This month’s Finger Lakes Trail hike continues west toward Hornell in the Town of Howard. The trail is both pretty and pretty remote, and the day is predicted to be sunny with temperatures in the 60s. So a simple social is planned following the hike at the endpoint on Burleson Rd (a good dirt road). Bring lunch for yourself and if you wish, a desert to pass. Since cars will be left at the start of the hike, please plan to carry your lunch on the hike. And remember to bring water for hiking and the social.

This hike is on Map 10 between Access 9 and Access 7. All hikers will start from Hughes Road and hike west. This first section is on land owned by an archery hunter, who asks that we wear blaze orange during hunting season. The first section is mostly in the woods with intermittent views to the west. The trail is covered with leaves at this time of year, so watch the white blazes carefully. Depending on the size of the group, we will separate into two groups according to hiking speed. In 1.7 miles, the trail crosses Burleson Rd (a 200′ road walk to the left). From Burleson Rd, the climbers will follow a farm lane until we come to a pig farm. Follow the blazes to a bridge across the creek and then out to Stephens Gulch Rd. Please make sure the group leaves all gates as they found them.

The trail continues straight across the road, primarily on the seasonal Spencer Hill Rd to the top where wind turbines and views abound. However, watching our time, the Climbers will return back to Burleson Rd.

We will have cars waiting at Burleson Rd. We will find a nice spot along the road to enjoy the views and for a light picnic – bring a sandwich, extra liquid and if you wish, a desert to share.

Directions:

If you are willing to arrive 20 minutes early, please meet at the Burleson Rd trailhead (see below). We will carpool to the startOtherwise, here are directions to the start of the hike.  We will start hiking at 2:00PM.

The following directions use I390 and I86 to get to Howard, NY. You can save about 5 minutes by taking Rt 21 south from Wayland, if you don’t get lost. Please note, there was construction on 415 south of Cohocton yesterday, requiring an easy detour.

From Springwater and Wayland: Head south on NY 15, through Wayland. Turn left to get onto I-390 south. Take the I-86 west exit toward Jamestown and take exit 35 for Howard, NY. Turn left from the exit, onto CR 70. Continue straight across CR70A onto Mill Rd. Bear left to stay on Mill Rd (don’t go straight onto Hopkins Rd) Continue straight at a small hamlet onto Craig Rd, then immediately turn right onto Hughes Rd. Hughes Rd will cross Turnpike Rd in 1.5 miles. Continue to the trail head on the right in 0.4 miles after Turnpike Rd.

From Naples: Head south on NY 21 to N. Cohocton. Continue straight on NY 371 to Cohocton. Turn right on NY-415 (Maple Ave). In 0.6 miles, turn left on Cohocton Loon Lake Rd and then left to get onto I-390 south. Take the I-86 west exit toward Jamestown and take exit 35 for Howard, NY. Turn left from the exit, onto CR 70. Continue straight across CR70A onto Mill Rd. Bear left to stay on Mill Rd (don’t go straight onto Hopkins Rd) Continue straight at a small hamlet onto Craig Rd, then immediately turn right onto Hughes Rd. Hughes Rd will cross Turnpike Rd in 1.5 miles. Continue to the trail head on the right in 0.4 miles after Turnpike Rd.

From Dansville: Take I390 toward Wayland. Continue on the Springwater directions above.

Directions to the end of the hike at Burleson Rd

From Springwater: Head south on NY 15, through Wayland. Turn left to get onto I-390 south. Take the I-86 west exit toward Jamestown and take exit 35 for Howard, NY. Turn left from the exit, onto CR 70. Turn right onto CR 70A.. In 0.4 miles, stay left (70A curves to the right) onto Graves Hill Rd (or maybe it is called Pfitzenmaier Rd or Starr Hill Rd) and then left on CR 27 (Stephens Gulch Rd). At the end (2.1 miles) turn right on Turnpike Rd, then a quick left onto Burleson Rd. The trail crosses the road in 1.5 miles. Park on the shoulder.

