What better way to enjoy the hot weather than by taking a kayak or a walk along the gem of Hemlock Lake?  This week we will meet at the South Boat Launch on Hemlock Lake just miles north of the light in Springwater, and kayak up the inlet.  The water is high and the red winged black birds and baby ducks are absolutely delightful.  The eagles may even turn out to soar above us.  We will kayak into the inlet until we hit a “tree block”, turn around and come back.  If time we may head north for a bit on the shore of Hemlock Lake.

Attention: It is highly recommended that you bring sun glasses, suntan lotion, bug spray and water. It is going to be hot and sunny and there is no shade on the lake!

If kayaking isn’t for you, there is a lovely walk a,,long the lake with several opportunities to get down to the lake and enjoy the view of the water and the opposite tree filled shore.  The walk goes along an abandoned road, which eventually turns into a bit of a path.  It is approximately a total of 3 miles. 

Social: Pot luck social after the hike near the parking lot.  Please bring a dish to pass.  The grill will be cooking hot dogs. 

Kayak:  Hemlock Boat Launch:  South end, please arrive around 3:40 to get kayaks in the water

Hike:  Hemlock trail from south end boat launch.

Directions:

From Springwater: Follow 15A North from Springwater for 2.3 miles.  Turn left into the parking area, then an immediate right to head down the access road. In about half a mile, the launch is on the left, and the parking area is on the right. 

From Hemlock or Honeoye:  Follow 15A South for 8.4 miles from the 15A / 20A intersection south of Hemlock.  Turn right into the parking area, then an immediate right to head down the access road. In about half a mile, the launch is on the left, and the parking area is on the right. 

Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area is a 5,100 acre upland tract named after the Timber Rattlesnake, which historically was found in the more remote sections of the “Hill.” There are multiple trail options on Ebert Rd, where we will hike this week. The Climbers have the opportunity to take a 1.5 mile loop that follows along a ravine north of Ebert Rd, and after coming back up to Walworth Rd, take a loop around the ponds. The Tourists will loop around the ponds and connect with another loop south of Ebert Rd. The Naturalists can explore the grass fields and woods around the parking area for signs of the prior homestead, and take the short trail to one of the ponds created by the DEC.

There will be sections of tall grass (unless we get lucky and DEC mows this week), and possibly a bit of mud in spots (blame the beaver). Dress accordingly. You know you need bug spray.

History

Rattlesnake Hill was initially logged for its white pine and hemlock, then homesteaders settled and grew grain. Historic county atlases show 8-9 homesteaders on what is now Ebert Rd. Years of intensive and careless use led to loss of land fertility and the farmers left. The tract was purchased by the federal government in the 1930s under the Federal Resettlement Administration.

Our parking location was once the site of a homestead, owned by E. Burrall according to the 1872 County Atlas, and by 1902 it was owned by F. Rathburn. Neither atlas shows an Ebert, so it would appear that name came from some other source.

Social: Pot luck social after the hike near the parking area.  Please bring a dish to pass and something to sit on.  The grill will be cooking hot dogs, and I will bring the propane.

Directions From Dansville

No street address, enter these coordinates into Google maps for a look: 42.527497, -77.843613. Head west on Route 436 out of Dansville (2nd light), toward Nunda. At approximately 8 miles, turn left on Shute Rd. In approximately 3/4 of a mile turn left on Walsworth Rd. Continue to the end of Walsworth, and turn left onto Ebert Rd. The parking area will be on your right in about 1/3 of a mile.

Please join us this Sunday as we complete the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail and celebrate this treasure for our area.

This hike will be on the northern most section of the BHB between Ontario County Park and West Hollow Rd.  Highlights include a nice wooden overlook of CR 33 and the hills beyond, and a pretty beaver pond which we will see up close and from the top of a hill. Almost all of the hike will be in woods, so you can skip the sun tan lotion, although little gnats may bug you. 

For this hike, we will all meet at Ontario Park pavilion 6. Enter the park, pass the camping and cabins and turn in at the sign for All Pavilions. The pavilions are in order. Following the hike, join us for an optional social at the pavilion. We will have a grill and hot dogs, so bring a dish to share and your own beverage.

