the Hemlock Park at the north end of the lake. Boaters must bring their PFDs and hikers will want to bring walking poles.

There are four options available for this hike.

Boaters: We will unload our boats at the boat launch. It is recommended that boaters meet at 3:30 to give a bit of extra time in case the launch is crowded. Once we have a picture of all of the boaters, we will head south along the the east side of the lake. We may get as far of the Rob’s Trail beach. Adventurous boaters will then head across the lake and return to the launch along the west side of the lake.

Naturalists Hikers who prefer a level hike will head south of the old lake road. Hikers should check their watches and turn around at 5:00. That may mean turning around at the bench overlooking the lake, or possibly at the Rob’s Trail beach.

Tourists: Hikers who enjoy hiking down hill, will carpool up to the Rob’s Trail parking area on the west side of NY 15A.  From there, the trail heads across fields and then enter the forest. The trail is well marked and crosses a nice bridge above a falls, and down to the lake, at which time hikers will turn right (north) and follow the old lake road.  They may meet the Naturalists on the way to the boat launch.

Climbers: If any hikers would prefer to climb up to 15A, It will be easiest if they could trade keys with the Tourist drivers, and use those cars to return to the boat launch. Otherwise the Climbers will need to take a couple of cars to the top before the hike. If two climbers would like to leave their cars at the top, please call Mark at 259-4505 and we will meet you at 3:30 at the Parking lot off 15-A.

Following our hiking everyone is invited to a pavilion at Hemlock Lake Park at the north end of the lake for a pot luck social.  Bring a dish to pass (or donate $5 to the social fund) and your own beverage. From the boat launch, head out to Rix Hill Rd. Take a sharp left on Rix Hill Rd and turn in at the 3rd driveway to the left. At the circle, we will find an available table for our social.

Directions

From Springwater: Head north on 15A for 10.1 miles. Turn left on Rix Hill Rd and an immediate left on East Lake Rd. Follow this road to the boat launch.

From Hemlock: Head south on 15A. 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 east lake road to the boat launch.

From Honeoye: Head west on 20A toward Hemlock. At the intersection with 15A, turn left onto 15A South. In 0.7miles  take the first right onto Rix Hill Rd into the Hemlock Lake Park. Take the immediate left and follow the east lake road to the boat launch.

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 east lake road to the boat launch.

Please join us on August 11 for one of our multi-mode events at Onanda Park on the west side of Canandaigua Lake, 4965 County Road 16, Canandaigua – trail hiking, creek hiking, boating and/or biking. Onanda Park is an 80-acre public property, formerly a YWCA Camp, with 8 acres of level lakefront for water-related recreation and 72 acres of woods and trails on the west side of West Lake Road, including the picturesque Barnes Gully and Barnes Creek.  The lakefront and upland sections of the park have different parking fee rules; parking is free in the upland lots, but there is a fee of $10 per car on summer weekends at the lakefront lots. Lakefront walk-ins are free. For details on the park’s facilities, history, and ecosystems, see:  http://www.townofcanandaigua.org/portfolio_detail_page.asp?id=5

Meet at 3:45 for a 4 PM start at the upper Upland Parking lot, where we will get organized into groups according to your preferred activity.  Hikers will divide into the Climbers and the Tourists/Naturalists, cyclists will head out from here and boaters will drive down to the lakefront lot for easier access to the lake (note the $10/car fee) or walk their boats in. We will reassemble at the cars at 6:00 for our dish-to-pass social in one of the upland lakeview pavilions. Swimming and fishing opportunities are available throughout the afternoon; a lifeguard is on duty until 7 PM.

Climbers – will first hike the Upland Loop of about 1.5 miles, then head to Barnes Creek and walk upstream to the waterfall, then downstream to the lake, passing under the West Lake Road bridge. Bring a bathing suit and towel in your pack if you would like to swim after the hike; rest rooms are available for changing. Bring bug repellent and  water shoes with good traction for the creek walking section – your feet are guaranteed to get wet. Trails are well maintained and marked, with moderate climbs and descents and two overlooks into Barnes Gully. Poles will be helpful for the uneven surfaces in the stream bed.

Tourists/Naturalists – will hike the Lowlands Loop, then head down to Barnes Creek for some level walking in the water down to the mouth of the creek within the park, where you can sit and watch the action at the fishing pier and the swimming beach. Bring bug repellent and a bathing suit and towel in your pack if you would like to swim after the hike; rest rooms are available for changing. Bring water shoes with good traction for the creek walking section; poles will be helpful too.

