The Muller family land at the south end of Honoeye Lake is now owned by the Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) and it has expanded into a substantial research and conservation facility. It adjoins DEC land encompassing the rest of the south end of Honoeye Lake, and the FLCC and DEC have restored the water flow through the property and into the lake  to salvage the ecology of the area. Springwater Trails has permission to kayak the inlet stream and to hike along it too.

We will do both on Sunday September 17th, 2023.  Meet and park in the lot at 1:45 at the Muller Field Station, 6455 County Road 36, Honeoye for a 2pm hike/paddle start. Come earlier if you want to use one of the Field Station’s boats, which are first come first served. 

Beavers have done their work to adjust the property to their liking, and signs of beaver activity are plentiful. Tall invasive grasses dominate the trail borders and seasonal wildflowers are plentiful. Snakes are common and harmless to humans.

For Hikers:

The hikers will follow the single trail following the inlet south  in an out-and-back hike with each group turning back when they feel they should. The site director, Ally Esposito, will accompany the hikers and talk about the flora, fauna and the ecology of the property. There is a gate separating FLCC land from DEC land that can be walked around.The trail on FLCC land is mowed, but the DEC land tends to be more wild but sill very passable. In principle the trail goes all the way around the south end of the lake to the south boat launch on the east side but this hasn’t been tested yet.

For Kayakers:

The Muller Field Station and the Honoeye Inlet

The kayakers will put in at the luxurious boat launch close to the station complex. They will explore the inlet south as far as a very low bridge that effectively blocks passage by water, and will then turn back to see what’s downstream as far as the lake proper.

The FLCC has kayaks and canoes that are available to be borrowed; Please bring your own PFD if you want to take advantage of this.

Directions:

We will all meet at the Muller Field Station, 6455 Co Rd 36, Honeoye, NY 14471

From Rochester: Take Rt. 65 south to West Bloomfield, then crossing Rt. 20 take Rt. 37 south to Honoeye. At the junction with Rt. 20A turn left, then right at the lights in Honoeye on to Rt. 36 which is West Lake Road. Continue south on Rt. 36 for 5.6 miles; the Muller Field Station is through some imposing gates on the left side of the road. The gates are recessed and angled to the south so they are easy to miss from the north.

From Springwater: Take Rt. 15A south to Wayland, then turn left on to Rt. 21 to Naples. In Naples turn left (north) at the Middletown Tavern on to Rt. 36, also called Hunt Hollow Road. Continue north on Rt. 36 for 10 miles; the Muller Field Station is through some imposing gates on the right side of the road.

By GPS: Program in (42.71266, -77.51203) and follow directions.

The Social

The social will be a pot luck picnic at the Muller Field Station.

Directions:  The Field Station is at #6455 on the east side of County Road 36, a.k.a West Lake Road in Honeoye. From Honeoye, it’s 5.8 miles south from the traffic light at Route 20A in Honeoye.  From Naples, it’s 9 miles north from Main Street; turn at the Middletown Tavern.

Please join us for kayaking or canoeing on Sugar Creek and Keuka Lake or a hike through the marsh preserve to the lake.  Our starting point will be the Finger Lakes Museum creekside site, accessible from Guyanoga Road or from Route 54, both close to the flashing light at the center of Branchport.  The Finger Lakes Museum is on the site of a former elementary school, now being replaced by a new structure for a regional museum.  They have an active boat launch site at the rear bordering Sugar Creek, the main tributary into the west branch of Keuka Lake.

Boaters should arrive by 3:30-3:45 to unload your boat and launch from the floating dock. Hikers, who will follow the wetlands along the river, should arrive by 3:45 for a 4 PM start. Parking is in the field adjacent to the FLM Creekside Center and rest room.

After launching, kayakers will head upstream in Sugar Creek through a woodland waterway. Based on time and conditions we then will turn around and head back past the dock to the lake.  Once on the lake we will spread out, with some heading west toward the adjacent marshland owned by the Isaak Walton League. Cattails, water lilies and waterfowl are abundant in the marsh waterways, with the marinas of Branchport beyond. In the other direction, at the northeast corner of the west branch is Keuka Lake State Park. Boaters will return to the start by about 6 PM.

