This Sunday we are planning an enjoyable Spring hike. When we discussed this hike, we were very unclear about when the spring wild-flowers would be out, We hope that the flowers have waited for us and the the weather will be warm and dry.
Dena will lead on the Red and Yellow trails at Wesley Hill Preserve (http://fllt.org/protected_lands/protected_lands1.php?id=31) to the cabin and the Briggs Gully overview, and the return via the orange trail which should have nice wildflowers. Although Dena will allow time to smell the flowers, flatlanders will have an option to hike a shorter trail with more time for finding the smaller flowers. Volunteers to be the hike leader or sweep for the flatlanders can reply to [email protected].
The climbers will tackle a three mile hike up and over Frost Hill. After meeting at Wesley Hill, we will move our cars a mile south on Gulick Rd and will walk up the abandoned Frost Hill Rd as far as we can go. This is a 350ft climb on the west side, followed by a 500ft drop on the East side. Of course the 500ft drop will become a climb as we return to the Cabin at the top.
After the hike, the hikers from Wesley Hill will car pool up Frost Hill for a cookout social at the Leopold’s cabin. Karl and Erica Leopold have offered their cabin, their grill and some of their wine for the social. Wesley Hill hikers may want to join our hosts in a short hike at the top of the hill to see the difference that 500 ft of elevation has on the flora of the area.
The Springwater Trails organization will provide hot dogs and hamburgers and buns for the social. Please bring a salad or a small desert to share and your choice of beverage or make a contribution at the social.
Some details:
We will meet at the Wesley Hill Preserve parking area on Gulick Road a few minutes before 2:00 on Sunday. Climbers should park on the road, to simplify moving cars.
After the hike at Wesley Hill, drivers with decent clearance for bumps will carpool south on Gulick Rd for one mile, and then turn left up Frost Hill Rd (you will see the Climbers cars parked on the side of Gulick Rd. Sporty and subcompact cars can be left at Wesley Hill with their mufflers intact.
Directions:
From Honeoye, take Rt. 20A east to East Lake Road. Follow East Lake Rd. south for a short distance and then turn left on County Rd. 33. Continue a short distance and turn right Pinewood Hill Rd. Follow Pinewood Hill, then Gulick Road south toward Cumming Nature Center, for a total of 6.4 miles to preserve entrance, on right.
From North Cohocton, take Rt 21 to Naples. Turn left onto Clark St (Co Rd 36). After 1.2miles, turn right on Gulick Rd. Follow Gulick Rd for 7.7 miles past Cummings Nature Center. Wesley Hill preserve is on the left.
Attached is a picture of a Trail Marker tree at the top of Frost Hill and of Karl Leopold. Some of you may remember Wil Oliver pointing out a similar tree at the Springwater Center. You can learn more at Trees bent by American Indians, a link kindly provided by Karl.
See you all Sunday.
PS: Ballots will be available to vote for Springwater Trails Officers prior to the hike, if you have not been able to get onto the internet.