| Essex
County offers a variety of hiking opportunities to suit your level of ability
Please scroll down the list to find your trail.
Section A - Northville to Piseco 34.80 miles Refer To:
Northville, Harrisburg, Lake Pleasant and Piseco QuadranglesThe beginning
of the Northville-Placid Trail follows the highway from Northville to Benson Center
and impatient hikers may want to drive to Benson Center. However, the scenery
along the Stony Creek Valley is well worth the walk. No high mountains are encountered
in this section, but the forests are as wild as any found on the trail. |
Miles | Trail Description |
00.00 | Northville
(795' elev.) The trail begins at the western end of the bridge over the Sacandaga
River and follows Rt. 30 north. | 03.30
| The trail leaves Rt. 30 and follows County Rt. 6, entering
from the west, marked Benson Center | 06.20
| North road on the right leads to the trail to Cathead Mt.
fire tower 2.7 miles, 1,300 ft. ascent (2,423' elev.) |
08.50 | The trail bears left on the main road.
| 09.20 | Benson Center
(1,289' elev.) This hamlet is but a handful of homes in the valley of the North
Branch West Stony Creek. Make a right turn on to a dirt road (Washburn Rd.) at
this location. | 09.75 |
At the fork in the road bear to the left on Godfrey Rd. |
10.25 | Parking lot, the route is passable by
automobile to this point. A trail register is located a short distance beyond
the parking area. | 11.55 |
Parking lot, passable by four wheel drive vehicle to this point. |
11.85 | The trail crosses the North Branch of
the West Stony Creek. | 12.70 |
The trail crosses Goldmine Creek. | 14.75
| Rock Lake, (1,917' elev) a small pond, lays off a spur trail
(.1 mile) on the left. | 15.80 |
The trail crosses the West Branch of the Sacandaga River at the western end of
an old clearing and bears sharply right up the west bank of the stream. |
16.65 | Meco Lake (2,106' elev)
is on the right. | 17.50 |
Silver Lake (2,072' elev) is on the left. The trail leads around the eastern shore
of the lake to a lean-to. | 19.80 |
Canary Pond (2007' elev) is on the left. |
23.15 | Mud Lake (1,730' elev) is on the right. The trail skirts
the western end of the lake to a lean-to. |
25.95 | The trail crosses the West Branch of the Sacandaga River
(West River) on a large suspension type foot bridge. The old road on the north
side of the river leads right .1 mile to a parking area at Whitehouse. From this
location it is 8.6 miles along the dirt road (West River Rd.) to the village of
Wells. This is the only turn back point between Northville and Piseco. Turn left
and follow markers. A DEC register is located at the junction. |
28.30 | Cross Hamilton Lake stream on a suspension
bridge. | 28.60 | Hamilton
Lake stream lean-to on right 100 ft. off trail. |
30.95 | Buckhorn Lake, (1,810' elev) a pond with good trout
fishing lays just off to the right. | 32.25
| A register booth is located just before the trail crosses
State Rt. 8 and follows the Old Rt. 8 (County Rd. 24) into Piseco Village. Supplies,
meals and lodging available at State Rt. 8. |
33.55 | Piseco Post Office. |
34.00 | Piseco (1,680' elev) and Piseco Lake (1,661' elev) a
lake of 4.32 sq. mile. Over night accommodations can be made in the village or
at nearby State campgrounds on the western shore of the lake. |
34.80 | Road junction. Turn right on Haskell Rd.
|
Section B - Piseco to Wakely Dam 32.85 miles This section
of trail leads through one of the most remote and wild areas (West Canada Lakes
Wilderness) in the Adirondacks. The trail follows an old logging road to Spruce
Lake, but from Spruce to West Canada Lake the country was not opened until the
trail was put through. Magnificent stands of spruce and hardwood exist throughout
the region. The area from West Canada Lakes to the Cedar River although lumbered
in the past is rapidly returning to a wilderness condition. This section of rolling
upland offers pleasantviews of numerous waterbodies including Cedar Lakes and
the Cedar River Flow. There are no hotels, stores or permanaent camps north of
Piseco in this section. |
Miles |
Trail Description |
00.00 | Trail bears right on Haskell Rd. and follows
blue markers up the road (paved for 1.75 miles) A trail register and information
booth is located .1 mile from the Cold Stream bridge. |
05.20 | The trail crosses
Fall stream and follows its north bank. |
07.65 | The trail crosses the Jessup River. |
08.00 | An
unmarked trail to the right leads to international Paper Company access roads
and NYS Rt. 30. | 08.60 |
The trail crosses Bloodgood Brook. |
10.25 | Spruce Lake (2,378' elev.) is on the left with
three lean-to's along the east shore. The trail continues northeast crossing the
rocky outlet of Balsam Lake. |
13.80 | The trail crosses the outlet of Sampson's Bog.
