Hi everyone, This Sunday is our first maintenance hike of the year. As many of you know, as a group, we have been responsible for maintaining a section of the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail. Unfortunately, the section of the trail from Seman Rd to Mt Pleasant St in Naples has been closed and converted to a road walk, so now we are going to maintain the blue trail.  On our first time, we are going to do some minimal maintenance while we explore the northern section of the blue trail.  So, please bring a pair of clippers to trim back small branches and weed that are encroaching on the trail, and a walking stick that you can use to flick branches off the trail. Cloves may also be useful when the weed has thorns. And of course, bring water. Please arrive at 1:45 to allow time to plan a car pool. We expect the Tourists and Climbers will return to the cars by 4:30 after 3.5 miles of hiking.

We will not be cutting trees that cross the trail, although we may discuss future plans.

We also will not be pulling out roses and other invasives. And we will not be mowing the paths.  These items will wait until spring.

There are three options for this Sunday hike.  We will select based on attendance. All hikers will meet at the Ontario St parking lot in the Village of Naples.

The Climbers and Tourists will car pool to the Parish Hill parking lot, which is also known as the Blue Trail parking lot, because the Blue Trail starts there. From there, we will follow the Blue Trail down to where it joins the yellow trail (click on the map to see a larger copy where you can follow the trails [or CTRL-click for a new tab]). We will follow the yellow trail (also blazed with blue) over a ridge and down to the Tom Noteware bridge across the top of Conklin Gully. There is a steep climb after the bridge, which will require care from all hikers. Unfortunately, this route is not recommended for hikers who prefer level ground.  There is an backup route if needed.  From the top of the climb, we will find enjoy views of Conklin Gully from the top. The Tourists will turn around at the lean-to/overlook and return to the cars at Parrish Hill Rd, again being careful with the steep areas. The Climbers will continue on the blue trail which follows a fire lane to join the orange trail.  We will turn right and follow the orange trail down to the cars on Ontario St.

The Naturalists will start out on the orange trail across the Naples Creek.  But at the register, they will turn left onto the Burgandy Trail along the creek. About half a mile down the trail, they will turn left onto a smaller trail and follow it back to the orange trail and turn left towards the cars. But before the bridge the will turn left and follow a trail south along the creek. This trail exits onto E Hill road. At that point, hikers can choose to turn around an walk back to the cars on the trail by the creek, or continue on the road up to  S Main Street and walk on the sidewalk back to Ontario St and the the cars.

Following the hike, we will gather at a Bob and Ruth’s on the north end of Main St.

Directions:

From Springwater and Wayland, come south on Rt. 15 to the traffic light at Rt 21. Turn left on 21 and keep going all the way to Naples. Go through the downtown business area and turn right on Ontario Street, opposite the school. Go to the bottom of the hill and the parking lot is on the left.

From Dansville, follow Rt. 63 to Wayland where the road turns into Rt 21; continue on 21 all the way to Naples. Go through the downtown business area and turn right on Ontario Street, opposite the school. Go to the bottom of the hill and the parking lot is on the left.

From Naples, go to the school on Main Street (Rt. 21). Turn down Ontario Street opposite the school, go to the bottom of the hill and the parking lot is on the left.

From Canandaigua, head south on Rt 21 through Chesire and Woodville to Naples. Turn left on Ontario Street, opposite the school. Go to the bottom of the hill and the parking lot is on the left.

From Honeoye, head south on CR 36 (West Lake Rd) from 20A for 15 miles to Naples.  Turn left onto Main St (Rt. 21). Turn down Ontario Street opposite the school, go to the bottom of the hill and the parking lot is on the left.

From Penn Yan, head west on North St and continue onto Rt 364W for 12 miles. In Middlesex, join NY 245 and continue for 9 miles.  Turn left on NY 21 South (N Main St) into Naples. Turn left on Ontario Street, opposite the school. Go to the bottom of the hill and the parking lot is on the left.

Please join us on August 11 for one of our multi-mode events at Onanda Park on the west side of Canandaigua Lake, 4965 County Road 16, Canandaigua – trail hiking, creek hiking, boating and/or biking. Onanda Park is an 80-acre public property, formerly a YWCA Camp, with 8 acres of level lakefront for water-related recreation and 72 acres of woods and trails on the west side of West Lake Road, including the picturesque Barnes Gully and Barnes Creek.  The lakefront and upland sections of the park have different parking fee rules; parking is free in the upland lots, but there is a fee of $10 per car on summer weekends at the lakefront lots. Lakefront walk-ins are free. For details on the park’s facilities, history, and ecosystems, see:  http://www.townofcanandaigua.org/portfolio_detail_page.asp?id=5

Meet at 3:45 for a 4 PM start at the upper Upland Parking lot, where we will get organized into groups according to your preferred activity.  Hikers will divide into the Climbers and the Tourists/Naturalists, cyclists will head out from here and boaters will drive down to the lakefront lot for easier access to the lake (note the $10/car fee) or walk their boats in. We will reassemble at the cars at 6:00 for our dish-to-pass social in one of the upland lakeview pavilions. Swimming and fishing opportunities are available throughout the afternoon; a lifeguard is on duty until 7 PM.

Climbers – will first hike the Upland Loop of about 1.5 miles, then head to Barnes Creek and walk upstream to the waterfall, then downstream to the lake, passing under the West Lake Road bridge. Bring a bathing suit and towel in your pack if you would like to swim after the hike; rest rooms are available for changing. Bring bug repellent and  water shoes with good traction for the creek walking section – your feet are guaranteed to get wet. Trails are well maintained and marked, with moderate climbs and descents and two overlooks into Barnes Gully. Poles will be helpful for the uneven surfaces in the stream bed.

