This Sunday, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique arboretum at Durand-Eastman Park. Included in their rhododendron collection, are a few trees called mountain laurels, which are common in the Appalachian hills. The mountain laurel is in bloom at this time. It has a unique trick for getting bees to transfer their pollen, which we will attempt to demonstrate. When we tried last year, we were too early. This year, our timing looks better.

We will meet in the circle at the end of Log Cabin Rd. at 3:45 PM. We will then hike the trail, at the south end of the park, to the junction of Zoo and Pine Valley Rds., enter the arboretum at Pine Valley, and walk to the mountain laurels for the attempted demonstration. Afterwards, hikers seeking a more vigorous walk are welcome to enjoy some of the park’s nice hiking trails and return to the Log Cabin Rd. Circle at 6 for our after-hike social.

There are 4 shelters in this area so, in case one of them is unoccupied, perhaps we can appropriate it. If not, we’ll just use the lawn (and hope it isn’t raining). Bring a food item to share or make a $5.00 donation. Also bring lawn chairs. I have a folding table but, we might be able to use more, if you have and would like to bring one.

Mark will bring a small portable grill, in case anyone wants to grill something.

Directions:

From the Springwater area, go north to  I-390. In Monroe Co., use the right lanes to get on I-590. At junction with 490, stay on 590. Get in middle lane, avoid 104 exits, and stay left to go toward Sea Breeze. At the fourth roundabout (you’ll see a bunch of flags), go ¾ of the way around and keep going straight west on Durand Blvd, which turns into Sweet Fern Road, and then Pine Valley Rd and then (at Zoo Rd) into Lakeshore Blvd. DO NOT turn on Zoo Rd, or you will have to walk from Zoo Rd to Log Cabin Rd because that section of Log Cabin Rd is closed to cars. Instead, take the next left on Log Cabin Rd. (past Zoo Road), go to the circle at the end and park in the circle.

Hikers wishing to carpool from Springwater should meet at 2:30 at the Springwater Town Hall and plan to leave promptly at 2:40. Be sure to ask the driver if they are staying for the social. This is a self organizing car pool, so be sure to be on time.

From Naples or Canandaigua, head north to the Thruway and I-490 west. Stay right to exit onto 590 north. Get in middle lane, avoid 104 exits, and stay left to go toward Sea Breeze. At the fourth roundabout (you’ll see a bunch of flags), go ¾ of the way around and keep going straight west on Durand Blvd, which turns into Sweet Fern Road, and then Pine Valley Rd and then (at Zoo Rd) into Lakeshore Blvd. DO NOT turn on Zoo Rd, or you will have to walk from Zoo Rd to Log Cabin Rd because that section of Log Cabin Rd is closed to cars. Instead, take the next left on Log Cabin Rd. (past Zoo Road), go to the circle at the end and park in the circle.

From Honeoye, there are several ways to get to 590 north. Google maps is suggesting Clover St to Monroe Ave and then get on I-590, but it depends on traffic.  So I am going to leave it to each driver to find their way to I-590 or I-490 and then follow the directions above.

Finally, Happy Father’s Day to all my fellow dads.

Warning: The weather report calls for rain this afternoon and possibly thunder storms. We will be  at the trailhead by 4 and will ride if the weather permits. If it looks like thunder we likely will postpone to another day and just have a beer.  Stay safe and keep hiking.

This Sunday we have a choice of activities, both starting from the northeast corner of Honeoye Lake – a hike in Sandy Bottom Park or a bike ride along or around Honeoye Lake. Note the start time of 4 PM for both activities. After the workouts we will adjourn to the Birdhouse Brewing Company at 8716 Main Street, Honeoye for our social/recuperation.

Everyone meets at the Sandy Bottom Park Trailhead on East Lake Road, about .3 mile from Route 20A/Main Street Honeoye. There are two parking lots side-by-side, each holding about 10 cars.   Hikers will all start out together on the field portion of the trail and proceed as long as you want, with some hiking all the way down to the creek, lakefront and wetland boardwalk.

Based on last year’s experience, most cyclists will opt for the full 18 mile circuit of the lake, all going at our own speeds. We’ll decide as a group whether to go clockwise or counterclockwise.   An alternative for those who want a shorter ride is the 5 mile dash down East Lake Road to the South Boat Launch, returning the same way for a 10 mile total.

Cyclists please bring plenty of water, and helmets are required.

Social:  Please join us afterwards at the BirdHouse Brewing Company at 8713 Main Street, Honeoye, for restorative food and beverages and maybe some entertainment. For the menu see https://birdhousebrewing.beer/

Directions to Sandy Bottom Trailhead:
From the south (Naples, Springwater, etc): Take Rte 21 North to CR 36, make left onto CR 36, make right onto East Lake Road – parking lot is on left just past the County Road 33 intersection.
From the north (Bloomfield, Victor, Rochester, etc): Take CR 40 south to Rte 20A, cross 20A onto East Lake Road, parking lot is on right, 3/10 of a mile from intersection.
From the east (Bristol, Canandaigua, etc): Take Rte 64 south to Rte 20A, make right onto 20A, left onto East Lake Rd
From the west (Hemlock, Livonia, etc): Take Rte 15A to Route 20A, make left onto 20A, right onto East Lake Road

Directions to Birdhouse Brewing Company: From the trailhead, return to Route 20A, Main Street Honeoye. Make a left and proceed through the village. Birdhouse Brewing is at #8713, just past the bridge on the right, a few buildings before the red light.

