Powder Mills Park, off Route 96 in the Town of Perinton (just west of Eastview Mall), is one of Monroe County’s outstanding hunting-free hiking parks, with a nice group of wooded glacial ridges and lowlands on a 380-acre property with a fish hatchery and a ski hill. It has been a county park since 1930, after an interesting history as a gunpowder factory.
As you enter the park via Park Road, off of Rt. 96, on the left hand side you will see the infamous Mushroom House. This eclectic private house, built in 1970, resembles giant mushrooms. The architect, James H. Johnson, designed its five concrete stems and pods to suggest Queen Anne’s Lace (wild carrots). Even though it is a private home, there is a lane leading up to other homes, which you can drive up for a closer look prior to the hike. Please be respectful and stay near the end of the driveway for viewing and taking pictures.
Also, prior to the hike, just past the Mushroom House on the left, you can check out the Fish Hatchery at Powder Mills Park, which was established in 1933. The hatchery is open all year long. Throughout the year, up to 20,000+ brown and rainbow trout in various stages of development are raised there.
The Meeting Place:
Meet at the Rand Lodge Parking Lot on Park Road at 1:45 PM for group photo and 2 PM start. Water bottle, warm layers, hiking poles and good boots are strongly advised. Due to prior and same day rain forecasts, anticipating some slick, wet leaves, & muddy conditions.
On the day of the hike, two restroom options will be available: restrooms at Rand Lodge & a handicapped port-potty next to the Oak Tree Lodge.
The Hike:
The Climbers and Tourist/Naturalist groups will start off together, briefly stopping by a marker which tells the story of Powder Mills. From there, the groups will hike along the easy Trillium Trail (yellow trail markers), a .5 mile (one way) of wetlands and unique plant life. The groups will then cross over Woolston Road and enter the Pine Forest Trail (black trail markers), staying to the left; woods filled with pine, maple, oak, and many other types of trees. There will be a short uphill climb at the start, but the Tourist/Naturalist group should be able to manage it. When the groups reach a newly-built wooden trailhead, the groups will veer off to the right, picking up the Creek Trail (white/pale yellow markers). The groups will hike along this trail till reaching an impassible point (too wet and muddy); at this point, the groups will turn around and head back to the Pine Forest Trail (black markers).
The Tourist/Naturalist group* will then go right, heading back down the Pine Forest Trail, and then turn to the right to pick up the Creek Trail (white markers); once crossing over a small muddy patch of the trail, the group will go left, continuing on the Creek Trail, returning to Woolston Road; the group will crossover the road and return to the Rand Lodge via the Trillium Trail (yellow markers), exiting via the trail along the chain-linked fence and over the bridge (~2+ miles total). If enough time, the Tourist/Naturalist group are welcome to drive over and check out the Fish Hatchery before the optional Social.
The Climbers group* will then go left, completing the Pine Forest Trail loop, and then turn to the right to pick up the Creek Trail (white markers); once crossing over a small muddy patch of the trail, the group will go left, continuing on the Creek Trail, returning to Woolston Road; the group will crossover the road, continuing on the Trillium Trail (yellow markers). At the second Ridge Trail (green markers) path, turn right to hike up trail to the top, hike most of the Ridge Trail (has an overlook point that allows you to see west for miles & the remains of the old Rand household), before returning down the same path to the Trillium Trail, exiting via the trail along the chain-linked fence and over the bridge (~3.5 miles total).
The Social:
Please join us afterwards for our optional post-hike Social at Champps Kitchen & Bar on Route 96, located at 819 Eastview Mall, next to the main central entrance facing Route 96. Menu at: https://www.champpsfead.com/victor-menu
Directions:
From Springwater: Head north on 15A and make a right on Kellogg Road to County Road 37. Continue on CR37 to West Bloomfield, then continue straight on County Road 35, (a.k.a. West Bloomfield Road). Continue past Route 251, and make a right on Smith Road. Continue past Route 64 and make a left on Mile Square Road, which becomes East Street. In 2.6 miles make a right on Park Road. The Rand Lodge parking area will be on your right.
Via 490: From Interstate 490 – take the Bushnell’s Basin exit. Go left on Route 96, pass the Garnsey Road light, and take a right on Park Road. Go past the Fish Hatchery and Corduroy Road, then take the first left into the Rand Lodge parking lot.
