Hemlock Lake Northwest Corner Hikes

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The Bur Oak Trail, Walnut Trail, Beach Walk along Hemlock Lake

When: February 25th, 2024  @2pm-4pm

Please join us on 2/25/24 at the NW corner of Hemlock Lake(42.77772, -77.61891) to hike Bur Oak Trail and the Walnut Trail, both on State land within the Canadice Hemlock State Forest. One section is a snowmobile trail and the other travels thru the woods parallel to the shoreline. For those who enjoy stony beach walking, there will be an opportunity for that too. The Social afterwards will be at the Valley Inn in Honeoye.

Bur Oak Trail – This trail is a well marked 3-mile snowmobile trail winding through the woods, crossing small streams, running alongside the Hemlock Lake outlet stream, then gradually heads uphill to a gate and the upper loop. The loop will take us thru an open field, by a few ponds, a marsh, and then up near the top of Blank road. At that point, you return the way you came. Many side trails just fizzle out so stay on the main trail.

Walnut Trail – This trail follows an old road near the northwestern shore of Hemlock Lake.  You might find the ruins of foundations of the former homes that once were on the lake.  There are a couple of deep ravines the trail traverses. The trail ends at the second deep ravine about 3/4mile in. Just before that ravine, there is a short trail to the left, that leads to an iron plate off of some old equipment.

 

Meet at 1:45pm at the northwest corner of Hemlock Lake at the Rix Hill Road trailhead parking area just west of the Hemlock Outlet and Hemlock Lake State Park.  There are small parking areas on both sides of the road, and a kiosk on the south side.  Naturalists will first follow the Bur Oak Trail north for about 1/2mile and then return to the start. Then they will cross the road and continue on to follow the Walnut Trail south through the woods for about 1 1/2 mi round trip. This requires some agility in stream crossing. At the end of the trail, we will vote on either returning the way we came or take a path down to the shoreline, walk a bit, then head back to the parking lot.Bring good waterproof winter footwear and poles.  Those wanting a shorter hike will have ample opportunity to bail out as we pass the starting point. At the end of Walnut Trail, there is a very steep climb that some bold hikers take down the ravine to get to the shoreline. It is advisable that if you want to walk the beach, it might be safer to double back the way you came to where a flagged path makes a much safer trip down to the water. There is another flagged path to get back up to the trail, and then back to the parking lot.

Tourists and Climbers will first follow the Bur Oak Trail north all the way up to the grassland loop off Blank Road, and return for a total of about 2.5 miles. We will then cross the road and follow the Walnut Trail south through the woods and back. This requires some agility in stream crossing. At the end of Walnut Trail, there is a very steep climb that some bold hikers take down the ravine to get to the shoreline. It is advisable that if you want to walk the beach, it might be safer to double back the way you came to where a flagged path makes a much safer trip down to the water. There is another flagged path to get back up to the trail, and then back to the parking lot. Bring good waterproof winter footwear and poles.  Those wanting a shorter hike will have ample opportunity to bail out as we pass the starting point.
Directions: from Springwater: Head north on NY-15A. At the north end of Hemlock Lake, turn left on Rix Hill Road.  Pass the park entrance on your left and go over the Hemlock Outlet bridge. The parking areas will be on both sides of the road, or park on the shoulder.

Directions: from Honeoye and points east: From Honeoye, continue west on Main Street (Route 20A) to Route 15A in Hemlock. Make a left, go a half mile, and take a right on Rix Hill Road. Pass the park entrance on your left and go over the Hemlock Outlet bridge. The parking areas will be on both sides of the road, or park on the shoulder.

Directions from north and west: Take Route 390 south to Exit 8 (Geneseo). Turn left(east) on Route 20A thru Livonia(about 7mi), then turn right onto Route 15A for 3 miles into Hemlock. Turn right onto Rix Hill Road. Pass the park entrance on your left and go over the Hemlock Outlet bridge. The parking areas will be on both sides of the road, or park on the shoulder.
Directions to the Social:  From the parking lots, head east on Rix Hill Rd to Rt 15A. Turn left on Rt 15A  for 3/4mile. Turn right on Rt20A. Stay on Rt20A for 5miles. The Valley Inn will be on your left  (68970 Main St, Honeoye) at the corner of County Rd 37.

First Day Hike – Canadice Lake Trail

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WHEN: Monday, January 1, 2024 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
WHERE: Canadice Lake Parking area off Purcell Hill Road, Town of Canadice, Ontario County
GPS: 42.744292,-77.573654

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 Sate of New York that they live in. The DEC, State Parks, and the Canal Corporation invite New Yorkers to kick off 2023 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 at 2:00pm Monday, giving everyone a little more time to get over the night before.

The Meet-Up Location

All First Day hikers should meet at the parking area off Purcell Hill Road, Town of Canadice, Ontario County. Google Maps (leaves this website) Click here for directions.

The Social

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

First Day Hike – Canadice Lake Trail

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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 Sate of New York that they live in. The DEC, State Parks, and the Canal Corporation invite New Yorkers to kick off 2023 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 at 2:00pm Monday, giving everyone a little more time to get over the night before.

The Meet-Up Location

All First Day hikers should meet at the parking area off Purcell Hill Road, Town of Canadice, Ontario County. Google Maps (leaves this website) Click here for directions.

The Social

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