This Sunday we will hike the western half of the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail starting at Seneca Mill and walking west to Penn Yan. The whole trail follows Keuka Lake’s outlet to Seneca Lake, starting in Penn Yan and going approximately 7 miles to Dresden, dropping 275′ along the way. The first destination will be Cherry Street (about 3.5 miles) where we’ll have cars waiting to take us back to Seneca Mill. If there is still some walking time we can continue the trail into Penn Yan. Since it’s getting on for spring then mud is likely so poles and shoe gripping devices or good boots will help.

This trail runs along the stream in a wooded ravine; it was formerly a canal towpath and later a railroad bed. It crosses the original Preemption Line and passes near the area of the first permanent white settlement of ‘The Universal Friend Jemima Wilkinson’, alongside waterfalls and the ruins of mills, factories and canal locks”.

The Meeting Place

Everyone will meet at the Seneca Mill Access parking area on Outlet Road at 2:00 PM.  We will divide into two or three groups depending on how far people choose to hike in the two hours that they have. All hikers will walk west from Seneca Mill (that is towards Penn Yan); the climbers will walk to the Cherry Street access point in Penn Yan, while the naturalist and Tourists will hike for an hour and then turn back.

With the spring thaw under way the outlet should be flowing in spate, so it will be worth walking slowly and taking lots of photographs.

Some maps of the outlet trail will be available at the beginning of the hike: you can print your own map from The Friends of the Keuka Outlet Trail website here.

The Social

The social will be a share-a-dish affair at the Laurentide Brewing Company at 12 Maiden Lane, Penn Yan, NY 14527. This brewing company is in a barn behind the Laurentide Inn which faces Main Street in downtown Penn Yann, across from the Post Office. The Laurentide Inn is an imposing yellow civil war era building with four huge columns holding up a portico. The brewery does not serve food but we are welcome to bring anything we want with us and just buy their beer. We can gather inside if the weather is harsh, or there is a small garden with tables that we can use if it’s warm enough. There is some parking behind the inn and plenty of street parking in front of it.

Directions:

From Springwater, Wayland and Naples. Head south from Springwater on NY-15 south to Wayland, then turn left NY-21. Follow NY-21 for 12.7 miles through N Cohocton and Naples. Turn right on NY 245N across from Bob Ruth’s. Follow NY-245 for 8.9 miles to Middlesex and take a slight right turn onto NY 364E. In the Village of Penn Yan, turn right onto Liberty St., turn left onto Clinton St (State Route 54 North) and follow it 2 miles, turn right onto Bentley Rd (which becomes Bell Road) and go for 1 mile, turn left onto Outlet Road and go for .3.5 miles,; the parking area is on right. Don’t park at the rail on the left – that is set aside for horses and buggies.

This Sunday we will enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Hemlock Lake shore on the northwest section of Rob’s Trail.  Temperatures are expected to rise this week, so we’re not expecting much snow cover. The lake level is high, probably still iced over, and walking on the beach is not an option, but the trail offers a good flat and mostly well-drained surface. Here and there we will encounter a minor stream to cross by either wading or jumping, so waterproof footwear and poles are advised. Just in case of lingering ice, spikes or yaktrax are a good idea too.   

Meet at the north boat launch, at the end of the old east lake road, a sharp left after you first enter Rix Hill Road from Route 15A.  This will be an out and back hike; Naturalists and Tourists may return at any point. At about 1.75 miles we will encounter a more substantial stream across the trail, probably too large to leap over. Any Climber wishing to proceed on Rob’s Trail past this point is advised to bring wading boots. Turning around at this point will give you a hike of 3.5 miles and a little under 2 hours. 

Optional Social: Please join us at the Birdhouse Brewing Company in Honeoye – 8716 Main Street, just east of the traffic light, for craft beer and pub food. 

Directions: From Springwater: proceed north on Route 15A 19 miles, then make a left on Rix Hill Road and an immediate left on Old East Lake Road, a.k.a Boat Launch Road. 

From Honeoye and points east:  Take Route 20A west from the Bristol Valley and Honeoye. When 20A meets Route 15A, make a left and go about .6 miles to Rix Hill Road. Make a right and then an immediate left on the dead end road to the boat launch parking area in one mile. 

From Rochester and points west: Take Route 15 south from Henrietta or Route 15A south from Honeoye Falls, or Route 390 south to the Lakeville-Livonia exit, then go south on Route 15 and then east on Route 20A  through Hemlock. When Route 20A turns east toward Honeoye, go straight another .6 miles and make a right on Rix Hill Road. Then make an immediate left onto the boat launch road and go to the end, 1 mile. 

To the Social: From the Boat Launch parking area, return to Rix Hill Road, make a right and then a left on Route 15A. Go .6 miles and make a right on Route 20A. In about 4.75 miles you will reach the traffic light in Honeoye. A few buildings beyond the light is Birdhouse Brewing on the left at #8716.

————————- Change of Plans – We will meet at the trail head on the south side of the canal.  See below  ———

The Crescent Trail in Perinton, NY, is approximately 35 miles of footpaths starting in Bushnell’s Basin on the Erie Canal, and currently ending at Northside School in northern Perinton.  Planned, developed and maintained by the Crescent Trail Association, this trail is built on state, town and private lands and connects with the Canalway trail and the Trolley trail, two multiuse trails in the town.

