The Hike:

Start the New Year the way you mean to go on – come for an inspiring hike along Canadice Lake! This is an easy, 1.8-mile each way hike along the shore of the lake; the trail is level and well-maintained and the lake views are lovely. For most hikers it will be a walk along the lake for an hour or so, and then back the same way; more enthusiastic hikers can veer off on Rob’s Trail that leads over the ridge and down to Hemlock Lake – this is a moderate to hard trail with several steep uphill and downhill sections. We’ll take a roll call the day of the hike if anyone wants to walk Rob’s Trail. We’ll arrange for transport back for those who only want to walk one way. Dress appropriately for the weather, carry water and some energy food, and carry a walking pole if it helps. Leashed pets are welcome.

This is not a “routine” Sunday hike – it’s special because the hike is promoted by the NYS DEC, and is part of a larger program of First Day Hikes to encourage people to get out and experience the magnificent Sate of New York that they live in. The DEC, State Parks, and the Canal Corporation invite New Yorkers to kick off 2023 by participating in one of the many hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State. All hikers will leave with a memento of the hike and will be eligible to win an Empire Pass the allows entry to most state parks across the state.

Please note that the First Day hike this year is at 2:00pm Monday, giving everyone a little more time to get over the night before.

The Meet-Up Location

All First Day hikers should meet at the parking area off Purcell Hill Road, Town of Canadice, Ontario County. Google Maps (leaves this website) Click here for directions.

The Social

There won’t be an organized social on this hike.

Although we have visited this preserve numerous times over the years, it is good to pause and reflect on the history of this gem of the Finger Lakes.  Over one hundred years ago, after the sawmills of the Bristol Hills fell silent, white pine, hemlock, and oak seedlings began to sprout along the northern rim of Briggs Gully, one of the largest gorges in the Finger Lakes. The peaceful beauty of the forested glens and groves inspired three artists–John Wenrich, James Havens, and Colburn Dugan–in 1926, to purchase a 90 acre parcel which forms part of the preserve.  They built the cabin, which we will visit on our route, as a retreat. Their children, who inherited this small paradise, entrusted its care to the Finger Lakes Land Trust, who purchased it and additional parcels in 1999, then added a land grant from Chris White to create what is now the 390 acre Wesley Hill Preserve.

At this time bowhunting is permitted on 2 of the trails (Blue and Yellow) thus they are closed to hiking.  Please respect this. Our hikers will be traversing the Red, Orange, and Green Trails.

All hikers will meet at the Gulick Road Parking area.  Please be ready to hike at 2:00 PM.  Hiking boots and poles are highly recommended as the terrain is uneven and slippery in places.  To begin, all groups will head west on the Red Trail, around the pond and into the woods.

Naturalists will follow the Red Trail downhill toward the cabin along a lovely gully.  The cabin is in poor condition, but provides a glimpse into the past. There is a guest book and some interesting artifacts on the porch.  Hikers may be able to proceed a short way past the cabin on the Yellow Trail to a terrific overlook of Briggs Gully and Harriet Hollister Recreation area in the distance. If there is a closed sign, then they will need to head back up hill on the Red Trail to the pond and Parking area. Hike distance about 2 miles.

Tourists Shortly after the pond this group will turn right onto the Orange blazed trail.  They will follow this trail for1.2 miles to an intersection with the Yellow Trail. Turning left on Yellow will lead for .1 miles through the woods to the Red Trail .  At this point they can turn right downhill and walk to the cabin and Briggs Gully overlook.  They will then turn back up hill on the Red and follow it back to the pond and parking area.  Total Distance about 3 miles.

Climbers Be prepared for some climbing.  Following the Red Trail downhill from the pond, at the cabin turn left on Red down into a lovely gully and stream.  There is a steep uphill from the stream, up some rock steps with a railing and rope to help you climb.  Please use caution.  The Red Trail continues uphill along the gully, then flattens out at .7 miles where it reaches the Green Trail intersection.  The plan is to turn right and proceed downhill for .4miles into the famed Briggs Gully.  It is a steep rocky trail, but worth the trip.  If folks are not up for it, we can simply continue on the Red Trail which leads back to the parking area.  Total trip about 4 miles.

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, it’s 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 16 vehicles; any late comers can park on the side of the road.

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 miles to the first right turn on Gulick Rd.  Follow Gulick for about 7 miles, past Cumming Nature Center.  The parking area is on the left.

The trail map for Wesley Hill is here: Wesley Hill Preserve

After taking a head count to make sure that no one has been left behind, We will gather at The Birdhouse Brewery on Main Street(RT.20A) in Honeoye for food and beverages.