NOTE: Dogs are permitted in the park only if on a leash. No one can carry weapons in the park.

The Naturalists will walk north west from the pavilion, across the baseball field, to pavilion 3. At the corner of the road, a trail leads west to the entrance of the BHB (look for Finger Lakes Trail signs). Once on the trail, follow orange blazes. The trail is well marked going out. First you will pass the overlook.  Take the stairs down to the left, and the trail goes out the corner of the clearing near the stone wall. Continue to follow orange blazes until you come to the mail box where you can sign in. On Wednesday, there were no pens or pencils, so the first hiker who remembers to bring a pen should leave it in the mailbox for other hikers. At the mailbox, turn around to follow the trail back. If you see a right turn (away from the steep hill), you can take that trail back to the road and the shelter. Otherwise, stay on the orange trail back. The outward portion of this trail has one steep climb, which isn’t very long. This hike is about 2.5 miles with one steep climb.

The Tourists will start out with the Naturalists, but will continue on the orange trail past the mailbox. The mailbox is at the highest point on the Bristol Hills Branch, so most of the rest is downhill to the beaver pond. There are several gates crossing from the park to private land, which are easy for you to pass through. After the beaver pond, cross the outlet creek for another steep climb to overlook the west side of the pond. From there it is about a mile out to CR 33 (West Hollow Rd) and the cars that the climbers have left. This hike is 3 miles with two short climbs and one 600 foot descent. 

Meanwhile, the climbers will carpool to West Hollow Rd and park at the Boy Scout lot on the west side of West Hollow Rd. From the lot, they will cross West Hollow Rd and walk south about 100 feet. Cross the road ditch at the post with the first of many orange blazes. From there, follow the blazes through the woods to the beaver pond, then up a long hill to the mailbox. From the mailbox, it is about 1.5 miles to the overlook and back to the pavilion. This hike is 3 miles with a 600 ft climb.

DIRECTIONS: Note: The road through the park is one way counter-clockwise.  Google maps takes you the wrong way around the loop!

From Springwater, Wayland and Naples: Take NY 15 south from Springwater to Wayland. At the light, turn left onto NY-21. At the stop sign in N Cohocton, turn left to stay on NY-21. At the stop sign in Naples, turn left to stay on NY-21.  Continue on NY-21 for 1.8 miles through Naples. Bear left onto CR 12 (Bristol Springwater Rd) up the hill. In 1.9 miles bear left onto Rhine St. In a half mile, at the four way stop, continue straight onto Powell Rd, which becomes Gannett Hill Rd in 0.3 miles. In 3.2 miles, continue straight after the stop sign into the park. You will pass the tent camping area, and the cabins on the right, before you come to the entrance to the pavilions on the left.  We will park at pavilion 6. Come a bit early to enjoy to view across the valley and to use the restrooms.

From Canandaigua: Take NY 21S to South Bristol. Turn right onto NY 64N into South Bristol. In 0.4 miles, turn left onto Gannett hill Rd (see the sign for Ontario County Park). At the stop sign at the top, turn right into the Park. You will pass the tent camping area, and the cabins on the right, before you come to the entrance to the pavilions on the left.  We will park at pavilion 6.

From Honeoye: Take US-20A east through Honeoye. Turn right onto E. Lake Rd, then left onto CR 33 (Egypt Valley Rd). In 5.9 miles, continue straight onto CR 34. At the tee, turn right onto NY 64S. In 1.9 miles, turn right onto Gannett Hill Rd (see the sign for Ontario County Park). At the stop sign at the top, turn right into the Park. You will pass the tent camping area, and the cabins on the right, before you come to the entrance to the pavilions on the left.  We will park at pavilion 6.

Directions from the park to the parking area on West Hollow Rd (Climbers): Exit from the pavilions, and turn left onto the park road. Follow the park road around to the 4 way stop. Turn right onto Gannett Hill Rd.In 1.6 miles, turn right onto Porter Rd. At the end of Porter Rd, turn right onto W. Hollow Rd. In 1.2 miles (watch your mileage), there is a parking area on the left.  This parking area is hidden, so  watch carefully.  If you get to the Gell Center on the right, you have gone too far.