NOTE: Our original plans for this hike were at Indian Hill.  However, ice on the trail and in the parking lot, made this hike best postponed until the trillium are out this spring. This Sunday hike has been moved to a flatter location that should not be as dangerous with ice.  However, traction devices or snowshoes are highly recommended – bring extras if you would like to loan them to poorly prepared hikers.

NOTE 2: Snow is expected. Check the weather and dress accordingly. Remember to drive safely.

This Sunday we will hike a portion of the Crescent Trail along the Erie Canal and the White Brook Nature Area.  We will meet at the trail head parking lot south of the canal off of Lyndon Rd. (The baseball parking lot was not plowed on Saturday, so we will avoid that.)

Three hike options will be available.  All hikes will follow the road across the railroad tracks and the canal to the south side of the canal and the trail head on the east side of the road (about 2000 ft). The climbers will follow the orange trail to the northern part of the White Brook Nature Area, where we will leave the orange to follow the blue trail around the field and back to the orange and home, for a total of about 4 miles.

The tourists will follow start on the orange trail but will take the second turn left on the yellow trail, crossing White Brook and heading east along the canal. The trail ends at the Perinton town line, and returns along a blue trail at the canal’s edge. As the tourists approach the Lyndon bridge, they will have the option to continue along the canal toward Fairport, or to turn south back to the trail head, then across the canal to the ramp to the Canalway on the north side of the canal. The tourist hike leader should check a watch and plan a turn-around time on the canal path to return to the cars at 4.

Canal and White Brook trail map. Click for full Crescent Trail map

The Naturalists will take the first left from the orange trail onto the yellow trail to head west the canal on a trail between the White Brook and the Canal. In about 1.5 miles, they will leave the canal, on a short climb to the trolley path, cross the canal on the footbridge and walk back to the cars on the Canalway on the north side of the canal for a total of about 3 miles.

If the weather permits, skiers will follow the climbers trail into White Brook.

Traction devices (spikes or spring coils) or snowshoes are highly recommended for all hikers. A nice layer of snow provides reasonable traction, but underneath is ice, making for slippery conditions at times.

Following the hike, Noonan’s on Rt 31 will be open for a brew and refreshments.

Directions to the Trail Head.

From Turk Hill Rd and Rt 31 in Perinton: Head north on Turk Hill Rd. Turn right onto Ayrault Rd at the next light. In 1.5 miles, at the bottom of a steep hill, turn left onto Lyndon Rd. Just before the bridge over the canal, the parking area is on the right.

From Springwater: From the flashing light, head north on Rt 15A for 2.7. miles. Bear right onto Old Bald Hill Rd S, then an immediate right onto Johnson Hill Rd. Continue on Johnson Hill Rd to the end. Turn left onto Co Rd 37. Stay on CR 37 for 11 miles (there is a left turn in Canadice to stay on CR 37) past Honeoye. Turn right onto Richmond Mills Rd and then left at the 1st cross street onto CR 40. After crossing 5 & 20, turn right onto Main St in Bloomfield. At the light turn left onto NY 444 for 5.7 miles into Victor. Turn right onto Main St (NY 96) then left on Church St. Continue north for 6 miles. past Lollypop Farm. Turn right onto NY 31, then left onto Aldrich Rd. The road turns left to become Ayrault Rd. In half a mile, turn right onto Lyndon Rd. Just before the bridge over the canal, the parking area is on the right.

From Rochester: Take I-490 E to exit 26, NY-31. Turn east on NY-31. In 0.4 miles, at the light, turn left onto Ayrault Rd. You will pass the Middle School and the High School before going down a steep hill.  At the bottom (3.8 mi from Rt 31), turn left onto Lyndon Rd. Just before the bridge over the canal, the parking area is on the right.

From Naples: Take NY 21 north from Naples to South Bristol. Continue straight onto NY 64. In 13 miles at the light, turn left onto 5 & 20 west. In 6.8 miles turn right onto NY 444N to Victor. Turn right onto Main St (NY 96) then left on Church St. Continue north for 6 miles. past Lollypop Farm. Turn right onto NY 31, then left onto Aldrich Rd. The road turns left to become Ayrault Rd. In half a mile, turn right onto Lyndon Rd. Just before the bridge over the canal, the parking area is on the right.

From Canandaigua: Take NY 332 north to a left onto NY 96 N. At the traffic circle near Victor, take the first exit onto Lynaugh Rd. In 1 mile turn right onto Victor Egypt Rd. Continue north for 5 miles. past Lollypop Farm. Turn right onto NY 31, then left onto Aldrich Rd. The road turns left to become Ayrault Rd. In half a mile, turn right onto Lyndon Rd. Just before the bridge over the canal, the parking area is on the right.

From Geneseo: Take I-390 north to Rochester. Take exit 15 onto I-590 N. Take exit 5 onto I-490 E toward Victor and follow the directions from Rochester.

Directions to Noonan’s: Head south on Lyndon Rd. At the stop sign, turn right on Ayrault Rd. Take the first left at the top of the hill onto Mason Rd. At the light, turn right onto NY 31 W.  Noonan’s is a white building on the right. Park behind the restaurant.