Springwater Trails is again hosting a hike at Mendon Ponds park the same day as the annual Monroe County Winterfest. The impressive agenda of the 23rd edition of Winterfest is at http://www2.monroecounty.gov/parks-winterfest . Winterfest activities start at 11am, the hike begins at the usual time of 2pm.

Springwater Trails hikers will meet at the south end of the Beach parking area on Douglas Road, marked with a Purple P on the current map. We will all access the trailhead for the East Esker (Green) and North Meadows (Blue) trails across Douglas Rd.

NOTE: Because of the heightened activity at Mendon Ponds for Winterfest, dog owners should plan to keep their dogs on a short leash. Specifically, dogs should stay away from the Stewart Lodge and the K9 Search & Rescue dog, and from the Seneca Siberian Husky Club Sled Dog Race on South Meadow Trail.  The races will be over at 1:00 so our hike should not interfere, but remember to be a responsible dog owner.

Tourists will walk the North Meadow and Pine Woods trails which the map lists at 2.8 miles, mostly flat.

Climbers will follow the East Esker trail for a hilly 4.7 miles.

Following the hike, we will gather at the Brewery Pub and Grill at 8 W Main S in Honeoye Falls for refreshment and warm conversation.

Directions:

From Springwater: Head north on 15A for 21.6 miles through Hemlock and Lima. Take a slight right exit to Honeoye Falls. Stay on W Main St into the villiage where you will pass the Brewery Pub and Grill on the right at the intersection with NY 65 (1.9 mi). Continue straight onto NY 65 for 4.4 mi. (At 2 miles, you will go around a traffic circle. Stay on NY 65.) Turn right onto Pond Rd at the park entrance. Continue straight onto Douglas Rd. when Pond Rd turns right. After rounding the Northward bend on Douglas Rd, look for the Beach Parking area on your left. NOTE: to get to the Evergreen Shelter before the hike for Winterfest events, stay on NY 65 for another 1.2 miles past Pond Rd. Turn right on Canfield Rd. The shelter is on the right 0.7 miles down Canfield.

From Honeoye: From US 20A, head north on CR 37 for 8.2 miles to W Bloomfield. Continue straight on NY 65 for 0.7 miles, then continue straight onto CR 35/W Bloomfield Rd for 6.6 miles. Turn left onto Pond Rd. Inside Mendon Ponds Park, the road will come to a T. Turn right onto Douglas Rd and after rounding the Northward bend on Douglas Rd, look for the Beach Parking area on your left. Note: to get to Winterfest events at the Evergreen Shelter before the hike, stay on W Bloomfield Rd for another 1.7 miles past Pond Rd. Turn left on Canfield Rd. The shelter is on the left 2.1 miles down.

From Rochester: Exit I590 at Monroe Ave toward Pittsford. Turn right (south) onto NY 65 (Clover St). In 6.7 miles, turn left onto Pond Rd.  Continue straight onto Douglas Rd. when Pond Rd turns right. After rounding the Northward bend on Douglas Rd, look for the Beach Parking area on your left. NOTE: to get to the Evergreen Shelter before the hike for Winterfest events, turn left from NY 65 in 5.5 miles onto Canfield Rd. The shelter is on the right 0.7 miles down.

From the Evergreen Shelter: Head west on Canfield Rd for 0.7 miles. Turn left onto NY 65 for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Pond Rd. Continue straight onto Douglas Rd. when Pond Rd turns right. After rounding the Northward bend on Douglas Rd, look for the Beach Parking area on your left.