Directions from Burleson Rd to the start of the hike: Head north on Burleson back to Turnpike Rd. Turn right on Turnpike Rd. Continue straight for 0.8 miles, then turn right onto Hughes Rd. The trailhead is on the right in 0.4 miles.

Sunday October 13 we will visit East Hill Farm, home of the Rochester Folk Art Guild, for a hike across a 350-acre hilltop farm and woodlot and a tour of the craft workshops. The Guild is a community of craftspeople, some resident and some visiting, and the weekend of October 12-13 is their annual fall Apple Festival and Open House, a celebration of the season with a home-cooked Farm lunch, local food vendors, fresh pressed cider, and tours/demonstrations at the pottery, wood, weaving and graphic arts studios. The Gallery/gift shop is also open for business. Admission is free, and the event runs until 5 PM.  For event details see:  Link here

To make sure you won’t miss out on the Guild’s acclaimed spread, please come by 1 PM for lunch before the hike. Others, please arrive by 1:45 to prepare for hiking at 2 PM. Hikes of 1.5 and 3.5 miles will allow for time to tour the  workshops and Gallery afterwards. The Guild lunch menu includes homemade soups and salads, homemade bread and desserts, cider and coffee, for $12 total, or a-la-carte.

Please park on the road shoulder at 1445 Upper Hill Road, Middlesex (directions below). We will convene at the side of the East Hill Gallery, the first building on the left as you come in the driveway. Trails are gently sloped and well cleared, but may be muddy, and grass is ankle-deep in many areas, so wear good hiking shoes or rubber boots.

Climbers will head south through the Guild’s farm and neighboring properties, past a pond and sauna, through a spruce grove, and loop through woods and mowed fields to the “Golden Valley”, named for its spectacular fall color and views to the east. We will return through the woods and pass an eclectic array of residential buildings, workplaces and gathering places, designed and built by community members over their 50 years of occupancy at the East Hill Farm. Workshops will be open for Climbers to tour after the hike if they wish.  Naturalists will make a shorter loop of about 1.5 miles, ending with a tour of the Guild buildings and the workshops.

Social:  We will reconvene after 4 PM in the Dining Hall for a dessert-to-pass post-hike social. Some Guild food and desserts may still be available for purchase. Cider and coffee will be plentiful, or bring your own beverage.

Directions: from Springwater/Naples: Take Route 15 south to Wayland and Route 21 east/north to Naples. Turn right on Route 245 opposite Bob’s and Ruth’s Restaurant, at the north end of the village. Follow Route 245 north to Middlesex, about 8.75 miles.  Turn right on Route 364 and go up the hill, one mile. Turn right on Upper Hill Road and go 1.5 miles.  East Hill Farm will be on your left, at #1445.  Park on the road shoulder and walk in the driveway to the Gallery/Dining Hall building, the white house on your left.

From Rochester and points north: Head to Routes 5 and 20 via Bloomfield or Canandaigua. At the east edge of the City of Canandaigua (first light after Wegmans/Post Office), turn south on Route NYS Route 364 (a.k.a. East Lake Road).  Follow Route 364 south 12.5 miles to Middlesex, where 364 turns to the east and you will make a left onto Route 245 and then an immediate right to continue on 364.  Go up the hill, one mile. Turn right on Upper Hill Road and go 1.5 miles.  East Hill Farm will be on your left, at #1445.  Park on the road shoulder and walk in the driveway to the Gallery/Dining Hall building, the white house on your left.

This Sunday we return to Cleveland Hill at the back of Camp Cutler. This hike will provide a good climb and the resulting views of Naples Valley.

NOTE: Dogs are not allowed on this hike, except with the Naturalists.

The Climbers and Tourists will hike together. They will start at Cutler Rd and will enjoy a woods walk up Cleveland Hill through the Camp Warren Cutler boy scout camp and back down to West Hollow Rd (CR 33). This is a 3.1 mile hike. Meanwhile, the Naturalists will avoid the hill completely, and instead walk across CR 33 and hike a mile into the Beaver Pond before returning to the cars.

NOTE: The BHB trail is closed past the Beaver Pond for the fall hiking season.