It is June and sunny and warm.  What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than on Hemlock Lake?  Bring you kayak or hiking shoes and meet Springwater Trails at the North End boat launch on Hemlock Lake. We will enjoy the water or Rob’s Trail and then will meet after the hike (and kayak) at Hemlock Lake Park for a pot luck social.  Bring a dish to pass and your own beverages or donate to the social fund.

Kayak or Canoe Paddle 

Boaters will meet at Hemlock Lake North Boat Launch and must arrive early enough to have their boat unloaded and car parked in preparation for a 4PM launch.  Try to arrive at 3:30 because the launch will likely be crowded. They will cross the lake to the western shore, paddle south, cross the lake to the eastern shore and return north to the boat launch.  Paddlers will need to determine how far south they can go and have enough time to get back to the launch by 6PM.

Hikers

All hikers will meet at the large parking area of Hemlock Lake Park off Rix Hill Road at 4PM.  All hikers will walk south past the gate on the flat part of Rob’s trail.

The Tourists and Climbers will walk south through the woods until Rob’s Trail heads uphill. Before turning up the hill, we will step out onto the beach and check on the progress of the kayakers. Then this group will continue up the hill to the bridge (or as time permits) and then will return down hill and back to the cars.

The Naturalists will follow the climbers but likely will turn around at or before the beach and return along the same path to the cars.

All hikers and kayakers are welcome to join us for a social at the Hemlock Park pavilion. Head north out of the boat launch to Rix Hill Rd. Turn left and take the second left into the pavilion..

Directions to Hemlock Lake North Boat Launch

From Springwater:  Head north on 15A for 10.1 miles.  Turn left on Rix Hill Road.  Take the first left and follow the road to the end at the boat launch. If the main boat launch is not crowded, we will launch kayaks from there. Otherwise, we can park in the parking lot or along the road and carry kayaks to the kayak launch site.

From Hemlock and Honeoye: From Hemlock head south on 15A. From Honeoye, head west on 20A and turn left onto 15A. From the intersection of 20A and 15A south of Hemlock, continue south for 0.7 miles and turn right onto Rix Hill Rd. Take the first left and follow the road to the end at the boat launch. Parking is available in the lot at the end, or along the road.

PLEASE NOTE – THIS IS THE FIRST SUNDAY EVENT WITH OUR SUMMER STARTING TIME OF 4:00 PM

This Sunday we will explore Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill, the highest point in Ontario County,  and the surrounding terrain, using the travel method of your choice.  Hikers and Cyclists will all start at the Jump Off Parking Area heading off in different directions, and will rendezvous at the Jump-Off for our optional post-exercise social. Please gather promptly at 3:45 pm to get organized and be ready to hike or ride by 4 PM. The later start time is intended to allow participants to also attend the Bristol Hills Historical Society’s 2 PM event at the Burning Springs on Case Road – see https://bristolhillshistory.org/events

Hikers will follow the Finger Lakes Trail’s orange blazed trail to the south and west. Climbers and Tourists will hike down the hill to the Beaver Pond and back, a total of about 4.25 miles and 500 feet of elevation change, while Naturalists will explore the more level trails near the top of the park. Bring water, poles, and good hiking footwear for the park’s rugged terrain. The Park and FLT are full of wildflowers this week – on the prehike we found wild geranium, violets, star flowers, fringe flower, lupines, wild azaleas, trillium, and a lady slipper.

Cyclists will follow the one-way Park Road out to Gannett Hill Road, then head south toward Naples, rounding the south end of Gannett Hill on Seman Road and returning to the north along County Road 33 for a total of about 8 miles of mostly downhill terrain ( a 500 foot drop overall, with some uphill sections) with great views of the hills across the Naples Valley, and of West Hollow.  Upon reaching the County Road 33 trailhead and parking area, north of 6910 County Road 33 (look for wooded parking area on the left and orange trailhead marker on right), they will lock up their bikes, change their footwear, and hike back up the Finger Lakes Trail past the Beaver Pond to the starting point, returning to retrieve their locked bikes at the end of the social.  Cyclists please bring a bike lock and appropriate garb and equipment for both activities.  If you plan to ride, please contact Saralinda at    [email protected]   no later than Saturday, so that we can identify a ride leader.  If you prefer an all-riding event, please advise Saralinda and make your own arrangements for the return to the park by bike or a placed vehicle, and feel free to join us for the post-ride social around 6-6:30 PM. 

Social:  Bring food, beverages, and a lawn chair for a dish-to-pass gathering at the Jump-Off shelter, or nearby if the lodge is reserved. If you run out of time to shop or cook, bring $5 for the can.

Directions: From Springwater: Go south to Naples via Wayland and Route 21. Continue north to Woodville and the start of Route 64. Turn left on Gannett Hill Road and enter the park at the top of the hill. Loop around the perimeter road until you reach the Jump Off parking area and trailhead. 

From Honeoye and Hemlock: Take County Road 33 south from East Lake Road, Honeoye, turning left on County Road 34 to meet Route 64. Go right on 64 and proceed 1.8 miles to make a right on Gannett Hill Road. Enter the park at the top of the hill and loop around the perimeter road until you reach the Jump Off parking area and trailhead. 

From Rochester or Routes 5&20:  Take Route 5&20 to Toomey’s Corners, about 2 miles east of Bloomfield. Go south on Route 64, about 13 miles to make a right on Gannett HIll Road. Enter the park at the top of the hill and loop around the perimeter road until you reach the Jump Off parking area and trailhead.