Ballston Lake Hike: North Woods

little I really enjoyed strolling these woods in Ballston Lake on a quiet afternoon (Between 38 – 40 Shadow Wood Way, Shadow Wood Way, Ballston Lake, NY 12019). We parked on the street in front of the trail head and set off. There was no trail map at the park, but I glimpsed one online before we visited so I knew what to expect (http://www.cliftonpark.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/North-Woods-Nature-Preserve-Map-1399997098.pdf). This park isn’t too big, with mild rolling hills, you can get a little bit of mileage and a lot of tranquility here. There is a blue and a yellow trail which are very well marked and maintained; we stuck mostly to the yellow which went around the perimeter except to get into the woods and by the lake. The lake was covered by snow and frozen, but a lot of little creeks were flowing creating a peaceful noise. Rabbit and deer tracks but no sightings, just a few birds in the distance and a sleepy wasp nest. There was a little wigwam deep in the woods, and a bunch of scattered informational plaques about trees which were fun. We only saw one other person enjoying a snowshoe walk, we were fine with just our boots, not icy at all here. A great little town preserve worth a visit for some very light hiking.