A Winter Afternoon at Philbrick Park

Views of Irondequoit Creek from near the northern trailhead in Channing H. Philbrick Park, New York

Views of Irondequoit Creek from near the trailhead

On a sunny December afternoon, a group member and I decided to take a hike.  Being December, 1pm meant the sun was already low in the sky, but at least it was sunny!  We ended up visiting Channing H. Philbrick Park (formerly Linear Park), a lovely little local hike along Irondequoit Creek.  At times, there can be plenty of families walking and people fishing, but it was a little cold for that, so we saw almost no one.  We also went waterfall-chasing, and did find it – though we searched much harder than necessary for the falls.

 

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 1.6 miles Trail Type: Out & back Elevation Change: 20ft. Pets: Leashed Fees: None

 



 

Close up of some of the waterfalls near the trailhead, Channing H. Philbrick Park, New York

Close up of some of the waterfalls near the trailhead

The parking area is down a side-road off of the very busy Rt. 441 (and yes, you can hear the traffic at times).  There is space for a few cars to park on this side of the bridge (which is for pedestrians only).  Views of the river from the parking area are pretty good.

Walking down the main trail in Channing H. Philbrick Park, New York

Walking down the main trail

We started down the trail, enjoying the creek (no swimming allowed) and the sunshine – which is at a premium this time of year.  There are a few concrete platforms for fishing as well as a few small waterfalls.

Looking across the river to a wooden fishing area, Channing H. Philbrick Park, Penfield, New York

Looking across the river to a wooden fishing area

We hiked up to the Honey Creek Trail Junction and turned left up the trail.  It’s steep enough, though the Overlook Trail might have been even steeper (we turned right on the Overlook Trail, marked in red).  The overlook doesn’t have that great a view, but there are some views along the trail down to the creek.

Views from near the Overlook on the Honey Creek Trail, Channing H. Philbrick Park, Penfield, New York

Views from near the Overlook on the Honey Creek Trail

We reintersected the Honey Creek Trail and turned left.  I’d heard that there was a waterfall nearby on Honey Creek, so instead of following the Honey Creek Trail, we struck off heading in the general direction of the coordinates.  They led us through some people’s backyards (oops!) and finally down to a drainage that channels Honey Creek down to Irondequoit Creek.  As it turns out, Honey Falls is right along the main trail; we came from the top which is much longer and harder.

Honey Falls in Channing H. Philbrick Park, New York

Honey Falls

So if you want to easily access the falls, as soon as you cross over a very small feeder creek (aka Honey Creek), turn left and walk up the social path.  You’ll see the waterfall (mostly just over concrete; better after a lot of rain) shortly.  If you end up in someone’s backyard, you’ve gone too far.

Continuing up the main trail along Irondequoit Creek, Channing H. Philbrick Park, Penfield, New York

Continuing up the main trail along Irondequoit Creek

Since we were basically back to the main trail anyway, we scrambled the rest of the way down the social path and turned left on the main path.  We passed the Honey Creek Trail Junction for a second time and continued along the trail along Irondequoit Creek.

One of the bridges along the trail that was made by an overachieving boy scout, Channing Philbrick Park, Penfield, New York

One of the bridges along the trail that was made by an overachieving boy scout

The trail crosses several bridges and continues upstream about another 0.5 miles.  Not as many people use this part of the trail – parts of it are not very close to the creek.  But the Boy Scouts have put in some bridges to cross some of the muddier sections and the stream views at the end of the path are pretty good.  So if you like a (mostly) peaceful walk in the forest, this isn’t too long or difficult.

At the end of the main trail, the path just sort of... ends in the river!  Channing H. Philbrick Park, Penfield, New York

At the end of the main trail, the path just sort of… ends in the river!

We returned via the main trail and ended our hike about 2.1 miles.  It’s not long, but if you’re just looking for a little stroll with some waterfalls and a creek, Philbrick Park is definitely a good one!

Berries along Irondequoit Creek, Channing H. Philbrick Park, New York

Berries along Irondequoit Creek

Round Trip Trail Length: About 1.6 miles on the main trail from the parking area to the end and back (seeing Honey Falls on the way)

Elevation gain: On the main trail – about 20ft though it feels less.  If you go up the Honey Creek Trail, you’ll be climbing about 60ft.

