SUNDAY WEATHER UPDATE:  The forecast is improving, with the chance of rain rising from 25% to 50% between 2 and 4 and no chance of thuderstorms. If you feel like paddling under these conditions, come on over. The hike will proceed rain or shine. Everyone meet at LaSalle’s Landing Park.  Questions? Call Saralinda at 585-705-1865. 

This event has options for both paddlers and hikers, with a common meeting place at La Salle’s Landing Park, 1080 Empire Blvd. Penfield, just across from Bay Creek Paddling Center. Afterwards both groups will gather for our social at the home of Gene and Georgia Binder at 1855 Westfall Road in Brighton.  PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT STARTS AT 2PM, TO ACCOMMODATE ANYONE RENTING A BOAT FROM BAY CREEK PADDLING, WHICH CLOSES AT 5.

Boaters: Join us for the first SWT paddle of the season, in Irondequoit Creek.    Bring your own kayak or canoe to the launch site, or rent one from Bay Creek Paddling Center, just across Empire Blvd at #1099 and launch from their dock directly into the creek. See https://www.baycreek.com/rentals   for information and pricing on their rentals, which are by the hour and first-come first-served.  Please arrive between 1:30 and 1:45 to unload your boat or arrange your rental.  Irondequoit Creek meanders southward from the launch site through a peaceful wetland between Irondequoit Bay and Ellison Park.  You can enjoy quiet waters and abundant bird life along the creek, going as far as the Browncroft Blvd Bridge and back, or explore the shoreline at the south end of Irondequoit Bay.  We will not be in a single group, so please observe the boat buddy system and keep another SWT boat within sight as you paddle.

Hikers will explore one of Monroe County’s most interesting but least well known parks. Lucien Morin Park abuts the wetlands surrounding Irondequoit Creek, and contains some low but rugged hills and valleys, similar to nearby the Abe Lincoln and Durand Eastman Parks. In addition the property was used for target practice by the National Guard back in the mid 20th century, and has some interesting surviving site structures left over from the military use.

Hikers will gather at 2 PM at LsSalle’s Landing and carpool across Empire Blvd to the Lucien Moran trailhead parking area.  All hikers will follow the White Trail and dirt road along the wetland (west) side of the park, heading for the gazebo  where the officer used to oversee the shooting operations. Naturalists can return to the start from there for a relatively level and easy hike. Climbers and those looking for a more rigorous hike may continue south to loop around to the west and return overlooking the wetland.

Social: Please join us afterward for a dish-to-pass social at Gene and Georgia’s home at 1855 Westfall Road, Brighton, at the southeast corner of Westfall and Fairhill Drive. See directions and parking instructions below.  Bring  your own beverage and a folding chair along with assorted goodies, or donate $5 and help yourself. Bring a card table too if you have one.

Directions to LaSalle’s Landing:

Take your favorite route toward Rochester, via route 15, 15A, 390, or 490.   When you reach the Outer Loop (390/590), go north on Route 590 toward Irondequoit. About 2 miles after passing through the 490 intersection, take the Empire Boulevard/404 exit. Make a right on Empire Blvd, and go down the hill toward the bay. LaSalle’s Landing Park will be on your left at #1080, just across from Bay Creek Paddling Center.  Lucian Morin Park trailhead and parking lot will be on your right at #1135, just past the former McGregor’s.

Directions to the Social 185 Westfall:

Head back to the west on Empire Blvd.  You may take 590 south back to the Monroe Avenue (Route 31) exit, then make a left on Monroe and an immediate right on Westfall, proceeding to Fairhill Drive, the sixth left off Westfall. Turn around on Fairhill and park on the west side shoulder, next to 1855 Westfall, the house on the corner.

Simpler and more direct route: Head back to the west on Empire Blvd. Before you come to the 590 ramps, turn left on Winton Road. Take Winton Road all the way to Brighton – 4.6 miles. Cross Westfall Road, then take the next left on Fairhill Drive (it’s L shaped). Follow Fairhill around to the left, and park on the right hand shoulder at the last house on the right, 1855 Westfall.