December 1 Hike at Wesley Hill Preserve

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Wesley Hill Nature Preserve

Although we have visited this preserve numerous times over the years, it is good to pause and reflect on the history of this gem of the Finger Lakes.  Over one hundred years ago, after the sawmills of the Bristol Hills fell silent, white pine, hemlock, and oak seedlings began to sprout along the northern rim of Briggs Gully, one of the largest gorges in the Finger Lakes. The peaceful beauty of the forested glens and groves inspired three artists–John Wenrich, James Havens, and Colburn Dugan–in 1926, to purchase a 90 acre parcel which forms part of the preserve.  They built the cabin, which we will visit on our route, as a retreat. Their children, who inherited this small paradise, entrusted its care to the Finger Lakes Land Trust, who purchased it and additional parcels in 1999, then added a land grant from Chris White to create what is now the 390 acre Wesley Hill Preserve.

Hike Description

At this time bowhunting is permitted on 2 of the trails (Blue and Yellow) thus they are closed to hiking.  Please respect this. Our hikers will be traversing the Red, Orange, and Green Trails.

All hikers will meet at the Gulick Road Parking area.  Please be ready to hike at 2:00 PM.  Hiking boots and poles are highly recommended as the terrain is uneven and slippery in places.  To begin, all groups will head west on the Red Trail, around the pond and into the woods.

Naturalists will follow the Red Trail downhill toward the cabin along a lovely gully.  The cabin is in poor condition, but provides a glimpse into the past. There is a guest book and some interesting artifacts on the porch.  Hikers may be able to proceed a short way past the cabin on the Yellow Trail to a terrific overlook of Briggs Gully and Harriet Hollister Recreation area in the distance. If there is a closed sign, then they will need to head back up hill on the Red Trail to the pond and Parking area. Hike distance about 2 miles.

Tourists Shortly after the pond this group will turn right onto the Orange blazed trail.  They will follow this trail for1.2 miles to an intersection with the Yellow Trail. Turning left on Yellow will lead for .1 miles through the woods to the Red Trail .  At this point they can turn right downhill and walk to the cabin and Briggs Gully overlook.  They will then turn back up hill on the Red and follow it back to the pond and parking area.  Total Distance about 3 miles.

Climbers Be prepared for some climbing.  Following the Red Trail downhill from the pond, at the cabin turn left on Red down into a lovely gully and stream.  There is a steep uphill from the stream, up some rock steps with a railing and rope to help you climb.  Please use caution.  The Red Trail continues uphill along the gully, then flattens out at .7 miles where it reaches the Green Trail intersection.  The plan is to turn right and proceed downhill for .4miles into the famed Briggs Gully.  It is a steep rocky trail, but worth the trip.  If folks are not up for it, we can simply continue on the Red Trail which leads back to the parking area.  Total trip about 4 miles.

Driving Directions

From Honeoye: take route 20A east through Honeoye to East Lake Road (CR 33). Turn right onto East Lake Road. (If coming from Bristol or points east, it’s a left onto East Lake Road).  Take the first left, staying on CR 33, then the first right onto Pinewood Hill which becomes Gulick Road. Travel about 5 miles to Wesley Hill Parking Area on the right side. Parking lot can fit about 16 vehicles; any late comers can park on the side of the road.

From Springwater: Head north on Rte. 15A toward Hemlock.  Just before Hemlock, turn right on Rte. 20A.  Follow Rt 20A to Honeoye and then follow the directions above.

From Naples: From the southern end of Naples, head west on Co Rd 36. Follow Co Rd 36 for 1.2 miles to the first right turn on Gulick Rd.  Follow Gulick for about 7 miles, past Cumming Nature Center.  The parking area is on the left.

The trail map for Wesley Hill is here: Wesley Hill Preserve

Post Hike Social

After taking a head count to make sure that no one has been left behind, We will gather at The Birdhouse Brewery on Main Street(RT.20A) in Honeoye for food and beverages.

The Holiday Market (local artisans) will be there as well as musical entertainment by Stephen Morrell.

 

New Years Day Hike-Canadice Lake

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Image result for Canadice Lake NY winter walking

The Hike:

Start the New Year the way you mean to go on – come for an inspiring hike along Canadice Lake!

This is an easy, 1.8-mile each way hike along the shore of the lake; the trail is level and well-maintained and the lake views are lovely. For most hikers it will be a walk along the lake for an hour or so, and then back the same way; more enthusiastic hikers can veer off on Rob’s Trail that leads over the ridge and down to Hemlock Lake – this is a moderate to hard trail with several steep uphill and downhill sections.

We’ll take a roll call the day of the hike if anyone wants to walk Rob’s Trail. We’ll arrange for transport back for those who only want to walk one way. Dress appropriately for the weather, carry water and some energy food, and carry a walking pole if it helps. Leashed pets are welcome.

This is not a “routine” Sunday hike – it’s special because the hike is promoted by the NYS DEC, and is part of a larger program of First Day Hikes to encourage people to get out and experience the magnificent State of New York that they live in! The DEC, State Parks, and the Canal Corporation invite New Yorkers to kick off 2025 by participating in one of the many hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State. All hikers will leave with a memento of the hike and will be eligible to win an Empire Pass the allows entry to most state parks across the state.

Please note that the First Day hike this year is scheduled from 2:00pm-4:00pm, giving everyone a little more time to get over the night before.

The Meet-Up Location

All First Day hikers will meet at 1:45pm in the parking area off Purcell Hill Road, Town of Canadice, Ontario County. Google Maps (leaves this website) Click here for directions.  Please plan to arrive early enough to park and get dressed for the weather conditions. 

The Social

There won’t be an organized social on this hike.

