Genesee Valley Chapter
Adirondack Mountain Club

Conservation | Away Hikes | Local Hikes | Paddles | Younger Members | Expo | All

This month's updates are shown as - Update

[top]

March Outings and Events

March 21
Sunday
10:15 AM

[Local] [Main] Indian and Thayer Hills - Update
Tom and Donna Dinse will be leading the hike in Perinton around Indian and Thayer Hills. We will meet at 10:15 A.M. and start hiking at 10:30am. Meet at the Town Center Mall on the north side of highway 31 just before Mason Road, park near Rte 31 away from the mall. Bring a lunch, we will be eating on the trail.
For more information please contact Tom/Donna Dinse at .

March 27
Saturday
9:45 AM

[Local] [Main] Lehigh Valley Trail - Update
We will meet at 9:45 for a 10:00 am start in the parking lot on Plains Rd in Rush where the LVT trail crosses the road. Plains Rd is off route 251 (Rush-Mendon Road) just east of the town of Rush. Take Plains Rd south till you get to the trail and the parking lot is on your right just past the trail. This is where the North Branch of the LVT and the main trail meet. The trails come together here so the second trail crossing is where the parking lot is located. We will hike East along the trail through the woods and see farm lands on the way. We will be back around noon or so. The trail is flat and hopefully not muddy. It is a linear trail so we will return the same way.
For more information contact Bob Krenzer at .

March 27
Saturday
10:00 AM

[Paddle] [Main] Black Creek from Churchville Park up into Bergen Swamp - Update
Again, this will be a cold water paddle so it Mandatory to dress for the water conditions. Meet at 10am. Follow Route 490 west to the Churchville exit and head north onto Route 36. Head up through town to Park Road (or Lane; not sure). Make left onto Park and follow this to the boat launch.
Please call Luann at 585-621-3321 or email her or contact Charlie Helman, 585-266-0424 or 585-303-5968, if further directions are required.

March 28
Sunday
10:15 AM

[Local] [Main] Ellison Park Southern Part - Update
We will be hiking in the hilly southern region of Ellison Park, if conditions will allow for the hill climbs. Use the the Parking Lot near Hazelwood Lodge (on the north side of Blossom Rd). We will meet at 10:15 AM and start hiking at 10:30 AM. In view of weather conditions, bring ice creepers and/or snow shoes. Bring a lunch. We will hike until approximately 1:30 PM.
Please contact Marty Turner at for more info.

[top]

April Outings and Events

April 1
Thursday

[Expo] Expo Committee Update Point
More info here.

April 3
Saturday
9:45 AM

[Local] Hike the Gosnell Big Woods in Webster - Update
Meet at the parking area at the corner of Vosburg and Baker Rds at 9:45 for a 10 am hike. We'll hike through the Big Woods over to Whiting Rd Preserve and loop back to the cars on this two hour jaunt. You can get to Vosburg Rd. by following Bay Rd north from Rt 104, turn right onto Lake Rd, then right again onto Vosburg Rd.
Contact Denny at 265-9115 for more information.

April 4
Sunday
10:15 AM

[Local] Powder Mill Park - Update
We will be hiking in the hills of Powder Mill Park. Park near Rand Lodge (which is located on Park Road). We will meet at 10:15 AM and start hiking at 10:30 AM. Bring a lunch. We will hike until approximately 1:30 PM.
For more information contact Larry Telle at .

April 10
Saturday
10:00 AM

[Paddle] [Local] [Away] [Younger] [Main] An Invitation from the Monroe County Department of Parks

Pick Up the Parks
A new initiative from the Monroe County Department of Parks
April 10th, 2010

Join us and several local recreation and environmental groups in kicking off this new local stewardship event. In this first year, we will be targeting 4 parks: Ellison, Genesee Valley, Greece Canal, and Ontario Beach Parks for clean up and other park improvements. Why just four? As you know there are 21 parks within the Monroe County Parks system. As this is a first year event, we wanted to identify popular parks that could also accommodate our widespread community. We welcome your ideas for future projects and will certainly add more parks to the event as community support grows.