| 15.35 |
A side trail (red markers) on the right leads to Perkins Clearing 15.2 miles and
Speculator 22.15 miles. |
15.55 | The trail crosses West Canada Creek on a large
bridge. Mud Lake (2,345' elev.) is on the right. |
15.70 | West Canada Creek lean-to's |
16.10 | South Lake (2,345'
elev.) a pond of .15 sq. mile is on the left. At the north shore on the left is
a lean-to. | 16.75 |
West Canada Lake (2,367' elev.) a major source of West Canada Creek, is .41 sq.
mile in area, high and wild. The trail strikes its eastern end at the two lean-to's
and a cleared area (former Interior Caretaker's Headquarters) A register is located
here. A red marked trail to the left (2.55 miles) leads to Brook Trout Lake. A
lean-to is located on the east end of the lake. These lakes and West Canada Creek
are trout waters. A yellow marked trail continues north approximately 4 miles
and enters the Moose River Recreation Area. The Northville-Placid Trail follows
the blue trail markers eastward across the clearing at the eastern end of West
Canada Lake. | 17.35 |
The trail skirts the north shore of Mud Lake. |
18.85 | The trail crosses the survey line of the Totten and
Crossfield Patent, first land grant in this region. |
20.00 | Kings Pond Outlet is crossed with the
trail paralleling this trout water for a short distance. |
20.50 | The trail crosses the inlet to Cedar Lakes,
a chain of three connected ponds .56 sq. mile in area. A lean-to is located .50
miles to the right (yellow markers) on the north shore of Third Lake. |
22.50 | The trail crosses the
channel between Beaver Pond and Cedar Lakes and follows along the lakes' north
shore. A side trail to the right (just prior to the bridge crossing of the channel)
climbs a small bank and leads to a lean-to in about 150 feet. |
22.80 | A yellow marked side trail leads north
2.2 miles to Lost Pond and continues on approximately 8 miles to Otter Brook Rd.
and the Moose Rive Recreation Area. | 23.40
| A short (.2 mile) distance upstream from the Cedar Lakes Dam
was the site of the former Cedar Lake HQ., where a lean-to is now located. Cedar
trees were planted here and can still be seen by the lakeshore. The dam itself
is a relic of past lumbering activity and was reconstructed by the DEC in 1967.
A register booth is located in this area. The main trail follows the Cedar River.
A trail across the dam (yellow markers), leads southeast around Noisey Ridge.
This trail continues to Perkins Clearing, 9.2 miles, and Speculator, 16.15 miles.
| 23.75 | The trail swings
left away from the Cedar River and rejoins it at 25.25 miles. |
27.00 | Trail junction on the right with the Sucker
Brook (red markers) trail. This trail leads eastward 7.9 miles to Lewey Lake Public
Campground and NYS Rt. 30. Colvin Brook lean-to is located across the Cedar River
1.0 mile down this trail. | 28.20 |
Carry lean-to ( the head of canoe navigation on the Cedar River Flow) is on the
right. The trail follows old roads along the north and west sides of the Flow.
| 32.85 | Wakely Dam
(1.3 miles east of gravel road junction). A trail register is located in the immediate
area. |
Section C - Wakely Dam to NYS Route 28/30 12.0 miles Lands
adjacent to the dam represent the eastern main entrance to the Moose Rive Plains.
Facilities provided are primitive in keeping with the general atmosphere of the
area, and are described in the brochure: Moose River Recreation Area. An assistant
forest ranger and emergency phone may be found near the entrance gate and register
booth from Memorial Day Weekend to early fall. No accomodations or stores are
available until the Village of Blue Mt. Lake. Refer To: Indian
Lake and Blue Mountain Quadrangles. |
Miles |
Trail Description |
00.00 | Wakely Dam (2,120' elev.) backs up on the waters of
the Cedar River Flow to make a sizable lake 1.06 sq. mile in area. A gravel road
(Cedar River Rd.) from this point connects with State Rt. 28 and Indian Lake Village,
15 miles distant. The trail follows this road. |
00.30 | A side trail on the left leads to Wakely Mt. Fire Tower.