Directions from West Hollow Rd back to the park (Tourists): At the end of the tourist hike, the trail goes right to cross West Hollow Rd into the parking area. Drive out of the parking area and turn right onto West Hollow Rd. In 1.2 miles, turn left onto Porter Rd. At the end of Porter Rd, turn left onto Gannett Hill Rd. At the 4 way stop, continue straight into the park. Come to Pavilion 6.

Too hot to hike?  Think again.  This week’s event is a perfect solution.  The Houghton Preserve is a shady respite from the heat wave, nestled on a hilltop to catch an occasional breeze. The trails are not at all strenuous, so hikers can relax and enjoy their time in the woods.
This preserve is a gift from Jamie and Maisie Houghton to the Finger Lakes Land Trust.  The family has deep roots in the Corning Community dating back to the mid 1800’s.  The terrain is mostly wooded, but meadows fringe the boundaries.   The trails are level with one moderate pitch.  Off trail there are some steep gullies to view.  The FLLT website has a more thorough description and a trail map of this preserve and many other preserves around the Finger Lakes..

All hikers will be using the same trails this week.  The leader will provide maps and suggested routes for our subgroups.

Naturalists may be challenged by the short climb out from the parking area on the blue trail.  The footing is excellent.  It is a short uphill walk to a lovely overlook of the valley.  A bench, built by a local eagle scout, awaits those in need of a rest and an opportunity to listen for Bobolinks in the meadow.  Total mileage < 1.5 miles.

Tourists and Climbers  will be able to tackle al of the trails in about 1.5 hours time.  There are various loops to explore at a leisurely pace.  Wildlife possibilities include porcupines and yellow billed cuckoos overhead in the forest canopy. Mileage will be < 4 miles.

Please note:  Dogs must be leashed at all times

Social  We should have plenty of time to enjoy the apres hike gathering, just a short drive away in downtown Corning, at the Market Street Brewing Company, 63 West Market Street.  The menu offers a variety of apps, entrees, sandwiches, desserts, and of course  fresh brewed beers.  The pub supports local growers. Indoor and outdoor seating is  available as long as we call ahead on Sunday.  Parking should be available on the street nearby. See http://www.936-beer.com for the menu and description.

Directions from Springwater

Follow Rt 15 south through Wayland to I 390.  Follow 390 south/ 86 east to  the exit for Rt 352/ Denison Parkway ( pretty sure it is #45).  continue south on 352 for approximately 2 miles, then turn right on Chemung St.  Continue uphill  on Chemung (which becomes Spencer Hill Rd) for 2.3 miles.  The Preserve will be on your right.  There is ample parking.

We will do a carpool from the Springwater Town Hall leaving promptly at 2:45.

Come walk among the Dutch Hill Wind Farm, part of the 125-Megawatt wind farm located in Cohocton NY, on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at 4pm. We will meet at our ending point just off Shults Hill Rd in the Town of Cohocton and car pool to our starting point. Location is first road on the right past the Lawrence Parks Recreation area 10726 Atlanta Back Road in the Town of Cohocton. This will be a 3.6-mile hike on rolling dry gravel roads among the farm fields. Milkweed is in bloom so butterflies aplenty along with the hawks soaring above.   If the climbers want a longer hike we will drop them off on a .6 mile, uphill, through the woods, on a seasonal road for them to walk to the starting point.

Following the hike, join us for a social at the Mt. View Inn 34 Main Street Atlanta. NY.

Directions: Use Lawrence Park address above

Or

From Springwater and Wayland: Head out on Rte. 15 South to Wayland.   At the light turn left onto Route 21 North.   Go 5.9 miles turn right on to Beecher Street. At the 4 corners of Beecher St, West Ave, North and South Main Streets in Atlanta turn left. Go past the Mt View Inn and take your first right on to Erie Street which turns into Atlanta Back Road.   Go 2.3 miles to Shults Hill Road. You will pass the Lawrence Park recreation on your left. Watch for parking either across the road in the field or on Shults Road itself. Depends on hay season.

From Rochester: Take 390 South to the Wayland Exit.   Turn right off the exit and travel 1.8 miles to the light in Wayland. Turn right onto 21 North and follow directions above.

