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 .

Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 10:00AM , this will be a short hike, with lots of history about the CCC Camp at Big Bend in Letchworth State Park.  The announcement, states: 3 hour, moderate walking 1/2mile, bring a lunch.  At 10:00AM, the “meet locale” is at Parade Grounds parking lot, and then there will be a carpool to the event site (the Big Bend CCC Camp).

This event  is offered thru the Letchworth State Park hike and activity series.  A very active series that holds numerous hikes and other activities year round, mostly in Letchworth State Park and on the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park (aka GVG -or- GVGSP).  These events are published in The Genesee Naturalist published quarterly.

This event is led by Historian and author Tom Cook, author of a book about the Letchworth Park CCC Camps, and author of other books as well.

Also of note, Tom Cook will be presenting the Avon Preservation and Historical Society (APHS) program about the Genesee Valley Canal (GVC) during which he will particularly highlight the challenging area of canal construction in and surrounding present day Letchworth State Park.  This APHS program is scheduled at 2:00PM on Sunday April 24th, 2016 at the Avon Opera Block second floor meeting room (handicap accessible) located at 23 Genesee St in the Village of Avon (off the west/southwest side of the traffic circle in the Village of Avon that Routes 5&20 navigate through.

Following this presentation, Springwater Trails will be holding a hike (hike meet at ~3:15PM or so) on the former GVC corridor (now the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park aka GVGSP -or- GVG).  This Springwater Trails hike will be on the GVG (spanning miles 12-17 of the GVG) in town of Caledonia which is just across the Genesee River from Avon.  Various length hike groups are planned for on this hike, the shortest of which is suitable for mobility limited hikers (inclusive of wheelchair hikers).

The bald eagle has been chosen as the national symbol of our country.  A pair, of these magnificent birds, has built a nest near the top of a tree south of Bath and, every year, since they built it, they have been returning to raise a brood, usually consisting of 2 chicks.  In Mossy Bank Park, a hill, above this tree, offers a great vantage point to view the nest from above.  Last year, we went there in early May and had a good look at the fuzzy chicks in the nest.  This year, the parents have returned to the nest and, 2 chicks have successfully hatched.  This time, we’re going back, later in the month, the chicks will be more mature and, if we’re lucky, we may see them walking around the nest.

The Mossy Bank Park eagle feeding her chicks
May 2, 2015
– by Brenda Todd

Once again, Dr. Randy Wiedner, has offered to be our guide for this day.  We will meet at 2 PM, at the nature center.  Then, Randy will lead us to the eagle viewing ledge.  Although he’ll set up a spotting scope for us, if you have binoculars, you’ll want to bring them for this one.  After our view of the eagles, Randy will lead a hike through the trails of the park.  For those preferring a slower pace, I will take you on some of the trails along the ridge and point out some of the features we encounter.

After our hikes, I have reserved one of the park’s pavilions, for a pot luck picnic.  Randy, and his wife, Cathy, will join us as our guests.  The rest of us need to bring a dish to pass, and beverage, or make a donation.  After you’re done feeding your face, don’t run away.  Make your way to the nature center, where Randy will show us his great bald eagle powerpoint.  Besides seeing the history of this pair at this tree, you’ll see how our great national symbol was threatened with extinction in the mid 20th Century and the comeback that it made, due to the efforts of the late Rachel Carson, and other such heroes.  You don’t want to miss this one.  And, because it’s late May, it will still be light when you make your way home.

Directions

Go south on I-390 and east on I-86.  Take exit 38 and go left at the end of the exit ramp. Go under 86 and turn right at the first traffic light, onto W. Morris St.  Go past Tops, stay right at the fork, go past the library and make a sharp right onto Cameron St.  Pass 86 again, and the Cohocton River and continue 1.6 miles.  Watch for small Mossy Bank Park signs and fork to the left onto Windfall Rd.  Go .4 miles and turn left onto Mossy Bank Park Rd.  Go 1.3 miles to gate, marked with a small sign.  Continue straight ahead until you pass between 2 large boulders, into the park.  Park in the parking lot and come to the nature center.

