CANCELED: Due to the storm yesterday and the low temperatures expected this afternoon, Springwater Trails will NOT be leading a hike today. Stay warm, drive only when it is safe, but take some time this afternoon to enjoy our winter weather!

This hike at Letchworth will be rescheduled for February.

If I can count, this Sunday is our 5th hike in our Letchworth Branch series. I would love to hear your comments about this series, and also whether you would like us to do more “Series” hikes.

Weather predictors are calling for 12 inches of snow on Saturday, so please check your driveway and the website before you head out to this hike. If conditions look bad Sunday morning, we will post a cancellation on the website.

Linda and I did a pre-hike on Thursday. It was cold with very little snow. We found several streams that could be a challenge to cross. Slippery ice and steep banks,  so we had to walked downstream to an easier crossing.

If we get 12 inches of snow on Saturday, everything will change. I don’t recommend skis, but snowshoes, cleats, and poles will all be useful. The description below is based on conditions on Thursday.

All hikes will start at Access Pt H at the corner of Dygert Rd and River Rd on the east side of Letchworth State Park. We are planning three routes for this hike, depending on who comes and the conditions. The Climbers will follow the main trail from Access H to G for a 3.6 mile hike. The Tourists will use park trails (old roads) at the start and end of the hike to reduce the length to about 2.7 miles. Finally, the naturalists will follow the Park trail, then explore the main trail as time and interest permit, or will to a road walk, returning to the cars they way they went in.  This hike would vary between 1 and 2 miles. 

This is a one way hike for the Climbers and Tourists so we will need to stage cars at the end. We are looking for volunteers who can arrive 20 minutes early to position the cars. If you arrive by 1:40, please meet at the intersection of Oakland Rd and River Rd (Access G). We will carpool from there to the trailhead, leaving some Climber’s cars at the end of the hike to transport us back to the start. If you find you are later than 1:40, please go directly to Dygert and River Rd (Access H). See directions below.

Hike details

All hikers will start from Access H. The Climbers will follow the blue blazes for less than a half mile to the main yellow blazes. We will turn right and scramble up a steep, but short, hill. Snow will likely cover the narrow trail, but the blazes are new and easily followed. In 0.4 miles, we will cross Park trail #9. We left an orange tape on a tree at this intersection for reference. You may notice some orange blazes and some older yellow blazes with the number 9 marking this part trail. We will stay with the newer and brighter yellow blazes. The trail turns slightly going up stream to find a crossing point, the loops down the other side of the stream. Watch for the double blaze indicating a right turn – if you go straight you will go downhill on the park trail #9. In another 1.2 miles, we will cross park trail #12. We also marked this trail with orange tape. The Climbers will continue on the main trail crossing two more streams that will require some bushwhacking to find a way down to a safe crossing. At the junction with the blue access trail, we will turn right and hike out to awaiting cars.

From Access H, about 100 feet down the blue trail, the Naturalists and Tourists will turn right at the orange arrow and follow park trail #9 down a slight grade to the main trail. At the main trail the Tourists will turn right and follow the main trail for 1.4 miles. After crossing the first stream, there is a sharp right turn that you don’t want to miss.  If you miss the turn, you will end up at the river on Park trail #9. The turn is easy to see – just watch for the double blazes on the left side of the trail. When you come to Park trail #12 (There is an orange tape on the main trail and a couple more on trail #12), turn right and follow the trail out to River Rd. Turn left on River Rd for a half mile walk to the awaiting cars.

The Naturalists who followed the Tourists from Access H and down park trail #9, should do some exploring when they reach the main trail. If they turn left and follow the main trail, it is fairly level until a steep downhill that connects to the blue access trail.  Turn around at the top of the steep downhill or at 3:00 and return the way you came. If there is deep snow, the Naturalists may prefer to hike River Rd.

Following the hike, all hikers are invited to meet at the Nunda Pizza Corner for some comfort food and conversation.

Directions:

From Springwater: Take NY-15 north from the light. In 1.5 miles, turn left onto Liberty Pole Rd (CR 38). Continue straight for 8.1 miles to Groveland. Turn left  onto NY-63 S and then right (in 1/4 mile) on NY-258. At the tee, turn right onto NY 36. Go past the Correctional Facility and take the second left onto Dutch Street Rd. In 1.3 miles, turn right onto Ridge Rd and follow it to the end. Turn left on River Rd and continue for 4.2 miles to Oakland Rd which branches off at a slight left. If you are earlier that 1:40, please wait here for the car pool. Otherwise, go left onto Oakland Rd, take the first right onto Dygert Rd to get to Access H.

From Wayland: Follow NY-63 to Dansville. In Dansville turn left on Ossian St (NY-36 N) (don’t turn on 36 south!). Stay straight on Ossian St which becomes NY-436. Continue on NY-436 for 15 miles through Nunda. Turn right on Oakland Rd. If you are earlier that 1:40, stay on Oakland Rd to the end at River Rd. Otherwise, take the first left after the stop sign at Short Track on Dygert Rd to get to Access H.

