Category Archives: Sunday hikes

Weekly hikes for the Springwater Trails

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Rob’s Trail at Hemlock Lake Shore

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Due to the warm weather, we have decided to move this week’s hike to the east shore of Hemlock Lake where the trail should have less mud.

This Sunday we will enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Hemlock Lake shore on the northwest section of Rob’s Trail.  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 Tee & Gee Bar and Grill, at 6005 Big Tree Rd, Lakeville, NY 14487. That is located on NY-15, NY 20A just west of Bronson Hill Rd.

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 1.9 miles to the north end of Hemlock and make a left on Big Tree Rd. In about 3 miles in Livonia the road will become a street, called Big Tree St.  Keep going across NY-15, (Commercial St) and then you will come to the end of Big Tree St at Main St (20A). Turn left onto NY-20A and you will be back on Big Tree Rd. Go 1.3 miles.  Tee & Gee will be on the left at 6028 Big Tree Rd.

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Irondequoit Creek Hike in Perinton-Penfield

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Please join us on the Sunday after Thanksgiving for walk along Irondequoit Creek as it meanders from the outskirts of Fairport toward Ellison Park. The Spring Lake and Channing Philbrick Trails link two Town parks, with an extension ending at Panorama Plaza. The trail is an easy one, mostly level with a stone dust surface, with views of the stream, fishing observation points and abundant benches. Interpretive markers describe the geological and social history of this section of the creek, as well as the outstanding fishing opportunities. 
Meet at 1:45 for a 2PM  start at Spring Lake Park, 99 Whitney Road, Penfield.  Go past the first parking area and the ball fields all the way to the end, at the Dog Park lot. This is an out-and-back hike, with everyone following the same path. Climbers and Tourists will go all the way to the back of Panorama Plaza and back (about 4.5 miles), while the Naturalists will turn around at Channing Philbrick Park, where the trail meets Route 441 (about 3 miles), or whenever they are ready. Dog owners are welcome to bring their dogs for the abundant activity in the Dog Park, where they can complete a hike of 1.25 miles along the creek without leaving the park boundaries. A port-a-potty is available at the Dog Park.
The Social will be at the nearby Leo’s Bakery Cafe, at 101 Despatch Drive, East Rochester – same place we went after the White Haven hike a few weeks ago. Nice array of soups, sandwiches, panini, pizza and baked goods – see menu at          https://leosbakeryanddeli.com/cafe/
Directions:
Via Interstate 390/590/490 coming from south:  Take I390 north to Brighton, then I590 north to the 490 intersection. Go east toward Victor, then take the Linden Ave. Exit (Route 441). Turn right on Five Mile Line Road, which becomes Whitney Road. The park entrance is on your right, just past the East Linden Ave. bridge
Via Interstate 490, coming from the east (Canandaigua/Victor and points east): Take the Thruway to I490, and get off at the Bushnell’s Basin exit to avoid the 490 slowdown. Go right on Route 96, then right at the second light, Marsh Road. Continue on March Road past White Haven and beyond; the name changes to S. Lincoln Road and the to Bluff Drive. At the end of Bluff Drive, take a right on E. Linden Ave, then a right on Whitney Road. The park entrance is the first thing on your right.
From Honeoye/Bloomfield area via West Bloomfield Road, Route 64 and S. Washington Street:  Go north on County Rd 37, which becomes West Bloomfield Road. Make a left where it joins Route 64, and go through downtown Pittsford. Just past the  Erie Canal and Pittsford Dairy, take a right on S. Washington Street (153). Just Past Leo’s Bakery, make a right on E. Linden Ave. At the end of  E. Linden, make a right on Whitney Road. The park entrance will be on your right, very soon.
Directions to the Social: Leave the park and make a left on Whitney Road, then an immediate left on S. Linden Ave. Cross the bridge. In five blocks, make a left on Despatch Drive. Leo’s is on your left, on the corner.
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New Years Day Hike – Canadice Lake

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Image result for Canadice Lake NY winter walking The Hike: Start the New Year the way you mean to go on – come for an inspiring hike along Canadice Lake! This is an easy, 1.8-mile each way hike along the shore of the lake; the trail is level and well-maintained and the lake views are lovely. For most hikers it will be a walk along the lake for an hour or so, and then back the same way; more enthusiastic hikers can veer off on Rob’s Trail that leads over the ridge and down to Hemlock Lake – this is a moderate to hard trail with several steep uphill and downhill sections. We’ll take a roll call the day of the hike if anyone wants to walk Rob’s Trail. We’ll arrange for transport back for those who only want to walk one way. Dress appropriately for the weather, carry water and some energy food, and carry a walking pole if it helps. Leashed pets are welcome. If the trail is dry then cycling is also an option.

