Special Note: Don’t forget to set your clock back Sunday morning!
This week’s hike will follow the Genesee Valley Greenway in the section between Nunda and the Genesee River at Letchworth Park. This the section of the Greenway, also called Letchworth Park Trail #7, has some of the most impressive relics of the Genesee Valley Canal. This will be an out-and-back hike with a slightly different return route at the end.
Trail #7 starts at Oakland Rd about a mile west of Nunda. Here we will walk next to the original locks that allowed boats to climb the hill to the River. The canal operated in this section between 1862 and 1878, after which the right of way was sold to the Genesee Valley Canal Railroad Company for a railroad following much of the canal towpath. We will start out walking next to the canal locks up to Short Track Road. On the return walk we’ll take the former railroad route, rejoining the canal path near the start of the hike.
Meet at 1:45 for a 2:00 PM start at the parking lot at the intersection of Oakland Road and State Route 436. (42.578516,-77.971108)
The Naturalists will start from the Oakland Rd parking area, following the canal trail to the junction with the rail bed and beyond. It is just over a mile to Short Tract Road, where the Naturalists will turn around and hike back to the cars, using the rail bed route all of the way, for a two mile hike.
The Tourists and Climbers will follow the same route to Short Tract Rd, then follow the trail along Williams Road. When Williams Road turns left, continue straight into the woods on the Genesee Valley Greenway. The next intersection is River Rd, also known as Letchworth Trail #8, where the Tourists will turn left and follow River Road through the woods until it is about 3:00, when we will turn around and return. This hike will be about 3 1/2 to 4 miles total, depending on your speed. On the return hike we’ll keep to the Greenway (former railroad, to the left at the split) all the way rather than following the canal route. We’ll hike to Oakland Road where we’ll turn right for a brief walk back to the cars.
Social – Please join us after the hike for an optional social at the High Banks Tavern, 36 Main Street, Mount Morris. NW corner of Main Street and State Street. For the menu, see: https://highbankstavern.com/menus
Directions: From Springwater: Follow NY-15 South to Wayland, then turn right on to Route 63 to Dansville. In Dansville, turn left on Ossian Street (Route 436). Follow Route 436 west through Nunda to Oakland Road (just past Parker Road). Turn right on Oakland Road and the parking area will be on the left. Note that Oakland Road is easy to miss – it’s a small two lane road that goes off to the right 1.3 miles west of the traffic lights in Nunda. The street sign is set back from the 436. There is a trailhead shelter clearly visible on Oakland Road from the junction with Rt. 436.
From Naples: Take Route 21 to Wayland, then continue west on Route 63 to Dansville. In Dansville, turn left on Ossian Street (Route 436). Follow Route 436 west through Nunda to Oakland Road. Turn right on Oakland Road and the parking area will be on the left. Note that Oakland Road is easy to miss – it’s a small two lane road that goes off to the right 1.3 miles west of the traffic lights in Nunda. The street sign is set back from the 436. There is a trailhead shelter clearly visible on Oakland Road from the junction with Rt. 436.
From Rochester, Honeoye or points east: Take the nearest route to Interstate 390 and go south to the Mount Morris exit. Follow State Route 408 South through Mount Morris toward Nunda (turn right at Chapel Street) . At the center of Nunda, take a right on Route 436 toward Portageville. In 1.3 miles, make a right on Oakland Road (just past Parker Road) and an immediate left into the trailhead parking lot.
There are two small parking areas at the trailhead. Please park carefully to squeeze in all the cars.