An opportunity to explore the west side of Letchworth Park with the Genesee Valley Hiking Club.  This is a very strenuous 14 mile hike.  Bring water, snacks and lunch.  See details at the GVHC meetup site and be sure to read all of the comments.

Learn about the variety of trails in our region available for recreation and transportation. Investigate the policies, legislation, government agencies, non-profits and volunteers who created or supported these trails; and current efforts to expand this network of trails.

http://www.lrb.usace.army.mil/Portals/45/docs/MountMorrisDam/DOC%20Compressed%20Winter%20Discovery%20Series%202015%20_PDF_.pdf

 Overlook (Honeoye Lake   Harriet Hollister Spencer (1887-1962) was born in Rochester, NY. She was a Charter Member of the Rochester Garden Club and was known as a rose expert. She designed the Garden of Fragrance at the Rochester Museum and Science Center and contributed roses from her own garden. In 1963, her family donated, at her request, 679 acres of land to New York State for the Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area.

At 2000 feet, this park generally receives and keeps a good covering of snow each winter, and is one of four parks groomed for cross country skiing by the Rochester XC Ski Foundation.

Following the hike, an optional social will be at Sammy’s in Springwater.

The Naturalists will follow Bear Cub Run from the parking area to the snow shoe trail S6 just down the hill from the road.  They will cross the overlook, cross Racoon Run, and then will make a short steep hike up to the loop at the end of the road. Then the Pines and Bypass trails will return to the parking area.  Depending on the time, a hike to the north around the Big Oak trail may be possible.

The Tourists will similarly follow Bear Cub to the snow shoe trail, but will turn left on Racoon Run. Next is a left for a quick Fox Run loop, back to Racoon Run. Take the next left down to Lower Sidewinder, and follow that loop in a clockwise direction.  At the information sign, we will stay to the left to follow a snowshoe trail across the snowmobile trail out toward Canadice Hill Rd and back. From their, heading north on Blue Spruce Run, Whiteface, and Cannonball, will bring us back to the road and the parking area.

The Climbers will follow Bear Cub Run to the road, and then will cross the road to follow the bypass and Chalet trails to the snowmobile trail.  From there, we will follow the snowmobile trail south for about 2 miles, crossing into the town of Springwater, where we will turn west to reach the corner of Wetmore and Tibbels Road (which used to be named Springwater Canadice Town Line Road).  Total length 3.3 miles, if we do not get lost.

Directions:

Check our standard directions to the HHS parking lot.  Climbers coming from Springwater should meet at the corner of Wetmore and Tibbels Rd, to carpool to the parking lot.  That way, we will have cars at the end of the hike.

From Springwater: (Climbers only): Take Route 15A north out of Springwater for one mile and turn right on Wheaton Hill Road. Continue to the top of the hill.  At the T, turn left on Wetmore Rd.  Stay on Wetmore, to the first road on the left (Tibbels Rd which used to be called Town Line Rd).  You will see a welcome sign for Canadice.  We will park on the right side, and car pool up to the parking lot.