From Honeoye: Follow W Hollow Rd (County Road 36) to Naples. Turn Right at the Middletown Tavern on to Rte. 21 South, for 5.4 miles turn left onto Beecher Street. Follow directions above. Social will be at the Mt. View Inn 34 Main Street Atlanta. NY.

Sunday’s hike takes us to the Seneca nation’s Great Hill at the southeast corner of Canandaigua Lake.

We will meet at 3:45 PM at the NYS DEC parking lot at the juncture of West Avenue and  Sunnyside Road, in the Town of Italy and at the south end of the Middlesex Valley.   There will be no formal groups – Tourists and Climbers may turn around and return to the start when they see fit.  At Clark Gully, which is easy walking distance from the DEC parking lot, we will view the emergence spot of the Onundawaga (Seneca) from a previous world to this one (in distinction to the story of Sky Woman, who fell). Their name means People of the Great Hill, and this is it.

After that short walk we will adjourn to the West River Nature Preserve, a Finger Lakes Land Trust property right across Sunnyside Road to look at signs and explanations of the 32 acre property which is prime grassland bird habitat now (previously was abandoned vineyard). Then we will walk on Sunnyside Road south and west toward Canandaigua Lake until we come to the Great Hill Nature Preserve (also FLLT) about 1 mile up and to the left (sign), and we will turn into it and walk a trail about 1.5 miles to its end, then turn and come back to our cars.  All in all, about 3.5 miles. What with gawking it should take us about 2 hours.

Social gathering is at the Middletown Tavern, 183 S. Main St., Naples.

Directions:
From Springwater and points south, west and northwest:  Go to Naples, then turn onto Route 245 opposite Bob’s and Ruth’s. After 4 miles, turn left on Sunnyside Road. The parking area is on your right, in about .4 miles.

From Rushville, and points north and east: From Rushville, take Route 245 South 9.75 miles through Middlesex and on to the Sunnyside intersection. Make a right, go .4 miles to the parking area on your right.

This Sunday we’ll have a chance to see the Wesley Hill Preserve from a different angle with the option of an off-trail walk down a hemlock-lined stream bed.

We will meet at 3:45 at the parking lot on Gulick Road, north of Cummings Nature Center and south of Wesley Road.   Both Climbers and Tourists will follow the Red Trail past the pond to the spot where it crosses a side stream (not the much deeper Briggs Gully).  Hikers comfortable with the rough terrain of the stream bed will head down the stream  about .8 miles, to the point where the Red Trail again crosses the stream, near the Wenrich Cabin (about an hour of streambed hiking), and then return on the Red Trail, with a detour on the Green Trail down into Briggs Gully for those wanting more of a climb.   The stream gradient is gentle, and it’s likely to have a moderate amount of water in some sections and be dry in others. There are occasional fallen trees to negotiate over or under.  Caution and flexibility are required.  The level of difficulty is similar to what we saw last week in Clark’s Gully.  Wear footwear with good traction that you don’t mind getting wet, and poles are recommended. 

For those looking to stay on a trail, the Climber group will follow the Orange and Red Trails for a total of 4 miles.   The Naturalists will hike to the pond and into the relatively level woods beyond on the Red Trail, retracing their steps when they choose.

Wesley Hill is a Finger Lakes Land Trust property of 390 acres on the hill east of Honeoye Lake.  including stands of northern hardwoods, red and white pines, a woodland pond, and the northern edge of Briggs Gully, as well as the Wenrich Cabin, set in an old forest overlooking the gully, deep in the woods.  A network of trails through the preserve offers excellent hiking routes of various lengths and levels of difficulty. The preserve was established in 1999 by the generous donation of 90 acres by the children of three artists – John Wenrich, James Havens and Colburn Dugan – to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Since that time, the Land Trust has expanded Wesley Hill through the purchase or donation of four additional parcels.

Following the hike, the optional social will be at the Boat House Grill behind Trident Marina, 5226 East Lake Rd, Honeoye, NY.

