White Brook Rise
Fairport, NY 14450
USA
This Sunday’s excursion will bring us to the wilds of Egypt (NY that is). We will explore the White Brook Nature Area and the Thayer Hill section of the Crescent Trail. There we will find an assortment of terrain, wetlands, ponds, streams, a small woodland, all on the fringe of suburbia. We will meet at the parking area/park of the White Brook Nature Area.
Here is the plan for our three levels of hiking. Maps will be provided to hike leaders and are also available on the Crescent Trail website. My apologies for lack of photo preview. My camera was left behind when I went on the pre-hike. Trust me it is a beauty of a trail.
Naturalists will be anxious to amble through the fields on the main trail (orange) which is flat and open with some board walks. Depending on the weather this week, it may be wet and muddy in spots. There are options depending on the wishes of the group. The trail makes a 2 mile loop to return to the parking area, or can continue on towards the Erie Canal. Because it is an open area, sun screen and tick protection is advisable. I hope to enlist a volunteer to lead this group.
Tourists Will head west across Aldrich Road from the parking area to follow a section of the Crescent Trail (orange to a blue loop) through a woods of lovely wildflowers, on past ponds with some great blue herons dropping in and out. The end section of this segment is closed due to construction so it is necessary to return by the same route to avoid a road walk on Rte 31. This trail is only about 3 miles in length so the group can hike the Naturalist section upon return if desired. A hike leader is needed for this group also.
Climbers who are up for a challenge, can carpool down the road a ways to the Thayer Hill / Indian Hill section of the Crescent Trail for a loop of approximately 4 miles of ups and downs through woods and fields with some nice views of the surrounding area and the Rochester skyline. Note that there is some poison ivy along the sides of the trail, so dress accordingly. Melissa will lead this group.
Driving Directions From route 5/20 in Bloomfield, head north on Rt 444 to the village of Victor. Turn right on Rt 96 north, then take the first left (north) on Church St., which becomes County Rd 9. Follow CR 9 north to Rt 31 (Pittsford Palmyra Rd.). Go east on Rt 31 for a short distance, then turn north on Aldrich Rd. White Brook Nature Area is about .5 miles on the right. There is a gate and a sign. Plenty of parking and rest rooms.
After Hike Social will be at Noonan’s Pub, 7408 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd., Fairport, about 1.5 miles west of White Brook. See their website for menu
Sounds good! With predicted temps of mid 80s & sunny, the two woods options (Tourists & Climbers) will keep those of us more delicate protected from the sun. **While on County Rd 9 enroute to the hike, take note of MFBluebird Haven on the right, the driveway is past Springdale Ct and just before Valentown Rd (both on the left side of CR 9). This will be the locale of a future hike for our group, along with nearby Monkey Run Trails. ///***One question about the White Brook Nature Area hike – are there views or scent of the High Acres Landfill on the north side of the Erie Canal? —-Just found out too, ADK hikers will be hiking the Crescent Trail circumventing the White Brook Nature Area 10:30AM-1:30PM, just before the Springwater Trails hike on Sunday. Sounds as though ADK is routing part of the hike where S/T Tourists will traverse.