All hikers will meet at the  Camp Cutler parking area on West Hollow Rd (CR 33), to leave most cars at the end of the hike.  The parking lot (42.6862, -77.417 or N42 41.1732 W77 25.0211) is on the west side of CR 33 about 1.8 miles north of Clement Rd, or 2.3 miles south of CR 34. From the parking lot, the Climbers and Tourists will carpool to the Clement Rd parking area (0.2 miles west of CR 33). The Naturalists will leave their cars in the parking lot, walk across the road and turn right for 200 feet to and follow the BHB trail to the east.

As you will see when you arrive at this hike, Cleveland Hill is quite high and steep. The climb is 400 vertical feet at each end. Fortunately, the trail has nice long switchbacks, so the slope is reasonable, but continues for nearly a mile. Plan on a steady climb with stops to catch your breath.

The Climbers and Tourists will carpool to Clement Rd (Turn right onto W Hollow Rd. Take the first right (1.8mi) on Clement Rd for 0.3mi. Park in the lot on the right). We will turn right coming out of the parking lot and walk on the road for a tenth of a mile. There is logging taking place near the trail and the initial road that we will walk on is rutted and muddy, but with some care you can avoid getting your boots very muddy. Turning right off the road and following the orange blazes, hikers will first pass a boy scout shelter, and then will turn right at the intersection with the white and blue trails. At several points on this hike, different boy scout trails will connect to the BHB trail, but we will stay on the orange trail for the entire route.The trail follows the east side of the hill, with at least one photo opportunity overlooking the West Hollow. After a mile along the top of the hill, a steep hike down will end at the original parking lot on CR 33.

The Naturalists will exit the parking lot and turn right to follow the road for 200 feet, where they will turn left to leave the road and cross the open field. They will follow a relatively flat trail for about an hour to the beaver pond.  If time permits, there is a branch trail around the pond that can be explored. After the pond, the Naturalists will retrace their steps to the car.

As always, check the weather and dress appropriately. You will appreciate layers that can come off during the initial climb, and worn again at the top.

Following the hikes, please join us at the Neopolitan Pizza in Naples for food and socializing.

Directions:

From Springwater, (Wayland and Dansville): Take NY 15 South from Springwater to the light in Wayland. Turn left on NY 21 for 11.7 miles through N Cohocton (left turn) and into Naples (left turn at NY 53). Follow Main St for a half mile and turn left onto Vine St (the fourth left). Take an immediate right onto Race St following the sign “To CR 33”. Take the next left onto Cross Rd and then bear to the left onto West Hollow Rd. The parking lot is 4.7 miles ahead on the left.

From Honeoye: Head east on US 20A and turn right onto E. Lake Rd. In 0.6mi turn left onto Egype Valley Rd (CR 33). In 6.9 miles, turn right onto West Hollow Rd (stay on CR 33). The parking area is on the right in 2.3 miles.

From West Lake Rd south of Honeoye Lake: Follow West Lake Rd (CR 36) south, past Hunt Hollow ski area and past French Hill Rd. Turn left onto Gulick Rd. In 2.9 mi, turn right on Clement Rd. In a half mile, you will see the entrance to the BHB trail on the left, followed in a tenth mile, the parking lot also on the left. But keep going to the tee and turn left onto West Hollow Rd. The parking lot is on the left in 1.8 miles.

From Canandaigua: Take NY-21 south to the intersection with NY-64. Turn right onto NY 64 North for 2.3 miles. Turn left onto CR 34, then left onto CR 33 (West Hollow Rd). The parking area is on the right in 2.3 miles.

Directions to social at the Neopolitan:

From end of the hike on CR 33: Turn right (south) on CR 33. (be sure to stop at Clement Rd to pick Climber’s cars). In Naples, bear left onto Elizabeth St. Take the first right on Lyon St. The Restaurant is on the right at the intersection with Main St. Turn right onto Main St to park.

