![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/profile_photos/emlyn_crocker.jpg?itok=XRFdfvNm)
North Country explorer from Plainfield, Vermont
This was the third week of this year's Fall Trails Series, and the group spent a beautiful afternoon exploring the St. Lawrence University Kip Trail. We also talked about the Community Ash Tree Survey - a local effort in response to the arrival of emerald ash borer - and mapped some of the many ash trees on the trail. As a bonus, we spied a porcupine in a large red oak along the way!
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/image_carousel_portrait/public/trails%20series%20kip%20trail%202.jpg?itok=4FVuwH_w)
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/image_carousel_portrait/public/Ash%20Tree%20survey.jpg?itok=eO4PiBaU)
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/image_carousel_portrait/public/Kip%20Trail%20Porcupine.jpg?itok=d9Uj_xqF)
Kip Trail start, at the Wachtmeister Field Station.
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/trails%20series%20kip%20trail%202.jpg?itok=Z3N7S3qh)
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/Ash%20Tree%20survey.jpg?itok=rC5EVSOG)
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/Kip%20Trail%20Porcupine.jpg?itok=yBtiXwbI)