The Holiday Market (local artisans) will be there as well as musical entertainment by Stephen Morrell.

The Hike:

Start the New Year the way you mean to go on – come for an inspiring hike along Canadice Lake!

This is an easy, 1.8-mile each way hike along the shore of the lake; the trail is level and well-maintained and the lake views are lovely. For most hikers it will be a walk along the lake for an hour or so, and then back the same way; more enthusiastic hikers can veer off on Rob’s Trail that leads over the ridge and down to Hemlock Lake – this is a moderate to hard trail with several steep uphill and downhill sections.

We’ll take a roll call the day of the hike if anyone wants to walk Rob’s Trail. We’ll arrange for transport back for those who only want to walk one way. Dress appropriately for the weather, carry water and some energy food, and carry a walking pole if it helps. Leashed pets are welcome.

This is not a “routine” Sunday hike – it’s special because the hike is promoted by the NYS DEC, and is part of a larger program of First Day Hikes to encourage people to get out and experience the magnificent State of New York that they live in! The DEC, State Parks, and the Canal Corporation invite New Yorkers to kick off 2025 by participating in one of the many hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State. All hikers will leave with a memento of the hike and will be eligible to win an Empire Pass the allows entry to most state parks across the state.

Please note that the First Day hike this year is scheduled from 2:00pm-4:00pm, giving everyone a little more time to get over the night before.

The Meet-Up Location

All First Day hikers will meet at 1:45pm in the parking area off Purcell Hill Road, Town of Canadice, Ontario County. Google Maps (leaves this website) Click here for directions.  Please plan to arrive early enough to park and get dressed for the weather conditions. 

The Social

There won’t be an organized social on this hike.

May 3rd is the New York State “I Love My Park” day – the day the state begs for free labor to pick up trash on the land that it owns. We usually do our bit, and this year the bit we have chosen is Canadice Lake. The trails themselves don’t need much cleaning up, but the parking areas are usually dumping grounds for some less courteous visitors.

This Saturday hike is in addition to our usual Sunday hike!  

We plan to clean up both North and South boat launch parking areas.  We will meet at the north boat launch, at the end of the old east lake road, a sharp left after you first enter Rix Hill Road from Route 15A.

We will send the first 6 people to do the loop down to the lake and around back to the parking lot, and then around the lot. After the first 6, we will send groups of 6 to other parking/boat launch areas around the lakes.  And if we can organize it, we will have a small boat at the Hemlock North Boat Launch to take 6 to the Rob’s trail connection for putting up blazes if we can get hold of the paint in time.

Optional Social: Please join us at the Birdhouse Brewing Company in Honeoye – 8716 Main Street, just east of the traffic light, for craft beer and pub food. http://birdhousebrewing.beer

Directions: From Springwater: proceed north on Route 15A 19 miles, then make a left on Rix Hill Road and an immediate left on Old East Lake Road, a.k.a Boat Launch Road.

From Honeoye and points east:  Take Route 20A west from the Bristol Valley and Honeoye. When 20A meets Route 15A, make a left and go about .6 miles to Rix Hill Road. Make a right and then an immediate left on the dead end road to the boat launch parking area in one mile.

From Rochester and points west: Take Route 15 south from Henrietta or Route 15A south from Honeoye Falls, or Route 390 south to the Lakeville-Livonia exit, then go south on Route 15 and then east on Route 20A  through Hemlock. When Route 20A turns east toward Honeoye, go straight another .6 miles and make a right on Rix Hill Road. Then make an immediate left onto the boat launch road and go to the end, 1 mile.

From Penn Yan:  Take 54A across the north end of Keuka Lake to Branchport. Continue straight onto Italy Hill Rd (CR32). In 4.9 miles, turn left to stay on Italy Hill Rd and take the 2nd right onto Italy Hill Turnpike (CR34). At the bottom of the hill (3 miles) stay to the left onto Italy Valley Rd (CR18). On entering Ontario County, Italy Valley Rd becomes CR21. Continue to the T and turn right onto NY 53 into Naples. Continue straight onto NY 21 North past the Wayside Market and turn left onto Clark St (CR 36). Continue for about 15 miles along Honeoye Lake. Turn left at the light onto US 20A. In 4.8 miles, turn At 0.7miles past the intersection with 20A, take the first right onto Rix Hill Rd into the Hemlock Lake Park. Take the first left and follow the boat launch road to the end.

To the Social: From the Boat Launch parking area, return to Rix Hill Road, make a right and then a left on Route 15A. Go .6 miles and make a right on Route 20A. In about 4.75 miles you will reach the traffic light in Honeoye. A few buildings beyond the light is Birdhouse Brewing on the left at #8716.