NOTICE: This hike is postponed due to Rain and Cold conditions.
Please join us on Sunday for a hike through the eastern portion of Mendon Ponds Park. The 2500 acres of this park are a National Natural Landmark due to its dramatic geological glacial formations. We will hike along Eskers, see several Kames and possibly notice a couple of Kettles, all glacial formations deposited as the last glacier over North America retreated across New York about 12000 years ago. The Mendon Ponds Glacial History Brochure is a must reading before this hike!
We will meet at the Mendon Ponds East Parking Lot between Douglas Rd and the Hundred Acre Pond in the park. If the weather behaves, hikers who arrive early may enjoy exploring the Hundred Acre Pond to the west of the parking lot, but please join us before our 2:00 start time. All hikers will walk up the parking entrance to Douglas Rd, and slightly south to the gate to the Water Tower road.
The Climbers will turn south on the East Esker trail (Green markers). They will follow the trail up and down the Esker to the Round Pond. When the trail reaches the east border of the park, we will take a short connector trail back to the green trail and head north past a few Kames up to the Water Tower and back to the cars. This hike is a little over 3 miles.
Meanwhile, the Tourists will head straight along the Water Tower on the Blue From there, we will go back down the road to the trail map where the North Meadow trail (Blue markers) head north. This trail will go from woods to open fields along the Canfield Road and then head south through emerging forest. The trail returns to the Water Tower road and we will return to the cars. This hike will be a bit less than 2 1/2 miles.
Following the hike, we will meet at the Cottage Hotel, 1390 Pittsford Mendon Rd Mendon, NY 14506 for more social time. http://www.cottagehotelmendon.com
Directions to Parking Lot:
From Springwater, Wayland, Hemlock and Lima: Head north on 15A through Hemlock and Lima. When 15A turns a little to the west, stay on 15A past Honeoye Falls 6 Rd and past Monroe St. Turn right on Sibley Rd. At the end of Sibley Rd, turn left onto Clover St. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Rush Mendon Rd (NY-251 E). In 1 mile, continue straight onto Mendon Center Rd. Stay on Mendon Center Rd for 0.9 miles and turn left onto Pond Rd. In another 0.9 miles, turn right at the T onto Douglas Rd. In a mile, take the second left and follow the road down to a large parking lot. Park close to the south east corner, as we will hike back up the road to Douglas Rd.
From Naples, Honeoye and West Bloomfield: From the Middletown Tavern, follow CR 36 north to 20A in Honeoye. At the light, turn left on Rte 20A (W Main Street) up to CR 37. Turn right onto CR 37 (Richmond Center Rd). Continue for 9 miles through West Bloomfield. When NY-65 turns left, continue straight onto CR 35. Continue for 10 miles, crossing Rush Mendon Rd. Turn left onto Canfield Rd just before crossing the Thruway. You will cross Pittsford Mendon Rd to enter the park. Take the first left onto Douglas Rd. Go past the exit from the parking lot (notice the Do Not Enter sign) and turn right and follow the road down to a large parking lot. Park close to the south east corner, as we will hike back up the road to Douglas Rd.
From Henrietta: From the intersection of E Henrietta Rd and Calkins Rd, turn east on Calkins Rd. In 1.0 mile, turn right onto Pinnacle Rd. After crossing the Thruway, turn left onto Reeves Rd. In 0.4 miles, turn right onto Tobin Rd. At the end of Tobin Rd., turn left on NY-65 (Clover St) and then turn right onto Canfield Rd to enter the park. In 1.1 miles, turn right onto Douglas Rd. Go past the exit from the parking lot (notice the Do Not Enter sign) and turn right and follow the road down to a large parking lot. Park close to the south east corner, as we will hike back up the road to Douglas Rd.
From Penn Yan and Canandaigua: From Penn Yan, head north to Canandaigua. Turn west on 5 & 20 past E Bloomfield. Turn right onto NY 64. Stay on 64 for 11 miles. Turn left on Canfield Rd, the first road after crossing the Thruway. Turn left to jog over the Thruway again, and then turn right back onto Canfield Rd. You will cross Pittsford Mendon Rd to enter the park. Take the first left onto Douglas Rd. Go past the exit from the parking lot (notice the Do Not Enter sign) and turn right and follow the road down to a large parking lot. Park close to the south east corner, as we will hike back up the road to Douglas Rd.
Directions to Social: Exit the parking lot and turn left on Douglas Rd. Take the next right onto Canfield Rd. At Pittsford Mendon Rd you will do a little jog to continue on Canfield because the entrance to the park is one way. At the T turn right onto W Bloomfield Rd. At the stop sign in 2.5 miles, turn left onto Rush Mendon Rd. Go through the 4-way stop and the Cottage Hotel is the first building on the left.