 

A First Day hike along Canadice Lake.

This is not a “routine” Sunday hike – it’s special because the hike is promoted by the NYS DEC, and is part of a larger program of First Day Hikes to encourage people to get out and experience the magnificent State of New York that they live in! The DEC, State Parks, and the Canal Corporation invite New Yorkers to kick off 2025 by participating in one of the many hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State.

DEC have a tradition of distributing free goodies on this annual hike. This year they will giving bandanas and headlights, and one raffle winner on this hike will get a $25.00 camping ground gift card valid in any NYS state park.

Please note that the First Day hike this year is scheduled from 2:00pm-4:00pm, giving everyone a little more time to get over the night before.

The Meet-Up Location: All First Day hikers will meet at 1:45pm in the parking area off Purcell Hill Road, Town of Canadice, Ontario County. Here is the location on Google Maps (leaves this website) or Click here for directions.  Please plan to arrive early enough to park and get dressed for the weather conditions.

The Social: There won’t be an organized social on this hike. However, note that the Birdhouse in Honoeye will open for business.

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Greenway Hike at Nunda/Letchworth

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Special Note: Don’t forget to set your clock back Sunday morning! 

This week’s hike will follow the Genesee Valley Greenway in the section between Nunda and the Genesee River at Letchworth Park. This the section of the Greenway, also called Letchworth Park Trail #7, has some of the most impressive relics of the Genesee Valley Canal. This will be an out-and-back hike with a slightly different return route at the end.

Trail #7 starts at Oakland Rd about a mile west of Nunda. Here we will walk next to the original locks that allowed boats to climb the hill to the River. The canal operated in this section between 1862 and 1878, after which the right of way was sold to the Genesee Valley Canal Railroad Company for a railroad following much of the canal towpath.  We will start out walking next to the canal locks up to Short Track Road.  On the return walk we’ll take the former railroad route, rejoining the canal path near the start of the hike.

Meet at 1:45 for a 2:00 PM start at the parking lot at the intersection of Oakland Road and State Route 436.  (42.578516,-77.971108)

The Naturalists will start from the Oakland Rd parking area, following the canal trail to the junction with the rail bed and beyond.  It is just over a mile to Short Tract Road, where the Naturalists will turn around and hike back to the cars, using the rail bed route all of the way, for a two mile hike.

The Tourists and Climbers will follow the same route to Short Tract Rd, then follow the trail along Williams Road. When Williams Road turns left, continue straight into the woods on the Genesee Valley Greenway. The next intersection is River Rd, also known as Letchworth Trail #8, where the Tourists will turn left and follow River Road through the woods until it is about 3:00, when we will turn around and return.  This hike will be about 3 1/2 to 4 miles total, depending on your speed. On the return hike we’ll keep to the Greenway (former railroad, to the left at the split) all the way rather than following the canal route. We’ll hike to Oakland Road where we’ll turn right for a brief walk back to the cars.

Social – Please join us after the hike for an optional social at the High Banks Tavern, 36 Main Street, Mount Morris. NW corner of Main Street and State Street. For the menu, see: https://highbankstavern.com/menus

Directions:       From Springwater: Follow NY-15 South to Wayland, then turn right on to Route 63 to Dansville. In Dansville, turn left on Ossian Street (Route 436). Follow Route 436 west through Nunda to Oakland Road (just past Parker Road). Turn right on Oakland Road and the parking area will be on the left. Note that Oakland Road is easy to miss – it’s a small two lane road that goes off to the right 1.3 miles west of the traffic lights in Nunda. The street sign is set back from the 436. There is a trailhead shelter clearly visible on Oakland Road from the junction with Rt. 436.

From Naples: Take Route 21 to Wayland, then continue west on Route 63 to Dansville. In Dansville, turn left on Ossian Street (Route 436). Follow Route 436 west through Nunda to Oakland Road. Turn right on Oakland Road and the parking area will be on the left. Note that Oakland Road is easy to miss – it’s a small two lane road that goes off to the right 1.3 miles west of the traffic lights in Nunda. The street sign is set back from the 436. There is a trailhead shelter clearly visible on Oakland Road from the junction with Rt. 436.

From Rochester, Honeoye or points east: Take the nearest route to Interstate 390 and go south to the Mount Morris exit. Follow State Route 408 South through Mount Morris toward Nunda (turn right at Chapel Street) . At the center of Nunda, take a right on Route 436 toward Portageville. In 1.3 miles, make a right on Oakland Road (just past Parker Road) and an immediate left into the trailhead parking lot.

There are two small parking areas at the trailhead. Please park carefully to squeeze in all the cars.