Sugarbush Hollow

During the last week of February, I had the delightful experience of photographing the process of maple syrup tapping at Sugarbush Hollow in East Springwater, NY. This was really exciting, because I first learned about the hollow back in the fall, when I met owner Chuck Winship at the Brighton Farmers Market. Since then, I've been patiently waiting for maple syrup season to begin!

Arriving at the hollow on a snowy day, I met Chuck at the syrup house:

The forest is located on an incline, so that the maple syrup can flow downhill, through pipelines. We took a snowmobile to the top of the hill and the tapping process began. Chuck drills a hole into the tree:

To maintain tree stability, a new hole is made about an inch to the right and slightly above the last year's hole. The tubing, connected to the new hole, declines to a tree further down the hill, allowing for the syrup to move downward, and eventually reach the syrup house. Outside temperatures must reach about 40 degrees Fahrenheit before the syrup starts flowing.

Pam Masterson, owner of Canadice Kitchens, poses after tapping a tree:

At the end of the day, we rode back down the hill on the snowmobile. Standing on a tow sled in the back (as if I were leading sled dogs), I took a few photos with my digital camera:

Sugarbush Hollow is hosting Maple Syrup Weekends this Saturday, 3/20, and Sunday, 3/21, and next weekend (3/27, 28). Each day, festivities will run from 10AM - 4PM.

Come join us for maple syrup demonstrations, a pancake breakfast by the Springwater Gala, taste the flavors of maple syrup & hike into the Sugarbush on our new Sugarbush Hollow Nature Trail. Great old fashion outdoor fun and education for families and friends! Free tours, demonstrations and tastings. Pancake Breakfast by Springwater Gala $5.00 adult $2.00 children. Culinary Breakfast prepared with local butter, eggs, pancake mix, apple juice and fresh maple syrup from Sugarbush Hollow.

Address: 8447 Pardee Hollow Road, Wayland, New York 14572

For those who can't make it to the event, their products can be purchased here.