Description

This preserve, maintained by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, is a perfect refuge during hunting season.  In fact, our hikers will be performing a service to the land trust by patrolling the woods as they walk. Steege Hill is about 800 acres acquired in 2001 from an anonymous donor.  The forest is regenerating after heavy logging in the 1970’s and contains many  species of hardwoods.  The 6 miles of trails are constructed largely on the old logging roads. On some of the steep slopes original hardwoods and conifers still remain.  From its hilltop vantage point, there is a bird’s eye view of the Chemung River.  Worth mentioning are two notable creatures that inhabit this woods.  Timber Rattlesnakes have long been residents here, especially on the sunlit rocky outcroppings. They may be snugly out of sight this time of year.  The nests of Allegheny Mound Ants are common sight, trailside and in clearings.  Black bears like it here too.

Hike Groups

Lets hope the weather conditions are more favorable than last year’s wet and snowy visit to Steege Hill.  All groups will depart together from the parking area, heading uphill for about 1/2 mile on a moderate pitch. There are 4 trail loops to explore.

Naturalists  will cruise around the Yellow Loop, about a 2 mile jaunt with a few small inclines and a pond.  A volunteer leader is needed for this group.

Tourists will traverse the blue and orange trails, enjoying a variety of terrain with some moderate climbs, about 3.5miles. A volunteer leader will also be needed for this group.

Climbers will tackle the white and red trails which offer some up and down hill changes as well as a nice valley view.  Distance is about 4.5 miles.

Hopefully all groups will arrive back at the starting point at approximately the same time.

Parking space at Steege Hill is limited.  Carpooling is highly recommended.  Meet in Springwater at the Town Hall on Route 15 at 12:45 as the drive is about 1 hour.

Directions  take 390 south to I 86.  Take exit 48 then follow Rt 352E for 1.5 miles.  Turn right on South Corning Rd. for .7 miles.  After crossing bridge across Chemung River, turn left on Steege Hill Rd.  Follow for 1 mile.  Preserve is on left.

After Hike Social will be at Tags Restaurant, 3037 Rt  252 in Big Flats.  It is a very short drive from the hike.  Good food.  We have been there previously.

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

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.

Description

This preserve, maintained by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, is a perfect refuge during hunting season.  In fact, out hikers will be performing a service to the land trust by patrolling the woods as they walk.  No worries.  In sixteen seasons, patrollers have never encountered a hunter.

Steege Hill Preserve is about 800 acres, acquired in 2001 from an anonymous donor.  The forest is regenerating after heavy logging in the 1970’s and contains many species of hardwoods.  Preserve steward, Bob Corneau, has maintained a network of over 6 miles of trails, constructed largely on the old logging roads.  On some of the steep slopes original hardwoods and conifers remain.  From its hilltop vantage point there is a bird’s eye view of the Chemung River.

Worth mentioning are two notable creatures that inhabit this forest.  Timber Rattlesnakes have long been residents here, especially on the sunlit rocky outcroppings and in the shade of the forest. They may be snuggly out of sight at this time of year, but be cautious when stepping off the trail.  The distinctive nests of Allegheny Mound Ants are a common sight at trailside and in clearings that the ants have fashioned for themselves by destroying shade plants to insure adequate sunlight and warmth for the colony.  Black bears also have been sighted in the area recently.  For more about this preserve go to http://fllt.org/preserves/steege-hill-preserve

Hiking Groups

All groups will depart together from the parking area on Steege Hill Road, heading uphill for about a half mile on a moderate pitch.  There are four trail loops to explore.

Please note:  The parking space is very limited.  Carpooling is highly recommended.  Meet at Springwater Town Hall on Route 15 at 12:45 as the drive is 1 hour.

Naturalists will cruise around the Yellow Loop, a gentle 2 mile jaunt with a few small inclines and a tranquil pond.  We may be fortunate enough to have the steward of the refuge join this group.  If not, a volunteer leader is needed.

Tourists will traverse the blue and orange trails, enjoying a variety of terrain with some moderate climbs, about 3.5 miles.  A volunteer leader will be needed for this group.

Climbers will tackle the white and red trails which offer some up and downhill challenges, as well as a nice valley view. Distance is about 4.5 miles.

Hopefully all groups will arrive back at the starting point at approximately the same time.

Directions   From Springwater, take I 390 south to I 86 E towards Corning.   Follow I 86 east to exit 48, then follow Rt.352 east for 1.5 miles.  Turn right on South Corning Rd. for .7 miles.  After crossing bridge across the Chemung River, turn left on Steege Hill Rd..  Follow up hill for 1 mile.  Preserve is on the left.  Look for green and white sign.

Social  will be at Tag’s Restaurant, 3037 Rt 252 in Big Flats,  It is a very short drive from the hike.  Good food.  We have feasted there previously.

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

This hike is CANCELLED!!!!! The freezing rain across the region is too dangerous for both driving and walking!

Description

• This 800 acre preserve is a sanctuary for hikers during hunting season.  It was acquired by the Finger Lakes Land Trust in 2001 with generous help from an anonymous donor.  A stipulation of this gift was that the preserve would be patrolled during hunting seasons to protect against trespassers.  Our hikers will contribute to this effort.

The hilltop preserve looks down upon the Chemung River between Corning and Elmira.  At one time this area was nearly ruined by heavy logging, but the town of Big Flats stepped in to halt the destruction.  The original forest has made an impressive recovery through natural regeneration of many tree species.  On some of the steep slopes, original hardwoods and conifers remain.

Some forest residents are worth noting, although in December they are not likely to be visible.  Timber rattlesnakes are long time residents here.  Allegheny mound ants have also carved a niche.  Black bears have been sighted in recent years.  For additional information and history go to  http://fllt.org/preserves/steege-hill-preserve

  Special Note:  Although no hunters have been spotted here in all these years, please make yourself visible by wearing blaze orange.  Conditions in December are unpredictable.  It is advisable to bring hiking poles and traction devices for your boots.

The 6 miles of trails are largely old logging roads, well marked and maintained.  All hikers will gather at the new and improved parking area on Steege Hill Rd, which has been recently repaved.  It is still a small area so carpooling is encouraged.  Meet at Springwater Town Hall on Rt. 15 at 12:45 to share a ride for the 1 hour drive to Big Flats.

Hiking Groups  There is a moderate half mile climb from the parking area to the various trailheads.

Naturalists  will enjoy meandering for about 2 miles along the yellow trail with its gentle slopes and a scenic pond.  A hike leader will be needed for this group.  Trail map will be provided.

Tourists will traverse the blue and orange loops for about 3.5 miles, enjoying a variety of terrain and some nice views.  Uphills are moderate.  A volunteer hike leader is needed for this group.

Climbers  will tackle the red, white, and blue trails for a distance of about 4.5 miles with some up and downhill challenges.Directions  Take 390 South to I86E.

Follow I 86 E to exit 48.

Take 353 E for 1.5 miles

Turn right on South Corning road and go .7 miles.

Cross Chemung River and turn left on Steege Hill Rd.

After 1 mile look for preserve sign on left.

After Hike Social  will be at Tags Restaurant, 3037 Rt. 352 in Big Flats.  We have enjoyed dinner here several times. See menu at http://www.tagsrestaurant.com

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.