Outdoor Recreation 
         Guidebooks   

 Outdoor Newsletter  August 2004      

                 ~~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~~                                 

      Cure Summer Boredom with a Creekwalk
      Wesley Hill Nature Preserve
      12th Annual BlueCross BlueShield Ridgewalk & Run
      Updates to Ontario Pathways Trail
      Take a Closer Look
      Fun on a Victorian Era Farm
      Online Specials
      Sometimes You Need a Little Assistance
      August & September Presentations

Has the summer chorus begun yet? You know, the familiar “Mom, I’m bored” chant that kids begin midway through summer. If it has, it’s time to spice up their summer activities by planning a creekwalk.

A creekwalk is exactly what it sounds like. You have everyone don a bathing suit and some old sneakers or secure Teva-type sandals and get your feet wet walking up a creekbed – in the stream. Not all creekbeds are created equal though in terms of creekwalking potential. You don’t want a creekbed filled with deep water, one with fast moving water, or one with muddy banks and bottom. The perfect creekwalking stream has shallow water (in summer) and a flat rock bottom that’s been scoured clean of small rocks and vegetation by spring run-off. This usually means it’s a streambed where the water runs downhill, tumbling over small drops that create waterfalls on its way. 

The fun of creekwalking is that you choose a hot summer day and plan to get wet. Start up the creekbed, walking around deep pools and climbing small ledges and waterfalls until you reach a waterfall that’s too high to easily climb. Then you turn around and walk back down to your car.

Along the way, take a swim in a deep pool, or sit in a trough of water and let the current wash over you. Take a picnic or snack in a small daypack and have a break partway through your adventure. Kids love this stuff – so do those of us of more advanced age. It’s a suitable activity for school age kids.

Finding good creekwalking streams is easy thanks to the guidebook “200 Waterfalls in Central & Western New York.”

 Some easier ones for beginning creekwalkers include:

-Keshequa Creek in Livingston County
-Arkwright Falls in Chautauqua County
-Zoar Valley in Cattaraugus County
-Great Gully in Cayuga County
-VanBuskirk Gorge in Tompkins County
-Peppermill Gulf in Onondaga County

All the details you need to find and have fun exploring them are in the “200 Waterfalls” guidebook. Have a splashing good time this summer.

Back in 2001, in this newsletter, we reported on the beautiful trails in the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve, west of Canandaigua Lake. Since then, the Finger Lakes Land Trust (fingerlakeslandtrust.org) has added a large parcel and more trails southeast of the original section, so that Wesley Hill Nature Preserve now covers 360 acres. 

Recently, Rich & I had the pleasure of hiking the new trails. We hiked through a mature forest along the Rim Trail to a bird chorus, with trills and chirps echoing around us. Then we headed downhill on the Gully Trail to explore Briggs Gully. The trail leads to water’s edge at a picturesque spot along the waterway. Small pools offer a refreshing dip, or walk up or downstream for a short distance, creekwalking as the water slides down scallops of shale. The creekwalking distance is short because you run out of FLLT lands and at the same time encounter rocky, less appealing creekwalking sections of the stream. But the section in the preserve is idyllic.

We headed uphill and continued west on the Rim Trail to make a big loop out of the Wenrich and Anna Brown Trails. We spent a delightful 3 hours hiking through young forests (long ago farmed), open fields, groves of mature Hemlocks and along the rim of steep ravines that feed Briggs Gully. 

Visit this peaceful preserve and its 8+ miles of loop trails. We guarantee you'll enjoy it. Remember, no collecting, hunting, fishing, trapping, horseback riding, bicycling, motor vehicles camping, fires, or littering. Thanks to the FLLT  for helping to preserve this wonderful area. 

Directions: From Canandaigua, go west on Route 5 & 20, then south on Rt. 20A. Just before the Village of Honeoye, go south on E. Lake Rd., then left on Pine Hill Rd. This will turn into Gulick Road. Pass Wesley Road. The entrance will be on your left. (NOTE: There is also an entrance to off Wesley Road.) 

Click here to download the latest free map.  "Wesley Hill Nature Preserve Map" PDF

   Download FREE

Sunday, October 17th
Wellsville, NY

Spectacular trail walks, or competitive runs all showcasing the stunning fall beauty along the highest ridge in western New York. Only 900 entries will be accepted.

Now "Ridgewalk and Run" offers a choice of four trail walks of progressive difficulty. The popular "2 Mile Walk" rolls along the ridge top on macadam road shrouded by hard maple. The "2 Mile Walk" offers some breathtaking views seen on the longer "woods walks" of 6, 9, and 14 miles. Runners bring their families to enjoy the walks while they test their spirit for awards and prizes in the 5K or 10K (road) runs or the tough but gorgeous 14 Mile Trail Run.

All events finish at a picturesque horse farm four miles south of Wellsville. Food, music, health and fitness clinics, wine and cheese tasting, and a complimentary sports massage are enjoyed by participants and their families at the JMH/Strong Health "Finish Line Arena". Kids activities include a 400m "Fun Run" as well as free pony and hay rides on the farm property.

