This Sunday Springwater Trails will be hosting a hike and kayak event at the Hemlock Lake north boat launch.  Rather than our normal three hikes, you will be able to choose whether to Hike, Kayak, or do a mix hike/kayak. There will be 5 options available:

• A two mile Naturalists hike in and out from the north boat launch.
• A four mile Tourist hike on Rob’s trail from 15A to the boat launch.
• A six mile kayak paddle along the east shoreline south of the boat launch.
• A kayak paddle, followed by a hike up Rob’s trail.
• A hike down Rob’s trail followed by a kayak north to the boat launch.

Following the hikes, an optional social will be held at Bob and Joan’s house.  Directions will be available at the hike.  Bring a dish to pass and beverage or make a cash contribution to the social fund.

Details are below.

The genesis of this week’s hike is the opportunity to both kayak and hike on the same trail. When Rob’s Trail was extended from 15A down to Hemlock Lake, the idea of having a landing area for boats at the point that the trail meets the lake was a part of the planning. Linda and Nanette planned our hike to exploit this opportunity.

Participants who RSVP for this hike and want to both kayak and hike (I call them Hiker/Kayakers since Hikakers and Kakers don’t quite sound right). The Hiker/Kayakers will split into two groups.  The first group will kayak from the north boat launch to the beach by Rob’s Trail.  Meanwhile, the second group will drive to the parking area on NY-15A, hike down Rob’s Trail to the beach.  If everything is timed well, the first group will soon arrive by kayak and will exchange car keys, boats, paddles and PFDs with the second group. After helping to launch the second group in the kayaks, the first group will put on their hiking boots and climb Rob’s trail to the 15A parking lot. Upon arriving at the parking lot, the first group will drive the cars parked by the second group to Bob and Joan’s house. Meanwhile, the 2nd group will arrive at the north boat launch, load the kayaks onto the cars and drive them up 15A to Bob and Joan’s house.

For participants who would like to try kayaking, we do have access to a couple of tandem kayaks. We may be able to pair you with an experienced kayaker who would pilot the boat while you provide the forward power (or at least half the power!)

For participants who prefer a telescope to binoculars, there will be three focused options:

• The Naturalists will hike from the North Boat Launch along the shore line trail to the bench. After enjoying the view of the lake, the Naturalists will return to the North Boat Launch.
• The Tourists will carpool to the parking area on NY-15A and will follow Rob’s Trail down to Hemlock Lake and north to the boat launch.
• And Kayakers will kayak from the north boat launch to Rob’s trail and back to the boat launch.

As you can imagine, some coordination will be necessary.  Therefore, please RSVP in the comments below if you would like to hike and kayak this Sunday. We really need to know who will be coming so we can plan the carpool and sharing of kayaks. Be sure to mention whether you will hike up or down, whether you want to be part of a tandem kayak and whether you have a kayak.  Remember, all hiker/kayakers will need to share a kayak.

Following the hike/kayak, an optional social will be at Bob and Joan’s home on Old Bald Hill Rd. Bring a dish to pass and your own beverage or make a small contribution ($5) to the social fund. Directions to the social will be available at the start of the hike.

Directions to the North Boat Launch

From Rochester and Hemlock: Head south on NY-15A. Before Hemlock, NY-20A will enter from the right. At 0.7miles past the intersection where NY-20A turns left, take the first right from NY-15A onto Rix Hill Rd into the Hemlock Lake Park. Take the first left and follow the east lake road to the boat launch.

From Springwater: Head north on NY-15A for 10.1 miles. Turn left on Rix Hill Rd and an immediate left on East Lake Rd. Follow this road to the boat launch.

From Geneseo: Head east on NY-20A through Lakeville and Livonia. Take a slight right to stay on 20A as it joins NY-15A. Stay on 15A when 20A turns left. In 0.7 miles past that intersection, turn right onto Rix Hill Rd. take the first left and follow the east lake road to the boat launch.