See http://www.springwaterfiddlersfair.net/

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.

For all those interested in trails advancement in our region- the next round of public input and meetings for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Trails Initiative is here!

Since the fall of last year, folks have been working hard on the Regional Trails Initiative Plan Update, and Livingston County has participated actively with input coming from municipalities, trail groups or organizations, and trail users.  The next opportunity for public input is this weekend and early next week.  See the attached flyer for details.  The main goals at this time are to obtain public comments, determine how to refine the recommended network, and set priorities for implementation.   I anticipate being in attendance at the Public Open House in Batavia.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Pubic Open Houses:
Saturday, April 11, 2015, 9 am- 1 pm.  Rochester- City of Rochester Public Market.
Monday, April 13, 2015.  6 pm – 8 pm.   Batavia – Genesee County Building No. 2
Tuesday, April 14, 2015.  5 pm – 7 pm.  Geneva – The Ramada.

If you would like to review and comment on the network now – please do!  Check the website and wiki map – and please pass the links along to your fellow citizens.  I have also included a copy of the RTI map, in pdf format, zoomed into Livingston County.  The full Region map can be viewed at the website link.

The Livingston County Planning Department is also participating on the Regional Trails Initiative Steering Committee.  The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2015.  If you have any questions or have input that you would like to provide, please feel free to contact me before this meeting so I can share your input.   Please feel free to distribute this email and attached resources.  We would like to hear from all who are interested.

Agenda

• Approve minutes – Katherine
• Treasurer’s report – Melissa
• Committee Reports
  • Trail Maintenance – Gene
  • Advertising – Katherine
    • Brochure – First Draft – Mark
    • Rack Card – First Draft
  • Trail Building – Rick
    • Sugarbush Hollow to Pardy Hollow
  • Hiking Group – Wendy
  • New Business
    • Fiddler’s Fair – Parking
      • Chairman
      • Signup Sheet
    • Bicentennial
      • Our role
      • Bicentennial committee communications

Join the Nature Conservancy on a very challenging 2-mile hike as they descend from one of the highest elevations in Hemlock Lake watershed to the eastern shore of Hemlock Lake. Hikers will get a sneak peek of the Conservancy’s upcoming newest trail system, learn about the history and ecology of the Finger Lakes Region and marvel at the local fall splendor.

Please note: This will be a very challenging hike, traveling over very steep terrain, with little to no maintained trail.

Meet at Rob’s Trail Parking

Please register if you are available.

Volunteers are needed to assist in picking up roadside litter along a stretch of highway in the Town of Springwater that Springwater Trails is in the process of adopting.  We will meet at the Fire Hall parking lot at 9AM for a mandatory safety briefing presented by NYS DOT.  They will provide the required hard hats and safety vests. You will want to bring gloves.  NYS DOT will also provide the collection bags and pick up.  The plan is to work from 9AM-12PM, lunch at Sammy’s, and (if needed) work from 1PM-4PM.   Ask your friends to join us.  So NYS DOT can be given an approximate number of participants, please let Wendy know if you plan on helping out – wsteven@frontiernet.net .

 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.