Cyclists – will follow West Lake Road to the north as far as Butler Road, then loop over to Middle Cheshire Road and back to West Lake Road for a total of about 11.5 miles. There are two moderate hills to navigate, but most of the trip is at lake level and close to the water, and the road has a good shoulder and a 35 mph speed limit, making it a favorite for cyclists.

Boaters will drive to the lower lots east of West Lake Rd and carry their boats to the water, or carry them in from the upland lot. Portable wheels may prove useful. Once in the water, we will stay near the shore, heading south for a couple of miles toward Seneca Point (about 3 miles south). Bare Hill will be across the lake when we turn around to return to the park.

Social – Bring your own beverage and join us for the optional dish-to-pass social starting at 6 PM in one of the park pavilions (site to be announced at the start). In-lieu-of-cooking fee of $5 if you arrive without edibles.

Directions: From Springwater, go south to Naples, then north on Route 21, bearing right when it splits with Route 64. Five miles after the intersection with Route 64, turn right on County Road 16. In 2 miles, Onanda Park Upland Trails Area will be on your left.

From Honeoye/Hemlock, take Route 20A east toward Bristol. Turn right on County Road 32 at the Wizard of Clay. Continue straight through the intersection at Bristol Center, then at the top of the hill, turn right on Montanye Road, which will take you into Cheshire. At the end of Montanye (now called Goodale Road), go right, then left on Wells Curtice Road. At the end of Wells Curtice Road (in 1.9 miles), make a right on West Lake Road (a.k.a County Road 16). Onanda Park Upland Trails Area will be on your right in 1.6 miles.

From Rochester and points north: Take the Canandaigua or Victor exit from the Thruway, whichever is closer for you. Go south to Route 5&20. From the Canandaigua side, take Middle Cheshire Road to the south end, then go left on Wells Curtice Road and right on West Lake Road (County Road 16). Onanda Park Upland will be on your right in 1.6 miles. From the Victor/Bloomfield side, take Route 64 south to Bristol Center, left on County Road 32, and right on Montanye Road. At the end of Montanye (now called Goodale Road), go right, then left on Wells Curtice Road. At the end of Wells Curtice Road (in 1.9 miles), make a right on West Lake Road (a.k.a County Road 16). Onanda Park Upland Trails Area will be on your right in 1.6 miles.

See  http://www.townofcanandaigua.org/page.asp?id=263   for trail map.

Kayak or Hike Canandaigua Lake Sunday August 18 from 4-6PM. ***BOATERS AND WALKERS WILL MEET AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS***. Boaters will paddle south from Ontario County Beach Park (park and launch are free, no portaging necessary and there are bathrooms) on the east side of the lake passing Deep Run Park, the historic Thendara Restaurant and Boathouse which are now part of a Mcmansion housing development and, if time permits, past Crystal Beach Park where there are still some of the older quaint lakeside cottages.

Walkers will meet at the City Pier for a self-guided hike, by the boathouses, explore the marina area then head to Lakeshore Drive and turn right into Kershaw Park, following the trail along the lake. At Twisted Rail walkers will head back to the road, cross it and enter Lagoon Park where there is a figure-8 loop around several ponds; there are several board maps along the trail. Then strollers will retrace their steps back to the Pier for a total of 3 miles.

SOCIAL: Twisted Rail

DIRECTIONS FOR BOATERS: Ontario County Beach Park is on Rte 364 aka East Lake Road 2.7 miles south of the Rte 364 and Lakeshore Drive intersection on the right side of the road; if coming from the south it is just under a mile north of Deep Run Park and the CR 1 intersection and will be on the left side of the road.

DIRECTIONS FOR WALKERS: At intersection of Rte 332 aka South Main Street, Rte 5&20 and Lakeshore Drive turn right onto Lakeshore Drive, bearing right to enter the Pier area; if coming from the east turn left at the intersection.

The hike on Sunday, August 25 will be at the Gosnell Big Woods, a Town of Webster-owned nature preserve near Lake Ontario, including majestic old-growth forest, an open field, and a small meadow. Maintained by Friends of Webster Trails, a variety of trails offer beautiful views of meadows, wildflowers, and spectacular old-growth trees. Hikers may see butterflies, dragonflies, deer, and a variety of birds. Meet at 3:45 for a 4 PM hike start.

