Hiking trails in the North Country are generally considered good ways to get away from human society, gateways to the unspoiled natural world we're lucky to live so close to. But a new trailway along the Raquette River, south of Potsdam, takes hikers on a different sort of trip. The Red Sandstone Trail highlights both the natural beauty of the area and the ways people have shaped the river and its valley over time. David Sommerstein explored the trail with John Ohmohundro early this spring.

Listen to story (5:03)

The Red Sandstone Trail runs along the Raquette River about 4 miles, from Hannawa Falls north to Sugar Island, about halfway to Potsdam. The northern access is from the Back Hannawa Road. The trail starts on a steep, sandy hill overlooking the river.