Facilities: Possibly a port-a-potty at the trailhead.  Playground and picnic tables nearby (across the creek).

Fees: None

Trail Notes: I hear the trail is pretty overrun on nice weekends.  Unless you’re looking for a workout, I recommend just staying on the main path.  There are other trails in the park if you want to check them out.

The Honey Creek Trail, Channing H. Philbrick Park, Penfield, New York

The Honey Creek Trail

Trail ★★★☆☆

Road ★★★★☆

Signs ★★★☆☆

Scenery ★★☆☆☆

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this? ★☆☆☆☆

Overall Rating: ★★½☆☆

Waterfalls on Irondequoit Creek, Channing H. Philbrick Park, Penfield, New York

Waterfalls on Irondequoit Creek

Philbrick Park GPS Coordinates

Trailhead: 43.1274333°, -077.4847000° (N43° 07.646′ W77° 29.082′ / 43°07’38.7600″, -077°29’04.9200″) (321ft.) (0.0) (end 2.13)

Honey Creek Trail Junction: 43.1266333°, -077.4810000° (N43° 07.598′ W77° 28.860′ / 43°07’35.8800″, -077°28’51.6000″) (327ft.) (0.26)

Red Trail Junction: 43.1272500°, -077.4812333° (N43° 07.635′ W77° 28.874′ / 43°07’38.1000″, -077°28’52.4400″) (351ft.) (0.32)

Overlook: 43.1271167°, -077.4803167° (N43° 07.627′ W77° 28.819′ / 43°07’37.6200″, -077°28’49.1400″) (398ft.) (0.38)

Honey Creek Trail Junction: 43.1275167°, -077.4800500° (N43° 07.651′ W77° 28.803′ / 43°07’39.0600″, -077°28’48.1800″) (401ft.) (0.42)

Views from one of the concrete platforms for fishing along Irondequoit Creek, Channing H. Philbrick Park, New York

Views from one of the concrete platforms for fishing along the creek

We left the trail: 43.1276167°, -077.4809000° (N43° 07.657′ W77° 28.854′ / 43°07’39.4200″, -077°28’51.2400″) (397ft.) (0.47)

Honey Creek Falls: 43.1277500°, -077.4822833° (N43° 07.665′ W77° 28.937′ / 43°07’39.9000″, -077°28’56.2200″) (346ft.) (0.63)

Return to the main trail: 43.1274500°, -077.4826000° (N43° 07.647′ W77° 28.956′ / 43°07’38.8200″, -077°28’57.3600″) (329ft.) (0.71)

East end of main trail: 43.1224500°, -077.4778500° (N43° 07.347′ W77° 28.671′ / 43°07’20.8200″, -077°28’40.2600″) (343ft.) (1.35)

Zoom into the waterfalls beyond the end of the main trail, Channing H. Philbrick Park, Penfield, New York

Zoom into the waterfalls beyond the end of the main trail

The gpx file for my hike in Philbrick Park can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

File size: 38.4 KB Downloaded 0 times

(Note: I do my best to ensure that all downloads, the webpage, etc. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. from this website.  Thanks!)

Waterfall over a ledge in Irondequoit Creek, Channing H. Philbrick Park, Penfield, New York

Waterfall over a ledge in Irondequoit Creek

Getting to Philbrick Park

From I-49, take Exit 23 to Lindon Avenue / NY-441.  Turn east (right if coming from Victor, left if coming from I-590 and Rochester) and drive 2.3 miles to turn right down the dead-end road to the parking area by the closed bridge.

The closed bridge at the trailhead (pedestrians are still allowed) at Channing H. Philbrick Park, New York

The closed bridge at the trailhead (pedestrians are still allowed)

You can also come down 441 from the east – the turn (left – very difficult to cross traffic most times of the day) is 0.5 miles from 5 Mile Line Road.

Visual trail map and elevation profile for my hike in Channing H. Philbrick Park, Penfield, New York

Visual trail map and elevation profile for my hike in Channing H. Philbrick Park


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