Weather Update, Sunday March 20:  Looks like there will likely be steady rain this afternoon. We’ll be hiking if any hardy souls show up, but please bring rain gear, traction footwear, poles and gaiters, as it’s likely to be muddy and maybe slippery. Hike may be shortened if that’s the group consensus. 

Our hike this Sunday will be at the Ganondagan State Historic Site, 7000 County Road 41 (Boughton Hill Road) in Victor.  Ganondagan is the site of a large 17th century Seneca town, and offers  hiking trails with interpretive markers illustrating the history and traditions of the Seneca people. The trails will take us through wooded rolling hills and meadows just south of the Village of Victor. Highlights will include the Granary Trail, where the Seneca protected and distributed their corn supplies on a palisaded mesa, and the Earth is Our Mother Trail, where interpretive markers describe local plants and their particular roles in Seneca life.   See   https://ganondagan.org/Visit/Hiking-Trails   for more on Ganondagan and its interpretive trails. 

We will meet at 1:45 at the Seneca Art and Culture Center parking lot, about .2 miles west of the intersection of Route 444 and Boughton Hill Road. All hikers will proceed past the Longhouse and around the Great Meadow to the Seneca Trail and then follow the Earth is Our Mother Trail along Great Brook.  After about 2 miles, we will divide into two groups, with the Tourists and Naturalists returning to the Longhouse and parking area via the Great Oak Trail for a total hike of about 2.5 miles. The Climbers will cross School Street and proceed up the hill by the Eagle Trail to the Granary, where we can stop for a long view to the south over the Bristol Hills and Bare Hill, then return to School Street and the starting point via the rest of the Earth is Our Mother Trail. Total hike for the Climbers will be about 4.5 miles.  Trails are well maintained and gently rolling hills, with switchbacks up steeper areas. In case of mud, poles and traction devices are advised. 

Social – Will be at Cheap Charlie’s Restaurant, 8 Elm Street, Bloomfield (on Route 444, left side, as you enter Holcomb)

Directions:  From Springwater/Honeoye area: Go north to Honeoye and then east on 20A to Route 64.  Go north on 64 for 3.7 miles to the 5 and 20 intersection. Go west on 5 and 20 for 1.25 miles and make a right on Route 444 (Maple Ave.).  Proceed 5.3 miles to Boughton Hill Road (County Rd. 41).  Turn left at Boughton Hill Road (flashing light), proceed .2 mile down the hill. The Seneca Art and Culture Center is the white and glass contemporary building on your right, with a large parking lot in front. 

From points east:  Take 5 and 20 west toward Bloomfield. Go right at the Route 444 intersection, and proceed 5.3 miles north to Boughton Hill Road (County Rd. 41) (flashing light).  Turn left at Boughton Hill Road, proceed .2 mile down the hill. The Seneca Art and Culture Center (a.k.a. Interpretive Center) is the white and glass contemporary building on your right, with a large parking lot in front. 

From Thruway:  Take Exit 45, and follow Route 96 east to the Village of Victor. In the village center, turn right on Route 444 (Maple Avenue). Go 1.5 miles to the top of Boughton Hill (flashing light). Turn right on Boughton Hill Road. Proceed .2 mile down the hill. The Seneca Art and Culture Center (a.k.a. Interpretive Center) is the white and glass contemporary building on your right, with a large parking lot in front. 

To the Social: From the site, go east on Boughton Hill Road. Make a right at the flashing light and follow Route 444 to Holcomb, about 4 miles. Cheap Charlie’s is on the left at 8 Elm Street.