Hosted by the Finger Lakes Land Trust

Join preserve steward and naturalist Eric Cosman for an exploration of the birds, plants, trees and other natural wonders at the Wesley Hill Preserve. Diverse stands of mature forest, a wide array of wildflowers, and sweeping views of the hills surrounding Honeoye Lake’s southern end make this site truly special. Don’t forget to dress for the weather and be sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet.

Directions: Meet at the Wesley Road entrance! From Honeoye, take Rt. 20A east to East Lake Road. Follow East Lake Rd. south for a short distance and then turn left on County Rd. 33. Continue a short distance and turn right on Pinewood Hill Rd. Follow Pinewood Hill, then Gulick Road south for approx. 2.5 miles. Turn right on Wesley Road and follow approx. 1 mile to the parking area on the left.

Look for other events sponsored by the Finger Lakes Land Trust on their website.

Viewing the west shore of Hemlock from the north boat launch.

After the history program at the Jack Evans Community Center, Springwater Trails will lead a shortened hike along the west side of Hemlock Lake. We will take some time to view the old cottage foundations along the trail.

This will be an abbreviated hike, lasting about one hour.  The trail is intended to be level, but creeks that have washed out parts of the trail will require some careful climbing.  We may also venture out on the shoreline, to take advantage of the lower water level of the lake.

A chicken BBQ will be available before the history program at 12:30. We will not have a social following the hike.

Directions:  

From The Jack Evans Community Center: Head south on NY-15A for 0.9 miles.  Take the first right turn onto Rix Hill Road.  Park near the Kiosk on the left on the far side of Hemlock Lake.

From Springwater: Go north on NY-15A for 10.1 miles from the light in Springwater. Turn left at the north end of Bald Hill onto Rix Hill Road. Continue on Rix Hill Rd past the Hemlock Lake Park to the Kiosk on the west side of Hemlock Lake.

A Through-Hike of the Colorado Trail

The Little Lakes Sustainability Network and Springwater Trails are pleased to co-host a program on the magnificent Colorado Trail on Thursday, October 27, 7:00 PM at the Jack Evans Community Center (old Hemlock school) on Main Street in Hemlock. Light refreshments will be provided and everyone is welcome, free of charge. Donations to defray costs are encouraged.

Hemlock resident Bill Cooke will present information about the trail followed by a 25 minute slide show with music showing photos from his 2011 “through-hike.” He will share his deep appreciation of the natural environment fostered from many years of experience in long-distance hiking.  Bill will also have copies of his book narrating the hike – Shades of Gray, Splashes of Color – A Thru-hike of The Colorado Trail – available for your perusal and purchase.

The 486-mile Colorado Trail wends its way through the Rocky Mountains of the Centennial State, traversing a landscape as changing and diverse as the swirling afternoon clouds presaging the daily summer thunderstorms.  A common expression among long distance backpackers is “no pain equals no gain.”  In this program, you’ll hear of the “pain” manifested in the struggle of acclimating to high elevations, of hiking long and steep ascents, of coping with a wide range of climatic conditions from freezing cold mornings to hot baking afternoons, to near daily thunderstorms and to long stretches of limited water.  And you’ll see the “gains,” the triumphs as Bill and his hiking companion Keith “Northern Harrier” Bance savor the many rewards of this enchanting trail:  alpine meadows whose wildflowers cover every range of the spectrum, bewitching groves of aspen trees resplendent with the morning glow of the sun, the glistening of snowy peaks, stately conifers including the massive Douglas firs, high mountain passes, dry foothills, sparkling mountain streams, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets where both the skies and the rocks shine like beacons from the low sun alpenglow, and much more.

Along the way, you’ll hear of the delight bestowed by such simple pleasures as a refreshing swig of Rocky Mountain water or a wildlife spotting.  You’ll hear of fascinating near-daily cloud formations with their myriad shades of gray and ever-changing patterns.  You’ll meet “Trail Angels” who emerge at the right place and time, unplanned and unexpected, to assist hikers with their basic needs, such as rides into towns for re-supplying or offers of water and snacks.  And you’ll visit communities along the trail corridor, meeting the people in them, and enjoying the amenities that we all take for granted, such a hot shower, bed with linens, and meals of “real” food, all of which are especially appreciated by hot, dusty hikers.

