Watching the radar screen all morning, Ann gave us a clear “heads up” for our 2nd attempt at the Canadice “Trimodal” this past Sunday on Canadice Lake and within the Hemlock/Canadice State Forest.  24 members choose to participate in 3 different recreational events:  hiking the Canadice Trail, kayaking/canoeing on the lake, or bicycling around the lake via Canadice Lake Road and the Canadice Trail.

Wendy Stevenson completed all 3 events

Wendy Stevenson, an original board member of Springwater Parks and Trails, completed all three events, first biking 8 miles, then walking a mile with her bike, and finalizing the event with a kayak trip across the lake and back.  Family members greeter her at the completion of the trimodal.  Congratulations Wendy!

The hikers identified chantrelle mushrooms along the trail, wild black raspberries, along with summer wildflowers, blossoming rose beds around old foundations, sweet peas, yarrow, oxeye daisies, day lilies and more.  Tourists and Climbers hiked the entire trail of 4 miles, but of course that was too easy for the climbers, who continued another 4 miles back to our starting point for a total of 8 miles.  Although warnings were issued about a rut on the trail, bikers unexpectantly came upon the same narrow north/south rut again near the 1 1/2 and 2 mile mark on the west side of the trail, and a near fall was experienced.  We hope this identified hazard will be fixed so that no one else will get seriously hurt.

Four kayakers and Pati’s 10′ canoe explored the west side of the lake, traveled north, then crossed the lake with a little wind and rain to return to the launch.  Watching the dark clouds carefully, Pam’s new speedy Calypso kayak got a chance to cross the lake in a mad rush to reach safety on the east shoreline.  Wave conditions can be a lot different in the middle of the lake compared to the protected shorelines, especially for a beginner. Luckily the weather held out despite the unpredictable storms that have hit the Little Finger Lakes in the past week, dumping tons of water on already saturated ground.

Congratulations to Georgia Binder Georgia Binder who completed the entire 500 mile Finger Lakes Trail.  Although she indicated it took her 7 years to complete, we all honored and toasted to her diligence and success.  After hike social along the road displayed a large array of fresh fruits, wild black raspberries, greens, salads and desserts, and every hot dog was eaten! Thanks to everyone who provided a healthy and delicious meal to pass!

Regardless of the questionable weather which effected the launching of kayaks, the first annual Canadice Triathalon took place on Father’s Day, June 16, 2013.  Hikers became a little nervous when a sighting of Big Foot was reported on Canadice Lake by two fishermen.    Follow up interviews with a local resident confirmed that he had just taken some new internet growth pills, and although he couldn’t remember what actually happened, this could possibly explained the mystery.

To prepare for the hot weather to come Char gave a braiding demonstration prior to the hike and 4 spots were secured for our after hike social on Canadice Lake.  Ranger Pat, DEC, and John, City of Rochester, made their usual visit to check numbers, parking spots and to ask if we have seen anything unusual.  No one from Springwater Trails had seen Big Foot, just fawns and water snakes.

Mark and Pam participated in the biking event to ride an estimated 10 miles around Canadice Lake.  Mark took a few little side trip adventures to add a little excitment.  Pam indicated she had not been on a bike for over 5 years and was somewhat skeptical of riding with such an experienced mountain biker.   Later to take a trip over the handbars, Pam warns of a rut on the trail near the south end of the trail between mile marker 1 1/2 and 2 on the west side of the trail.  Bikers should beware! Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

Mark climbing a gravel mountain

Hikers continued on the Canadice Lake Trail, some hiking to the 2 mile mark and returning, and others hiking the entire trail for a distance of 4 miles.  Wecome back Tawn and Pati’s visiting sister!

When the weather on the lake died down, some kayakers experienced a beautiful calm ride on the lake after the enjoyable social along the lake.  We’ll try the triathalon again on Canadice Lake again on July 7th, so practice up! Bike, Hike, Kayak/Canoe.

Note: Don sent the following email to Joan and Bob, but has agreed to share it with anyone interested in Springwater Trails.  The pictures below were taken by Char.  Mac is watching me edit this so I am including Amy’s pictures of Mac at the bottom.

Joan and Bob, thanks for a wonderful hike experience Sunday. I was a Climber at the Mission Rd hike/Eagle Crest Winery after-hike social.  A wonderful day for a hike, and quite a nice hike route.  I was grateful for the forest canopy shading.  Some Climbers commented they could have done a bit longer route, but I realize (as I heard) the water level did not work in our favor that way.  (I would like to cover the additional south section of the trail on a repeat hike if we can, but I did hear some murmuring about continuing south in the woods/not the shore line last time resulting in some uncomfortable encounters with multiflora rose which we all can certainly do without).   Upon reaching just short of the pump-house we did not attempt to continue further south, we headed uphill on the old road which eventually brought us to the hilltop and Eagle Crest Winery.