Email or call today to register your family, group of friends, club, organization, scout troop, or class! Contact Ryan Loysen at rloysen@monroecounty.gov or 585-753-7281.

Be sure to tell us your group size, preferred park, e-mail address, and phone number, or just come on out to one of the project sites on April 10th and register on-site. Orientation begins at 10 a.m. at each project site with refreshments and additional information. Group projects and field work will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The Monroe County Parks belong to all of us, so let's join together to keep them clean and green. Check back for additional event details, meet-up locations and park information at http://www.monroecounty.gov/parks.
For more information, contact Dave Harrison at (585) 442-3223 or .

April 11
Sunday
8:30 AM

[Paddle] Howland Island - Update
Join us for our annual trek to the Howland Island area. We usually witness young eagles as well as other bird life and fish. I will post directions as we get closer to the date but I plan on meeting at the Tops parking lot in Ontario at 8:30 am to possibly consolidate boats and cars.
Contact Charlie Helman at 585-266-0424 or if further directions are required.

April 11
Sunday
8:00 AM

[Local] Finger Lakes Branch Trail-Conservation Trail series #7 - Update
We've completed ~54 miles of the Conservation Trail, this will be the seventh hike in a series. This hike is suited for those looking for a little longer hike, than the usual local Sunday day hike. We will meet at the Home Depot parking lot in Gates at 8:00 am. We will leave at 8:15 am to car pool to N. Tonawanda NY, where we will hike ~12.5 miles of the Conservation Trail, a branch of the FLT (Parts of Map CT11 & 12 Elliot Creek Park to the Overlook at Fix Rd.) Map is here. The hike is all flat (other than the Grand Island bridge we have to cross). Be prepared for a 5+ hour hike plus 3+ hours of total travel time. Bring Lunch and be prepared for spring conditions (rain and wind). We will be in exposed areas along the Niagara River.
For more information contact Larry Telle at 227-6486 or .

April 15
Thursday
6:30 PM

[Paddle] Waterways Meeting - Update
Waterways meeting: location to be determined.
Contact Charlie Helman at 585-266-0424 or for more information.

April 17-19

[Paddle] Pine Creek Paddle - Update
April 17,18 & possibly the 19th: Ellen Prill is leading the annual paddle trip to Pine Creek, "The Grand Canyon of the East" located in Pennsylvania. This is moving water with some class II rapids. Cold water and weather gear essential. Canoes and kayaks. This is a overnight camping trip. Monday could be a bonus day for those that can arrange it.
Contact Ellen at 721-4103.

April 21
Wednesday

[Paddle] [Local] [Away] [Younger] [Main] Genesee Valley Chapter Meeting
More information here.

April 21
Wednesday

7:30 Program – Jeff Liebel: Northern Forest Canoe Trail
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010. In that relatively short span of time, this remarkable resource went from an idea to a 740 mile inland paddling trail tracing historic travel routes across New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire, and Maine.
The mission of the NFCT is to connect people to the Trail's natural environment, human heritage, and contemporary communities by stewarding, promoting, and providing access to canoe and kayak experiences along this route. NFCT provides trail access, trail mapping, trail construction and stewardship, but in addition, it differentiates itself by the depth of programs and involvement within the communities such as rural tourism development, and youth paddling programming.
Joining us to tell the story of the Trail and take us on a journey along its lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and portages is Jeff Liebel, president of the board of directors of NFCT. Jeff is also a member of the Niagara Frontier (Buffalo) Chapter of ADK. He is an avid paddler and instructor in canoe and kayak along with his wife Laura who operates WeKanu Paddling School. Jeff is a past president and former member of the board of directors of the American Canoe Association and is a NYS Licensed Guide. When not in the outdoors he is the managing partner in a management consulting firm that works with family and closely held businesses throughout the northeast.
His interactive presentation will offer a tasting of experiences from a day paddle to a through paddle, from the well utilized resources of New York State to the remote reaches of Maine's moose country. But he will also provide a history of the trail and explore some of the unique work of the organization, such as helping communities along the route to rebuild their economic foundations through Trail tourism.