Hikers will hike to Keuka Lake along the museum paths, stopping at the Museum’s lakefront pavilion. After enjoying the lake views, we will return to the museum and explore its grounds with interpretive markers about the Finger Lakes and extensive native plantings.

Social:  Bring your own beverage and a dish to pass for our Social on the porch of the Museum’s Creekside Center. Or contribute $5 to the social fund and snack from the dishes available. Tables, chairs and rest rooms are provided by FLM.

Directions:

From Springwater and Wayland – Take Route 15 south and then Route 21 north to Naples. Coming into Naples, go right on Route 53 toward Prattsburgh. In 1.2 miles make a left on Italy Valley Road. You will remain on Italy Valley  Road for about 8.7 miles, although the county road number changes from 21 to 18 to 34 en route. At the end of Italy Valley Road, go left for .3 miles on Italy Hill Road (CR 35), then follow Itlaly Hill Road as it curves to the right and becomes CR32. In another 4.7 miles you will be at the flashing light in the center of Branchport.  Go straight on Route 54A toward Penn Yan for .2 miles, and turn left into the Finger Lakes Museum across from the Library, and before the Fire Station. Look for the driveway toward the new barn on your right.

From Canandaigua and 5&20:  Take East Lake Road south to County Road 1, or Route 247 from Reed’s Corners into Rushville. Continue South through Rushville toward Penn Yan. Route 247 will become Route 364 shortly before Potter. Continue for 4.5 miles past Potter and make a right on Guyanoga Road (CR 29). Go another 6.5 miles to Branchport. Turn left into the Finger Lakes Museum at 3369 Guyanoga Road, or if you miss it, go left at the flashing light and then left into the FLM drive. If you come in from Guyanoga Road, go to the right around the building and parking lot, and follow the signs to the Creekside Center (a new barn). Park on the grass near the boat rack. If you take the side entrance in from Route 54A heading east toward Penn Yan, turn in to the left, across from the library, and then right into the Creekside Center.

Welcome to the 10th Annual Mushroom Foray [thanks to both Springwater Trails and the Rochester Area Mycological Association] at the All Western Evergreen Farm.  Three hiking groups are planned, all starting and ending at the parking area at the farm.  The three groups will explore much of the farm, with many opportunities to find mycological specimens.

Please plan to arrive early (1:45 PM) to sign in and to sign the RAMA liability forms.

Maps of the farm, paper bags and paper plates for collecting and displaying mushrooms will be provided.  Those who want to learn how to collect mushrooms will be instructed by Gene and Georgia, and any other Rochester Area Mycological Association members who will be our guests.

The Climbers will follow the driveway up to the fields, turning to the left at the top. We will circle the pond on the southern portion of the farm and the spruce forest along the edge of the Christmas tree plantations. Heading west through the Cathedral Pines will take us to wet spots in the woods. We will return along the edge of several more Christmas tree plantations (Douglas-fir, Nordmann fir, Grand fir, Concolor fir, Canaan fir, Alaska yellow cedar, Norway Spruce, Meyer Spruce).

The Tourists will follow the driveway up through the woods, stopping occasionally to explore for mushrooms.  When reaching saleable size Christmas trees (Lot Z), head to the right around or through the Christmas tree plantation.  At the corner where the small Southwestern White Pine tree row ends and the tall Concolor fir are, follow the trail into the woods and back to the field and head west along the north field road to a hidden corner of the field with some spectacular 35 foot green and blue Concolor fir Christmas trees live, the size seen during Christmas season in a large mall.  If there is still time, follow the north field road next to the hedge row up to Story Road. We will return through the tillable fields, visiting smaller collections of trees and back down through the woods.

The Naturalists will start exploring under and behind the Western red cedars (thuja plicata or giant arborvitae) by the parking area and south to the Alaska yellow cedar, large Concolor fir and spruce, then back up through the woods to the right of the trail up to the main fields.  These are likely full of mushrooms, but you will find some swampy areas, so don’t get lost behind people’s homes along Liberty Pole.