Directions: 

From Honeoye: take route 20A east through Honeoye to East Lake Road (CR 33). Turn right onto East Lake Road. (If coming from Bristol or points east, its a left onto East Lake Road).  Take the first left, staying on CR 33, then the first right onto Pinewood Hill which becomes Gulick Road. Travel about 5 miles to Wesley Hill Parking Area on the right side. Parking lot can fit about 10 vehicles; the rest of us can park on the side of the road (it’s paved).

From Springwater: Head north on Rte. 15A toward Hemlock.  Just before Hemlock, turn right on Rte. 20A.  Follow Rt 20A to Honeoye and then follow the directions above.

From Naples: From the southern end of Naples, head west on Co Rd 36. Follow Co Rd 36 for 1.2 to the first right turn on Gulick Rd.  Follow Gulick for about 7 miles.  The parking area is on the left.

Directions to the Social from the trailhead:

Via the seasonal part of Wesley Rd.: Turn left out of the parking area and head north on Gulick Road. Turn left on Wesley Road, the first left. At the bottom, turn right on East Lake Rd. The marina is on the left in 3.1 miles. The Boat House Grill is in the back of the building with a view of the lake.

Via Gulick Rd:  Turn left out of the parking area on Gulick Road. In about 3 miles, the road bears left and becomes Pinewood Hill Rd. At the stop sign, turn left to stay on Pinewood Hill Rd (CR 33). In 0.4 mi, turn left onto E Lake Rd. In 0.8 miles, turn right at the sign for Trident Marine. The Honeoye Boat House Grill is about 150 feet down on the back of the building with a view of the lake.

This week, Springwater Trails is starting a series of monthly hikes along the Letchworth Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail. This 25 mile long trail passes along the top of the Letchworth Gorge on the eastern side of the park. The trail is known for beautiful views of the gorge for a vantage point that is often unfamiliar to regular visitors to the Letchworth Park. In addition to the main gorge and the Genesee River, there are many small streams that cross the park from east to west, carving gullies that must be crossed by hikers. So, we will often experience detours from the edge of the Gorge where these gullies are steep and deep, eastward to the head of the gully where crossings are possible.

Our hike this Sunday will begin on the Greenway in Mt Morris. The Climbers will hike through the Al Lorenz County Park, past the Mt Morris Dam to Access C, a total of about 3.5 miles. The first half of the hike will be up a fairly steep hill to reach the flat area at the top of the gorge.  The Tourist group will do the same hike in reverse – trading the steep climb for a steep descent.  The Naturalists hike will be primarily flat. They will start at the Dam parking area and head north to the Wildlife Loop for a 1.5 mile hike. After returning to the parking area, the Naturalists may want to head south on the Letchworth Branch trail to enjoy some views of the gorge. 

All hikers will meet at the parking area 400 feet north west of State St on Main St in Mt. Morris. Please come early to help arrange car pooling to Access Pt C at the south end of this week’s hike.

The Tourists will drive to Access Pt C (Hogsback overlook) to start their hike. After parking, they will immediately enjoy a view of the Letchworth Gorge. Turning to the right, they will follow the Letchworth Branch blazed yellow for about a mile to the Mt. Morris Dam Visitor Center parking lot. Yellow blazed are painted on the lamp posts down the center of the parking area, Continue across the parking area to the right corner of the visitor center where you will find a mowed trail heading diagonally across the field. On the far side of the field, continue to follow the yellow blazes. When you join the Wildlife loop, stay to the left to follow the yellow and blue blazes. The yellow blazes will leave the Wildlife loop to the left to start the descent along the gorge. After passing an old log cabin, you will see the pavilions of Al Lorenz County Park. Take the lane to the left up the hill to the Livingston County campus. Turn left on Sickles Rd and walk the road down around several switchbacks. At the bottom, the yellow blazes end at the Genesee Valley Greenway. Turn right on the Greenway and follow the trail beside the old Genesee Valley Canal to Main St and the awaiting cars.

