CNYHikes

     Not far outside the village of Baldwinsville, NY - a suburb of Syracuse - lies a natural gem known very well to the locals here: Beaver Lake Nature Center.  661 acres in size, this beautiful piece of preserved wild is home to Mud Lake - which, fortunately, does not at all look like the name would imply.  See for yourself below:      There are a total of 8 main trails to take in this place, each distinct and traveling through varying scenery.  The trails are also different lengths to suit the needs of the individual hiker (and runner or cross-country skier, as well!)  Beaver Lake, because of its size and proximity to Syracuse metro area residents, is a spot visited often by families with children and those seeking solitude.  There is a handsome nature center building near the parking area which, depending on what time of year it is, holds nature-centered programs and workshops (such as learning to use GPS to scavenger hunt or learning to canoe on the lake).  In summary, it'

    My first visit to Sterling Nature Center was this past March on a relatively warm day for that time of year (I think it was in the lower 50s).  If you remember, winter's cold lasted well into April this year so I was lucky to find a bright sunny day to check out this great preserve along the shores of Lake Ontario.     I was honestly impressed by the beauty of the area and the number of trails to explore.  Having grown up on Long Island. I'm accustomed to beaches, coasts, and areas of aquatic plants.  I found all of these at Sterling Nature Center which gave the place an almost coastal feel that is definitely absent in most of upstate New York.  I spent about an hour or so at the preserve, and made a promise to myself to return in the warmer months, having enjoyed the spot so much.      So I returned in July 2018, and of course it looked quite different with the trees fully leafed out and all the wildflowers boasting their pedals and colors along the edges of the windin

     In my opinion, hiking in the Central New York region is truly a unique experience.  The land here is remarkably varied in virtually every direction you travel.  Bordered on the north by vast Lake Ontario, to the west by the glacially-carved Finger Lakes, and to the south by the rolling, forest-covered hills that make up the northern stretches of the Appalachian Plateau, you are sure to find ecological and topographic variety to delight your senses when you take a hike here, whether it is a short walk or an all-day trek.  This region also having four distinct seasons typical of the Northeastern U.S., different times of year will award you a different hiking experience.  Winter lovers can cross-country ski through frigid forests of towering hemlocks and Douglas fir while a trail visitor in October is likely to be awash in autumn color.  In the summer, verdant green deep forests offer cool on the hottest afternoons while the region's many lakes, ponds, and streams provide water