Bill Cooke recently moved to Hemlock after living for seven years in Lexington, KY.  He has backpacked for nearly 40 years.  In addition to the Colorado Trail, he has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, Vermont’s Long Trail, the Black Forest and Susquehannock Trails of nearby Northern Pennsylvania, and other trails around the country.

You need not be an experienced hiker to enjoy this program, as Bill explains much of the terminology and peculiar habits of long-distance backpackers.  Even those whose experience is confined to short strolls in the park will sense the challenges and the rewards of a trek in the Rocky Mountains.  Come and take a trip to the summertime Rockies!

The event is co-sponsored by the Little Lakes Sustainability Network and the Springwater Hiking Group, and is free and open to the public.

This Sunday, come back to a familiar hike for Springwater Trails, and see the changes that have taken place. The first thing that regular Springwater Trails hikers will notice is that the town has paved Schribner Rd. For those of you nostalgic for the old road, check out the summer directions and come in the back way.

The Climbers will be following logging roads up to the top of the hill. We then will cross the fields to explore various views across the valleys. The Tourists will take a bit more time climbing the hill. The new logging trails go across the hill, giving hikers some respite from the climb and a change to view more of the forest. And the Naturalists will follow a more level trail through the White Pines, then up to the Red Pines and then will cross the valley to see the Oaks, Maples and Beach forest.

Following the hikes, join us for a Dish to Pass social at the house. Depending on the weather, we will have the option of being outside for the last social before the end of Daylight Savings.

Directions:

From Springwater: Head north on Rt 15A from the light in Springwater.  Take the first right on Wheaton Hill Rd (Co Rd 16).  Turn right on Wetmore Rd at the stop sign at the top of the hill.  At the end of Wetmore, bear right on Tabors Corners Rd.  After 3.5 miles turn right on Scribner Rd. (There is no road sign at Schribner, but this is the first right off of Tabors Corners Rd.) The driveway is the 2nd driveway on the left one mile up Schribner Rd and about 10 feet before the intersection with Giles Rd. Turn around at the intersection and park on the west side of Giles Rd.

From Wayland: From Rt 15, head east on Rt 21 toward North Cohocton for 3 miles. Turn left on Tabors Corners Rd (Steuben Co Rd 37). (Note the road sign says Bowles Corners, although maps all say Tabors Corners)  After exactly 2 miles, turn left on Schribner Rd (the second left – again, no street sign).  The driveway is the 2nd driveway on the left one mile up Schribner Rd and about 10 feet before the intersection with Giles Rd. Turn around at the intersection and park on the west side of Giles Rd, or come in the driveway and park on the grass near the barn.

From Honeoye: From Rt 20A, head south on Ontario Co Rd 37.  At Canadice, continue straight ahead on Canadice Hill Rd as Co Rd 37 turns right. Bear to the right onto Ross Rd. Take the first left turn onto Tibbles Rd (formerly Springwater Town Line Rd). At the end, turn right on Wetmore Rd. Stay on Wetmore up over the hill to the end. Bear right on Tabors Corners Rd.  Take the first right in 3.5 miles on Scribner Rd (sorry, no street sign).  The driveway is the 2nd driveway on the left one mile up Schribner Rd and about 10 feet before the intersection with Giles Rd. Turn around at the intersection and park on the west side of Giles Rd, or come in the driveway and park on the grass near the barn.

From the East Lake Rd in Honeoye or From Naples: Rather than traveling north to reach 20A or Co Rd 37, hikers from east of Honeoye Lake may go south to Ontario Co Rd 36 and follow Co Rd 36 to Naples. Turn right on Rt 21 south.  Turn right to stay on Rt 21 for 4.5 miles to N Cohocton.  Turn right to stay on Rt 21 towards Wayland.  After 3.8 miles turn right on Tabors Corners Rd (Steuben Co Rd 37). (Note the road sign says Bowles Corners, although maps all say Tabors Corners)  After 2 miles, turn left on Schribner Rd (the second left) (Again, no street sign).  The driveway is the 2nd driveway on the left one mile up Schribner Rd and about 10 feet before the intersection with Giles Rd. Turn around at the intersection and park on the west side of Giles Rd, or come in the driveway and park on the grass near the barn.

