Hiking Log Entry #1 – Corbett’s Glen

Location – Penfield, NY
Length – 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain – 121 ft (so pretty flat most of the time!)
Pros: Well-marked, parking available, easy trail with a few benches and boulders for rest breaks, not too crowded, pretty sights
Cons: strange garbage pile on side of trail before the tunnel

At the beginning of 2025, I made a goal to hike 20 miles (in total – not all at once!) and this was my first trek of the year. Writing a hiking log here lets me share my adventures, helps me keep track of my progress, and remember where I’ve been!

I haven’t done much solo hiking in the past, but I know that due to weather conditions and frequent weekend plans with the hubby, I will have to venture forth on my own during the week to meet my goal. So on one of the first warm days Rochester has had this spring, I spent the afternoon exploring Corbett’s Glen.

The trail is in a nature park about 15 minutes from our house, and right on the edge of a subdivision. It is very clearly marked (something this hiking newbie appreciates!) but there was a large patch of trash in one clearing, which I thought strange given how well-maintained the rest of the park is. I did walk past a few backyards, but then the trail winds through woodlands and marshes, past glacier-formed meadows, and along a creek with several small cascades. I’m discovering Rochester has many hidden gems like this – places where you know you are in the city, but there’s a little slice of nature that feels as though you’ve entered a different world.

One of my favorite and unexpected parts of the day was bonding with my fellow hikers. A woman stopped me near the turnaround point to ask where the waterfall was as it was her first time doing that trail. Of course, I didn’t know much more than she did, but I had my phone and was able to pull up my app and show her where we were and how to get back. We then proceeded to chat for 15 minutes. She is a recent transplant to Rochester from Colorado, but had almost decided to move to Chattanooga. What are the odds? Near the creek, I saw two couples, one in their 60’s and one in their 80’s, trying to get photos with the cascades in the background. I offered to take a picture of the 4 of them, and learned it was the oldest gentlemen’s 87th birthday! I was quite impressed that was how he chose to celebrate. 😊🎂

Overall, I really enjoyed my first hike of the season. It was both peaceful and active, and great way to de-stress and appreciate nature’s beauty and simplicity.

So, I have 17.9 miles to go. I think the next trail on the list is called the Devil’s Bathtub. 😈Maybe I’ll get Barry to come with me!

Til next time, shine bright friends!
~Dawn🌻