Second try!  

We got rained out of this hike when it was on our July calendar, so we’re trying again with a terrific forecast this time around.

Join us Sunday the 13th for a different view of the DEC’s Hi Tor property. This time we are offering two hikes in the northern section of the Hi Tor Wildlife Management Area. Naturalists will explore the lower section of Conklin Gully near the Blue Trail Parking Area, while the Climbers and Tourists will car pool to the top and descend along the gully on the Finger Lakes Trail’s Bristol Hill Branch from Brink Hill Road to the west. Most Hi Tor hikes start out with an exhausting climb; this one is an exception – the trail follows the creek downstream  for several miles before emerging on the  service road down toward the Middlesex Valley. Avoiding the very steep final descent to Route 245, we will detour to the north on the Blue Trail and take in the dramatic overlooks at lower Conklin Gully before returning to the cars left at the meeting place. The total Climber hike will be about 3.5 miles with a descent of about 800 feet, but it will occupy 2 hours plus including the car pool. The Naturalist hike will stay near the original meeting point for a more leisurely trip of about 1.5 miles total, descending gently into the gully to the bridge and back, taking in overlook views of the gully and the hills beyond.

Everyone will gather at 3:45 at the Blue Trail Parking Area, off Parrish Hill Road, about a half mile up the hill from the intersection with Route 245.  The car pool with Climbers/Tourists will leave at 4PM sharp, so please be on time. Trail may be muddy or wet if it’s rained recently, so we recommend waterproof and high-traction footwear, long pants and poles for the the occasional steep downhill. Also insect spray.  We will need several volunteers for car pooling.

The optional dish-to-pass social afterwards will be at Naples Community Park at 8165 Route 245, where there are pavilions and rest rooms. Bring your favorite snacks, desserts, salads or entrees to share, or contribute $5 to our social fund. Bring a folding chair just in case the pavilions are reserved or full. 

Directions to Meeting Place at 42.635514,-77.357383: Take your favorite route to Naples.  At the intersection of Main Street Naples (Route 21) with Route 245, just opposite Bob and Ruth’s Restaurant, go north on Route 245 toward Middlesex. In 1.7 miles, take a right on Parrish Hill Road (just after the Hi-Tor Parking Area at the foot of Conklin Gully).  In .5 miles you will see a dirt road on the right, near a sharp left turn. Go up the dirt road a short distance to the Blue Trail Parking Area.

Car pool to Brink Hill Road Parking Area at 42.619834, -77.330930: Return to Parrish Hill Road and go right. In about a mile and a quarter Parrish Hill Road will make a sharp U turn to the right. Continue on Parrish HIll Road another 3/4 mile and make a left on Shay Road, then a right on Brink Road. At the next intersection go right on Brink Hill Road. The parking area will be on your right in about a half mile.

Directions to Social at 42.623798, -77.385576: From Brink Hill Road, return the way you came, back down Brink, Shay and Parrish Hill Roads to Route 245. Go left towards Naples. The Community Park will be on your left, just before the DEC facility and Naples Creek.

We will explore Canadice Lake and its surrounding terrain with the travel method of your choice, starting at the Canoe Launch (the southernmost lake access point) on Canadice Lake Road (southeast corner of the lake). Meet at 3:45 and park on the road shoulder near the kiosk.  If you are bringing a boat or a bike, allow extra time for unloading.

Hikers:  Those interested in a gentler walk may head south along Canadice Lake Road to the southern end of the Canadice Lake Trail and follow it as long as you like, then return. The side trail through the ponds south of Canadice Lake is a nice addition to this route.

Paddlers:  Put in at the south launch site and paddle the shores as far as you’d like, then return.

Cyclists:  Starting at the southeast corner of Canadice Lake, head north along the Canadice Lake Road, west on Purcell Hill Road and back to the start on the Canadice Lake Trail for a total of about 7.8 miles. It that’s too short, do it twice, or extend the loop by going north to Canadice Hollow Road, adding another 2 miles to the loop. The Lake Trail is fairly level and a decent surface for road bikes with medium tires, better for hybrid or mountain bikes.

Optional Social:  Bring a dish to pass or your own food and we will have a picnic at the south boat launch.

DIRECTIONS: From Springwater: Head north on 15A and cut over to Canadice Lake Road. via Wheaton Hill or Johnson Hill Road. The south access area will be on the left. 

From Canandaigua, Honeoye and Hemlock: Take Route 20A to the Canadice Lake Road intersection. Go south 6.5 miles to the southernmost lake access area, on your right.

From Rochester: Take Route 390 south to the 5&20 exit, go east to Lima, then south on Route 15A. After Hemlock, turn left on Route 20A and right on Canadice Lake Road. The southernmost access area is 6.5 miles down, on your right.

We will start from the trailhead on Bean Station Road, meeting at 1:45 for a 2 PM start.  Following the orange blazes, we will head south past the restored Covell Cemetery and the Evangeline Shelter then climb steadily uphill through a hemlock and oak woods to the state forest and onto the top of the plateau.  Tourists and Naturalists will go as far as the bog observation deck and then back track to Bean Station Road (~3miles total).  Climbers will continue on past the overlook and follow the Bog Nature Trail Loop clockwise returning to Bean Station Road by way of the blue blazed side trail and then the main trail (~4.5 miles total).

Directions to Meeting Location   

From Springwater: Head south on NY 15 to Wayland. Turn left onto NY 21, Turn left in N Cohocton to stay on 21 into Naples. Turn right onto NY- 53. Stay on NY-53  through Prattsburgh. Follow the directions below.

From Prattsburgh, take NY- 53 South for 2.6 miles to Bean Station Road.  Turn east on Bean Station Road at the site of a large white warehouse for onions. Go 2.6 miles to the yellow trailhead sign on the right (south) side of the road at a little footbridge over the roadside ditch.  Park on the north side of the road – this is important as this is a narrow road and parking on both sides could cause a traffic hazard. 

From Geneseo and Dansville: Take I-390 South to I-86East. In 1 mile, take exit 37 for NY-53. Turn left onto NY-53 and head north for 8.9 miles. Turn right onto Bean Station Road. Continue with the directions From Prattsburgh.