6:30 Workshop – My Favorite Outdoor Book(s) - with Audience Participation

Encouraged by the enthusiasm for the January workshop on "My Favorite Outdoor Gear", we are offering a variation on the theme for April. Al Bushnell and Bill Crowe will bring some of their favorite outdoor books to show and tell. But, and this is important, since Al doesn't read many books, we'd also like others to share some of their favorite books as well. Either fiction or non-fiction is fine. You only need to spend a minute or two giving those attending your review of the book and why you like it. Don't be shy!

April 21
Wednesday

[Expo] Chapter meeting - Rich gives Expo update
More info here.

April 23-25

[Away] Backpack to Two Adirondack Wilderness Areas
Experience an Adirondack spring on this pre-black fly season backpack to two beautiful backcountry locations, Grass Pond in the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness (southwest of Old Forge) and Queer Lake, in the Pigeon Lake Wilderness (north of Eagle Bay). Rated easy due to the low mileage and small altitude gain, this trip is suitable for beginning backpackers or those with little backpacking experience. We'll leave Rochester late Friday morning and arrive at the Grass Pond trailhead on Route 28 in mid-afternoon. A backpack of about 1.5 miles will take us to Grass Pond, where we'll set up camp and spend the night. On Saturday morning, we'll break camp and hike back to our vehicles. From there, we'll head to Eagle Bay, where a short drive north on Big Moose Road will take us to the trailhead for Queer Lake. A backpack of about 3.3 miles will take us to the lean-to and campsite on Queer Lake, where we'll spend Saturday night. After breakfast on Sunday morning we'll hike back to our vehicles and head home.
For more information or to sign up, contact Dave Harrison at (585) 442-3223 or or Bob Krenzer at 334-6146 or .

[top]

May Outings and Events

May 1
Saturday
9 AM - 3 PM

[Paddle] [Local] [Away] [Younger] [Main] Backcountry Camping Primer at Hansen Nature Center
The Educational Committee is happy to announce that it will host a full day camping workshop for individuals interested in learning more about wilderness camping. Equipment and techniques for backpacking and camping via canoe/kayak will be explored. Time will be set aside after the event from 3 - 4 PM to help individuals fit and set up personal equipment you wish to bring to the event.
The Hansen Nature Center, 1525 Calkins Road, Pittsford will host this event. ADK will supply drinks for breaks. Please bring a bag lunch as we will be taking a half hour for lunch. Instructors will be available during lunch and after the event to help you with specific issues.
There is no cost for this event, but registration is requested.
Please contact Gary DeWitt, , 315-333-5012 to register.

May 2
Sunday
8:00 AM

[Local] Finger Lakes Branch Trail-Conservation Trail series #8 - Update
We've completed ~66 miles of the Conservation Trail, this will be the Eighth hike in a series. This hike is suited for those looking for a little longer hike, than the usual local Sunday day hike. We will meet at the Home Depot parking lot in Gates at 8:00 am. We will leave at 8:15 am to car pool to Niagara Falls NY area, where we will hike ~13 miles of the Conservation Trail, a branch of the FLT (Map CT12 Overlook1 (Fix Rd) to the Aquarium in Niagara Falls). Map is here. The hike is all flat. Be prepared for a 6+ hour hike plus 3+ hours of total travel time. Bring Lunch and be prepared for Spring weather conditions (rain and wind),
For more information contact Larry Telle at 227-6486 or .

May 4, 11, 18
Tuesday
6:00 PM

[Paddle] Basic Canoe Class -- May 4, 11, 18 - Update
Join Marc Ornstein for basic canoe class at Mendon Ponds. This is for either solo or tandem canoes only. Topics to include safety, efficient forward strokes, "J" stroke, sweeps and reverse sweeps, braces and stopping. Marc is a world class Freestyle canoeist. Contact Marc at least two weeks before the first classes begin, this means Mid-April. You must bring all your own gear which means boat, properly fitting PFD, a straight shaft paddle and a kneeling pad. Class size will be limited. All classes start at 6:00 PM at Round Pond In Mendon Ponds Park.
Contact Marc for more details at .

May 6
Thursday
6:00 PM

[Expo] Expo Committee at Mendon Ponds
More info here.

