This Sunday we will explore the trails on the west side of Cleveland Hill, starting from the Gulick Road entrance to Camp Cutler, about 4 miles south of the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve parking lot.  Also known as the J. Warren Cutler Scout Reservation, Camp Cutler is a 1,200 acre year-round property dedicated to Boy Scout camping, and the home of the Cub Scout Adventure program of the Seneca Waterways Council. The camp is named for J. Warren Cutler, a Rochester businessman and an avid supporter of scouting. It has been in operation since 1966. It has an extensive network of hiking and mountain bike trails, some of which overlap with the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail which links Clement Road and West Hollow Road.  The Camp Cutler Trails up the west side have a gentler ascent to the top of Cleveland Hill than those we have seen coming from the north or the south.

Trail condition update:  Trail condition varies a good deal – some areas are snow-covered and/or icy, some are wet and muddy, and some are open woods. Waterproof footwear is a must, traction devices are a good idea, and poles  are recommended if you are used to hiking with them. Also rain gear if the forecast calls for showers between 2 and 4. 

We will convene at 1:45 and start our hikes at 2 PM at the Gulick Road parking lot.  All hikers will start out as a group along the Red, Purple and Blue Trails, following Whispering Creek in the northern section of the camp.  Naturalists will turn back at whatever point they choose. After about 2 miles, the Tourists will head back to the starting point on the Green Trail, an easy downhill past several lean-tos and cabins, for a total of about 3 miles.  Climbers will continue on the Blue Trail to the top of Cleveland Hill,  joining the Bristol Hill Branch for the overlooks to the east and southeast before turning back on the White and Red Trails to the starting point. Total estimated distance for the Climbers is 4.7 miles.  See link here for a trail map:  /…019/11/Camp-Cutler-Trails-annotated.pdf

Social – Following the hike, please join us for holiday cheer at the The Neapolitan Brick Oven Pizzeria at 120 N. Main Street, Naples.

Directions to Gulick Road Trail Head:

DIRECTIONS:

From Springwater/Dansville/Wayland: Take Rt 21N into Naples, turn left on Clark St. (at Middletown Tavern) and drive 1.2 miles to the Gulick Road intersection on your right.  Follow Guliick Road north for 4.2 miles to the camp entry on your right. The parking lot is near the entrance, on your left.

From Honeoye and Route 20A: Take East Lake Road south from Route 20A for 1/2 mile. Make a left on County Road 34 and then a right on Pinewood Hill Road. In one mile Pinewood Hill Road becomes Gulick Road as you bear right. Follow Gulick Road south for 7.3 miles, past Wesley Hill and Cummings Nature Center. The Camp Cutler entrance will be on your left.

From Route 64 north or south: Follow Route 64 to the intersection with County Road 34, about 2 miles north of Bristol Springs and about 1.2 miles south of Bristol Mountain. Turn west on County Road 33 for 1.6 miles, and then south on County Road 34 (a.k.a. West Hollow Road) for 4 miles. Make a right on Clement Road, and then a right on Gulick Road.  The camp entrance will be about 1 mile ahead on your right.  The parking lot is near the entrance, on your left.

Directions to The Neapolitan:

From Camp Cutler, go left (south) on Gulick Road to the end (4.2 miles) and then left on County Road 36 (a.k.a. Hunt Hollow Road) into Naples. Turn left on Main Street The Neapolitan is at 120 N. Main Street, just past the center of town.