We sighted and explored a bit at some old dilapidated foundations/structures on the way up the old road.   We did that route in probably less than 1 1/2 hours, but some hikers still had the walk up the winery entry road and then up Mission Road to get our cars still at the start point.  I think, some hikers opted for wine tasting at the winery instead of going for cars, and looked for a shuttle later to facilitate retrieving cars.

Despite the numerous days of rain we had shortly preceding the hike, the Climbers route itself had very few spots where there was mud, such that I believe most of us came out of the woods with dry and not muddy shoes/boots and no mud markings.  I could not have imagined the route having been in any better condition given the recent rains.  And thanks for doing the preview of lake level etc, just days before we did the hike, a nice extra effort on your part.

Point of clarification:  for Climbers – in the vicinity of utility pole #141 there was some sign of an entry point to Nature Conservancy lands and a Nature Conservancy sign but there was no clear mown trail here.  Instead the Climbers continued one pole further south to pole #142, and in doing so were on the south side of a creek instead of the north side.  At pole 142 we entered and walked on the very northern edge of the vineyard field itself – nicely mown, but well away from disturbing any vines in the vineyard.  I know not what pole 141 would have held for the group, but can say pole 142 was a good entry choice.

Great after-hike social venue.  Fantastic space under the white Big-Top tent to provide shade from the high sun angle and clear skies present during our Sunday hike and could have also been a welcome refuge in the case of rain.  It has been a few years since I have been to Eagle Crest Winery, and I looked forward to the hike and to returning to the wonderful setting of the winery.  THANK YOU for Hike Planning it!

Pizza:  – on a culinary note relative to the wood-fired oven Artisan Pizza – I believe I detected rosemary in the pizza crust itself.  Nice flavor for infusing in the dough!  Two other stand outs for me were Char’s Pineapple upside-down cake which she used pineapple juice in to replace some water in the recipe, and Deana in my opinion got the macaroni salad recipe just right with the inclusion of Frank’s Red Hot Sauce therein. Someone made the best oatmeal cookies that I have had in ages with lots of oatmeal, (the way they should be in my opinion, similar to the way my mom made them) and I could go on, but … So much for my culinary reviews and ramblings.

Thanks again.   Happiness in Hiking,

Don

PS.  The naturalists and tourists were careful to watch for Red Efts (the land phase of the Eastern Newt’s life).  According to Wikipedia, Eastern newts have three stages of life: (1) the aquatic larva or tadpole, (2) the red eft or terrestrial juvenile stage, and (3) the aquatic adult.

As the late Mr. Rogers would have put it, it was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.  Temparature around 60 with a clear sky.  Exactly what we requested, showing that the Allmighty listens to his chosen people.  However, just to be sure, we rented a covered pavillion for the social and that act was sure to keep the rain away.

3 hardy souls, led by Ann, made the workout climb up Cleveland Hill and were treated to a great view at the top.  The rest of us enjoyed the gradually decending 3 mile trail. from Ontario County Park to CR 33.  The beaver pond was still there, as well as their lodge, dam and stumps of saplings that they felled.

This again proved to be the prime time of the year for wildflowers.  We were treated to a big bunch of wild azelias, something not often seen.  Trilliums are coming to the end but there were still a few faded ones.  Also blooming were wild geranium, mayapple, fringed polygala, false solomon’s seal and bellwort.

The forest was primarily hardwood.  Shadbush and maple leafed viburnum were identified as well as many saplings of mountain maple, the leaves of which make a good substitute for Charmin, should the need for it arise while hiking.  If you use any leaf for that purpose, it’s a good idea to make sure it isn’t poison ivy.

This is also the prime time to learn birds.  Cocks are in their attractive breeding plumage and are singing to proclaim their mating territory and attract hens for nesting.  If you don’t want to take the time to look for them, many can be identified by their unique songs that can be heard as you’re hiking.  We heard several red eyed vireos, who have a 2 or 3 syllable song that sounds like “see me, here I am”.  Also identified by ear were chickadee, peewee, ovenbird, redwinged blackbird, crow and tree swallows were seen over the beaver pond.

Mushrooms are also starting to come up.  Along the trail, we found a yellow morel and a batch of fresh oyster mushrooms, which were gathered and enjoyably consumed with scrambled eggs, this morning.  We also found one that we think was a deer mushroom, which was not taken.  Although the deer mushroom isn’t poisonous, it’s as tasteless as my jokes, and there are some poisonous ones that look like it.  If you’s like to try some wild mushrooms this summer, fold a small paper bag in your pocket (plastic makes them sweat, and rot).  We’ll point out ones that we know are safe and will gladly share them with you.  Never eat one that you’re not sure about.

As it got dark, in a clear sky, we were treated to the 3 planet grouping described in the nature column.  The next morning, we saw that the much anticipated frost did not come to our flower garden so we saw, by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed, at the twilight’s last gleaming.  Nice to be the chosen people.

Till next Sunday, may the Schwartz be with you. .   .