May 8
Rain date:
May 9
Saturday
11:00 PM

[Local] Family Hike at Mendon Ponds - Update
Spring is here! Its time to get out and enjoy some local trails. This hike is specifically geared towards families with children but all are welcome. Younger children can stop to feed the chickadees about .5 miles from the start. Meanwhile, others can hike to Quaker Pond and back for about 1.5 miles. Afterwards, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch together so bring your picnic basket, lunch, ground cloth and all the trappings. We will meet at the Mendon Ponds Quaker Pond Trail head parking lot off of Pond Road between 10:30 and 11:00am. You don't have to be an ADK member to join us but you will need to sign a liability waver. It goes without saying that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Mendon Ponds Map: http://www.monroecounty.gov/File/MendonPark.pdf
For information and sign up contact Jim Luening at 585-387-0256 or

May 11
Tuesday
6:00 PM

[Paddle] Basic Canoe Class -- May 4, 11, 18 - Update
Join Marc Ornstein for basic canoe class at Mendon Ponds. This is for either solo or tandem canoes only. Topics to include safety, efficient forward strokes, "J" stroke, sweeps and reverse sweeps, braces and stopping. Marc is a world class Freestyle canoeist. Contact Marc at least two weeks before the first classes begin, this means Mid-April. You must bring all your own gear which means boat, properly fitting PFD, a straight shaft paddle and a kneeling pad. Class size will be limited. All classes start at 6:00 PM at Round Pond In Mendon Ponds Park.
Contact Marc for more details at .

May 12
Wednesday

Genesee Valley Chapter Meeting
More information here.

May 12
Wednesday

[Expo] Chapter meeting - Donna gives Expo update
More info here.

May 12
Wednesday

7:30 Program – William "Jay" O'Hern: Adirondack Wilderness Life of Hermit Noah John Rondeau
Author William "Jay" O'Hern's historic program chronicles the life of famed Cold River hermit, Noah John Rondeau. Scores of old photographs, vintage Adirondack scenes, narration, letters, actual voice recording made by Rondeau, and music by Peter Longshore and Dan Berggren all join to to tell the moving story of Rondeau's life.
The Rondeau exhibit at the Adirondack Museum has been a favorite with visitors since the 1950's.

A Sample of Noah's Code

May 15
Saturday
9:45 AM

[Paddle] Hemlock Lake - Update
Dave Mundie will be leading a paddle on one of our most precious lakes -- Hemlock. Dave is leading this for the Conservation Committee but we can tag along. Meet at the boat launch at the northeast end for a 10 am launch. For now contact me for info until I update this with Dave's info.
Contact Charlie Helman at 585-266-0424 or for more information.

May 18
Tuesday
6:00 PM

[Paddle] Basic Canoe Class -- May 4, 11, 18 - Update
Join Marc Ornstein for basic canoe class at Mendon Ponds. This is for either solo or tandem canoes only. Topics to include safety, efficient forward strokes, "J" stroke, sweeps and reverse sweeps, braces and stopping. Marc is a world class Freestyle canoeist. Contact Marc at least two weeks before the first classes begin, this means Mid-April. You must bring all your own gear which means boat, properly fitting PFD, a straight shaft paddle and a kneeling pad. Class size will be limited. All classes start at 6:00 PM at Round Pond In Mendon Ponds Park.
Contact Marc for more details at .

May 20
Thursday
6:30 PM

[Paddle] Waterways Meeting - Update
Waterways meeting: location to be determined.
Contact Charlie Helman at 585-266-0424 or for more information.

May 25
Tuesday
6:00 PM

[Paddle] Freestyle for the real world - May 25, June 1 and 15 - Update
Join Marc Ornstein for a series of class on the art of Freestyle canoeing. Topics to be covered at safety, axel, post, side slips, wedge and reverse. As with the other classes they will start at 6:00 PM at Round Pond at Mendon Ponds Park.
See JUNE 25th posting below for a special trip Marc is going to lead for people participating in the freestyle classes!!!
Contact Marc for more details at .