This week Springwater Trails will return to the Erie Canal for a walking, biking, or kayaking tour of the Erie Canal through Fairport, NY. The Town of Perinton was established by the New York Legislature in 1812. When the Erie Canal opened in 1823 the hamlet of Perrinsville grew steadily around the “fair port” on the canal that marked the east side of the crossing of the Irondequoit Creek. The hamlet was incorporated as Fairport in 1867.

All hikers, bikers and boaters will meet at the boat launch on Ayrault  Road. Please arrive early to allow time to unload boats and bikes and to park your cars in the boat launch lot. We will start the hike promptly at 4:00. Following the hike, you are invited to join us at Mulconry’s Irish Pub and Grill at 17 Liftbridge Ln E in Fairport for dinner and socializing.

In order to free up parking spaces for boaters at the boat launch, Hikers will carpool to the Fairport end of the trail. (see directions below). This hike will be an out and back, so please keep track of time. From the parking lot, head west on the Canal. Hikers will go under the lift bridge (note that the bridge is higher on one end – I think it is the only lift bridge that isn’t level). Next you will pass Erie Boat Rentals where you can rent kayaks and bikes for $21 for 2 hours. A mile down the trail is Perinton Park with swings and benches to rest. Continuing under Fairport Rd (NY 31F), the Fairport Crew Club docks will be on your left. Continue on toward Ayrault Rd until about 5:20, at which point hikers should turn around and head back to the cars and the social.

Boaters will put in at the boat launch and head north toward Fairport. In a half mile, you will see an oxbow to the right – a couple of islands with the original creek bed around them. Enjoy exploring this little harbor. Another mile ahead, you will pass under Fairport Rd (31F). The Fairport Crew Docks are on the left before the bridge, and Perinton Park is also on the left just after the bridge. The total distance to Main St in Fairport is 2.5 miles, a pleasant trip that can be completed out and back in 2 hours. However, all boaters should turn around shortly after 5:00, planning to arrive back at the boat launch at 6:00.

Bikers will ride both directions on the canal path. Leaving from the boat launch, turn right on Ayrault Rd to cross the canal. About 200 ft past the bridge, turn right on the access trail, then right on the canal path toward Bushnell’s Basin. Its about 5 miles to the Great Embankment Park on the right. From that park, turn around and ride past Bushnell’s Basin past Ayrault and continue on toward Fairport. If you turn around at the lift bridge on Main St, you will have about a 10 mile ride. Or continue on through the village to Lyndon Rd (large ramp up to the road level) means a 14 mile ride.

Directions to the meeting point at the Ayrault Rd boat launch.

From Springwater: From the flashing light in Springwater, head north on NY 15A for 13 miles. You will pass through Hemlock. When US-20A bears to the left, and 15A continues straight, you should turn right on Richmond Mills Rd (CR-41). In 4 miles, turn left onto CR-37. In West Bloomfield continue straight onto NY-65. In 0.7 miles, when NY-65 curves to the left, continue straight onto CR-35 (W. Bloomfield Rd). In 9.8 miles turn right on Thornell Rd. At the T, turn right onto NY-96. In the hamlet of Bushnell’s Basin, turn left onto Kreag Rd. Continue through the light at NY-31. At the T turn left onto Ayrault Rd.  The boat launch will be on the right before the canal.

From Naples: Head north on NY-21. In about 7 miles continue straight onto NY-64 (NY-21 takes a right). Continue on NY-64 past Bristol Mountain. After 13.3 miles on NY-64, at the stop light, turn left onto US-20. In 1.3 miles turn right onto NY-444. It is 6.8 miles to Victor. Turn left onto NY-96. Stay on 96 for 2.9 miles. Take the I-490W entrance to the right. Take exit 26 for NY-31 – turn left on NY-31. At the light (0.2 mi) turn left onto Ayrault Rd. In a mile, the boat launch is on the left, just past the canal.

Directions from the boat launch to Fairport and the social at Mulconry’s: From the boat launch turn left onto Ayrault Rd. At the stop light, turn left onto NY-250. Continue through Fairport and cross the canal. Take the first right after the canal (before the railroad tracks) on Liftbridge Ln. You can park in the lot on the right between Liftbridge Ln and the Canal.  Mulconry’s is across Liftbridge Ln.