Please join us for kayaking or canoeing on Sugar Creek and Keuka Lake or a hike through the marsh preserve to the lake. Our starting point will be the Finger Lakes Museum creekside site, accessible from Guyanoga Road or from Route 54, both close to the flashing light at the center of Branchport. The Finger Lakes Museum is on the site of a former elementary school, now being replaced by a new structure for a regional museum. They have an active boat launch site at the rear bordering Sugar Creek, the main tributary into the west branch of Keuka Lake.
Boaters should arrive by 3:30-3:45 to unload your boat and launch from the floating dock. Hikers, who will follow the wetlands along the river, should arrive by 3:45 for a 4 PM start. Parking is in the field adjacent to the FLM Creekside Center and rest room.
After launching, kayakers will head upstream in Sugar Creek through a woodland waterway. Based on time and conditions we then will turn around and head back past the dock to the lake. Once on the lake we will spread out, with some heading west toward the adjacent marshland owned by the Isaak Walton League. Cattails, water lilies and waterfowl are abundant in the marsh waterways, with the marinas of Branchport beyond. In the other direction, at the northeast corner of the west branch is Keuka Lake State Park. Boaters will return to the start by about 6 PM.
Hikers will hike to Keuka Lake along the museum paths, stopping at the Museum’s lakefront pavilion. After enjoying the lake views, we will return to the museum and explore its grounds with interpretive markers about the Finger Lakes and extensive native plantings.
Social: Bring your own beverage and a dish to pass for our Social on the porch of the Museum’s Creekside Center. Or contribute $5 to the social fund and snack from the dishes available. Tables, chairs and rest rooms are provided by FLM.
Directions:
From Springwater and Wayland – Take Route 15 south and then Route 21 north to Naples. Coming into Naples, go right on Route 53 toward Prattsburgh. In 1.2 miles make a left on Italy Valley Road. You will remain on Italy Valley Road for about 8.7 miles, although the county road number changes from 21 to 18 to 34 en route. At the end of Italy Valley Road, go left for .3 miles on Italy Hill Road (CR 35), then follow Itlaly Hill Road as it curves to the right and becomes CR32. In another 4.7 miles you will be at the flashing light in the center of Branchport. Go straight on Route 54A toward Penn Yan for .2 miles, and turn left into the Finger Lakes Museum across from the Library, and before the Fire Station. Look for the driveway toward the new barn on your right.
From Canandaigua and 5&20: Take East Lake Road south to County Road 1, or Route 247 from Reed’s Corners into Rushville. Continue South through Rushville toward Penn Yan. Route 247 will become Route 364 shortly before Potter. Continue for 4.5 miles past Potter and make a right on Guyanoga Road (CR 29). Go another 6.5 miles to Branchport. Turn left into the Finger Lakes Museum at 3369 Guyanoga Road, or if you miss it, go left at the flashing light and then left into the FLM drive. If you come in from Guyanoga Road, go to the right around the building and parking lot, and follow the signs to the Creekside Center (a new barn). Park on the grass near the boat rack. If you take the side entrance in from Route 54A heading east toward Penn Yan, turn in to the left, across from the library, and then right into the Creekside Center.