What's Your Nature?

Become a Nature Up North explorer to share your encounters with wild things and wild places in New York's North Country. Post your wildlife sightings, landscape shots, photos from your outings, and even your organization's events!

On the Trail

Outdoor recreation, trip reports, and trail descriptions. 

A Brief History of Azure

In the Northern edge of the Adirondack park, where the towering heights of the High Peaks give way to smaller mountains and rolling hills, sits one such feature. 2,518 feet tall and one mile to the top, it presents an easy hike that anyone can do. And indeed, Azure Mountain is many people's first hike given its proximity to universities in Canton and Potsdam. Typically, in the first few weeks back on campus, students are looking to take advantage of both the warm weather and beauty of the North Country, so naturally, Azure often winds up on the to-do list. 

Four Fun Places to Snowshoe in the NoCo

Happy Spring Equinox! Today may be the first day of spring, but spring hasn't sprung just yet in the North Country. One way you can take advantage of the snow this year is by getting outside and exploring on snowshoes. 

Snowshoeing is fun for all ages and abilities, and is a great winter activity to share with friends or family. Plus, strapping on some snowshoes spreads out your weight on the trail... you might not end up quite as nimble as a snowshoe hare, but you won't sink either! 

Outside of the Doghouse: Keeping Your Dog Safe and Healthy in Nature

Few activities bring more joy than watching dogs running around outside – leaping from rocks to logs, splashing in the water, and sniffing out nearby squirrels at the base of every tree they pass. It is impossible not to join, chasing them and throwing sticks for them to retrieve – their tongues hanging out of their smiling faces and tails wagging faster than the wings of a hummingbird. For thousands of years, dogs have remained our loyal and loving companions, and so there is nothing we want more than to keep our dogs healthy and happy.

Exploring the North Country, Even on Crutches

Until recently, my idea of outdoor adventure was something intense – climbing an Adirondack High Peak, embarking on a multi-day canoe trip, or flying down a steep ski slope. That was until I tore my ACL, an injury requiring surgery, crutches, and a minimum recovery time of six months.  While I was initially disappointed, I was heartened to find that St. Lawrence County has an abundance of flat and handicap accessible recreation areas.