Entry fees include a tee shirt, amenity bag, prize drawings, and bus transportation to the trailheads and back to registration from the Finish Line Arena.

Awards ceremony 2 PM.  Entrants are then bused back to registration/parking area in Wellsville. Sponsored by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, WNY. Pre-registration only. Benefits Allegany Co. United Way and Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce. See www.ridgewalk.com for on-line entry and details or call the Wellsville Chamber at (585) 593-5080.

2004 Entry Forms
2004 Entry Information

Building trails can be a frustrating endeavor. Just when you think things are working out, a monkey wrench comes flying in and disrupts the plans. This is especially true for trails that utilize the benevolence of private landowners (which includes the majority of area trails). 

Kyle Gage, President of Ontario Pathways (www.ontariopathways.org) reported some discouraging news via their newsletter. The section of trail from Smith Road to Freshour Road (map on page 157 in Take Your Bike – Family Rides in the Rochester Area, second edition) has been closed because of insurance and liability issues. He hopes to get the issues resolved and open this segment of trail, maybe by year-end.

Kyle’s bad news was balanced with some good news. Progress is being made on the northeast segment of Ontario Pathways (map on page 163 in Take Your Bike – Family Rides in the Rochester Area, second edition). A private landowner is likely to allow a connection from the end of the Wheat Road section to Route 488 via his property. Other private landowner agreements will allow a connection of the trail to the water tower in Orleans. Work is also progressing on completion of the Flint bridge over Routes 5&20. If all this is accomplished, Ontario Pathways could become an unbroken trail from Canandaigua to Stanley and north to Route 96 in Phelps. 

Upcoming Events by Ontario Pathways:

• Get to Know You Hike & Picnic

Saturday August 14, 10:30 AM – 1 PM, Route 96, Phelps
Meet other adults who enjoy the outdoors. Take a morning hike filled with “get to know you” events. Then enjoy a healthy lunch together provided by Ontario Pathways. Register by August 10, call Jennifer Fox-Werges, 585-396-0276.

• Annual Bike Ride
  
  Saturday, September 18 (rain date Sept. 19), 9 AM – noon, Freshour Road, Hopewell, free but pre-register by calling Robin Evans, 585-394-6822 by Sept. 15. Join a guided 15-mile bike ride all off-road and flat terrain, geared for beginner to intermediate ride.

• Great Pumpkin Walk
  
  Saturday October 9 (rain date Oct 10), 7 to 9 PM, cost $3 per person includes cider & a donut. Hundreds of lighted jack-lanterns line a ½ mile stretch of trail. It’s a spectacular sight that drew over 2,000 people last year. For info call Robin Evans 585-394-6822 or Jean Naukam 315-548-5125. 

     Take a Closer Look

The next time you head out to walk a trail or even walk around your neighborhood, take a closer look at the trees around you. Can you identify them? If not, perhaps you need a copy of a 72-page booklet published by the National Arbor Day Foundation titled “What Tree is That?” Through dozens of drawings, it illustrates the leaves, needles, acorns, berries, seedpods and cones to help you identify each tree. You’ll become an expert in no time but it may spell the end of your power walks. It’s dangerous to walk fast with your eyes pointed upwards!

To get a copy of the booklet visit http://www.arborday.org or send $3 with your name & address & specify the “Eastern/Central What Tree is That” booklet (there is one for Western/Central that covers west of the Rockies). Mail it to:
“What Tree is That?”
The National Arbor Day Foundation
Nebraska City, NE 68410

Experience life on a farm in the Victorian era with a visit to Abbey Farm, west of Geneva. A costumed interpreter guides guests through a family farmyard & barn as they explain the history of the farm & care of the animals. Meet, touch & feed the farm animals. Learn a Victorian skill such as candle dipping or spinning. Take a ride on a horse-drawn vintage buggy.

Farm tours cost $3 per person. Classes range from $3 to $10 and include rope making, goat milking, butter churning, woodworking, tinsmithing, wheat plaiting, doll designs, embroidery and bread making in addition to candle dipping & spinning. They also hold family style dinners, Victorian teas and stays in a bed & breakfast. 

For full details visit www.abbeyhistoricalfarm.org.

       Online Specials

We've added a new area to the Footprint Press web site called "Online Specials". Look for the stars on the home page or choose the Online Specials category from the left bar. Online Specials are available only through www.footprintpress.com and offer some great savings. The specials will change over time so be sure to check back periodically. 

Current specials include groupings of 4 titles each called Discover Outdoors Rochester and Discover Outdoors Finger Lakes. Buying them as a special package saves $17 over their individual totals. 

You’ll also find “Bruce Trail – An Adventure Along the Niagara Escarpment” offered at half price (a $8.47 savings) and a “200 Waterfalls” guidebook and screen saver combo (a $3.05 savings). So, hurry on over to pick up an online special today before it’s gone forever.

