Since I have Char’s pictures from the last two hikes today, you will get two hike reports in one – sort of a two for one sale!

On Oct 18th, 15 hikers enjoyed the Erie-Attica trail and the Genesee Valley Greenway near Avon. It turned out to be a nice day with a dry trail.

The day started with a presentation sponsored by the Avon Historical Society, discussing the renovation of the Opera Block building on the circle in Avon by the Town Government.  They now are assessing the community interest in renovating the third floor stage and multi-purpose room of that building for community events.

The town hall in Avon uses the renovated Opera Block building.	The original stage still waits to be put back in use.
Even the old ceiling is interesting.	There is plenty of room for an audience.

On October 25, sixteen hikers met at the Wayland parking lot to car pool to the Finger Lakes Trail north east of Hornell. Thanks to volunteer drivers and careful attention by everyone, we were able to carpool in six cars.  Two were left at the end points of the hike (C and D) and the others transported everyone to  the start points (A and B).

The Climbers and Tourists started up hill through a Hemlock woods and then a Red Pine plantation. The Red pines were a very clean woods, with almost nothing growing at ground level.  The occasional tree making it way certainly stood out.

The naturalists started at the top of the hill for a road walk.  The rest of the hikers caught up to them and enjoyed the views across the valley.

We re-entered woods to follow an abandoned town road past an old barn and down the Katherine’s waiting car which transported the Naturalists and Tourists back to cars parked at the start of the hike and then to the Country Kitchen for our social.

Meanwhile, the climbers crossed CR 70A and continued over one more hill to the Hornell Water Filtration plant.  John’s car was a two small for all of the climbers, so Char and Linda and one dirty dog walked to the social.

	John convinced us that this tall pole with a large light and two small antennas is a navigation aid for the Hornell Airport.

Sunday, September 6, the Springwater Trails Mushroom hike on the All Western Evergreen Nursery & Christmas Tree Farm, followed by a dish-to-pass social, was well attended by 12 hikers and three others.  Wendy and Char led the Tourists and Climbers on a 4 mile hike through woods, Christmas trees, and meadows.  Gene led the naturalists who did their foraging mainly in the cool woods behind the house, the sun streaming hot in the open fields.  Everyone collected mushrooms in paper sacks and over two dozen different mushrooms were identified, some edible.  The food at the social was outstanding.

Here we are, loving the outdoors on Sunday afternoon.  Fourteen hikers took a grand tour of the park.  It was especially nice that we had the place to ourselves.  Normally on a weekend the place is full of mountain bikers, hikers, and picnickers.  Despite the heat, conditions were relatively cool due to the higher elevation and the extensive shade.

Char’s picture of Honeoye Lake. Click on the picture for a full size version showing the wakes of all the boats out on this glorious day.

Climbers moved at a no nonsense pace around the park perimeter, traveling along Big Oak, Fox Run, Raccoon Run, Sidewinder, Blue Spruce, Chalet Road, and Ruthie’s Run, plus a few others.  I think everyone got their money’s worth of hills.  The view at the Overlook was a big hit, with many photos taken.

The Big Oak

Tourists, led by Mark, set off on a less ambitious route, but met some altitude challenges along the way.  The trails at the park have some signage but are not blazed, which can cause some confusion for the uninitiated hiker. The maps are marginally helpful.  Being the seasoned hikers that they are,  the tourists successfully navigated the maze of ski and bike trails and arrived unscathed, back at the parking lot, thanks to Mark’s exceptional sense of direction.

The seed/fruit of a purple trillium.

As always, along the trail conversation was stimulating and full of questions.  We discussed the history/name sake of the park.  Mushrooms and plants were frequent topics.  Here is one we wondered about.

We are fortunate to have such a glorious playground in our back yard.  Hopefully, this excursion will encourage more folks to explore  these trails on their own.

Post hike relief.

The social following the hike was at the Valley Inn in Honeoye – the first time many of us have been there in many years.  A delightful way to complete the day.