All hikers should check their watches and return to the parking area by 4:00 PM to have their collections identified.  A portapotty with a sink is nearby.

Mushroom Identification

Once again we expect to have several RAMA members with us to identify the mushrooms collected between 4 and 5 PM.  After the mushrooms are identified please join us for a dish-to-pass social (5:00 – 6:30 PM) hosted by Katherine outside the house next to the Furnace Building. Please bring a lawn chair and your own beverage, plus a dish to share or a $5 contribution to the social fund.

We will begin all the hikes at 6840 Liberty Pole Road where there is ample parking at the Christmas tree loading area between the tall Western red cedar and Morton Building and Nursery beds. Follow the parking signs.  When we return from our foray, the mushrooms will be displayed for identification on paper plates on the tables outdoors.  Please dress for the weather, rain gear as needed.  Social distancing and masks are recommended when close together.

Directions:

From Springwater: Go west from the Springwater light on NY-15 North.  Just past the top of the hill and after rounding the tight curve, turn left on CR 38 (Liberty Pole Road).  The farm is on the left (the high side) 1.1 miles from NY-15 at 6840 Liberty Pole Road after you cross Carney Hollow Rd. There is a sign for the All Western Evergreen Nursery & Christmas Tree Farm.  Follow the orange cones to the parking area and park facing the house.

From Geneseo: Go south on NY-63.  About 6.4 miles after passing NY-408, turn left on CR-1 (Groveland Scottsburg Rd) at Groveland Station.  This road becomes CR 1A (Springwater Scottsburg Rd) at Scottsburg (Route 256) and then Liberty Pole Road after you cross Stagecoach Road (CR 71), and finally CR-38 (still Liberty Pole Rd) after crossing Reeds Corners Rd (CR-29).  It is 7.1 miles from Groveland Station to All Western Evergreen Farm.  The farm is on the right (the high side).  Follow the orange cones to the parking area and park facing the house.

From Honeoye: Take 20A west to Hemlock and 15A south to Springwater.  Then follow the Springwater directions above.

From Rochester: Take I-390S from Rochester. Use Exit 9 for NY-15 Lakeville. Turn left onto NY-15. Stay on NY-15 for 16.5 miles, through Lakeville, Livonia, Conesus and Webster Crossing.  When NY-15 curves to the left at the south end of Webster Crossing, continue straight onto CR-60 (Carney Hollow Rd) and take the first right onto Liberty Pole Rd.  The farm is on the left (the high side) at 6840 Liberty Pole Rd.  Follow the orange cones to the parking area and park facing the house.

If using GPS, use the map directions on the www.allwesterntrees.com website and make sure you are on Liberty Pole Road and not being directed to the center of the farm from Swartz Road or Story Road.  Follow the orange cones to the parking area and park facing the house.

This week, our Sunday hike will offer two hikes in the Irondequoit Bay West Park and one Kayak exploration on the Bay from the Park boat launch. We last hiked this park three years ago in December. This time we are adding a Kayak option from the park’s boat launch at the south east corner of the park.

The extensive trail system in the park is mostly maintained by the Genesee Regional Off-road Cyclists and most of the trails we plan to follow are shared use trails, and all users should be aware of traffic. Cyclists are expected to yield to hikers who are hiking, but hikers who are enjoying the scenery should step aside for cyclists.. Please remember that we are enjoying the trails because cyclists have volunteered to maintain them.

Unlike hiking trails, these biking trails are only blazed at intersections, so be careful to check your trail each time you come to a crossing.

A PDF of the newest maps can be downloaded and printed.   Please click on each map to the right for more details.

For this hike, we all will meet on the south east side of the park where Orchard Park Blvd ends at the Bay. If the boat launch has enough parking, we will all park right there and help Kayakers unload their boats.  If necessary, hikers will be directed north along the bay to a larger parking area near the entrance to the Irondequoit Fish and Game store and across from the start of the Blue trail.

Following the hike/paddle, we will adjourn to the Tryon City Tavern for a friendly social.