Naturalists will explore the Big Field and Meadow Trails, a total of 1.7 miles. They will start in the Big Field and Meadow Trails and continue onto Pellet Road, onto Ridge trail, join Big Woods trail, and head back to the car park on Big Field Trail, about 2.2 miles. If we want more we can divert into Whiting Woods Preserve off Pellet Road and make it 3 to 4 miles.

The picture below contains a link to the Gosnell Woods web page. If a click doesn’t take you straight there, press and hold the control key while clicking the image.

Parking: Meet at the Gosnell Big Woods Preserve Parking lot. 674 Vosburg Road, Webster. The car park is situated on the corner of Vosburg Road and Drumm Road.

From Rochester and points south; Take Route 490 or 390 to Route 590 North. At 3.7 miles north of the 490/590 intersection, take Route 104 East across Irondequoit Bay, then north on Bay Road (1.1 miles), right on Klem Road (.8 miles), left on Drumm Road (.6 miles), and enter the car park where the road turns left at the junction of Drumm and Vosburg Roads.

Social:  After the hike we will adjourn to a lovely pub, specifics to be determined.

We will meet at the Erie Canal Boat Company at 7 Liftbridge Ln W, Fairport NY 14450 at 1:45 pm for a leisurely exploration of the Erie Canal. *Note: time change for this hike.

Hike – This hike starts and ends in Fairport on the paved canal path. From the parking lot turn left to follow the canal eastward to Palmira, a quiet section; or right toward the active Pittsford area   Everyone should be mindful of the time and turn around at 3:00 pm to meet back up at 4:00pm.

Paddle or Bike – Bring your own or rent from the Erie Canal Boat Company:   single kayaks $35 for 2 hrs, tandem kayaks for $45 per 2 hours, and bicycles for $30 for 2 hrs.  If renting, preregistration for equipment rental is recommended. The Erie Canal Boat Company also offers adaptive kayaks and bikes for those with special needs.

The Bikers will head east, under the lift bridge and along the Canal as far as Waynesport Rd. At that point (about 5 miles), we will turn around and head back to the bridge to the old trolley path. We will cross the canal and ride the trolley path as far as our legs and time permit.  This path goes by several neighborhoods in Perinton.

Social – We’ll enjoy a canal-side dish-to-pass social next to the Erie Canal Boat Company.  They will allow us to use their mini-park with 4 or 5 picnic tables, along with a shaded area to sit under.  Bring a dish to pass, your own beverage and some lawn chairs.

Directions to the Erie Canal Boat Company and boat launch:  The Boat Company is located in a Fairport public parking lot on the west side of NY Rt 250 (AKA Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd, AKA Main St in Fairport).  The entrance is 400 ft north of the bridge, directly opposite the RV&E Bike Shop on east side of Rt 250.   Google Maps is accurate.  Set to 7 Liftbridge Ln W, Fairport NY 14450.      Phone 585-748-2628.

From Springwater, Naples and Honeoye: From Springwater take Wheaton Hill Rd to Canadice Rd, to Ontario County Rd 37.  From Naples, take CR 36 (West Lake Rd) to Honeoye. From Honeoye, take US 20A west to CR 37. From the corner of CR 37 and US 20A, head north through W Bloomfield. At the light, continue straight onto NY 65. Outside W Bloomfield, continue straight onto CR 35. The road becomes CR 66 (W Bloomfield Rd) in Monroe County. You will cross NY-251 (Rush Mendon Rd) – continue straight for 4 miles. Turn right onto Thornell Rd. After 2.4 miles, turn right on NY-96. At the second light, turn left onto Kreag Rd. At the other end of Kreag Rd, turn right onto Ayrault Rd. At the first light, turn left onto Mosley Rd (NY-250). After you cross the canal and before you cross the railroad track, turn left into a parking lot behind the businesses.  The meeting place is on the far end of the parking.

From Canandaigua: The simplest directions are: Take the Thruway to Exit 45 (I-490) Stay on I-490 to exit 26 (NY 31). Turn left onto NY 31 East. At the light, turn left onto Ayrault Rd.  At the second light, turn left onto Mosley Rd (NY-250). After you cross the canal and before you cross the railroad track, turn left into a parking lot behind the businesses.  The meeting place is on the far end of the parking.