Please join us on Sunday Feb. 4 for an old favorite hiking spot, from a new perspective. A couple of years ago the DEC purchased additional land for their Stid Hill Multiple Use Area, including new frontage on Dugway Road with space for a generous new parking area. They also have created several new trails linking the new access point with their older trail network. We will explore these new trails and some of the older ones too.

All hikers will meet at the Dugway Road trailhead, about 1/3 mile west of Johnson Hill Road, Naturalists and Tourists will follow the old dirt road up to the hill to the intersection with the Yellow Trail Link, then follow the Yellow Loop to the Blue Trail intersection and return the same way. The Climbers will start off on one of the new DEC trails from the parking area, then join the old road to the Yellow Trail Link and on to the Blue Trail. We will then loop around through the familiar hilltop trail sequence, past the old truck and back to the start on another new DEC trail. Total distance will be about 2 miles for the slower group, and about 3-4 miles for the Climbers. We will be starting higher up the hill, so the elevation gain will be much less than the traditional hike into Stid Hill from Route 64. The trails are well marked and generally well drained, and the forecast is promising for hiking, but poles and good winter footwear is advised anyway.

Social: We will gather after the hike at Lock, Stock and Barrel, 5436 Route 64, Canandaigua, about 3/4 miles north of Bristol Mountain.

Directions:  From Springwater, go north to Hemlock, then east to Honeoye and beyond on Route 20A. At the Wizard of Clay domes, take a right on County Road 32, then another right on Route 64 in Bristol Center. In 1.25 miles, make a left on Dugway Road. In 1.75 miles, look for a parking area on your right, at the top of the hill.

From Naples:  Go north on Route 21 and then Route 64. About 6.4 miles north of the 21-64 intersection, turn right on Dugway Road. In 1.75 miles, look for a parking area on your right, at the top of the hill.

From Rochester or Victor: Take Victor Exit off 490 to Route 96 (Main Street Victor. Take Route 444 south toward Bloomfield, When you come to Route 5&20, go left, then right on Route 64. In about 6.75 miles, go left on Dugway Road. In 1.75 miles, look for a parking area on your right, at the top of the hill.

From Canandaigua or points east:  Head south on Route 21 through Cheshire. About 4 miles past Cheshire, make a right on Dugway Road. In about 1.4 miles, look for a parking area on your left, at the top of the hill.

To the Social: From the trailhead, go left (west) on Dugway Road. At Route 64, go south. Lock Stock and Barrell will be on your right in about 2.4 miles, at #5436.