Sometimes you need a little assistance – paddling assistance that is. As you know, we came out with two new paddling guidebooks (Take A Paddle) this spring. In the back of each we listed resources to help you find

- where to rent canoes and kayaks
- how to locate guided paddling tours
- where to go for paddling instruction
- clubs to join to find like-minded folks
- what shuttles are available to help with paddling logistics

That’s all well and good, but we quickly discovered that this information changes rapidly. Not even a year has elapsed and we’ve heard:

-Braddock Bay Paddlesports opened in Hilton (www.paddlingny.com)

-Paths, Peaks and Paddles moved to Tonawanda (www.pathspeakspaddles.com)

-Water & Wilderness moved to Vestal (www.waterandwilderness.com)

So, we’ve added paddling resources as links on our web site, under the Resources category. We can keep this current and readily accessible for anyone who needs a little assistance paddling. Please notify us (info@footprintpress.com) if you hear of any changes that need to be made to this information. Thank goodness the waterways themselves don’t move as often as the resources supporting the waterways!

No Presentations

September 8, Wednesday, 7:30 PM

Hiking Wild Hawaii slide show
Adirondack Mountain Club meeting (public is welcome for FREE)
Eisenhart Auditorium, Rochester Museum & Science Center
657 East Ave., Rochester (www.gvc-adk.org)

Rich and Sue Freeman will be presenting a program on their adventures in Hawaii and dispel some misconceptions about this beautiful place. Hawaii screamed "tourist" and "expensive" to Rich so he was reluctant to visit. The tropical warmth beckoned Sue, so she planned a trip backpacking and hiking on the Big Island to places few tourists ever see; on a budget anyone could afford.

What Rich & Sue discovered was an island of great diversity. They hiked through tropical rainforests to remote cliff-lined valleys teeming with waterfalls, to pitch their tent next to a Pacific Ocean beach. They 
hiked through volcanic craters and climbed a dry a volcanic peak where tropical heat gave way to snow. They visited black and green sand beaches, walked through forests of lava trees, and sat in natural saunas created by volcanic steam vents. They discovered wild Hawaii - far from the throngs of tourists.

September 9, Thursday, 7 PM,    FREE

Adventure Along the Appalachian Trail slide show
Seymour Library, 161 East Ave., Brockport
(585) 637-1050

Imagine walking over 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine by way of the mountaintops of the Appalachian Ridge and spending 6 months living in the woods. You can do more than imagine it as Rich and Sue Freeman bring their Appalachian Adventure to life through slides and music.

Come along on their adventure hiking the Appalachian Trail. First, they'll give you a feel for the trail - What's the terrain like? What types of people hike this trail? How do they communicate? Where do they sleep? How do you prepare for a trek this long? In part two, they'll take you on a pictorial walk from Georgia to Maine with music in the background and periodic readings from Sue's journal.

September 13, Monday,  7 PM, FREE

Where to Canoe & Kayak Near Home slide show
Wood Library, 134 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 
585-394-1381 

Rich & Sue Freeman want you to "Take a Paddle." They'll share slides taken while researching their newest guidebooks and show the most scenic, unique and just plain fun places you can flat-water paddle in a canoe or kayak.

September 17, Friday, 7:30 PM

Lightweight Backpacking - Minimize the Weight You Carry 
a workshop by Rich & Sue Freeman part of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) Fall Outing ($20 registration for full event)

Learn keys to an enjoyable, lightweight backpacking experience from experienced backpackers. The Fall Outing is a weekend of lectures and outings in the Finger Lakes region. For the full schedule and registration information go to www.northnet.org/adktravel/fallouting.htm  or call Ken Harbison at 585-442-9731.

September 18, Saturday, 9:30 AM  $20

Powder Mills Park Hike - Daffodil & Irondequoit Creek Trails. 

An easy 5-mile hike led by Rich & Sue Freeman. This is part of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) Fall Outing ($20 registration for full event).

The forest we walk through was once the source of wood for making charcoal, used in the manufacture of blasting powder at Rand's Powder Mills. Today it's an easy path through rolling hills in a valley along the edge of Irondequoit Creek. We'll be too late to see the thousands of daffodils planted along the shore but it's never too late to enjoy the woods and fields that line the rushing waters of Irondequoit Creek. Our final stop will be at the water wheel and race that once powered the mill. 

A weekend of lectures and outings in the Finger Lakes region. For the full schedule and registration information go to www.northnet.org/adktravel/fallouting.htm or call Ken Harbison at 585-442-9731.

September 25, Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM  FREE

Corning Library Celebration of Books
Corning Library, 300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza. Corning, NY 14830
(607) 936-3713.

The day-long celebration and sale is to be held during the 9th annual Jazz Festival, an event which brings thousands of people to Corning for three days of music and wine tasting. 

There will be: Professional dealers, Individuals with books to sell or promote, Book signings by local and national authors, Illustrators, book designers, and book artists, A Scholastic Book Fair, Recent bestsellers, A silent auction and Literary readings.

Come meet guidebook authors Rich & Sue Freeman and pick up an autographed copy of any of their books for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

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