From Rochester, Geneseo and Mt Morris: From Rochester, take I-390 south to Exit 7 (Mt Morris, NY-408). Turn left onto NY-408S. From Geneseo, take NY-63S and turn right onto NY-408S. At Main St in Mt Morris, turn left and then right to stay on NY-408. Stay on NY-408 for 2.6 miles past the Visitor Center Rd. Bear right onto River Rd.  In 6.3 miles, Oakland Rd will bear to the left. If you are earlier that 1:40, please wait here for the car pool. Otherwise, go left onto Oakland Rd, take the first right onto Dygert Rd to get to Access H.

Directions to the Nunda Pizza Corner: Take Oakland Rd south to NY-436. Turn left on NY-436. At the first stop sign, turn left onto N State St.  The Pizza Corner is on the right. 

Hike Description – Hike at Mendon Ponds Winterfest 2019

Once again, we host our mid-January hike at Mendon Ponds Park, coinciding with Monroe County’s 24th annual Winterfest. The park will be teeming with cold-weather fun activities between 10:30 and 4, including programs on nature and winter sports for kids and adults – see https://www2.monroecounty.gov/parks-winterfest for full details.

Dena sent a picture she took back in 2009. She fed the chickadee with her left hand and took the picture with her right hand – what a challenge!

We will meet at 1:45 at the Nature Center Lot – the first lot on the right, just inside the Pond Road entrance off Route 65/Clover Street. Come earlier if you’d like to take advantage of the refreshments from Chef’s Catering, the free coffee and hot chocolate, or the Wild Wings Birds of Prey demonstrations, all at the Nature Center, or for other free activities scheduled throughout the park. We will all start out hiking the Birdsong and Swamp Trails (2 miles), and the Naturalists will return to the Nature Center after the loop. From the Birdsong Trail midpoint, the Climbers and Tourists will continue around the Quaker Pond Loop Trail for another 2.7 miles, returning to the Nature Center by the rest of the Birdsong/Swamp Trail, for a total of 4.7 miles. Both trails are relatively level and pass through an interesting variety of habitat types. The Birdsong Trail is well known for its tame chickadees, and if you bring a handful of seeds or nuts, you may be rewarded with birds eating directly from your glove!

The Seneca Siberian Husky Club’s Sled Dog Races are scheduled for the Southern Meadow Trail at 11-1, though the forecast is questionable for snow. Anyone with other dogs, please keep your dog on a short leash throughout the day, and stay away from the race course during these hours.

Social: Afterwards please join us for the social at the Brewery Pub and Grill at 8 West Main Street, Honeoye Falls, overlooking the picturesque falls.

Directions:

From Springwater: Head north on 15A for 21.6 miles through Hemlock and Lima. Take a right at the exit to Honeoye Falls. Stay on W Main St into the village where you will pass the Brewery Pub and Grill on the right at the intersection with NY 65 (1.9 mi). Continue straight onto NY 65 for 4.4 mi. (At 2 miles, you will go around a traffic circle. Stay on NY 65.) Turn right onto Pond Rd at the park entrance. The Nature Center is just inside the entrance, on the right.

From Honeoye, take US 20A west and head north on CR 37 for 8.2 miles to W Bloomfield. Continue straight on NY 65 for about 3 miles, and make a right on Quaker Meeting House Road just before you come into Honeoye Falls. When Quaker Meeting House Road ends at Route 251 (Rush-Mendon Road), go left and then right on Route 65/Clover Street. The Pond Road entrance to the park is about 2 miles to the north, on the right. The Nature Center is just inside the entrance, on the right.

From Rochester: Exit I590 at Monroe Ave toward Pittsford. Turn right (south) onto NY 65 (Clover St). In about 6.7 miles you will come to the Canfield Road entrance to the park – this is not the one you want. Continue another 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Pond Rd, the second entrance into the park.  The Nature Center is just inside the entrance, on the right.

Directions to the Social: From the Nature Center lot, go left back to Route 65/Clover Street. Make a left and go 4.4 miles to the village center of Honeoye Falls. The Brewery Pub and Grill is on the left, just after the traffic light.

Please join us on the first Sunday of 2019, Jan 6, for a hike at Robs Trail, a trail built in 2016 by the Nature Conservancy. The trail has beautiful views, two lovely bridges over bubbling streams and meanders on moss covered trails along stream gorges.  Stop and look at the descriptive map that shows all the cottages once located on this pristine lake.

We will meet at the entrance to the Robs Trail on Route 15A.  The trailhead has a large sign at the parking lot that is 3.9 miles from Rix Hill rd at the North End of Hemlock lake. The Tourists and Naturalists can carpool to the boat launch parking lot on the North East end of Hemlock lake.  They can walk south along the trail that goes along the shore of the lake. Climbers will hike down Robs trail from 15A to the shore of Hemlock lake and back.  This will include more climbing than the Tourist route.

Following the hike, please join us for a pot-luck social at Mary’s. Directions available at the hike. Bring a dish to pass and your own beverage.

For a more detailed description of Rob’s trail, check out their website.

Directions to the trailhead: 

From Springwater:  Take Rt 15A north.  In 6.1 miles, the parking lot is on the left just after the north end of Old Bald Hill Rd South.

