SPRINGWATER TRAILS
MOTHERS DAY HIKE
Bring your favorite mom to Letchworth State Park, for a beautiful outing, on her special day, on the Finger Lakes Trail.
If you can join us, please RSVP to [email protected] to assist in our planning.
We will meet, at 2 PM, at the Mt. Morris Dam visitors center, on the east side of the river (See directions below). We will hike south, on the Finger Lakes Trail. The trail is well maintained, and marked with yellow blazes.
The Climbers will take off at a trot, and will speed up once our hiking boots are warm. We will follow the yellow blazes past the Big Bend, to the cliffs looking across the river to Highbanks Campground. The trail then goes around a few fields and we will take the blue blazed side trail out to River Rd and a waiting car. Mark, with the invaluable assistance of Mac and Duffy, will lead the climbers. Total distance is just under 5 miles. We will need two cars out on River Rd. If you are a climber and can shuttle, please contact Mark at [email protected].
The tourists, led by Pam, will follow the same trail but at a normal hiking pace. At about a half mile past the BigBend, the tourists will turn around and hike back to the start point. Total distance slightly more than 3 miles.
Gene and Georgia Binder will lead the naturalists on a leisurely stroll down the same trail, making stops to observe Mother Nature bringing another beautiful spring to our area. If the weather’s bad that day, we’ll know that one of you has been feeding her margarine. Mid May is the best time of the year for this type of activity. Spring wildflowers are at their peak of bloom. Now, isn’t it better to have mom enjoy wild trilliums along the trail, than buy her flowers? This is also the best time of the year to learn birds. We can see those who breed here as well as those who migrate further north. So, be sure to bring binoculars, if you have them. The cocks are in their colorful breeding plumage and are singing to proclaim their breeding territory and attract a hen. Many birds can be identified by their unique songs, even if you don’t see them. Although this is not the best time of the day for bird activity, we should still see and hear some. There have also been many butterflies spotted. The hardwood trees will have their fresh leaves and we can identify those along the trail.
Unfortunately, the nasty creatures are also out. Bring protection from mosquitoes and blackflies. There is also a large tick population this year. In the summertime, hikers should wear long pants, a light color so you can see them crawling on the legs, and tuck the legs into your socks. Also, stay on the trail.
Our tribute to mom will conclude with a congenial picnic, around 4. There are several picnic spots at the visitors center. If we’re lucky, the one overlooking the dam and river will be vacant. The club will provide hot dogs, paper plates, plastic cutlery and cups. Bring a dish to pass and your beverage, or make a donation.
The hike is about 45 minutes from Springwater, so please plan ahead. You may want to carpool. If you have a GPS, try entering Mt Morris Dam as your destination (it works on Google Maps anyway). Or enter Park Rd or Visitor Center Rd, Mt Morris.
From Springwater, looks like you can proceed west on Liberty Pole Rd., past the beautiful All Western Tree Farm on your left, and stay on it all the way to 63. There, you can take a left, and a quick right, onto 258. At 36, take a right and proceed to Mt. Morris. Turn left onto NY-408 South.
From Wayland, you can take 390 north to exit 7. Turn left at the exit on NY-408 S to Mt. Morris. NY-408 goes left at Main St, then right on Chapel St.
From Hemlock and Honeoye, follow 20A West through Livonia and Lakeville to 390S. Exit at exit 7 NY 408 S to Mt Morris. Stay on 408 through Mt Morris.
From NY 408, Go right on Sand Hill Rd., right on Damsite Rd. and right on Visitors Center Rd. to the big parking lot. (Alternatively, stay on 408 to Visitor Center Rd and curve around to the big parking lot at the Dam).
So, to all mothers, whether you can join us Sunday, or not, here’s wishing you all the best on your special day. You have the world’s most important job, and you do it well. May the Schwartz be with you.