Please join us for a hike on October 6th at Ontario County Park (6475 Gannett Hill Park Dr, Naples). We will be following trails on the east side going up Gannett Hill.  Meet at the last parking area, 1.1 miles from the Park Office where campers check in. This is past our usual parking area near the Jump-Off, and part way down the far side of the loop, near the pond. Please arrive at 1:45PM to sign in, get trail directions and be in the group photo. We start the hike at 2:00PM.

Ontario County Park- Even though the park is named after newspaper mogul Frank Gannett, the Gannett family never owned any of what is now the park. The original 300 acres was owned by the Watkins family. It all started in 1916 when a Boy Scout troop from Canandaigua, received permission to hike the hill and camp out. Once the press got wind of the story, the outing became an annual event and the tourists starting coming. In1963, the Watkins family sold the property to Ontario County and the park was named with the Gannett name due to Frank being a prominent figure in the Rochester area. Starting in 1967, there have been a number of improvements made: a four-million gallon reservoir pond, “jump off” retaining wall, 410 Acres of woods and open land, pavilions, restrooms, dozens of hiking and biking trails.

What to expect on today’s hike – Fall colors are starting to appear. If it didn’t rain yesterday, all trails we’ve plotted out are pretty clear of weeds, have good footing (not super steep) and are mostly wooded. There is one meadow area that has several types of wild flowers (maybe Aster and Snakeroot?). There’s also a wild apple grove. The woods are loaded with Oak, Birch, Hickory and Beech. Keep an eye out for tiny toads crossing.  

Naturalists and Tourists will start off following the Yellow Trail, then Bristol Hills Trail, White/Yellow Trail, slowly ascending up Gannett Hill to the far south/east end of the park. Then make the round trip back on the Yellow trail, and back to our cars. Total time should be about 1.5hrs  covering 1.75 miles.

Climbers will start on the same trail as the Naturalists but take a sharp turn east going down and up many trails the Rochester Biking Group maintains.

There are a few moderately steep inclines/declines. Many of these trails are poorly marked so keep up with the leader who’s using GPS. Climbers will be ascending up Gannett Hill to the far south/east end of the park, then on the the round trip back, dip lower down the hillside before its back up to our cars. Total time should be about 1.75hrs  covering 2.5 miles.

— From Rochester: The easiest route to the park is to take NY 64 (Pittsford Mendon Rd). When NY64 meets 5&20, turn left. It’s still NY64. Stay on 64 as it turns right onto 20A. Continue on Rt 64 thru South Bristol and turn right (west) on Gannett Hill Rd.  There is a sign indicating Ontario County Park.  At the top of the hill turn right onto  South Gannett Hill Road. The park entrance is straight ahead.  From the camping check in booth, follow the park road around the loop for about 3/4 mile to our meeting place which is the last parking area before you exit the park, close to the pond.

— From Springwater, Wayland and Naples: From Springwater, head south on NY-15. At the light in Wayland, turn left and follow NY-21 through Naples. Just past the village, bear left onto CR-12 (Bristol Springs Rd). In 1.9 miles, bear left onto Rhine St. Continue straight (In .6 mi, the name changes to Powell Rd and then in .3 mi to Gannett Hill Rd, and then in 3.2 miles it enters the park). From the camping check in booth, follow the park road around the loop for about 3/4 mile to our meeting place which is the last parking area before you exit the park, close to the pond.

—From Hemlock and Honeoye: From Hemlock, head south on NY-15A. Just outside of the hamlet, turn left on US-20A. Continue through Honeoye and turn right onto East Lake Road. In 0.6 mi, turn left onto CR 33 (Egypt Valley Rd.). In 6.9 miles, continue straight onto CR 34. In 1.6 miles, turn right onto NY-64. In another 1.9 miles, turn right onto Gannett Hill Rd. In 1.3 miles, turn right into the park. From the camping check in booth, follow the park road around the loop for about 3/4 mile to our meeting place which is the last parking area before you exit the park, close to the pond.

—From Canandaigua: Take US 20 west out of the city. Turn left onto Parrish St Ex. In 0.9 miles, turn left onto NY-21. Continue for 11.9 miles to the intersection with NY-64. Turn right onto NY-64 N. In 0.4 miles turn left onto Gannett Hill Rd. In 1.3 miles, turn right into the park. From the camping check in booth, follow the park road around the loop for about 3/4 mile to our meeting place which is the last parking area before you exit the park, close to the pond.