Category Archives: Hikes

Hikes planned by the Springwater Trails

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Wesley Hill Preserve

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Maintained by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, Wesley Hill Nature Preserve is a 390-acre protected area featuring diverse stands of mature forest, a wide array of wildflowers, sweeping vistas of the hills surrounding Honeoye Lake, and a dramatic view of Briggs Gully. Over 5 miles of trails offer hours of hiking, skiing, and exploring for enthusiasts of all levels.

We will explore the Red and Green Trails.  Please wear Blaze Orange if you have it or another bright color.  

Address: 6280 Gulick Road, Naples    Entrance/Parking is North of Cumming Nature Center

From Finger Lakes Land Trust web site: (During the full hunting season, from October 1 – December 19, the majority of the preserve and hiking trails will remain open to the public, including the area of the preserve lying west of the cabin and to the overlook (at the yellow/blue trail junction, west of the orange/yellow trail junction). The yellow and blue trails accessed from Wesley Road will be closed to the public to allow for bow hunting in a section of the preserve.

Map of Wesley Hill Preserve – https://www.fllt.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Preserve-Brochure-Wesley-3.pdf

The Social will be a potluck/dish to pass at Kelly’s home, 36 University Avenue, Atlanta. See directions below. Bring your our own beverage and a favorite dish to share, or contribute $5 to our social fund. 

 

Directions to Wesley Hill Preserve, Gulick Road parking area:

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.

Directions to Social:  Leaving the parking lot on Gulick Rd, head South to Hunt Hollow Rd/County Rt 36.  Turn Right onto Hunt Hollow Rd.  Take a short distance to Maxfield Rd and turn left.  Follow Maxfield to Eelpot Rd and turn Right.  Follow Eelpot to Route 21 and turn Right.  Follow 21 as if going to Wayland, making the right turn in N Cohocton at Mikey’s Mini Mart, then make your first left onto University Ave.  The house is the 2nd home on the right past the Fire House.  Please park on the street or in the left side yard via the dirt drive.  Leave the gravel drive open as I’ll have everyone enter through the back door/mud room. 

 

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Scottsville Hike and Bike on the Greenway

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This Sunday we will return to the Genesee Valley Greenway (GVG) for a bike or hike on a section of the trail that is farther north than we have hiked in the past. We will meet close to the northern border of Livingston County with Monroe County.

Notice:

The Hometown Event published in Friday’s PennySaver was a week early. This Sunday we will be hiking the Greenway. Join us next week, October 8th, 2023, for a hike on Rob’s Trail in Hemlock.

All hikers  and bikers will meet at 1:45 (for a 2:00 start) at the Lehigh Valley Trail parking area on West River Rd between Avon and Scottsville. This parking area is across the street from the Livingston Office Park located at 96 W River Rd and just a few feet north of the River Road Transfer Station driveway..

The Tourist/Climber hikers who would like a three mile or more flat hike will carpool 2.4 miles north to Canawaugus Park in Scottsville. From that parking area, we will find the GVG at the east end of the parking area and turn right to head back south to the Wadsworth Junction with the Lehigh Valley Trail. A left turn will take us across the Genesee River. Based on available time, the group will hike as far as time permits along the Lehigh Valley Trail timing things to return to the GVG at about 3:45, allowing 15 minutes for the final half mile on the Lehigh Valley Trail back to the cars.

Meanwhile, the Naturalists and any other hikers who would prefer an out and back hike will follow the Lehigh Valley Trail east to the GVG at the Wadsworth Junction. From there, we will head north of the GVG. After an hour (or when we meet the Tourist/Climbers group), we will turn around and return to the cars.

Finally, the bikers (who should arrive around 1:45 to unload their bikes) will head east on the Lehigh Valley Trail.  At the Wadsworth Junction, we will turn left onto the GVG and ride north through the Canawaugus Park. We will regroup at the NY-253 crossing to evaluate our route back to the cars.  The map above shows a route east on 253 for a mile to a right turn into Harrogate Crossing. We will explore the neighborhood (turn left on Longton Pl, left on Westcombe Park and right on Martin Rd) to get to East River Rd. We will pass the New York Museum of Transportation and continue past NY 251 until we come to the Lehigh Valley Trail. From there it is 2 miles to the cars for a total ride of 11 miles. My pre-ride took 1 1/4 hours (an average of 9.2 mph). I expect we will spend a bit more time enjoying the scenery.

This trail is currently in excellent condition. The initial segment of the Lehigh Valley Trail has some erosion as it slopes down. Bikers should take this slowly to avoid getting caught in the erosion. The main Greenway headed north is crushed stone which is very smooth. Occasional walnuts on the trail and stop signs at tractor crossing will keep bikers alert. The bikers will ride on NY-253 with wide shoulders and E River Rd with good shoulders until we cross NY 251. There is one railroad crossing on 253 where all bikers will want to cross perpendicular to the tracks. The more narrow shoulders on E River Rd after 251 will require us to share the lane with the occasional car.  Finally, the Lehigh Valley Trail from E River Rd to the Wadsworth Junction is level dirt, only slightly rougher than the crushed stone.

Social: Following the ride and hike, we will gather for a social at the Mortalis Brewing Company.

Directions to the trailhead:

From Springwater:  Take NY-15A north to Lima. Turn left on 5 & 20. You will cross I-390, and NY-15, go around the circle in Avon, and cross the Genesee River. Stay straight on NY-5 when US-20 turns to the left. You will cross the Greenway and then turn right onto CR 84 (W River Rd). In 4.3 miles, the parking area will be on the right.

Alternatively from Springwater: Take NY-15 north for 22 miles through Livonia and Lakeville. Turn left onto 5&20, staying on NY-5 when US-20 turns left after Avon. You will cross the Greenway and then turn right onto CR 84 (W River Rd). In 4.3 miles, the parking area will be on the right.

