Too hot to hike?  Think again.  This week’s event is a perfect solution.  The Houghton Preserve is a shady respite from the heat wave, nestled on a hilltop to catch an occasional breeze. The trails are not at all strenuous, so hikers can relax and enjoy their time in the woods.
This preserve is a gift from Jamie and Maisie Houghton to the Finger Lakes Land Trust.  The family has deep roots in the Corning Community dating back to the mid 1800’s.  The terrain is mostly wooded, but meadows fringe the boundaries.   The trails are level with one moderate pitch.  Off trail there are some steep gullies to view.  The FLLT website has a more thorough description and a trail map of this preserve and many other preserves around the Finger Lakes..

All hikers will be using the same trails this week.  The leader will provide maps and suggested routes for our subgroups.

Naturalists may be challenged by the short climb out from the parking area on the blue trail.  The footing is excellent.  It is a short uphill walk to a lovely overlook of the valley.  A bench, built by a local eagle scout, awaits those in need of a rest and an opportunity to listen for Bobolinks in the meadow.  Total mileage < 1.5 miles.

Tourists and Climbers  will be able to tackle al of the trails in about 1.5 hours time.  There are various loops to explore at a leisurely pace.  Wildlife possibilities include porcupines and yellow billed cuckoos overhead in the forest canopy. Mileage will be < 4 miles.

Please note:  Dogs must be leashed at all times

Social  We should have plenty of time to enjoy the apres hike gathering, just a short drive away in downtown Corning, at the Market Street Brewing Company, 63 West Market Street.  The menu offers a variety of apps, entrees, sandwiches, desserts, and of course  fresh brewed beers.  The pub supports local growers. Indoor and outdoor seating is  available as long as we call ahead on Sunday.  Parking should be available on the street nearby. See http://www.936-beer.com for the menu and description.

Directions from Springwater

Follow Rt 15 south through Wayland to I 390.  Follow 390 south/ 86 east to  the exit for Rt 352/ Denison Parkway ( pretty sure it is #45).  continue south on 352 for approximately 2 miles, then turn right on Chemung St.  Continue uphill  on Chemung (which becomes Spencer Hill Rd) for 2.3 miles.  The Preserve will be on your right.  There is ample parking.

We will do a carpool from the Springwater Town Hall leaving promptly at 2:45.

SPRINGWATERTRAILS HIKE FOR 4:00 pm (try to arrive at 3:55 PM), Sept. 2nd, 2018
LOCATION: Stony Brook State Park

Special Note: There is a seven dollar charge per car to enter the park. Anyone that would like to car pool to save the seven dollar charge can meet at 3:40 (leaving at 3:50 PM promptly) by the video store behind the Police/town hall station off Clara Barton street (Route 36) about 500 feet from the RT36 redlight on Main Street. 

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HIKE DISCRIPTION: Hikers will split into three groups. Each group will walk at their own pace. Most of the climber trail is up and down hill, climbing at the beginning and down at the end of the hike. There are lots of steps to climb. Trails are most likely going to be wet and slippery so poles and traction devices or good treaded hiking boots are recommended. Tourists hike is flat or down hill until the East Rim trail where they will have to climb a short set of steps but then it is mostly down hill.

Climbers will start from the lower parking lot and climb the Gorge Trail starting at the swiming area and climb to the upper park crossing over the stone bridge and returning back to the lower park along the East Rim Trail.

The Tourists will car pool to the upper park and walk along a flat trail in the pines until they are just above camping sites 1-53. They will make thier way down through camp sites 1-53, 54-132 and 133-135 passing the playground and crossing over the stone bridge.They will return back to the lower parking lot via the East Rim trail.

Naturalist can stay in the lower park and enjoy the scenery along the creek area. The Gorge trail could also be walked for a short distance until the stairs are reached. There is a lot of climbing beyond this point.

RECOMMENDATIONS: The weatherman is calling for showers on Sunday so be prepared. That’s not as bad as the last Stony Brook hike when we had 20 inches of snow on the ground.