The Kayaks will head south from the boat launch and follow the shore line to the mouth of the Irondequoit Creek. After entering the creek under the Empire Blvd bridge, the creek meanders through the marsh, offering many possible routes. All kayakers should stay together as they explore the creek. Plan to turn around and head back downstream to the bay before 5:15 and retrace the path from the boat launch. If boaters arrive back early, some may wish to continue north to see more of the bay.

All hikers will leave the boat launch and follow Orchard Park Blvd west to the entrance on the right into the park. From there, we will turn right and follow the purple trail uphill through intersection 12 to intersection 11.

From there, the Climbers will turn left onto the blue trail through intersections 10, 7 and 5 to intersection 4, where we will turn right onto the orange trail. At intersection 2, we will continue straight onto the blue trail. A second exit more to the left from this intersection will head back on the blue trail to intersection 4; don’t take that. After crossing the creek, at intersection 1, we will stay on the blue trail out to Homewood Rd and then return on the blue trail to intersection 1 where we will turn left onto the Red trail. The red trail ends at Glen Haven Rd, which we will follow east to an entrance to the blue trail on the right. We will stay on blue at intersection 15 and turn left at intersection 16 onto the yellow trail for a view of the bay. At intersection 13 we will go straight onto the blue trail and return to intersection 11 and turn left onto the purple trail to go out to Orchard Park Blvd. With a left turn and a walk down the Blvd, we will return to the boat launch.

At the intersection 11, the Naturalists will turn right onto the blue trail. At the next intersection, turn right onto the yellow trail that overlooks the bay. At intersection 14, turn right onto the blue trail, and then at 15 turn left onto the yellow trail. At the next intersection (un-numbered) to right onto the White hiking trail that follows the creek up to the red trail. There are two options here based on time.

• If 5:00 occurs before the end of the white trail, turn around and retrace the trail to the yellow trail, turn right on yellow, then a right turn onto the blue trail (another un-numbered intersection).
• If you arrive at the red trail before 5:00, turn right onto the red trail, which passes several old foundations and ends at Glen Haven Rd. Cross Glen Haven and the creek and turn right into the blue trail. Follow the blue trail through intersections 15, and 14

Continue through 13 on blue back to a left turn onto purple at intersection 11 to go out to Orchard Park Blvd. With a left turn and a walk down the Blvd, we will return to the boat launch.

Directions:

From Springwater: Follow NY 15A or NY 15 north to I-390. In Rochester, merge right onto I-590 N. At the intersection with 490, stay left to continue on 590N. Take exit 8 for Empire Blvd. Use the second to the right lane to turn right onto Empire Blvd. Pass through the Winton Rd intersection and take the next left onto Orchard Park Blvd.  Stay to the right just off Empire Blvd and follow Orchard Park to the end (0.8 miles) at the bay.  The boat launch is across Bay Front Rd slightly to the left.

From Naples: Follow NY 21 north to NY 64 in South Bristol, to US 20. Turn left on US 20, then in a mile, turn right on NY 444 to Victor. Turn left on NY 96. In 2.9 miles enter I-490. Use exit 21 for NY 590N. Take exit 8 for Empire Blvd. Use the second to the right lane to turn right onto Empire Blvd. Pass through the Winton Rd intersection and take the next left onto Orchard Park Blvd.  Stay to the right just off Empire Blvd and follow Orchard Park to the end (0.8 miles) at the bay.  The boat launch is across Bay Front Rd slightly to the left.

From Canandaigua: Follow NY 332N to the Thruway west. Take exit 45 for I-490. Take exit 8 for Empire Blvd. Use the second to the right lane to turn right onto Empire Blvd. Pass through the Winton Rd intersection and take the next left onto Orchard Park Blvd.  Stay to the right just off Empire Blvd and follow Orchard Park to the end (0.8 miles) at the bay.  The boat launch is across Bay Front Rd slightly to the left.

Directions to Tryon City Tavern ( 2300 E Main St, Rochester, NY): Return on Orchard Park Blvd. Turn right on Empire Blvd followed by a quick left (at the light) onto Winton Rd. In 1.4 miles, turn right onto Main St. In 350 feet, turn right into the strip mall. The Tavern is the first business in the strip mall.