A Hidden Beauty in the North Country: The Perfect Place for Nature Lovers
Before I left home to begin my sophomore year at SLU, I visited one of my favorite spots in the North Country with my girlfriend. Very plainly called the High Falls Hiking Trail in Owls Head, NY, it is a hidden gem of the North Country that many people don’t know about. It is about an hour and a half drive from St. Lawrence, practically in the middle of nowhere. You’ll know you’re there when you get on a lengthy dirt road that makes you ask, “Am I supposed to drive on this?” until you eventually get to the trail sign. It is a heavily wooded area, and, during the summertime it can be very buggy, so don’t forget bug spray!
The hike itself is not actually much of a hike. It is only about a 1.7 mile walk, which in itself is not too strenuous. Look out for tree roots, though! It can also get decently muddy if there has been sufficient rain in the past few days, so be prepared for that as well. Eventually, once you descend down wooden stairs to the falls, there are plenty of rock formations to rest on and enjoy your time at the falls. The waterfall, which is part of Salmon River, is quite impressive, considering how many people in the area are unaware it even exists. You also get quite a few pretty glances of the river at different points on your way to the waterfall. One of my favorite aspects of this area are the man-made chairs made out of large rocks that sit facing the waterfall. They are surprisingly comfortable. Or, you can bring a blanket like I did and sit on one of the flat areas made up of rock.
When I visited recently, nature was booming with greens and life. I know from past visits that it is even more beautiful during the fall season. Great place for pictures if you are a photographer! It is also the perfect place for a picnic, as my girlfriend and I did when we went. I am looking forward to visiting again sometime in the fall to see all the beautiful colors that autumn brings. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the beauty of nature in the fall season or is just looking for a peaceful getaway spot for the weekend. It is a spot I wish more people knew about because of its ease and quiet grandeur.