Annually, one of two big shindigs that Victor Hiking Trails (VHT) sponsors, is National Trails Day (NTD) observed the first Saturday of June.  In 2016 the date is June 4th.  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, 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” in 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.

You can read about National Trails Day from 2015 in the the VHT newsletter The Pathfinder Spring 2015 edition (volume 20, issue 1, page 6).   And of course, you can check the VHT website for updated details about the NTD hike for June 4th, 2016.  A direct hyperlink is here.

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.

Open to all artists and crafters in or near Springwater, NY.

NO JURY and NO FEE!

Registration Form

This week’s hike takes us in a new direction, Allegany County and Phillips Creek State Forest. Known as Allegany’ #1 Forest Area. It features 6 well market trails ranging from a 1.46 mile beginners trail to a 1.85 mile expert and a 2.96 mile intermediate section. It is composed of hardwoods and large stands of pines and spruce. During the 1930’s the Civilian Conservation Corps planted large stands of conifers. As of a couple of weeks ago, the lower trails were quite wet so proper footwear is advised in these areas. Maps will be provided.

Foot bridge over stream on trail 4 of the Phillips Creek Trail System for hikers and skiers with by-pass for horses.

We expect to have three groups based on the wishes of the group. All hikers will leave the parking lot and stay to the right onto Trail 3.  Half way around the loop, we will get on Trail 4.  At Stewart Rd, the climbers will take the loop Trail 5, then rejoin Trail 4 and follow the tourists and naturalists to trail 6 and back to the start point.

Here is a link for Philips Creek and information on Polly Wogg Holler

We have 2 options for the after hike social. Just down the road is Pollywogg Holler described as a Eco-Resort. Featuring pizza cooked in a wood fired oven Sunday’s from 1-6. Live entertainment for June 6 is “All Natural Speed Balls” with a $5 cover. Probably not for everyone. The other option would be the Country Kitchen in Hornell.

Directions to Phillips Creek State Forest.

I have room for 3 or 4 riders if you want to meet at 22 East Lake Road, Loon Lake. To carpool from Loon Lake, we should leave about 12:45.

A self organized carpool from Wayland will meet at the parking lot behind the Fire Hall off of Rt 63 in Wayland just west of the Rt 15/Rt 21 intersection at 12:45 and be ready to leave promptly at 12:55 for Phillips Creek. Be sure to bring directions in case you need to drive.

From Springwater: Take Rt 15 S to Wayland and continue on Route 21 16.5 miles. When you reach Hornell turn right on County Route 66 go 0.28 miles and turn right on State Route 36 toward Arkport. Go 0.43 miles and merge onto I 86 W NY17 Southern Tier Expressway. Drive 5.4 miles and take Exit 33 Almond. Turn right on Karr Valley Road for 0.5 miles. Turn right onto Main Street NY 21 this takes you thru Almond. After 4.28 miles turn right on Hamilton Hill road for 0.09 miles and turn left onto Rt 244. Continue 1.28 miles and take a slight right and continue on State Route 244. Continue 6.05 miles to Phillips Creek parking lot across from Stuck Hill road.. Drive time is 52 minutes.

ADK Outdoor Expo 2016 is scheduled for Saturday June 11th, 2016, 10:00AM-4:00PM at Mendon Ponds Park.  – – Outdoor activities and learning abound at this free event. – –

Here is a hyperlink to ADK Outdoor Expo.  http://www.gvc-adk.org/expo

And here is a hyperlink to an article about the 2015 Outdoor Expo, included for reference of the myriad type activities.

 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.

Our first Bicentennial Hike explored the Hamlet of Springwater back in April.  This month we are going to explore Webster Crossing, the other hamlet in the Town of Springwater.

We will be meeting at Webster Crossing United Methodist Church, (Route 15, Webster Crossing Road, Springwater, NY  14560) at 4 p.m, The hike will start with a walking tour of Webster Crossing then break up into groups, depending on the distance comfortable for those who are attending.  Suggested map routes for the Climbers, Tourists, and Naturalists will be provided.

We will be walking the Morris Road, Story Road, and the All Western Evergreen Tree Farms and other farm and homeowner’s properties depending on permission obtained.  More details day of the hike.

The dish-to- pass social will be at the Webster Crossing Church where Gladys Weed, hamlet historian and retired postmaster, will have the history of the hamlet in photos and will be on hand to answer any questions.

Directions:

From Springwater and Wayland: Follow NY 15 north from Wayland to the flashing light in Springwater.  Turn left to stay on NY 15. In 3.6 miles, the church is on the left.

From Rochester: Take I-390 South to Exit 9 – Lakeville. Turn left onto NY 15 south. Stay on NY 15 for 16.1 miles to Webster Crossing.  The church is on the right.

Please note: For this hike, other routes recommended by your favorite routing tool are also available, and will get you to the church (42.669608, -77.635264) on time. Just enter the GPS coordinates and drive with confidence.