[top]

June Outings and Events

June 1
Tuesday
6:00 PM

[Paddle] Freestyle for the real world - May 25, June 1 and 15 - Update
Join Marc Ornstein for a series of class on the art of Freestyle canoeing. Topics to be covered at safety, axel, post, side slips, wedge and reverse. As with the other classes they will start at 6:00 PM at Round Pond at Mendon Ponds Park.
See JUNE 25th posting below for a special trip Marc is going to lead for people participating in the freestyle classes!!!
Contact Marc for more details at .

June 9
Wednesday

Genesee Valley Chapter Meeting
More information here.

June 9
Wednesday

[Expo] Chapter meeting - Sherry gives Expo update
More info here.

June 12
Saturday

[Paddle] [Local] [Away] [Younger] [Expo] [Main] ADK Outdoor Expo 2010 at Mendon Ponds - See you there!
Click here for more info

June 15
Tuesday
6:00 PM

[Paddle] Freestyle for the real world - May 25, June 1 and 15 - Update
Join Marc Ornstein for a series of class on the art of Freestyle canoeing. Topics to be covered at safety, axel, post, side slips, wedge and reverse. As with the other classes they will start at 6:00 PM at Round Pond at Mendon Ponds Park.
See JUNE 25th posting below for a special trip Marc is going to lead for people participating in the freestyle classes!!!
Contact Marc for more details at .

June 18-20
Class B/C Day Hikes

[Away] Catskill Park Sampler - Update
This trip will be a fine introduction to what the Catskills have to offer. The park has two 4,000 foot mountains and 33 others above 3,500 feet, five mountains with fire towers, awesome overlooks of the Hudson valley, good car camping with hot showers, hundreds of miles of beautiful trails with few rocks and roots, and delightful little towns with fine restaurants. What more can you ask? Actually, there is a big one: How about no black flies in June! As a bonus, the trip is scheduled well before the July 4th weekend, the start of the summer season. We'll just about have the park to ourselves, unless the secret has gotten out. We will drive down on Friday, hike and or climb on Saturday and Sunday, and return Sunday. The actual hiking agenda will be determined by the desires of the participants.
Contact Joe Roth at 671-8458, for more information.

June 19, 20

[Paddle] - Update
Join Gary Dewitt for his beginner canoe/kayak camping weekend up to the Salmon River Reservoir. IF you are ready to take your paddling to the next level and want to include overnight camping then this trip is for you. This trip is one overnight with no portages, and designed for those looking to gain experience in camping from their boat in a controlled environment with a very experienced trip leader. This trip is designed to accompany the "Backcountry camping Primer workshop" scheduled for May 1st, but attendance in that workshop is not mandatory for registering for this trip.
Please contact Gary DeWitt, , 315-333-5012 to register.

June 25-27

[Paddle] - Update
For the people completing Marc Ornstein's Freestyle Canoe class listed above, he is going to lead a trip down to the Pine Barrens in New Jersey. This trip will incorporate many of the skills you learn from Marc. This is in the Wharton State Forest where at least five rivers flow into the same basin area. Lots of technical paddling and lots of FUN! This will be a carpool trip and the trip will be leaving at 8:00 am for a 8 - 9 hour drive. You will paddle all day on Saturday and some Sunday morning. Approximate arrival time back in Rochester is expected to be around 10 to 11 PM on Sunday. Accommodations will be at the NJ State campgrounds in Atison, NJ.
AGAIN.....THIS IS FOR PEOPLE COMPLETING THE FREESTYLE CLASS ONLY!!!
Contact Marc for more details at .

[top]

July Outings and Events

July 14
Wednesday

[Expo] Expo Committee Party at Tom's and Donna's
More info here.

[top]

August Outings and Events

[top]

September Outings and Events

[top]

October Outings and Events

[top]

November Outings and Events

[top]

December Outings and Events

[top]

January 2010 Outings and Events

[top]

February Outings and Events

The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is dedicated to the protection and responsible recreational use of the New York State Forest Preserve, and other parks, wild lands, and waters vital to our members and chapters. The Club, founded in 1922, is a member-directed organization committed to public service and stewardship. ADK employs a balanced approach to outdoor recreation, advocacy, environmental education, and natural resource conservation.

Corrections? Updates? Contact   Curious? Steal this code
Main Club Home Page and Chapter List
Top of Page