I have brought my

family to tour and visit the Uihlein Sugar Maple Field Station for more years than I have kept track of. We always make a limited amount of maple syrup at our own house and I like to go to Uihlein and see how effortless they make the collection of sap look. Though we may toil over our few gallons, it is encouraging to see that professional maple makers, with help of Uihlien's research, are able to be a bit more efficient.

snowshoe at Uhlein Maple Field Station
Snowshoe or ski the trails at Uhlein Sugar Maple Field Station

I was also surprised to learn during my spring tour that the Uihlein Field Station welcomes the public to walk, ski or snowshoe through their 200-acre property. I saw dog walkers and visitors pass our tour and venture off into the woods. Cornell University owns the property and it is part of the NYS College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The outdoor research station offers a wonderful opportunity to take a different wooded walk right in the heart of Lake Placid. There are so many trails and paths to explore around the Adirondacks, but I am always surprised when I find a new (to me) path in a place I've visited for so many years.

Uihlien Director and Northern Maple Specialist Mike Farrell shares a few tips with me on utilizing their property. As the purpose for the field station is Sugar Maple research, the maple vacuum tubing remains in place throughout the year so the lines do cross some paths. For our walk we see it more as a challenge than a hindrance. The trails are not groomed so only venture on only if you feel comfortable.  The main path is an old bridle trail that connects with the nearby Henry's Woods trails.

We drove past that 212- acre multi-trail system when we turned onto Bear Cub Road on the way to the Uihlein Field Station. Though this longer snowshoe option is available we choose to stay on the Uihlein property for this first time. We take small side trips off the main path to check out the intricate tubing system, knowing that it will not be something we install at home.

sap tubes at Uhlien during winter
Just follow the tubes downhill to find the road.

At this time there is no map or formal trail system at Uihlein, though Farrell states that it is something they will get to in the next couple of years. For now if you do get disoriented, he recommends that you just follow the tubing lines downhill to the Maple Sugar Holding Station. The Uihlien Sugar Maple Research Station is located at 157 Bear Cub Lane, Lake Placid. Enjoy!

all photos and content © Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Time™. Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Time™ guidebook series and co-owner of the the young adult wilderness adventure program, Adirondack Outdoor Expeditions.

Uhlein trails in winter
The trails are not groomed so be careful on the trails.