May 27, 2025. Second visit to Beaver Lake NC was May 29 (scroll down).
Hiked eleven miles with my still-overly-loaded AT backpack. I think I can shed another pound and a half by ditching a pair of long pants and by upgrading my Garmin inReach to a Mini and swapping out my 20,000 Anker for a 10,000. Might even switch tents, though what I have now is already pretty light.
I digress. The hiking was lovely at both sites.
Round Lake (meromictic) and its southwestern old growth forests are a National Natural Landmark and are located within Green Lakes State Park east of Syracuse. I walked about five miles around the lake and on various trails that run through the forest.
Beaver Lake Nature Center (nw of Syracuse) has a network of trails that are all considered “a” National Recreation Trail according to the NRT Database. I did the Lake Loop and Three Meadows Trails along with little bits of intersecting paths. Loved the Lake Loop Trail with all its boardwalks! Great views of Beaver Lake and its marshes. I might go back for another visit before I leave the Syracuse area.
Beaver Lake Nature Center (again, May 29) and Interloken Trail (May 28). National Recreation Trails, New York.
May 29, 2025: Returned to the Beaver Lake Nature Center today to hike the rest of the trails. This Nature Center is absolutely gorgeous, and each trail is perfectly maintained. Highly recommend a visit if you are in the general Syracuse area. Really nice ten miles of trails here. Well worth the $5 parking fee.
