Winter in a small upstate city is what you make of it. Activities won’t seek your attention on the way home from work or class. Rather, they must be actively sought out. Beaver Lake Nature Reserve is one of those areas. Thanks to an article in Syracuse.com, we decided snowshoeing would be a fun sport to try.

About 15 minutes north of the city in nearby Baldwinsville, Beaver Lake is owned and operated by Onondaga County. Large, wooded and remote, it provides a perfect venue for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter treks. All is available at graduate student friendly prices including $3 entry fee plus $3 per pair of snowshoes per hour.

Never having snowshoed any significant distance, it was relatively easy thanks to a well-used trail. In an hours trek, the only person we saw was a lone skier. There was at least 18” of snow and it was neat to step off the trek and seen how effective snowshoes are in the deep stuff. For steep sections, crapon-like grips on the bottom allowed slippage free ascent and descent. It is almost similar to wearing moon-shoes as you plod along in a wide stance. Overall, even the most unbalanced person could handle snowshoeing.

As a nature reserve, the park hosts numerous critters but most were asleep under the snow. The exception was the large warming lodge. After returning the snowshoes, we sat in rocking chairs to watch the winter’s birds enjoy the bird feed outside the window. Birds of all shapes and colors gathered to eat their fill, chat with their neighbors, enjoy the crisp 25 degree weather and watch the curious onlookers through the window. Snowshoeing through Beaver Lake is an easy break from the rigors of winter.