NATURE PLACE JOURNAL: A WALKING ADVENTURE IN THE ADIRONDACKS (November 2021) by Carolyn M Johnson

November, “the month that hangs on the cusp of autumn and winter” (as said in a recent Adirondack Almanac), makes me ponder what experiences may attract my attention and my family’s.

November 17th is National Hiking Day. What type of hiking might I consider doing? Easy walking trails, hiding among more daring ones, abound in northern New York on the Adirondack wilderness’ southwest edge. So, I would choose Cranberry Lake, New York, the Adirondacks’ third largest lake, about two hours from Lowville, New York.

Cranberry Lake was so named because a great cranberry bog once thrived in the area. It seems appropriate to think about it at this time of year because cranberries are a staple of the Thanksgiving meal. In areas that are part of the Adirondacks’ Cranberry Lake 50 trail system, travelers can find tiny hamlets of civilization featuring quaint little shops and roadside displays, and access to trail-heads lead to forest walks, hikes, snowshoeing, and easy cross-country skiing.

My walking adventure in the area would feature breathing in the fresh crisp country air and meandering about walking trails. I’d be on the lookout to photograph captivating scenery, including the various hues of autumn trees, sparkling snow-patches, and rippling waters. I’d look for wild flora including white pine, hemlock, birch and maple trees, ferns, carnivorous plants, and colorful mushrooms. If I’m lucky, being quiet and observant, I may catch sight of coyote, fox, black bear, bobcat, otter, fisher, marten, deer, moose and many more. Birds of this area include bald eagles, osprey, great blue herons, kingfishers, turkey vultures, loons, turkey, ruffed grouse, red-tailed hawks, barred owls, great-horned owls, ducks, geese, and many others, including a host of migratory and year-round songbird species.

Wanekena, featuring a Cranberry Lake 50 Trail marker, is called the gateway to the Adirondack wilderness. It’s recommended beginning at Wanekena and walking clockwise; maybe beginning at a wooden foot bridge.

Oswagachie River Walk by Cranberry Lake offers picturesque viewing experiences on a bridge.

Readway Ponds Trail near Star Lake, New York is an easily accessible nice walk or gentle snowshoe hike/easy ski in the woods with interesting rolling hills. The trail goes between two ponds, then onward to a river featuring attractive waterfalls.

A nature trail near Fine, New York features a one-quarter-mile trail going to an observation platform overlooking wetlands and a waterway called Greenwood Creek.

There are also the kid-friendly, easy hike/nature-walk areas that are 1.7 and 2 miles, called Cranberry Lake Red, Purple, and Yellow Loop; and Cranberry Lake Quarry Loop; both near West Harrison, New York.

On a short Lost Pond Trail near Cranberry Lake find wildlife and wetland plants.

Suzanne Kindler’s poem Up North, at Facebook’s An Adirondack Community captures the essence of what a trail experience can be, with lines including: “It’s no mystery where the north woods start when you arrive up North you’ll knowin your heart.”

(c) NATURE PLACE JOURNAL, November 2021