This Sunday Hike will continue the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail to the north. In January, we hiked south from Seman Rd to Naples, so this month we will do the section north from Seman Rd.

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

Before we start, a word about the Springwater Trails BHB Series of hikes. In July, 2017, we started this series at the southern end of the Bristol Hills Branch in the town of Bath. Each month, we continued north until we came to hunting season and skipped the section between Access Point 12 and 11 near Prattsburgh. Instead, in November and December, we continued north into Italy Valley. Next, we skipped over High Tor and hiked the Naples to Seman Rd section that Springwater Trails helps to maintain with spring and late summer trail cleanup days.In February and March, we will continue north from Seman Rd until we reach the end of the Bristol Hills Branch. But please do not worry, this spring we will return to Prattsburgh (April) and (in May and June) hike through High Tor.

Starting in July, we are planning a hike series through the Letchworth Branch.  The town of Springwater sits half-way between the Letchworth and the Bristol Hills Branches. Plan to join the Springwater Trails on the third Sunday of each month through the summer and fall to complete a hike of the entire Letchworth Branch.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.

Click on picture for a high resolution panorama view.

This section of the BHB consists of two sections: a road walk from Seman Rd to Clement Rd; and a woods walk up Cleveland Hill through the Camp Warren Cutler boy scout camp and back down to West Hollow Rd (CR 33). The Climbers will hike the entire 4.8 miles from Seman Rd to CR 33. The Tourists will hike 3.1 miles from Clement Rd to CR 33. Meanwhile, the Naturalists will avoid the hill completely, and instead will cross CR 33 and hike a mile into the Beaver Pond before returning to the cars.

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) 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 will carpool to the Seman Rd West Hill Preserve (1.2 miles east of CR 33). The 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.

From the West Hill Preserve, the Climbers will follow Seman Rd back toward CR 33, then turn right for 0.3 miles, then left on Clement Rd for 0.3 miles. The trail turns off the road a tenth of a mile past the parking area.From here, the Climbers should be able to follow the Tourists footprints.

The Tourists will turn right coming out of the parking lot and walk on the road for a tenth of a mile. 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. A steep hike down will lead to the original parking away 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. Snowshoes or other traction devices, and hiking poles, are also recommended. The snow on Thursday was about 6 inches deep, so gaiters or high boots will keep the snow out of your hiking boots.

Following the hikes, please join us at Brew and Brats in South Bristol 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 Brew and Brats:

From end of the hike on CR 33: Head north on CR 33. Turn right onto CR 34, then right onto NY 64. Brew & Brats is on the left behind Arbor Hill. 

From W Hill Preserve on Seman Rd: Head east on Seman Rd, through the 4-way stop. Turn left on CR 12 (Naples Rd). In 2.8 mi, turn left on NY 64.  Brew & Brats is on the right behind Arbor Hill.