stid hill map

there was some interest in the map developed for the Stid Hill hike of August 18, 2013, so here it is for your downloading pleasure.

For 20 years I had my small rusty fishing boat lying year-round along the side of the boat launch on Hemlock Lake and my grummen canoe on Canadice Lake.  Nothing was said about the local residents who for many years felt they had a special privilege with the City of Rochester.  Since the sale of the land to the DEC and the adoption of the Hemlock/Canadice State Forest with new state regulations, local residents were required to remove their boats from the lake shores for a mass clean up, or have their boats impounded with a fine for pick up.  Since my canoe disappeared during one May storm many years ago, out of respect for the new laws I was one of the first to remove my row boat and purchased a kayak to continue exploring the lakes by water.

Bob took a boating safety class

A couple of years ago it was evident that during the planning of our summer schedule for Springwater Trails many of our hikers were also kayakers and canoists.  We reorganized our schedule to add a subgroup of boating to some of our weekly hikes to take advantage of what these beautiful undeveloped lakes had to offer during the summer months.  This wasn’t an easy task, as now it involved more than just planning hiking routes.  Planning boating adventures including boating safety, contant weather reports, earlier arrival times for launching, while continuing to plan hikes around the state forest.

Launching our boats

While hikers had their adventures on the trails, last week’s hike attracted 11 boaters and one dog to enjoy the calm waters of Hemlock Lake at the north end.  Thanks to our leader Bob, who managed to keep an eye on the safety of beginners to advanced boaters, we traveled the east shoreline, then crossed the lake to find the remains of the beaver lodge we encountered last year when we hiked the west shoreline to Eagle Crest Winery.  Linda, Mac in their bumper kayak and a few other kayakers enjoyed a relaxing ride and remained on the east shoreline.

Watch out for Linda and Mac in their bumper kayak

Being that the water level of the lake is much higher this year, we found some wet branches protruding above the water and much to our surprise saw an underwater lodge.  On the shoreline, placed over a creek was the old beaver lodge we walked up to last year.  Last year this lodge was completely out of water and the entrance and exit holes were fully exposed.  What was even more interesting was a deep water channel created between the two lodges.  One may have to explore the area at night to have an encounter with a beaver if the lodge is active. Some air bubbles were noticed and  boaters should be aware of not damaging the underwater lodge as it is pretty close to the surface and hard to see.

one on shoreline
one underwater

Traveling the west shoreline, we crossed the lake to return to the boat launch and give the climbers a ride back to their cars parked at Rob’s Trail.  A fantastic social was enjoyed on the new deck of Bob and Joan’s chalet, complete with fresh vegetables and nasturtiums from Joan’s garden. Thanks Bob and Joan and to all those that provide delicious healthy meals for all to enjoy.

If you would like to kayak during the week, contact Pam at [email protected]

Yesterday (Aug 11, 2013) we had a very good turnout for our hike and kayak.  13 hikers and 12 boaters joined Springwater Trails to enjoy the water and forests of Hemlock Lake.  Some hikers walked down the steep Bald Hill from Route 15A to the lake along one of the many gullies that carry the rainwater to the lake.  We passed two waterfalls and walked beneath large Hemlock trees.  Although the hike required our attention on the steep grades and getting over the logs across our trail, the peacefulness of the woods made for a very good hike.  Once we reached the shoreline, we could see the fleet of kayaks and canoes that traveled from the north boat launch along both shores of the lake.  The sun was out and the water was clear, making for a nearly perfect day for boating.  Meanwhile, the naturalists explored the Hemlock outlet.  Gene reports they stopped for a trail-side blackberry snack.

Hike in West Hill Preserve took a little longer than originally thought.  It was after 7 when hikers finished. Good thing days are still long.  Most hikers seemed to enjoy the area.  Lots of mushrooms were found and Bob Cox took some real good pictures.  Naturalists went to Grimes Glen to cool off on the trail and creek.  Possibility of a future hike there was discussed.  Then, back to Naples Park, where a few raspberries were picked and a bunch of blackberries, which will be ripe soon, were noticed.  Sky was clear and temperature around 90.

Georgia did this hike in winter, on snowshoes.  Might be a thought for upcoming winter, possibly March 9, when daylight savings time returns.