Springwater Trails started as the Springwater Parks and Trails Committee around 2010 with initial funding from the Fiddler’s Fair. This committee was modeled after the Crescent Trail Association, a non-profit, incorporated organization active since 1980 with the full support of the town of Perinton.  They have created over 23 miles of foot trails in the town. In the early 90’s, residents of the Town of Victor created a similar  organization to develop and maintain trails in Victor.  They adopted Bylaws and created a not-for-profit corporation in 1992 and continue to develop and expand their trail system. According to their strategic plan published in 2016, 55 miles of trails have been developed in Victor with 28 miles maintained by Victor Hiking Trails (VHT), 15 miles by Genesee Region of Cyclists (GROC) and the rest by the town of Victor.

This Sunday, we will explore the Dryer trail located in Ganondagan State Historic Site and in Dryer Rd Park. Dryer Road Park is the home of 15 miles of bike trails (Click that link for an amazing map).

We will lead two hikes. Both hikes will be out and back, starting from the parking area on School St. This lot has only 7 parking spots, so carpooling would be good.  We can also double park within the group. And there is a large parking area on Boughton Hill Rd where overflow can park and then carpool to School St.

Linda will lead the Naturalists and Tourists along the Blue Dryer Trail up Fort Hill to the Granary Trail that loops around the top of the hill where a Seneca granary store a significant amount of corn prior to July, 1687, when the Denonville campaign from Montreal destroyed Ganondagan and burned the granary. Hikers can read entries from the Denonville journals and enjoy views to the south of the hills around Canandaigua Lake. The trail up Fort Hill has several switchbacks making it a much easier route than the other trails to the granary.

The Climbers will stay on the Dryer Trail to Dryer Road Park. On the return hike, we will stop at the Granary as time permits.

Following the hike, join us for a social at a local restaurant.

Directions 

Can be easily found using GPS

From Springwater and South – Take Route 15A north Just past the green dollar store in Hemlock make a right onto 20A.  Make a left onto County Rd. 37 just before the Valley Inn on the corner.  Take County Rd. 37.  Continuing straight it will become Rt. 65, then W. Bloomfield Rd. (CR-35).  You will turn right onto Boughton Hill Rd. (CR-53 which becomes 41) Make a left onto School St and the parking lot will be on the left.

From Rochester, take I-490 to the Victor exit, then Route 96 to Victor. At the second traffic light in Victor, use the right turn lane onto School St. Continue on School St (it switches to School Rd outside the village) for 1.5 miles. The parking are is on the right.

Alternate parking is available at the Visitor Center. Go south from the School Rd lot to Boughton Hill Rd. Turn left, and the parking lot in on the left.

Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY was dedicated in 1838 and is one of the most remarkable Victorian cemeteries in America.  It was opened in response to the Cholera outbreak of 1831 to 1834.  The location of the cemetery, created by glaciers, contains lofty hills and picturesque valleys along with a diversified forest of trees that help shade thousands of marble, bronze, and granite monuments and mausoleums.

This hike will explore the hills, valley and heavily wooded areas of the cemetery in addition to visiting some of the well-known graves including the graves of Susan B Anthony, Frederick Douglass, William Warfield to name a few.

Hikers will meet at 1:45pm at the North Gate entrance parking area in front of the 1862 chapel.

Social

Following our hike, join us for a social at the The Old Stone Tavern– 758 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 (1.2 miles from the cemetery entrance.)

Directions

Mt Hope Cemetery is 47 minutes north of Springwater, so carpooling should be considered.

From Springwater: Head north on NY 15A for 19 miles to Lima. Turn left on US-20 for 4.2 miles. Turn right onto I-390 N. At the split with 590, stay left on I-390 and then stay right to exit 16B for NY 15A/E Henrietta Rd. Continue straight past South Ave and turn right onto Mt Hope Ave. Go up and over the hill for 1.8 miles to the second entrance to the Cemetery.  There is parking inside the entrance.

From Naples: Take CR-36 (West Lake Rd) to Honeoye. Turn left on US-20A. In 5 miles turn right onto NY-15A and follow the Springwater directions.