This Sunday we are returning to the upper trails on the west side of Hemlock Lake. There are several loops that have been mowed and we will take advantage of them to create Naturalists, Tourists and Climbers hikes.  Following the hike, bring a dish to pass and we will have an optional social at the Eagle Crest Winery (wine tasting available for $3) two miles south of our meeting spot.

This is the first day of Bow-hunting, so please wear some bright orange so we can safely share the woods with the hunters.

The history of the Eagle Crest Winery reaches back to 1872 when Bishop McQuaid of Rochester established the O-Neh-Da Vineyard on the hills above Hemlock Lake. Today, the privately owned winery produces both O-Neh-Da and Eagle Crest wines. The Tasting Room is open from 11am to 5pm (tastings $3) and will be open following our hike.

We will meet at the first parking area coming from the north. The parking will be on the left (east) side, before you come to the intersection with Niver Rd. All hikes will start and end at this point.

The Naturalists will stay to the right on the first loop, then go right to cross over to the second loop.  Turning left onto the second loop, the Naturalists will then stay on the upper part of the loop (turn right at the intersections) until they come back to the road. They can walk north  back along the road, or go back into the woods at the first entrance and stay to the left to return to the cars.

The Climbers and Tourists will go to the left from the cars, go around to first double loop, then take the connector to the second loop.  The Climbers will take the lower portion of this loop, while the Tourists will take the first right for the upper part of the loop. Based on time, when the hikers reach the road, they can turn left (south) to go down to the third loop and follow it around.  Finally, return to the cars along the road. 

Sign at Vineyard Rd and Mission Rd

When the hikes are complete, all hikers are invited to join us at Eagle Crest for an outdoor social under their tent.  Bring a dish to pass, and your own beverage (or contribute to our social fund).  The winery tasting room will be open until 5:00.  Turn left out of the parking area and continue straight south for 1.8 miles. Go past the old Mission and take the next left on Vineyard Rd.  The winery is about a quarter mile down the hill.

Directions:

From Wayland and Springwater: take 15A N to the North end of Hemlock Lake. Go Left on Rix Hill Rd for 1.2 miles through the park. Take a sharp left on Blank Rd at the top of the hill. Continue south for 1.4 miles to the first DEC parking lot on the left. (If you come to Niver Rd, where Blank Rd becomes a dirt road, you have gone too far.  Turn around and go back about 0.2 miles.)

From Websters Crossing: take 15N for 4.6 miles from May Rd, past Sliker Hill Rd. After the hamlet of Conesus, take a slight right onto Federal Rd (CR 56). In 2.9 miles, turn Right on Niver Rd. Follow Niver for 1.9 miles. At the end, turn left onto Blank Rd. The parking lot is on the right in 0.2 miles.

From Livonia: take 15S 4.2miles and turn Left on Niver Rd. At the end, turn left onto Blank Rd. The parking lot is on the right in 0.2 miles.