Creek waters in August

Springwater Trails will join the New York State Forest Owners Association – Western Chapter to explore a unique area in the DEC Hemlock/Canadice State Forest called the Canadice Outlet. The Canadice Outlet cuts through a deep gully on Bald Hill, encompassing  more than 700 acres of forest.   The Canadice Outlet is a natural fast flowing stream that diverts waters for the City of Rochester from Canadice Lake into Hemlock Lake.  Overflow waters continue into the Hemlock Creek, which joins the Honeoye Creek, and eventually flows into the Genesee River and Lake Ontario.

Underground channel transfers waters from Canadice Lake via Canadice Outlet into Hemlock Lake

Hidden in the Canadice Outlet are remains of a former milling town called Dixon Hollow, where 100 years ago local businessmen used the power of the water to fuel their mills.  The forested area surrounding the outlet has been untouched for over 100 years and is a precious treasure worthy of conservation.

Inlet to Hemlock from Canadice outlet.

The program will begin promptly at 11:00, so please arrive  at 10:45 to park your cars along the road at 5107 Old Bald Hill Road, Hemlock. Access into the Outlet is through private property at this location. After hearing a brief history of the City of Rochester Waterworks, and Dixon Hollow, we will follow an old abandoned road to the creek, noting the diversity of trees, native plants, and geological formations.  We will also examine some of the remains of an old saw mill, raceway, grist mill, and bridge that crossed the outlet creek. Wear good hiking shoes, bug repellent, and be prepared with alternative shoes to possibly cross the creek as water levels can change suddenly with summer storms.

Coral mushroom in August

From this point, hikers will divide into three groups to explore the outlet.  Naturalists (beginning hikers) will head to the south, with a slower, less steep walk along the creek. Led by Ellen Folts, owner of Amanda’s Garden, Ellen will identify a variety of native plants that exist in this special environment of a deep gully, creek bed, and  forested area. Tourists and Climbers (intermediate and advanced hikers)  will take a northern route high above the creek, with some short steep hikes down to the creek bed area. Led by a retired forester, Peter Muench and Pam Masterson, owner of Canadice Kitchens,  forestry, history, wildlife, and native plants will be identified and discussed at different locations. The area can be very steep with a predominately red oak and hemlock forest.  We will end our hike at the curved dam on Rt. 15A and car shuttle back to our beginning location on Bald Hill. If time and creek conditions allow, advanced hikers may take an alternate route back through the outlet creek area along more difficult steep areas.

Dam holds up during recent flood of June 14, 2015

During our social hour, local historian Rick Osieki will provide a slide presentation covering the history of Dixon Hollow and the City of Rochester Waterworks.  Please bring a dish to pass and your drink of choice.

Directions:

From Springwater and points south: Take 15A North from the Springwater light for 10.1 miles.  At the north entrance to Hemlock Park, turn right (away from the park) onto Old Bald Hill Rd. Follow Old Bald Hill Rd for half a mile to the curve.  The driveway is on the left at the curve.

From Hemlock NY and points north: Take 15A South from the intersection with 20A  light for 0.7 miles.  At the north entrance to Hemlock Park, turn left (away from the park) onto Old Bald Hill Rd. Follow Old Bald Hill Rd for half a mile to the curve.  The driveway is on the left at the curve.