From Dansville: Take I-390 north for 29 miles to exit 10. Turn left onto 5&20, staying on NY-5 when US-20 turns left after Avon. You will cross the Greenway and then turn right onto CR 84 (W River Rd). In 4.3 miles, the parking area will be on the right.

From Naples: Take CR 36 north for 14 miles to Honeoye. Turn left on US-20A for 4.8 miles Hemlock. Turn north on NY-15A to Lima. Turn left onto 5&20, staying on NY-5 when US-20 turns left after Avon. You will cross the Greenway and then turn right onto CR 84 (W River Rd). In 4.3 miles, the parking area will be on the right.

From Canandaigua: Take 5&20 west for 25 miles, staying on NY-5 when US-20 turns left after Avon. You will cross the Greenway and then turn right onto CR 84 (W River Rd). In 4.3 miles, the parking area will be on the right. (Google maps says you can save 2 minutes by going north and taking the Thruway).

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Schribner Valley Hike, Springwater

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Join us for the final hike of the year for Springwater Trails. This hike will be on private property on Schribner Rd in Springwater.

NOTE: Bow and Muzzel loading seasons are open on the day of the hike, but at the time of the hike, no hunters will be on most of the private land hosting our hike.

We will have two or three hikes available, depending on demand.  All hikes will start at the Hopkins’ home, located on the south west side of Schribner Rd just before (if you are coming from Tabors Corner) the intersection with Giles Rd.

All hikers will leave from the front of the house and will follow the trail by the woodshed, and along the creek, by the A-Frame to the blueberries.

At this point, the climbers and tourists will turn left down to the stream and then up to the hardwood forest. The climbers will take several switchbacks to get to the potato fields. Continuing up the hill, we will enjoy the views of the fields and follow the edge of the forest around to an entrance to the forest on the west side. From there we will head north to cross Giles Rd where we will stop briefly  to investigate a cemetery from the 1880s. The trail continues north along a small creek which eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay. From there, we will make our way back to the house for some more socializing.

Meanwhile, the tourists take a more direct route to the west side exit to the potato field. A quick U-turn will take us to the north trail, past the cemetery, around the valley and back to the house.

When the Naturalists depart from the climbers, they will continue north west along pine forests planted in the 30s and 50s and through some older natural white pines. We will pass the multicolored barn to follow a loop through the woods. Unless a one-horse sleigh picks us up, we will continue back south and cross the “bumpy” field to the house.

Following the hikes, all hikers are invited to join us for a seasonal social at the house. We will have a ham to share. Please bring a side dish or appetizer or dessert and your favorite beverage. Or make a small donation to the social fund.

Preview: Rather than a hike on New Years Eve, Springwater Trails is again leading a hike on New Years Day as part of the state-wide First Day Hikes program. Please join us at 2:00 at the north end of Canadice Lake. You will meet many hikers new to Springwater Trails.  Or if you are more adventurous, there are 8 hikes on the Greenway, and one near Alfred at Phillips Creek State Forest. Check out the map.  Its a great way to start the new year.

Directions: 

These directions are being provided because Schribner and Giles are seasonal roads at the north west ends.  If you use your GPS, please be sure that you are coming up Schribner Rd from Tabors Corners Rd. Enter Tabors Corners and Schribner Rd, Wayland NY.  Just to make sure you have good directions for the winter, check that the directions do not include Strutt St or Quanz Rd or Giles Rd. And whatever the weather is like, do not turn onto Schribner Rd from Strutt St (you will regret it!).

When you get onto Schribner Rd,  continue for 1 mile. The driveway is on the left one mile up Schribner Rd and about 10 feet before the intersection with Giles Rd. There is room for a few cars in the driveway, or turn around at the intersection and park on the the road. You may also park on the second driveway on the far side of the intersection, although, if you pull up the driveway, others may park behind you!

From Springwater: Head north on Rt 15A from the light in Springwater.  Take the first right on Wheaton Hill Rd (Co Rd 16).  Turn right on Wetmore Rd at the stop sign at the top of the hill.  At the end of Wetmore, bear right on Tabors Corners Rd.  After 3.5 miles turn right on Schribner Rd.  Follow the directions above in green.

From Wayland: From Rt 15, head east on Rt 21 toward North Cohocton for 3 miles. Turn left on Tabors Corners Rd (Steuben Co Rd 37).  After 2 miles, turn left on Schribner Rd (the second left). Follow the directions above in green.

From Honeoye: From Rt 20A, head south on Ontario Co Rd 37.  At Canadice, continue straight ahead on Canadice Hill Rd as Co Rd 37 turns right. When Ross Rd bears to the right, take the right.  This avoids the potholes in the dirt road straight ahead. In 2.7 miles, turn left on Tibbles Rd (the first left road on Ross Rd. In 1.1 miles turn right onto Wetmore Rd. Stay on Wetmore up over the hill to the end (2.2 miles). Bear right on Tabors Corners Rd.  Turn right at 3.5 miles onto Scribner Rd.  Follow the directions above in green.

From the East Lake Rd in Honeoye or From Naples: Rather than traveling north to reach 20A or Co Rd 37, hikers from east of Honeoye Lake may go south to Ontario Co Rd 36 and follow Co Rd 36 to Naples. Turn right on Rt 21 south.  Turn right to stay on Rt 21 for 4.5 miles to N Cohocton.  Turn right to stay on Rt 21 towards Wayland.  After 3.8 miles turn right on Tabors Corners Rd (Steuben Co Rd 37).  After 2 miles, turn left on Schribner Rd (the second left). Follow the directions above in green.