Volunteers from Springwater Trails are needed to pick up roadside litter along NY Rtes 15 and 15A in the Town of Springwater.   There will be a short information meeting at the Springwater Fire Hall parking lot at 9AM on Tuesday November 1, 2016 prior to getting started.   Bags, safety vests and hard hats will be provided.

Hike Description 

We will hike the FLT Bristol Hills Branch Trail (Map B3) to Huckleberry Bog and the Bog Nature Trail Loop.  This upland bog is located on a plateau west of Keuka Lake in Urbana State Forest, Steuben County.

Climbers will start from the trailhead at Bean Station Rd and take the trail past an old cemetery and climb steadily uphill through a hemlock and oak woods to the state forest and onto the top of the plateau.  Climbers will then follow the Bog Nature Trail Loop clockwise and return to Bean Station Rd by way of the main trail (4.5 miles).

Tourists and naturalists will start at a higher elevation from the access at Glen Brook Rd and take the trail northeast to the southern register of the Bog Nature Trail Loop.  Tourists will go around the Bog Nature Trail Loop and return to Glen Brook Rd (~3.5 miles).  Naturalists will retrace their steps back to Glen Brook Rd (~ 1mile).

Directions to Meeting Location for All Groups

From Springwater: Head south on NY 15 to Wayland. Turn left onto NY 21, Turn left in N Cohocton to stay on 21 into Naples. Turn right onto NY 53. Stay on 53 for 13 miles. At 10.4 miles on your trip odometer, you should pass through Prattsburgh. Follow the directions below.

From Prattsburgh, take NY 53 South for 2.6 miles to Bean Station Road.  Turn east on Bean Station Road at the site of a large white warehouse for onions. Go 2.6 miles to the yellow trailhead sign on the right (south) side of the road at a little footbridge over the roadside ditch.  Park on the opposite shoulder but not on the lawn or pull inot a small mowed spot marked “FLT Parking” about 200 feet further east, on the left (north side of the road).  After breaking into groups, tourists and naturalists will caravan to the Glen Brook trailhead.

From Geneseo and Dansville: Take I-390 South to I-86East. In 1 mile,take exit 37 for NY-53. Turn left onto NY-53 and head north for 8.9 miles. Turn right onto Bean Station Road. Continue with the directions From Prattsburgh.

Car Pool

Car pooling is recommended.  You can set up your car pool ahead of time or meet at the parking lot for the Mountain View Inn at 12:30.

After Hike Social

The after hike social will be at the Mountain View Inn, 34 Main Street, Atlanta.

This week we will hike the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve which was founded in 1999 by the generous donation of 90 acres by the children of three artists- John Weinrich, James Havens and Colburn Dugan to the Finger Lakes Land Trust.  Since that time the preserve has grown to over 390 acres by the way of the purchase, by the land trust, of three parcels and a gift of the fourth.  Click on the trail map to the right if you want a larger trail map.

We will all meet at the preserve parking lot, on the west side of Gulick Road at 1:45 pm.

In case of snow or muddy trails, please wear correct footwear.  Crampons and poles will be helpful.

Climbers led by Charlotte will follow the Red trail on the right of parking lot to Green Trail down to the Gully and back on the Green trail to the Red trail to the left to the cabin and past the pond and back to parking lot.   4+ miles

Tourists led by Nanette will follow Red trail on the right of parking lot to the cabin, past the pond and to parking lot.  3 miles

Naturalist led by hiker will follow the Red trail to cabin and back to parking lot.  2 miles

Our social will be at Honeoye’s Boat House (Trident Marina) on 5226 East Lake Road, Honeoye 14471.  Was voted as one of the best in five Happy Hour Bars in the Rochester area.

Directions:

A word of caution – do not try to access Wesley Road from down on East Lake Road, in spite of what your gps might tell you. The road is closed from East Lake Rd up to the Wesley Road Trail Head. If you try it you will readily see why.

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