After hike social will be in the picnic area next to the lower parking lot. Bring a dish to pass or a five dollar donation would be appreciated. Hot dogs and Hamburgers will be provided.

DIRECTIONS: From Downtown Dansville take RT.36 South for about 4 miles. Turn left into StoneyBrook State Park. Drive to the main parking lot where we will divide into our three groups. The Tourists will car pool to the upper park to start their hike. Directions to the carpool location are also available.

Welcome to the Fifth Annual Mushroom Foray at the All Western Evergreen Farm.  Three hiking groups are planned, all starting and ending at the farm house.  We will explore much of the farm, enjoying views of the valley and close-ups of the floral and mycological specimens.

Please plan to arrive early (1:45) to sign in and to sign the RAMA liability forms.

Friendly dogs are welcome on the hike; however, a leash will be needed near the farm house and you can expect a few other dogs will be hiking with you.

Paper bags and paper plates for collecting and displaying mushrooms will be provided.  Those who want to learn how to collect mushrooms will be instructed by Gene and Georgia, and any other Rochester Area Mycological Association members who will be our guests.

The Climbers will follow the driveway up to the fields, and explore to the south and west, to explore the varied forests for wild mushrooms. Check out between the Christmas trees if you are looking for unusual mushrooms.

The Tourists will follow the driveway, stopping occasionally to explore the woods for mushrooms.  When they reach the field, head to the right through several Christmas tree plantations.At the corner, follow the trail back into the woods. If time permits, return to the field and head west to a hidden corner of the field with some spectacular Christmas trees if you live in a large mall.

The Naturalists will start exploring under and behind the Red Cedars by the parking area. The woods to the right of the trail up to the main fields are likely full of mushrooms, but you will find some swampy areas, so don’t get lost.

All hikers should check their watches and return to the parking area by 4:00 to identify their collections.

Once again we are fortunate to have several RAMA members with us who have volunteered to identify the mushrooms collected between 4 and 4:30 p.m. After identification of the mushrooms, join us for a social (4:30 – 6:30 p.m.) hosted by Katherine at her house. Katherine will make two soups – Enchilada Chicken Soup and Vegetable Barley Soup. Please bring a dish-to-pass or make a small contribution to support the socials.  Bring your own beverage.  Dogs will want to stay in your car during the social.

We will begin all the hikes at 6840 Liberty Pole Road where there is ample parking at the Christmas tree loading area between the tall Western redcedar and Morton Building and Nursery beds. Follow the parking signs.  When we return from our foray, the mushrooms will be displayed for identification on paper plates on the tables indoors in the Morton Building or the basement depending on the weather.

Directions:

If using GPS, please try 6840 Liberty Pole Road, Dansville, NY 14437 (the mailing address) so as to not have a problem.

From Springwater: Go west from the Springwater light on NY-15 North.  Just past the top of the hill and after rounding the tight curve, turn left on CR 38 (Liberty Pole Road).  The farm is on the left (the high side) 1.1 miles from NY-15 at 6840 Liberty Pole Road after you cross Carney Hollow Rd. There is a sign for the All Western Evergreen Nursery.

From Geneseo: Go south on NY-63.  About 6.4 miles after passing NY-408, turn left on CR-1 (Groveland Scottsburg Rd) at Groveland Station.  This road becomes CR 1A (Springwater Scottsburg Rd) at Scottsburg (Route 256) and then Liberty Pole Road after you cross Stagecoach Road (CR 71), and finally CR-38 (still Liberty Pole Rd) after crossing Reeds Corners Rd (CR-29).  It is 7.1 miles from Groveland Station to All Western Evergreen Farm. The farm is on the right (the high side).

From Honeoye: Take 20A west to Hemlock and 15A south to Springwater.  Then follow the Springwater directions above.

From Rochester: Take I-390S from Rochester. Use Exit 9 for NY-15 Lakeville. Turn left onto NY-15. Stay on NY-15 for 16.5 miles, through Lakeville, Livonia, Conesus and Websters Crossing. When NY-15 curves to the left, turn right onto CR-60 (Carney Hollow Rd). Take the first right onto Liberty Pole Rd. The farm is on the left (the high side).