Occasionally, our Lake George examining takes us beyond the lake to explore the greater Lake George region. The Lake George Land Conservancy’s 2020 Virtual Hike-A-Thon format gave us all the motivation we needed to explore new territory.
In past years, the Hike-A-Thon was a series of group hikes, but in the age of the coronavirus, social distancing requirements pressed the organization to declare this year’s Hike-A-Thon, their eighth annual, to be a virtual event. Participants needed only to pick their own hike and post pictures, with appropriate hashtags, on social media.
We selected the Dean Farm Heritage Trails in Stony Creek. We weren’t looking for a challenge (no scaling Rogers’ Slide for this crew,) just a nice walk through the woods and across the fields. That is what we found at Dean Farm. Most of the trails were fine gravel or wood decking, no tripping over roots and rocks. Trails on the West side of the road are ADA accessible. Facilities include restrooms, picnic tables and benches. Parking is free.
Dean Farm Heritage Trails photos
At the entrance, a sign tells the history of Dean Farm. 
A wagon greets visitors at the entrance to Dean Farm. 
The Francis J. Dean Farm Heritage Trails are well marked for hiking. 
Dean Farm’s trails weave through the woods of Stony Creek. 
Hikers will find benches and picnic tables along the trails. 
A shallow creek trickles through the Dean Farm woods. 
Interpretive signage describes the local flora and fauna. 
A section of a moderate-level trail has stone steps with a handrail. 
A plank walkway extends across the wetlands. 
Wetlands on Dean Farm offer habitat for a diversity of plants and animals. 
A pond on the farm is dotted with water lilies. 
Dean Farm features a variety of terrains. 
Milkweed thrives in the Dean Farm meadows 
Milkweed in bloom attracts pollinators and fills the air with a sweet scent. 
Wildflowers add a burst of color at the entrance to Dean Farm Heritage Trails. 
Wild blueberry plants grow alongside the open meadow trails. 
The abundance of wildflowers attracts butterflies to the Dean Farm meadow. 
The Dean Homestead Museum, adjacent to the trails, is operated by the Stony Creek Historical Society. 
A rustic barn is set behind the Dean Homestead. 
Vintage farm equipment recalls times gone by.
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Thank you for taking us with you to this beautiful place!