Big Rock, Big Rain

We hiked up into a cloud - which proceeded to rain on us for the next three hours. Just softer sometimes...What a cold, wet spring day.  It was not the easiest of hikes.  The hike started with an up hill climb off trail - about 800 vertical feet - to get to Big Rock.

Off to Big Rock - not raining here.

The push up the hill.

Up on Big Rock

On Bike Rock the group worked on the 'gutter ball challenge' in the rain.  Working together to move a marble from the top of Big Rock to the bottom.  The rain started to get heavy so rather than stand around a get wet, we hiked on - making the decision to continue up - not exactly sure where it may lead, but having a somewhat good idea.

 We - I did ask - decided to push to the top to find an old logging road which would connect us to the FLT rather than just dropping straight back down the hill.  This required bush whacking, a bit of blind faith, some luck, and persistence.  Not many groups could have - or would have - endured this hike with as much enthusiasm as this one.  It doesn't look that bad on the map.  If not for the rain and cold it would have been beautiful.  We found an impressive overlook at the top of a gully - all we could see was a cloud, but we all said the view must be impressive and we should come back.  Finding it again might be the trick.  We finally found the logging road (marked with the triangles on the map) and began the hike to find the FLT...

We were never really lost.  We just had not found the place where we knew where we were.  It was hard for me to enjoy this part of the hike as I was looking for that landmark I knew and wondering how the group was holding up..."everyone good?"The answers were always yes, lets keeps going.  As the rain fell even harder we came down on a series of old foundations - speculations of an old town.  Weather and time prevented us from exploring.  It was just past this point that we came upon the Outback Inn.  A feeling of relief. A few moments out of the rain, chocolate chip cookies before what should should have been a nice stroll down the path to the cars on a sunny day rather than a wet, cold slog.  But conversations continued and faces were smiling as we made our way out. As one hiker said, you feel really good that you accomplished something - and something about a hot shower. Agreed.  I am looking forward to this hike on a good weather day.

The Outback Inn...finally

Map of our hike

West River Walk

Spring is still not quite here, but the sun was shining as we started our walk south through West River.  The trail is old railroad bed, once The Lehigh Valley Railroad that connected Naples to Geneva completed in 1894.  The section is maintained by the DEC and open to hunting as part of High Tor.  Looking for a project? Moving to a Rails to Trails development would open it up considerably for usage and benefit the Naples area.

Along the bridge we completed the traffic jam problem - it took a few tries, but the problem was solved.  Our hike concluded at the Naples Community Park where we played a round of disc golf. We partnered up and played 'best disc'.  In the next few weeks the back 9 will be carved out in the park.  Our morning concluded with a game of ultimate frisbee.

West River - Sunny Side Access

"traffic jam" problem

Throwing frisbees at the potting shed

Hole #5

Practicing on #1

West Hill Preserve Hike

The sun does rise. April 4. Cold crisp air, fresh snow, and bright sunshine welcome the day.  After staying up too late enduring a National Championship heart break as my alma mater loses on a buzzer beater, the hike was a perfect remedy.  A great game, but the wrong side of a three point game. The setting allows one to refocus on the beauty of life.

Trail head on Seman Road

I am not alone, but joined by eight young people on their own journey.  Our hike begins at the West Hill Nature Preserve managed by the Nature Conservancy.  The Finger Lakes Trail runs through the park on its way from Ontario County Park to the village of Naples.  The preserve is an example of ecological succession - nature taking landscapes back.  There is history to observe - the last section of the trail rolls down row after row of old vineyard - now covered in forest and pines.

Breaking trail

We start out in quiet solitude.  A spring snow storm and record cold create a winter landscape.   Ours are the only human footprints.  Animal tracks and trails criss-cross the forest and dry snow falls from the trees with each passing breeze.  Boots sink into the semi-frozen mud of the trail.  

Looking across to Hi Tor from overlook

The hiking is not easy, but our pace is good.  Experienced hikers on a new trail. There are steep ascents with hidden rocks and roots.  There are few pauses to catch our breath.  The silence of the forest is broken with pleasant conversations on a wide range of topics...pre-calculus, getting sheep sheared, staging a play, a recent vacation, mountain biking...The group is social and enjoying the time.  

Three and half hours and about seven miles later we arrive at Luigi's for pizza. It has been a great morning and I look forward to another walk with nature with this group. 

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir

Overlook looking south

Blue spur trail to the overlook of Naples Valley

Water fall coming down into Naples