This Sunday we will hike the western half of the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail starting at Seneca Mill and walking west to Penn Yan. The whole trail follows Keuka Lake’s outlet to Seneca Lake, starting in Penn Yan and going approximately 7 miles to Dresden, dropping 275′ along the way. The first destination will be Cherry Street (about 3.5 miles) where we’ll have cars waiting to take us back to Seneca Mill. If there is still some walking time we can continue the trail into Penn Yan. Since it’s the dead of winter snow is likely; poles and shoe gripping devices or good boots will help. This is a fairly level stretch of the Outlet trail; there are no steep sections other than a short hill at the Seneca Millpond waterfall.

This trail runs along the stream in a wooded ravine; it was formerly a canal towpath and later a railroad bed. It crosses the original Preemption Line and passes near the area of the first permanent white settlement of ‘The Universal Friend Jemima Wilkinson’, alongside waterfalls and the ruins of mills, factories and canal locks”.

The Meeting Place

Everyone will meet at the Seneca Mill Access parking area on Outlet Road at 2:00 PM.  We will divide into two or three groups depending on how far people choose to hike in the two hours that they have. All hikers will walk west from Seneca Mill (that is towards Penn Yan); the climbers will walk to the Cherry Street access point in Penn Yan, while the naturalist and Tourists will hike for an hour and then turn back.

Some maps of the outlet trail will be available at the beginning of the hike: you can print your own map from The Friends of the Keuka Outlet Trail website here.

The Social

The social will be a bring-your-own-sandwich affair at the Laurentide Brewing Company at 12 Maiden Lane, Penn Yan, NY 14527. This brewing company is in a barn behind the Laurentide Inn which faces Main Street in downtown Penn Yann, across from the Post Office. The Laurentide Inn is an imposing yellow civil war era building with four huge columns holding up a portico. The brewery does not serve food but we are welcome to bring anything we want with us and just buy their beer. We can gather inside if the weather is harsh, or there is a small garden with tables that we can use if it’s warm enough. There is some parking behind the inn and plenty of street parking in front of it.

Directions:

From Springwater, Wayland and Naples. Head south from Springwater on NY-15 south to Wayland, then turn left NY-21. Follow NY-21 for 12.7 miles through N Cohocton and Naples. Turn right on NY 245N across from Bob Ruth’s. Follow NY-245 for 8.9 miles to Middlesex and take a slight right turn onto NY 364E. In the Village of Penn Yan, turn right onto Liberty St., turn left onto Clinton St (State Route 54 North) and follow it 2 miles, turn right onto Bentley Rd (which becomes Bell Road) and go for 1 mile, turn left onto Outlet Road and go for .3.5 miles,; the parking area is on right. Don’t park at the rail on the left – that is set aside for horses and buggies.

NOTICE: Saturday afternoon there was about 2 inches of snow on the ground. Skiers were able to go around the park without trouble. However, the temperature is predicted to be 40 tomorrow, so it is likely that the snow will be noticeably wetter. Skiers are welcome to bring their equipment. I will provide maps and recommendations, and skiers can select their own leader. Bring hiking boots in case ski conditions have gotten worse.

NOTICE: Also on Saturday, there was ice under the snow, which made the hills a bit tricky. Traction devices (spikes or good hiking treads) and poles are recommended.

Ontario County Park provides hiking, biking, cross country skiing, fishing (no hunting), and camping or picnicking opportunities depending on the season. The park contains the highest point in Ontario County, and as a result it often has long lasting snow cover.

Please join us at the west parking along the main park road near the start of the Bristol Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail. Come early enough to get your equipment ready.  We will start the hike at 2:00PM.

There are many trails within the park, although the bike trails are difficult to follow in the winter. The following planned hikes may change based on the weather and the snow cover on Sunday.

The Climbers will follow the Bristol Hills Branch of the FLT out to the overlook and then around to the south to the FLT sign-in box. At that point, we will turn around, and follow the yellow trail back to the park road and then the brown trail back to the cars.  If time permits, we will explore the purple trail across the road rather then the brown trail. Poles will be helpful at slippery locations.

The Naturalists will also follow the Bristol Hills Branch out to the overlook. From there, we will leave the orange trail, turning right and follow the edge of the hill around to the north edge of the park and walk on the green trail to the campgrounds. Heading south on one of the campground roads will bring us to the park road and the field beyond.  The field is open and we will head to the purple trail and back to our cars.

Social: Following our hike, join us at Brew & Brats for refreshments and conversation. Continue straight down Gannett Hill Rd to the bottom.  Turn right on NY-64.  Brew and Brats is on the left.

Directions: The easiest route to the park is to take NY 64 to Bristol Springs and turn west on Gannett Hill Rd.  There is a sign indicating Ontario County Park.  At the top of the hill turn right onto  South Gannett Hill Road.  The  park entrance is straight ahead.    Follow the park road for about .5 miles to our meeting place which is the parking area along the park road near the information kiosk at the Finger Lakes Trail trail-head.

Details From Springwater, Wayland and Naples: From Springwater, head south on NY-15. At the light in Wayland, turn left and follow NY-21 through Naples. Just past the village, bear left onto CR-12 (Bristol Springs Rd). In 1.9 miles, bear left onto Rhine St. Continue straight (In .6 mi, the name changes to Powell Rd and then in .3 mi to Gannett Hill Rd, and then in 3.2 miles it enters the park). Follow the road around the park for half a mile to our meeting place.