Tourists/Naturalists – will hike the Lowlands Loop, then head down to Barnes Creek for some level walking in the water down to the mouth of the creek within the park, where you can sit and watch the action at the fishing pier and the swimming beach. Bring bug repellent and a bathing suit and towel in your pack if you would like to swim after the hike; rest rooms are available for changing. Bring water shoes with good traction for the creek walking section; poles will be helpful too.

Cyclists – will follow West Lake Road to the north as far as Butler Road, then loop over to Middle Cheshire Road and back to West Lake Road for a total of about 11.5 miles. There are two moderate hills to navigate, but most of the trip is at lake level and close to the water, and the road has a good shoulder and a 35 mph speed limit, making it a favorite for cyclists.

Boaters will drive to the lower lots east of West Lake Rd and carry their boats to the water, or carry them in from the upland lot. Portable wheels may prove useful. Once in the water, we will stay near the shore, heading south for a couple of miles toward Seneca Point (about 3 miles south). Bare Hill will be across the lake when we turn around to return to the park.

Social – Bring your own beverage and join us for the optional dish-to-pass social starting at 6 PM in one of the park pavilions (site to be announced at the start). In-lieu-of-cooking fee of $5 if you arrive without edibles.

Directions: From Springwater, go south to Naples, then north on Route 21, bearing right when it splits with Route 64. Five miles after the intersection with Route 64, turn right on County Road 16. In 2 miles, Onanda Park Upland Trails Area will be on your left.

From Honeoye/Hemlock, take Route 20A east toward Bristol. Turn right on County Road 32 at the Wizard of Clay. Continue straight through the intersection at Bristol Center, then at the top of the hill, turn right on Montanye Road, which will take you into Cheshire. At the end of Montanye (now called Goodale Road), go right, then left on Wells Curtice Road. At the end of Wells Curtice Road (in 1.9 miles), make a right on West Lake Road (a.k.a County Road 16). Onanda Park Upland Trails Area will be on your right in 1.6 miles.

From Rochester and points north: Take the Canandaigua or Victor exit from the Thruway, whichever is closer for you. Go south to Route 5&20. From the Canandaigua side, take Middle Cheshire Road to the south end, then go left on Wells Curtice Road and right on West Lake Road (County Road 16). Onanda Park Upland will be on your right in 1.6 miles. From the Victor/Bloomfield side, take Route 64 south to Bristol Center, left on County Road 32, and right on Montanye Road. At the end of Montanye (now called Goodale Road), go right, then left on Wells Curtice Road. At the end of Wells Curtice Road (in 1.9 miles), make a right on West Lake Road (a.k.a County Road 16). Onanda Park Upland Trails Area will be on your right in 1.6 miles.

See  http://www.townofcanandaigua.org/page.asp?id=263   for trail map.

Please join us on Sunday July 7 for a look at the newly regroomed and renamed Hickory Ridge Trail, formerly known as the West Hill Preserve, off Seman Road in Naples. Springwater Trails was responsible for maintaining the Finger Lakes Trail segment through this property and on down the hill to Naples for many years, so many of you will remember the “Maintenance Hikes” here, with loppers, chainsaws, virulent multiflora rose, and muddy boots. The lower portion of the trail, heading down to Naples, has been closed due to owner permission issues, but the Nature Conservancy, which owns the 550 acre uphill section, has devoted significance resources in the past 8 months to rerouting and improving the switchback loop at the Seman Road end, eliminating the muddy sections, enlarging the parking area, softening the steep parts and making it user-friendly for multiple user groups.

Meet at 3:45 for a 4PM start at 6795 Seman Road, Naples. All groups will start on the same route, with the Climbers completing the full counterclockwise loop of about 4 miles and the Tourists and Naturalists tackling the easier east side of the loop and returning as they came, for a total of 2-3 miles.  The trails are all wooded, well groomed and wide, with gentle elevation gains. Bring water and sun protection.

Our Social afterwards will be a dish-to-pass at the Lake View Point Scenic Overlook at 7083 County Road 12, Naples for a terrific vista of the lake, Vine Valley, Bare Hill, and the surrounding hills and vineyards. Bring your own beverage and your favorite dish, or make a $5 donation to our Social fund. There are only two picnic tables, so bring a lawn chair and a folding table if you have one.

Directions:

From Springwater: Go south to Wayland and east on Route 21, through Naples. At .4 miles past Bob and Ruth’s and Route 245, take the first left onto County Road 12. IN 1.8 miles, take the left fork onto Rhine Street.  At the first intersection (3/4 mile) go left on Seman Road. The Hickory Ridge parking area will be on your left in about a half mile.

From Honeoye:  Go south on East Lake Road, then turn left onto County Road 33 (Egypt Valley Road). Continue on 33 all the way to the intersection with County Road 34; keep straight on County Road 33, whose name now changes to West Hollow Road. Continue for 4.3 miles, passing Clement Road on your right. Turn left on Seman Road. Go 1.3 miles to Hickory Ridge Trailhead on your right.

From Rochester/Victor/Canandaigua: Follow 5 and 20 to Route 64, Then south on Route 64 through the Bristol Valley about 13 miles to Bristol Springs.Just past Gannett Hill Road, go right on County Road 12. Go 2.8 miles, pass the Scenic Overlook, and take a right on Oakley Road. At the intersection in 3/4 mile, go straight onto Seman Road. In a half mile, the trailhead will be on your left.

To the Social:  From the trailhead, go east toward Gannett Hill, straight on Oakley Road Road, and turn left on County Road 12. In 1/4 mile, the Canandaigua Lake Scenic Overlook will be on your right.