First November snowfall at the Highland Crossing in Brighton

From Elmwood Avenue, Brighton, looking at The Highland Crossing Trail, 12:15 pm, 11/17/20. [Photos: David Kramer]

Beginning last March, we chronicled the rare late spring snowfalls that fluttered down upon the Highland Crossing Trail in Brighton. (SEE BELOW)

In late October, we received a dusting of overnight snowfall. Today, we got our first daylight squall. For about half an hour, the snow fell on the Trail, melting away in about fifteen minutes when the sun reappeared.

The Highland Crossing Trail. To the right, the abandoned Terrence Building, site of the former Rochester Psychiatric Center. 12:15 pm, 11/17/20 See Terrence Tower Without Diagnosis: A Photographic Montage of the Old Rochester Psychiatric Center

11/17/20 Bird houses on the Trail with the Terrence Building in background

11/17/20

5/9/20 Near the Elmwood Ave. entrance to the Highland Crossing. At 10:51 a.m., , just a touch of snow is visible behind the bicycle. Note the “STAY SIX FEET APART” cautionary signs. From Distributing masks in Brighton and revisiting (again) the Highland Crossing Trail in (another) May snowfall

(left) Avalon Drive, 1:45 p.m. 5/9/20; (right) Brickstone Court 1:55, 5/9/20 From Distributing masks in Brighton and revisiting (again) the Highland Crossing Trail in (another) May snowfall

During a dusting of May snow, revisiting the Highland Crossing Trail in Brighton (5/8/20)

A dusting of snow on the Highland Crossing Trail near the Elmwood Ave. entrance. 1:09 p.m. May 7th, 2020 [Photo: David Kramer]

Left by a well wisher on one of the bridges. 12:09 p.m. May 7th, 2020 [Photo: David Kramer]

Two months ago, On the Highland Crossing Trail in Brighton after an early March snowfall (BELOW), I trekked the Highland Crossing Trail.

As you know, this has been an unusually cool, at times record breaking, spring. For every measurable snowfall in April, I returned to the Trail for updates, three times. I did not anticipate a fourth update, in May. If it snows tomorrow, look for a fifth.

UPDATE I: 4/16/20 After a mid-April snowfall, I saw deer, blue jays and ducks. My fox ran away too quickly for its photo op. SEE On the Highland Crossing Trail in Brighton after an early March snowfall

4/16/20

UPDATE II: 4/21/20 It’s mid-to-late April and still snowing

UPDATE III: The morning of April 22nd, 2020 and it’s still snowing.

9:10 a.m. 4/22/20

The trail continues into Brighton Town Park

9:20 a.m. The snow is melting quickly. By the time I returned home, it was mostly gone.

On the Highland Crossing Trail in Brighton after an early March snowfall 3/7/20

Wild turkey on the Highland Crossing Trail. [All photos by David Kramer, 3/7/20]

Brightonians need not be reminded of the bountiful natural and human resources of the Brickyard Trail, enjoyed by people from Monroe County and beyond. (SEE AT END) Less well traveled is the recently completed Highland Crossing Trail running from the Erie Canal Heritage Trail (the “Canalway Trail”) in the town Brighton to the Genesee Riverway Trail in the city of Rochester.

As described in the town of Brighton and city of Rochester websites:

The Highland Crossing Trail project is located in the southeast quadrant of Monroe County along the west side of the Town of Brighton and southeast quadrant of the City of Rochester. The project begins at Brighton Town Park, located southeast of Sawgrass Drive, and terminates at the Genesee Riverway Trail near the intersection of McLean Street and Wilson Boulevard for a total project length of 3.3 miles.

Map of the Highland Crossing Trail. [Photo: David Kramer]
The Trail location is in an archaeologically sensitive area, with eleven prehistoric and historic sites and six National Register listed or eligible properties or districts within one mile of the project location. In addition, the trail provides access via a raised boardwalk system to a state wetland that represents the headwaters of Buckland Creek. The trail has been designed to preserve the existing wetland area.

Today, after an overnight snowfall and under clear skies, I was alone on my walk between the Elmwood Avenue and Westfall Road entrances, except for wild turkeys and squirrels, but no fox or deer who also make the trail their home.