Details from Hemlock and Honeoye: From Hemlock, head south on NY-15A. Just outside of the hamlet, turn left on US-20A. Continue through Honeoye and turn right onto East Lake Road. In 0.6 mi, turn left onto CR 33 (Egypt Valley Rd.). In 6.9 miles, continue straight onto CR 34. In 1.6 miles, turn right onto NY-64. In another 1.9 miles, turn right onto Gannett Hill Rd. In 1.3 miles, turn right into the park. Follow the road around the park for half a mile to our meeting place.

Details from Canandaigua: Take US 20 west out of the city. Turn left onto Parrish St Ex. In 0.9 miles, turn left onto NY-21. Continue for 11.9 miles to the intersection with NY-64. Turn right onto NY-64 N. In 0.4 miles turn left onto Gannett Hill Rd. In 1.3 miles, turn right into the park. Follow the road around the park for half a mile to our meeting place.

Please join us for a hike at Cumming Nature Center, in the hills above Naples.  Conditions are currently poor for skiing or snowshoeing but walking should be no problem.  Cumming is a branch of Rochester Museum and Science Center; if you are not a member of RMSC, there is a $5 access fee to the Center; this provides access to their rest rooms, birding platforms, snacks (free popcorn) and impressive exhibits on local wildlife.

We will meet at 1:50 inside the Visitors’ Center and split into groups to make best use of the available trails and the ambitions of our hikers; trails of various lengths extend north and south from the Visitors’ Center. We will break up into two activity groups: the hikers will take one or more hiking trails. If there is enough snow then the cross country skiers and snowshoers will take the purple ski trails. 

The Social:  We’ll have a pot luck supper in the fireplace room. The Center closes at 5 PM.

Cumming-SummerTrailMapforPrinting_1_1

Directions

From Rochester and points North: Take 390 South to Routes 5 & 20,   Proceed to Rt15A in Lima. Head South on Rt15A to Route 20A in Hemlock,   Head East on 20A to East Lake Road in Honeoye. Proceed South on East Lake Road a short distance to County Road 33, (there are signs pointing the way from the junction of East Lake Road and County Road 33). Turn East on County Road 33, then Southeast on Pinewood Hill Road, which becomes becomes Gulick Road.  After 5.6 miles the CNC entrance will be on the right.

From Springwater: Go North on Rt 15A to Route 20A in Hemlock,   Head East on Rt 20A to East Lake Road in Honeoye. Proceed South on East Lake Road to County Road 33 (Signs point the way from the junction of East Lake Road and County Road 33). Turn East on County Road 33, then Southeast on Pinewood Hill Road.  This becomes Gulick Road.  After 5.6 miles the CNC entrance will be on the Right, about 1.5 miles past the Wesley Hill parking lot.  OR, go to Naples and follow the directions below. They are both about 23 mile routes.

From Wayland, Naples, and points South: Follow NY 21 East from Wayland, through North Cohocton to Naples (11.4miles). Turn Left onto Clark Street (County Rd. 36), heading North (Next to Middletown Tavern). Take first Right onto  Gulick Road. Follow Gulick Road for 6.6 miles.   CNC will be on the Left.

Join us on Sunday the 29th to celebrate the season in your hiking boots or on your skis as Mondoe County sponsors the 2023 Winterfest at Mendon Ponds Park.   Everyone, both hikers and skiers, will meet at the Nature Center parking area at 27 Pond Road, Mendon at 1:45 for a 2PM start. Naturalists and Tourists will explore the Birdsong and Swamp Trails adjacent to the Nature Center on foot, while Climbers will hike north and east to hike the Grassland and Devil’s Bathtub trails, crossing over to the East Esker and Quaker Pond Trails to make a loop of about 5.5 miles.  This is a fairly level hike, but we advise poles and traction footwear in case of ice, mud or slush.

Ski conditions are expected to be marginal, as there were only a few inches of wet snow on the ground as of Friday, and some light rain is possible Sunday. The trails will probably be busy on Sunday due to Winterfest activity, so any groomed tracks may be trodden over or melted down.  Bring your ski equipment if you want to give it a try, but we suggest you bring hiking boots and equipment also as a backup plan.

Come early for more family-oriented activities elsewhere in the park between 11 and 3.  See https://www.monroecounty.gov/parks-winterfest   for a line-up, including food trucks at Stewart Lodge, sledding, equipment and winter sports demonstrations, Wild Wings, Zoomobile, Mercy Flight, Mounted Patrol, and more.  Mendon Ponds Park map

Social afterwards at Flaherty’s Restaurant, 60 W. Main Street, Honeoye Falls.

Directions to Nature Center:

From Springwater: Head north on 15A for 21.6 miles through Hemlock and Lima. Take a right at the exit to Honeoye Falls. Stay on W Main St into the village where you will join 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 first park entrance. The Nature Center is just inside the entrance, on the right.

From Honeoye, take US 20A west and head north on CR 37 for 8.2 miles to W Bloomfield. Continue straight on NY 65 for about 3 miles, and make a right on Quaker Meeting House Road just before you come into Honeoye Falls. When Quaker Meeting House Road ends at Route 251 (Rush-Mendon Road), go left and then right on Route 65/Clover Street. The Pond Road entrance to the park is about 2 miles to the north, on the right. The Nature Center is just inside the entrance, on the right.

From Rochester: Exit I590 at Monroe Ave toward Pittsford. Turn right (south) onto NY 65 (Clover St). In about 6.7 you will come to the Canfield Road entrance to the park – this is not the one you want. Continue another 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Pond Rd, the second entrance into the park.  The Nature Center is just inside the entrance, on the right.

Directions to Flaherty’s for Social:  From Nature Center parking lot, go left to Clover Street (Route 65) and then left toward Honeoye Falls. Proceed about 5.5 miles to Honeoye Falls and through the center of the village. Flaherty’s will be on your left at #60 W. Main Street, which is Route 65.