The hike on Sunday, October 18, 2015 in Avon, is designed as a combo event.  At 2:00, the Avon Preservation and Historical Society (APHS) is sponsoring a presentation by Kelly Cole entitled the 1876 Opera Block. In order to allow hikers to attend this presentation, our hike has been moved to 3:30. Join us at 2:00 at the Avon Historical Society.  Following the presentation, our hike is just a mile west.

**update October 18th  – you may appreciate an extra pair of sock & shoes for the after-hike social & ride home, and perhaps an umbrella in case it rains during the hike. 

Starting at the Erie-Attica Trail trailhead parking lot off Farmers Rd, we will hike on the Erie-Attica Trail and the Genesee Valley Greenway (aka Greenway, aka GVG).

From the Erie-Attica Trail trailhead, all hikers (except Flatlanders) will head west on the Erie-Attica Trail. Crossing the Genesee River, we enter the Town of Caledonia.  The Erie-Attica Trail (EAT) ends at the Genesee Valley Greenway (albeit someday the EAT will extend further westward to W River Rd aka Co Rd 84).  We will turn left and follow the Greenway as far as seems reasonable.  At about 4:30, we will turn around and retrace our route back to the cars.

Four hiking groups are planned for. Presently planned routing: The Climbers will follow the Greenway across Rt 5 and across Rt 20.  The trail goes parallel to Batzing Rd, where we expect to turn around.

Meanwhile, Tourists will likely turn around at Rt 20, and the Naturalists will turn around at Rt 5.  Flatlanders will utilize the Erie-Attica Trail (EAT) segment situate east of the Farmers Rd trailhead which is a paved segment to Horseshoe Blvd alongside a pond.  Additionally, as capable, they may utilize the EAT westward from the Farmers Rd trailhead over the truss bridge and beyond, before returning to the trailhead.    See some points of interest on the Greenway at the FOGVG website.

Directions:  

From the 1876 Opera Block:  From Genesee St, go round the traffic circle a bit shy of 360^o, and head west on Rts 5&20 (aka West Main Street). After about 0.8mi, turn right on Farmers Rd (partially paved and part gravel surface).  The parking area is on the right, just after you pass under the flyover for the former RR truss bridge (now the Erie-Attica Trail truss bridge).

From Springwater: Take Rt 15A North. In Lima, turn left on US 20. Follow Rt 20 for 7.6 miles (you will cross over I390, pass through East Avon and the Village of Avon. After the traffic circle in the village, continue on Rt 20 for 0.8mi and turn right on Farmers Rd. The parking area is on the right, just after you pass under the flyover for the former RR truss bridge (now the Erie-Attica Trail truss bridge).

After-hike social ~5:45PM at Tom Wahl’s Restaurant picnic pavilion (behind the restaurant), 283 East Main St, Avon, NY.  For more details about the social click here, and then scroll down as necessary to the heading for the after-hike social.

**notes for future Avon hikes: 1) An alternative hike routing involving multiple access points on the EAT & GVG including that utilizing access from Fowlerville Rd which gives quickest access (.85 mile hike) to the “rubbing” marker post, listed in hike #5 of the “Wegmans Passport to family wellness” Program booklet for the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park was considered for this 10/18 Avon hike, but decision was made to defer such possibilities to a future hike.  Vehicle placement logistics and transport of such a hike would utilize more time than a simple “out & back” type hike. 2) The Genesee Valley Conservancy’s railroad-bed-trail just south of the village of Avon and south of Ashantee’s historic and scenic five arch viaduct (the former Erie RR viaduct on the Avon to Mt Morris route) over Conesus Creek, runs south off Fowlerville Rd essentially at the jct with NYS Rt 39 (aka Avon Geneseo Rd).  This trail can be a future S/T hike. 3) There is also a short trail segment in vicinity of the Ashantee five arch viaduct, and as well at nearby Avon Downs Park which is situate at the end of Spring St (respectively aptly named for the race track at “Avon Downs” and the natural spring that once was the center of a spa resort edifice and activities in Avon.

***Toward establishing future S/T hike & Genesee River paddle event possibilities in and near Avon, … S/T kayakers may want to take time to assess the “Genesee River access point” at the NYSDEC fishing access area at the southeast corner of Rts 5&20 and the Genesee River.  This is approximately opposite the Rts 5&20 and Farmers Rd intersection. (The locale is sometimes referred to as Berry’s Park, and you’ll find a blue and gold NYS Education Dept historic marker there titled “Berry’s Tavern”.)***