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On Saturday, the SO and I walked the east shore trail from Lights on the Lake to Onondaga Lake Park outside Syracuse, NY.
It was cold, windy, and overcast, but the snowy trail made the short hike feel calm and grounding in that “Upstate winter” way. (New Yorkers get it.)
We followed the east shore trails southward (we used both of them), taking in the beauty of the frigid landscape.
Onondaga Lake has a complicated history. It was once considered one of the most polluted lakes in the country due to decades of industrial waste and sewage runoff. Cleanup efforts over the last several years have made a real difference, but the ecosystem is still healing.
Walking beside it in winter is a good reminder of how important it is to protect the places we love, even the ones in our own backyard.
Once we reached the Onondaga Lake Park sign, we turned around and headed back to Lights on the Lake.
Onondaga Lake Park itself is an adventure for another snowy day. (This was intentional, and you’ll see why when I return to cover it.)
It was starting to grow darker as we headed back to Lights on the Lake, where we had parked, and the lights had been turned on.. but it just wasn’t dark enough yet to really enjoy the magic. And we didn’t have the time to stick around for another hour or so.
Recommended product: Goodr OG polarized sunglasses – Vincent’s Absinthe Night Terrors
Recommended product: Carhartt men’s black waffle knit beanie
Recommended product: Fjällräven women’s Keb Eco-shell jacket
More about the Onondaga Lake pollution:
[From Google]
Onondaga Lake, near Syracuse, NY, was once one of America’s most polluted, choked by over a century of industrial waste (mercury, PCBs, salt) from companies like Honeywell, plus raw sewage, leading to algae, fish kills, banned swimming/fishing, and toxic sediment. A massive, $1 billion cleanup is underway, involving dredging, capping contaminated sediment, habitat restoration, and sewage upgrades, showing significant recovery but still requiring fish consumption advisories due to lingering mercury.
Key Pollutants & Sources
- Heavy Metals & Chemicals: Mercury (from Allied Chemical), PCBs, dioxin from industrial operations (soda ash, steel).
- Nutrients: Ammonia and phosphorus from untreated sewage and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) causing algal blooms.
- Salt Wastes: Massive salt processing waste from the Solvay process created huge waste beds.
Impacts
- Significant Improvement: The lake is recovering, with wildlife returning and recreational use increasing, reports Audubon.
It’s so nice to get out and start adventuring again, after a full month of moving drama.
Life is so good! 💖
If You Go: East Shore Trail (Onondaga Lake, Liverpool NY)
Trail Type: Paved, flat, easy — great for winter walking.
Distance: Go out-and-back for any length; the trail runs several miles along the lake.
Parking: Park at the Lights on the Lake lot or Onondaga Lake Park.
Winter Conditions: Expect snow, slush, or icy patches. Traction shoes or boots recommended.
Best Time: Late afternoon if you want daylight photos; dusk if you plan to see Lights on the Lake.
Amenities: Park restrooms available seasonally; availability may vary.
What to Bring: Warm layers, gloves, waterproof footwear, and maybe something hot to drink.
Oh, Kae. 
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