Lower Gorge Explorer Free Guided Hike Series
As part of the annual Flower City Looking Good program, and in conjunction with the annual Maplewood Rose, River Romance, and Harborfest festivals, several free guided hikes are offered of the fascinating, spectacular Lower Gorge of the Genesee. You'll be amazed that you are in the middle of the city when you venture into the gorge!
On these Saturday or Sunday hikes, you can explore 175 years (and much more) of Lower Genesee Gorge history! Who was Elsa Von Blumen? Where was McCrackinville? Where was the largest single arch wooden bridge ever built located? Why is the Charlotte Lighthouse so far from Lake Ontario? These and many other questions will be answered on the Lower Gorge Explorer hike series, designed to acquaint participants with the history of the Genesee lower gorge. Participants completing all five hikes will join the ranks of Lower Gorge Explorers and be eligible to receive a commemorative coin. Participants must be able to walk four miles at a moderate pace. Terrain is generally flat but a few walks have more difficult spots. No preregistration is necessary. Visit: www.lowerfalls.org and select Lower Genesee Gorge. Participants meet at a designated place and carpool to the starting point. Restroom facilities are limited. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Bring drink and snacks as preferred. Rain or shine. Send questions to claymagee@frontiernet.net.
2010 Hike Schedule
Lower Gorge Explorer, Summer, Series 1: June 12 and June 19 and 20 (in conjunction with Maplewood Rose Celebration); June 26 and 27 (in conjunction with Rochester Harbor and Carousel Festival). All are Saturday and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
June 12: Meet in the Petten St. parking lot. Turn east off Lake Ave. onto Petten St. between the Lake Ontario Parkway/O’Rourke Bridge and Charlotte High School. Explore the historic Olmsted designed Seneca Park North including: Trout Pond, Aviary and Bandstand and the historic trail system. Also Irondequoit Flats, Shedville, Rattlesnake Point and the O’Rourke Bridge.
June 19: Meet in the Maplewood Rose Garden parking lot, corner of Lake Ave. and Driving Park. Walk the west side of the Genesee Gorge and visit Maplewood Park, the Veterans Memorial Bridge, The Eastman Memorial and Kings Landing Cemetery (Rochester’s oldest burying ground). Hike also includes Kelsey’s Landing, the former St. Bernard’s Seminary as well as the Lower and Middle Falls.
June 20: Meet in the Seneca Park Zoo parking lot, St. Paul Blvd. Explore the Southern environs of Seneca Park and the surrounding riverfront neighborhood including Seth Green switchback trail, Rochester School for the Deaf, the former Kodak Hawkeye Works (now ITT), Carthage and the Driving Park Bridge.
June 26: Meet on Tamarack St., south off Beach Ave. View the historic, lakefront homes and the “secret sidewalk,” visit the Port of Rochester, the Charlotte/Genesee Lighthouse, Charlotte Cemetery and the Bill Davis overlook.
June 27: Meet at Petten St. lot. Hike features the Genesee Riverway Trail and its spectacular elevated riverwalk over the Turning Basin. Also includes Riverside and Holy Sepulchre Cemeteries, Turning Point Park and Bullock’s Woods.
Lower Gorge Explorer, Fall, Series 2:
Sundays and one Saturday: Sept. 19, 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 9 and 10, 1 to 4 p.m.
Sept. 19: See June 26 hike.
Sept. 26: See June 27 hike.
Oct. 3: See June 12 hike.
Oct. 9: River Romance Weekend, see June 19 hike.
Oct. 10: River Romance Weekend, see June 20 hike.