If you love Winter, don’t miss this week’s hike. Springwater Trails will be exploring a portion of Mendon Ponds Park in conjunction with the annual Mendon Ponds Winterfest. Activities at the park begin at 11:00 AM and continue throughout the day until 4:00. The weather promises to be a toasty 40 degrees, perfect for enjoying the outdoors. For a listing of events go to www.mendonpondswinterfest.org.  You are sure to find something exciting.

Our hike will begin later than usual, to allow folks to sample the myriad of events, and also to avoid some potential parking congestion.  Hikers should convene at the HopkinsPoint Lodge at about 2:45, to depart on our hike promptly at 3:00. If there are no parking spots you can park at the Pond View Shelter or on the access road. Our after hike social will be a the Hopkins Point Lodge so if you are bringing a dish to share you can leave it there. (Please label it as belonging to Springwater Trails or else it might be mistaken as belonging to the ravenous Rochester Orienteering Club).

Naturalist Hike 

Leaving the lodge, Naturalists will climb a short hill to access the West Esker Trail, Orange blazes.  This loop is 1.5 miles.  The hike can be extended by .67 miles continuing along the shore of Deep Pond on the green Devil’s Bathtub Trail to the Algonkian Shelter with a return to the Hopkins Point Lodge.  At this time of year there is minimal flora and fauna to observe, but knowing our group they will find some interesting items. The trail is mostly level.  Mark has offered to lead this group.

Tourist and Climbers Hike

This group will begin climbing up  to the West Esker Trail then branching off on the Devil’s Bathtub (Green) trail to the Grasslands Trail (Blue).  There are a couple of short climbs, with a total of 3.5 miles. There are some nice views of the “bathtub” on the return trip. The loop will return us to the Hopkins Point Lodge.  Melissa will lead this group.

Trail Conditions

As of Monday afternoon, there was enough snow for the use of snow shoes.  Traction devices are advisable.

Directions

Note: As of Monday afternoon Hopkins Point Rd is not plowed from Rt 65 to the lodge access.

To Hopkins Point Lodge from points south: NY 65 north to Canfield Rd. turn right.  Turn right on Hopkins Point Rd follow to lodge on right.

From North:  NY 65 south.  Left on Canfield Rd..  Right on Hopkins Point Rd,   Follow to lodge on right.

Map of Mendon Ponds Park available at http://www2.monroecounty.gov/files/parks/Maps/MendonPark.pdf

After Hike Social

We will meet at the Hopkins Point Lodge at about 5:00 following the hikes.  Please bring a dish to share or make a contribution.  Please label all items left at the lodge prior to the hike,  There should be  a fire going as well as electric if you need to plug in a crock pot.

Hope to see you all there!