The Naturalists will car pool to the Mt Morris Dam parking area to start their hike. If they arrive at the parking area before 4:30, they may want to spend a few minutes in the Visitor’s Center. Exiting the visitor center, turn left on the sidewalk and walk to the field. Follow the yellow blazes for the Letchworth Branch into the woods to the Wildlife Loop. Turn right onto the Wildlife loop, follow the blue blazes around until it rejoins the Letchworth Branch.  Continue on the Blue/Yellow trail back to the start of the Wildlife Loop, then continue on the Yellow Letchworth Branch to return to the Visitor’s Center. Based on time, the Naturalists may want to spend time in the park around the Dam, or go to the South end of the parking lot and pick up the Letchworth Branch for a short out and back hike. 

The Climbers will start from the meeting place along the sidewalk down hill to the Genesee Valley Greenway. Cross Main St and stay on the Greenway to Sickles Ave to the start of the Letchworth Branch of the FLT. Turn left and follow the road to the top.  There are occasional blazes as you go up. At the top the road turns left but the trail continues straight (W) past a
dumpster on the right, down a lane to Al Lorenz County Park. Stay to the right to find the yellow blazes, into Letchworth Park, along the gorge. At the sign for the Wildlife Loop, stay on the Letchworth Branch. The trail will come out onto a mowed path to the Visitor Center, along the length of the parking lot, to a kiosk where the trail enters the woods and follows the gorge to Hogsback overlook (Access C). The climbers will then use the Tourist’s cars to return to the parking area (I hope you remembered to swap keys when you met the tourists on the hike up).

Following the Hike, we will all drive to Al Lorenz park for a pot luck social. Please bring a dish to pass and your own beverage. In case of rain, we will go to the Charred American Bar + Grill at 36 Main St across from the meeting area.

Directions to the meeting location:

From Springwater: Follow NY-15 N for 1.5 mile. Turn left on Liberty Pole Rd, which becomes Springwater-Scottsburg Rd, and Groveland Scottsburg Rd, for a total of 8.1 miles. Turn right onto NY-63 N. Turn left onto NY 408 into Mt. Morris. At the Main St light, turn right and park in the first parking area on the right (about 400 ft.).

From Wayland: Head south on NY-15. Turn right onto I-390 past the Dansville exits to Exit 36 (16.3 mi) for NY 36, Mt. Morris. Turn left on NY-36N for 5.2 miles onto Main St. The parking area is about 400 feet beyond the light at NY 408 on the right.

From Rochester: Take I-390 S to Exit 7 for NY 408 Mt Morris. Turn left (south-west) on NY 408. At the Main St light, turn right and park in the first parking area on the right (about 400 ft.).

Directions for carpools to the hike start: Turn left onto Main St. Take the second right on Chapell St (NY 408S) In 1.8 miles, turn right onto Visitor Center Rd. Tourists will stop in 1.1 miles at the Hogsback Overlook. Naturalists will stay on Visitor Center Rd for 1.7 miles to the parking log at the center.

Directions to Al Lorenz Park: 

From Main St Parking Lot: Turn right onto Main St. Turn left onto Grove St. Turn right onto Murray Hill Dr. Take the first left onto Al Lorenz Dr. Take the first right into the park. 

From the Visitor Center parking lot: Turn right onto Visitor Center Rd.  Take the first left onto Damsite Rd. Turn left onto Tallman Rd. In 1.2 mi, turn left into the park.

From Hogsback Overlook parking lot: Turn left onto Visitor Center Rd.  Take the first right onto Damsite Rd. Turn left onto Tallman Rd. In 1.2 mi, turn left into the park.

A brief preview of the Springwater Trails Letchworth Series.

Our series of hikes will start at the northern end of the trail in the village of Mt Morris. The first hike (August) starts on the Greenway in Mt Morris to the Letchworth Branch intersection and upward past the Mt Morris Dam to Access C, a total of about 3.5 miles. In September, we will continue with a 4 mile hike to Access D, then 2.9 miles to Access E (Oct), 6 miles to Access F (Nov), 2.4 miles to Access G (Dec), 3.6 miles to Access H (Jan), 4 miles to Access K (Feb) and a final 3 miles (or so) in March to meet up with the main Finger Lakes Trail just past Portageville.  The construction of a new railroad bridge over the Genesee at the south end of the trail has required re-routing of the Letchworth Branch onto road walks. We expect the trail to be reopened by March, but if necessary we will postpone our final hike until the trail is opened.