In August, we hiked a section of the Finger Lakes Trail north west of Bath that primarily stayed in the woods. This Sunday we will go a bit west of Bath to a section that is more evenly split between fields and woods, which should keep all our hikers alert to follow the blazes.

The weather promises to be good, so following the hike, we will have a dish to pass social at the end of the Climbers’ hike. This is a change from the original posting.

We will meet at the middle of the 3.8 mile section on Snell Hill Road (Access 3). The Naturalists and Climbers will carpool to Access 2 on Harris Hill Rd and follow the trail east, around a swamp and up to the top of a level ridge. The first road is CR 69 which we cross onto a uphill road through the woods. This section ends with a walk along the edge of the yard onto Snell Hill Rd and the Naturalists cars.  The climbers will continue east. This next section is a little tricky. The trail starts with a short section along a field and enters the woods. There are a couple of sticks blocking the way between trees, but it is easy to get around and continue the trail though easy woods. The trail turns left to scoot down a hedgerow, but it is best to find a way out to the field on the left and stay along the edge of the hedgerow down to Gay Gulf Rd. It is a pretty road walk as Gay Gulf Rd cuts along a steep bank with interesting rock formations. In about 0.2 miles, the trail turns right up a steep road and continues to Robinson Rd. Across the road, follow the edge of the corn field on the right, and then enter a large woods. Take care, there has recent logging and the trail is rutted. The hike ends along a hay field to the Tourists cars on Sinclair Rd.

Meanwhile, the Tourists will carpool to Access 5 on Sinclair Rd. They will hike north west along the hay field, then into a recently logged forest to Robinson Rd. Continue across Robinson Rd, following the blazes to Gay Gulf Rd. Turn left and notice the rock wall on the left side of the road. You should pass cows on the left, before coming to a left turn into a driveway (watch for blazes painted on the guardrail entering the driveway. Pass between two farm buildings and turn left to the hedgerow.  Follow the edge of the field, Once the hedgerow on the left become more of a forest, you should be able to find a route into the woods to find the blazed trail. Continue down to Snell Hill Rd and the cars. At this point, check the time. The trail jogs left on Snell Hill and then continues west.  The Tourists should continue a far as desired, then turn around and return to Snell Hill Rd and the cars.

Directions: From Springwater, Wayland, Dansville etc: Take I-390 South toward Bath and Corning. Take Exit 1 (Avoca), and turn right on Michigan Hollow Rd. Turn left onto NY-415 for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto CR-70A just before the road goes under I-86. In 3 miles, turn left onto Bouten Rd. You will cross a creek and then stay to the left to keep on Bouten. The road name may change, but continue for 1.3 miles. Turn right onto Snell Hill Rd. The trail crosses the road in about 1.3 miles. Park along the road.

From Naples and Cohocton: From Naples, take NY-21 South to N. Cohocton. Continue straight for 5 miles to Cohocton. At the stop sign, continue straight onto NY-415 for 9.6 miles. Turn right onto CR-70A just before the road goes under I-86. In 3 miles, turn left onto Bouten Rd. You will cross a creek and then stay to the left to keep on Bouten. The road name may change, but continue for 1.3 miles. Turn right onto Snell Hill Rd. The trail crosses the road in about 1.3 miles.

Directions to hike starts

From Snell Hill Rd to Harris Hill Rd: Continue south on Snell Hill Rd, which becomes McChesney Rd. Turn right onto Turnpike Rd for 0.4 miles, then right onto Harris Hill Rd. In 0.7 miles, cross McCaddam Rd. The trail will be on the right in about 0.2 miles. Park on the shoulder.

From Snell Hill Rd to Sinclair Rd: Continue south on Snell Hill Rd, which becomes McChesney Rd. Turn left onto Turnpike Rd for 1.8 miles, then left onto Sinclair Rd. The trail is on the left in about half a mile.

Directions to the Social on Sinclair Rd

From Harris Hill: Return south on Harris Hill Rd to the stop sign at Turnpike Rd. Turn left on Turnpike Rd and continue for 2.2 miles. Turn left onto Sinclair Rd at a curve in Turnpike.The trail is on the left in about half a mile.

From Snell Hill: Continue south on Snell Hill Rd, which becomes McChesney Rd. Turn left onto Turnpike Rd for 1.8 miles, then left onto Sinclair Rd. The trail is on the left in about half a mile.