Based on the latest COVID-19 New York State on PAUSE announcement, we expect to cancel Sunday’s trail maintenance.  Please check back here tomorrow for our final decision.

The Annual Meeting scheduled for Sunday 22nd March is deferred to later in the year; instead, the walk this Sunday  will be a maintenance hike of our section of the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail in Naples. Springwater Trails has signed up with the FLT to maintain this part of the trail.  This segment passes through the West Hill Preserve off Seman Rd and then across private land to Mt Pleasant Street in Naples. The Twisted Branch Trail Run comes over this section later in the year; a couple of hundred runners will be pounding the hill and we want to be sure the trail is safe and fun to run.

We will walk this stretch of the BHB and cut away any brush and weeds that have overgrown the trail. The most useful tools for this are lopers and a small saw. It’s too early in the year to whack the long grass and we’ll note work that needs a chain saw for later treatment. Be sure to wear good work or gardening gloves. It’s a fairly long hike and steeply downhill at the Naples end of the walk.

We will meet at the entrance to the West Hill Preserve on Seman Road (42.66166, -77.396288). We will shuttle some cars down to the hike end in Naples (42.625950, -77.397304) before we start. The climbers will follow the trail down to the old cemetery in Naples.  Naturalists follow the trail to the sign in box and then return to the cars on Seman Road.

Please note: Dogs are not allowed to hike on the Nature Conservancy property.

The Social 
There won’t be an organized social in deference to the current fear of corona virus contagion. However, anyone who is brave enough and thirsty enough at the end of the hike will find us at Roots if they are still open.

Directions to the Hike Meeting Point: 

From Springwater: Head south on NY 15 (for 5.2mi). At the light in Wayland turn left on NY 21N (for 6.7mi). In N Cohocton, turn left to stay on NY 21N (for 4.5mi). In Naples, turn left again to stay on NY 21N (for 1.8mi). On the north side of Naples, turn left on CR12 and head up the hill for 1.9 miles.  Take the first left, Rhine St., to the 4 way  intersection.  Go left onto Seman Rd.  Trailhead is about 1/2 mile, by a big sign on the left. Park along the road.

From Honeoye and Naples: Head south on CR 36 on the west side of Honeoye Lake (it’s 13.6 miles from NY 20A, and 1 mile from French Hill Road). Turn left onto Gulick Rd (for 2 mi), then right on Davis Rd (for 0.7mi). At the end of Davis, turn left on W Hollow Rd (CR 33) for 0.5mi, then right on Seman Rd. The Trailhead is about 1 mile, by a big sign on the right. Park along the road.

There will not be any Springwater Trails hike this Sunday.  However, we are planning to start up again next weekend with boating and hiking at the north boat launch at Hemlock Lake. Please join us then.

Meanwhile, everyone is encouraged to go outside and enjoy the spring weather.  Opportunities are available from walking around your house to pick up from the winter, to hiking the Finger Lakes Trail. Check here for recommendations for use of the FLT and other hiking trails during the COVID epidemic.

This Sundays hike will include a 3 mile easy hike and (or)  kayak in the wetland pond known to locals as ” The Marrow Beds”. This pond was excavated during the late 1800”s and was reported to be as deep as 45 feet. the pond has silted in over time and the deepest spot is about 4 feet. The morrow was loaded on a small set of railroad tracks and sent across town to the cement works.

There is an abundance of wild life (water birds of various kinds, turtles,beavers and occasional eagle sightings).

We will have a Social in the yard, practicing “social distancing”.  Bring a snack with you also.

Directions

From Wayland: From the intersection of Rt 15 and 21, head west on NY-63 (Naples St) for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Dieter Rd. Dieter Rd will make a 90° right turn, and then you should immediately turn left toward the Rod and Gun Club.  Rick is the home on the left.