Rob’s Trail at Hemlock Lake Shore

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Due to the warm weather, we have decided to move this week’s hike to the east shore of Hemlock Lake where the trail should have less mud.

This Sunday we will enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Hemlock Lake shore on the northwest section of Rob’s Trail.  The trail offers a good flat and mostly well-drained surface. Here and there we will encounter a minor stream to cross by either wading or jumping, so waterproof footwear and poles are advised. Just in case of lingering ice, spikes or yaktrax are a good idea too.   

Meet at the north boat launch, at the end of the old east lake road, a sharp left after you first enter Rix Hill Road from Route 15A.  This will be an out and back hike; Naturalists and Tourists may return at any point. At about 1.75 miles we will encounter a more substantial stream across the trail, probably too large to leap over. Any Climber wishing to proceed on Rob’s Trail past this point is advised to bring wading boots. Turning around at this point will give you a hike of 3.5 miles and a little under 2 hours. 

Optional Social: Please join us at the Tee & Gee Bar and Grill, at 6005 Big Tree Rd, Lakeville, NY 14487. That is located on NY-15, NY 20A just west of Bronson Hill Rd.

Directions: From Springwater: proceed north on Route 15A 19 miles, then make a left on Rix Hill Road and an immediate left on Old East Lake Road, a.k.a Boat Launch Road. 

From Honeoye and points east:  Take Route 20A west from the Bristol Valley and Honeoye. When 20A meets Route 15A, make a left and go about .6 miles to Rix Hill Road. Make a right and then an immediate left on the dead end road to the boat launch parking area in one mile. 

From Rochester and points west: Take Route 15 south from Henrietta or Route 15A south from Honeoye Falls, or Route 390 south to the Lakeville-Livonia exit, then go south on Route 15 and then east on Route 20A  through Hemlock. When Route 20A turns east toward Honeoye, go straight another .6 miles and make a right on Rix Hill Road. Then make an immediate left onto the boat launch road and go to the end, 1 mile. 

To the Social: From the Boat Launch parking area, return to Rix Hill Road, make a right and then a left on Route 15A. Go 1.9 miles to the north end of Hemlock and make a left on Big Tree Rd. In about 3 miles in Livonia the road will become a street, called Big Tree St.  Keep going across NY-15, (Commercial St) and then you will come to the end of Big Tree St at Main St (20A). Turn left onto NY-20A and you will be back on Big Tree Rd. Go 1.3 miles.  Tee & Gee will be on the left at 6028 Big Tree Rd.

Springwater Trails Membership 2026

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The primary mission of Springwater Trails, Inc is to create, identify, protect and promote hiking trails in the Springwater area. 

If you would like to make a cash contribution to Springwater Trails, please purchase a Membership in Springwater Trails today. Your membership gives you the following benefits:

  • Weekly email describing the upcoming Sunday hike, plus occasional emails about special hikes and weather conditions affecting our hikes.
  • A vote at any Springwater Trails, Inc annual meetings.
  • You will be supporting our website and notices in area publications.

To buy a membership, please complete the form below and mail it and a check payable to Springwater Trails, to


Springwater Trails, Inc
Membership 2026
5920 County Rd 36
Honeoye NY 14471
Springwater, NY 14560


Name:  _______________________________
Address:   _____________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Phone:  _______________________________
Email: ________________________________


Please check your desired membership:

Individual Membership   ______________ $20


Family Membership‡        ______________ $30
‡ A family membership is entitled to two emails and two votes.  Please enter the second name and email.

2nd Name  _____________________
2nd Email  _____________________

Contributing Member*     ____________ $100
* Contributing Members are listed on our website.  Please write the name to appear if different from the name above.
_______________________________________________


Other or additional donation  _______________


TOTAL   _______________ – Annual Membership 2026


Irondequoit Creek Hike in Perinton-Penfield

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Please join us on the Sunday after Thanksgiving for walk along Irondequoit Creek as it meanders from the outskirts of Fairport toward Ellison Park. The Spring Lake and Channing Philbrick Trails link two Town parks, with an extension ending at Panorama Plaza. The trail is an easy one, mostly level with a stone dust surface, with views of the stream, fishing observation points and abundant benches. Interpretive markers describe the geological and social history of this section of the creek, as well as the outstanding fishing opportunities. 
Meet at 1:45 for a 2PM  start at Spring Lake Park, 99 Whitney Road, Penfield.  Go past the first parking area and the ball fields all the way to the end, at the Dog Park lot. This is an out-and-back hike, with everyone following the same path. Climbers and Tourists will go all the way to the back of Panorama Plaza and back (about 4.5 miles), while the Naturalists will turn around at Channing Philbrick Park, where the trail meets Route 441 (about 3 miles), or whenever they are ready. Dog owners are welcome to bring their dogs for the abundant activity in the Dog Park, where they can complete a hike of 1.25 miles along the creek without leaving the park boundaries. A port-a-potty is available at the Dog Park.
The Social will be at the nearby Leo’s Bakery Cafe, at 101 Despatch Drive, East Rochester – same place we went after the White Haven hike a few weeks ago. Nice array of soups, sandwiches, panini, pizza and baked goods – see menu at          https://leosbakeryanddeli.com/cafe/
Directions:
Via Interstate 390/590/490 coming from south:  Take I390 north to Brighton, then I590 north to the 490 intersection. Go east toward Victor, then take the Linden Ave. Exit (Route 441). Turn right on Five Mile Line Road, which becomes Whitney Road. The park entrance is on your right, just past the East Linden Ave. bridge
Via Interstate 490, coming from the east (Canandaigua/Victor and points east): Take the Thruway to I490, and get off at the Bushnell’s Basin exit to avoid the 490 slowdown. Go right on Route 96, then right at the second light, Marsh Road. Continue on March Road past White Haven and beyond; the name changes to S. Lincoln Road and the to Bluff Drive. At the end of Bluff Drive, take a right on E. Linden Ave, then a right on Whitney Road. The park entrance is the first thing on your right.
From Honeoye/Bloomfield area via West Bloomfield Road, Route 64 and S. Washington Street:  Go north on County Rd 37, which becomes West Bloomfield Road. Make a left where it joins Route 64, and go through downtown Pittsford. Just past the  Erie Canal and Pittsford Dairy, take a right on S. Washington Street (153). Just Past Leo’s Bakery, make a right on E. Linden Ave. At the end of  E. Linden, make a right on Whitney Road. The park entrance will be on your right, very soon.
Directions to the Social: Leave the park and make a left on Whitney Road, then an immediate left on S. Linden Ave. Cross the bridge. In five blocks, make a left on Despatch Drive. Leo’s is on your left, on the corner.

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. If the trail is dry then cycling is also an option.

 

A First Day hike along Canadice Lake.

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.

DEC have a tradition of distributing free goodies on this annual hike. This year they will giving bandanas and headlights, and one raffle winner on this hike will get a $25.00 camping ground gift card valid in any NYS state park.

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. Here is the location on Google Maps (leaves this website) or 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. However, note that the Birdhouse in Honoeye will open for business.