Ganondagan Hike

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Springwater Trails started as the Springwater Parks and Trails Committee around 2010 with initial funding from the Fiddler’s Fair. This committee was modeled after the Crescent Trail Association, a non-profit, incorporated organization active since 1980 with the full support of the town of Perinton.  They have created over 23 miles of foot trails in the town. In the early 90’s, residents of the Town of Victor created a similar  organization to develop and maintain trails in Victor.  They adopted Bylaws and created a not-for-profit corporation in 1992 and continue to develop and expand their trail system. According to their strategic plan published in 2016, 55 miles of trails have been developed in Victor with 28 miles maintained by Victor Hiking Trails (VHT), 15 miles by Genesee Region of Cyclists (GROC) and the rest by the town of Victor.

This Sunday, we will explore the Dryer trail located in Ganondagan State Historic Site and in Dryer Rd Park. Dryer Road Park is the home of 15 miles of bike trails (Click that link for an amazing map).

We will lead two hikes. Both hikes will be out and back, starting from the parking area on School St. This lot has only 7 parking spots, so carpooling would be good.  We can also double park within the group. And there is a large parking area on Boughton Hill Rd where overflow can park and then carpool to School St.

Linda will lead the Naturalists and Tourists along the Blue Dryer Trail up Fort Hill to the Granary Trail that loops around the top of the hill where a Seneca granary store a significant amount of corn prior to July, 1687, when the Denonville campaign from Montreal destroyed Ganondagan and burned the granary. Hikers can read entries from the Denonville journals and enjoy views to the south of the hills around Canandaigua Lake. The trail up Fort Hill has several switchbacks making it a much easier route than the other trails to the granary.

The Climbers will stay on the Dryer Trail to Dryer Road Park. On the return hike, we will stop at the Granary as time permits.

Following the hike, join us for a social at a local restaurant.

Directions 

Can be easily found using GPS

From Springwater and South – Take Route 15A north Just past the green dollar store in Hemlock make a right onto 20A.  Make a left onto County Rd. 37 just before the Valley Inn on the corner.  Take County Rd. 37.  Continuing straight it will become Rt. 65, then W. Bloomfield Rd. (CR-35).  You will turn right onto Boughton Hill Rd. (CR-53 which becomes 41) Make a left onto School St and the parking lot will be on the left.

From Rochester, take I-490 to the Victor exit, then Route 96 to Victor. At the second traffic light in Victor, use the right turn lane onto School St. Continue on School St (it switches to School Rd outside the village) for 1.5 miles. The parking are is on the right.

Alternate parking is available at the Visitor Center. Go south from the School Rd lot to Boughton Hill Rd. Turn left, and the parking lot in on the left.

Middlesex Valley Rail Trail

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WEATHER UPDATE:   Good cross country ski conditions, bundle up for cold temperatures!
The trail has about 3″ of snow in both directions, so bring your cross country skis if you’d like to try skiing the trail. On Saturday the snow was fluffy and skiable on top, though wet enough to stick to the underside of the skis in certain sections. With the overnight cold, the ground should be more frozen and snow conditions should be even better on Sunday. We suggest bringing a variety of equipment types to test out what works best for you. Conditions are also fine for walking in regular hiking boots.   
This Sunday, for a leisurely break from the holiday scene, we will hike sections of the Middlesex Valley Rail Trail, passing through the lowlands of the Hi Tor Wildlife Management Area between Route 245 and Route 21, just north of Naples. The Middlesex Valley Railroad began service in 1892 between Naples and Stanley, with connections to Geneva, Canandaigua and Wayne County. In 1895 it became part of the Lehigh Valley Railroad system, and continued in service until 1970.  Now the 7-mile rail trail is  a raised path with wetlands on either side – some shrubby and some forested. The section between Parrish Road and Naples has been closed to hikers in recent years, but DEC has now completed the necessary Naples Creek bridge repairs to reopen this section, so this will offer a new experience for most SWT hikers.
We will meet at 1:45 PM at the parking area on the north side of Parrish Road, which runs across the valley from Route 21 (near Monica’s Pies) to Route 245 (near the base of Conklin Gully).  From there hikers will choose between the 2.25 round trip south toward Naples or the 4.25 round trip north toward the West River Boat Launch and Sunnyside, or go as far as you like at your own speed and turn around when ready. In both directions the trail is level, mowed and mostly well drained – an easy hike, no poles required unless you always use them. Expect some muddy conditions, so waterproof footwear is a must. Wear layers, and plan to walk as fast as you need to keep warm.
Social: Following the hike, please join us for an optional social at Brew and Brats at Arbor Hill, 6461 State Route 64, about 5 miles to the north of the hike start along Route 21 (bear left when Route 64 splits off from 21).  Menu includes craft beer and other beverages, brats and other pub food:  see https://brewandbrats.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BNB-Winter-2425-MENU.pdf      Note that Brew and Brats closes at 5 on Sundays. 
Directions to the Hike Meeting Point:
From Springwater/Dansville/Wayland: Take Rt 21N into Naples. Turn left onto Main St for 1.5 miles. Turn right on Rt#245 (across from Bob and Ruth’s). Continue 1.5 miles, make a left on Parrish Rd. Parking area is on the right, in about .2 miles.

From Honeoye: Take Rt#36 south into Naples, left on Main St for approximately 1.25 miles. Right on Rt#245 (Across from Bob and Ruth’s). Continue 1.5 miles then left on Parrish Rd. Parking area is on the right, in about .2 miles.From Canandaigua: Take Rt#21S to Woodville. Keep straight toward Naples. Turn left on Parrish Road about 1.5 miles past Woodville, just after you pass Monica’s Pies. The parking area will be on your left, in about .5 miles.