From Hemlock: Take Rt 15A south.  At 4.7 miles south of the 20A/15A intersection south of Hemlock, the parking lot is on the right.

Directions to Decker Rd from the Parking area: Head north on NY-15A N for 3.9 mi. Turn left onto Rix Hill Rd. In 1.2 mi merge onto Blank Rd. Take the first left onto Cleary Rd. In 2.2 mi turn left onto NY-15 S. Take the third right (in 1.5 mi) onto Decker Rd.

WEATHER UPDATE: The snow conditions were terrific yesterday. Trails were very well groomed with no bare spots at all. Today (Sunday) high winds are predicted in the morning, tapering off by 1 PM, with a chance of afternoon rain and temperatures in the 40s. There will still be a good snow base, but with warmer temps it will probably get a bit mushy. Be prepared to play it by ear on the skiing/hiking. 

We will meet at the parking lot at the entrance to Harriett Hollister Spencer Park at 1:50 PM. Assuming the snow sticks around, bring gear to snowshoe, cross country ski or hike. Hikers may want to bring traction devices. We will break into groups based on the interests of the participants. If you bring an extra pair of snowshoes, you may find someone who would like to try them out. Bring water and snacks and dress appropriately for the weather with layers that are easy to add or subtract. Note: This is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time – don’t forget to “spring ahead”!

Hikers on boots or snowshoes will need to avoid walking on the groomed ski trails (carefully groomed by the Rochester Cross Country Ski Foundation). Since the park is a popular winter sports location, some trails may be easy walking even with snow and we will adjust based on conditions and snow depth.

Naturalists: From the parking lot, start out on Ruthie’s Run, then follow the Chalet Trail. This area is an old road that once led to a large chalet and cabins which housed a camp at one time. One of the old buildings is used by the Nordic Ski Patrol during the winter season. Continue across the C4 trail intersection to The Pines trail.

**Option #1** For those those wanting a shorter more level route: At the intersection of Pines and Blue Spruce Trails, continue along the Pines Trail to the picnic area and restrooms then return via the Overlook Road, finishing back at the starting point (Approximately 1.6 miles).

**Option #2** For those wishing for a bit longer, slightly steeper hike: at the intersection of Pines and Blue Spruce trails, turn right onto the Blue Spruce Trail and follow the loop around and back to the Pines Trail, then return via the Overlook Road to the parking lot (Approximately 2.3 miles).

Tourists: From the parking lot, follow the Overlook Road for a brief way to a short section of the Bypass Trail that will connect with Cannonball Run, a shady section of the woods. Where Cannonball meets the park road, the Tourists can stop to admire the outstanding view before proceeding on to Raccoon Run. Travel a short loop around the picnic and rest room area, then hook up with the Pines Trail, which crosses over the intersection with the C4 trail, and continue onto the Chalet Trail to Ruthie’s Run, and back to the starting point. Approximately 3 miles.

Climbers: Will start from Deer Run (Where they may be dropped off before other hikers depart) and will continue onto the Blue Spruce Run. Turning right at the first intersection with Whiteface, follow this trail about ¾ of the way around and turn right (1 mile point), then right again to enter the top (south end) of Raccoon Run. Passing by Upper Sidewinder, continue on the southernmost trail which will connect with Sidewinder. Continue (north) to Lower Sidewinder, then turn right and cut over to Raccoon Run. Turn right onto Fox Run, loop around back to Raccoon Run (turning right), then take a left onto the Overlook Road. Just past the C4 crossing, turn right onto the Pines Trail. At the Whiteface Trail intersection, turn right and continue to Cannonball Run, and the back to the parking lot on Overlook Road. (Approximately 3.5 miles)

Social: Afterwards, we will meet at the Cornerstone Market 8732 Main Street Honeoye Lake, NY 14471. Check their menu.

They have a great bakery shop, beer and wine, and their kitchen is open until 5:00 on Sundays. You may wish to call ahead (585-229-2411) to order a meal so that there is enough time for them to prepare. Although the kitchen closes at 5:00, the dining areas and bakery/coffee shop will still be open.

Directions to Park at 6775 Canadice Hill Road, Springwter, NY:   see map at:

FROM ROCHESTER: Take RT 15A south. Two miles before Springwater village, turn left onto Wheaton Hill Road. Drive for about 3 miles. Turn Left onto Wetmore Rd. and straight thru onto Canadice Hill road and drive another 2 miles to The Park.

FROM HONEOYE: From 20A turn south onto County Route 37 and go about 4 miles to the County Route 37/Canadice Hill Road split. Continue south on Canadice Hill Road about 3 miles. Harriett Hollister Spencer Park will be on your left.

FROM SPRINGWATER: Take Route 15A north out of Springwater for one mile and turn right on Wheaton Hill Road. Take the 1st left onto Canadice Rd. Turn right to stay on Canadice Rd. At the county line continue onto Co Rd 37 for 2.0 miles. Turn right onto Luckenbach Hill Rd. At the top, turn left onto Ross Rd. At the stop sign, take a sharp right onto Canadice Hill Rd. Harriett Hollister Spencer Park will be on your right.