Ascent 1,635 ft. to an elevation of 3,744 ft. |
06.75 | At McCanes, signs indicate the trail leaves the road
at this point, bearing to the left. | 09.15
| Stephens Pond (1,952' elev.) is on the right. A side trail
to the right leds 250 feet to a lean-to on the south end of the pond. |
09.70 | A
side trail (red markers) on the left leads to a lean-to at Cascade Pond, .75 mile
and Blue Mt. Lake Village, 4.0 miles. A register booth is located at this junction.
The trail continues to the northeast. |
12.00 | Lake Durant Campground. This is the junction
with State Rt. 28/30, and also the dam and outlet of Lake Durant formerly 34th
Flow. The trail crosses the road in a northerly direction at the trail signs.
This point is three miles from Blue Mt. Lake Village. |
Section C - NYS Rt. 28/30 to NYS Rt. 28N 14.65 miles This
section of trail follows stream courses, lake basins and steep ridges. Portions
of the trail traverse Finch, Pruyn Company, Inc. lands in the vicinity of O'Neil
Flow and Buck Mt. Refer To: The Blue Mountain Quadrangles. |
Miles | Trail Description |
00.00 | >From
the trailhead on NYS Rt. 28/30 a register booth is located immediately to the
north. | 03.50 |
At the southern end of Tirrell Pond (1,918' elev.) is O'Neil lean-to. |
04.65 | At
the northern end of Tirrell is a second lean-to. A side trail (red markers) on
the left leads to Blue Mt. Lake Village, 4 miles. |
07.20 | The trail crosses the Salmon River on a bridge and follows
it upstream a few hundred feet. | 07.95
| This ridge offers a view of a scenic gorge and brook. |
09.10 | Tracy Shanty Clearing
| 10.35 | The height
of land between Tirrell Pond and Long Lake (2,980' elev.). The trail proceeds
along the ridge and then down a steep grade to St. Rt. 28N. |
14.65 | State Rt. 28N. Long
Lake Village is 2.7 miles left on this highway. |
Section D - Long Lake to Shattuck Clearing 12.60 miles The
trail follows the eastern shore of Long Lake along an old tote road an then continues
through open woodlands to Shattuck Clearing. No supplies are available beyond
Long Lake Village. Refer To: The Blue Mountain and Long Lake Quadrangles. |
Miles | Trail Description |
00.00 | The
trail crosses NYS Rt. 28 N and follows a paved road (Tarbell Hill Rd.) northeast
over the crest of a hill. Turning right into the woods just past a small Parking
area. A trail register is located here. |
01.90 | A side trail to the left leads to the two lean-tos on
Catlin Bay. | 04.80 |
Two lean-tos at Kelley's Point. | 06.25
| A side trail leads to the two lean-tos at Rodney Point. |
08.45 | At a fork in the trail,
bear right. The left fork leads to Pluymleys Landing. Two lean-tos are located
at Plumley's Point on the lake shore. |
12.60 | Shattuck Clearing. |
Section E - Shattuck Clearing to Lake Placid 27.87 miles This
section of trail follows streams and log or tote roads in the heart of the Adirondacks
and the grade is not difficult, although the wild rugged High Peaks lie ahead.
There are no permanent camps other than lean-tos with no opportunities for obtaining
supplies throughout this section. Refer To: Long Lake and Santanoni
Quadrangles. |
Miles |
Trail Description |
00.00 | Shattuck Clearing. The trail follows the gravel
road southeasterly for .15 miles then turns left into the woods. |
00.25 | Cross Moose Creek
on a suspension bridge. The trail continues northeasterly to the south bank of
Cold River. | 00.75 |
Cross Cold River on a suspension bridge. A lean-to is located immediately on the
left and another .1 mile downstream. The trail turns right after crossing the
bridge and follows the Cold River upstream. |
04.02 | In a balsam fir setting is Seward lean-to. Just
beyond the lean-to is the Natural Dam formed by rock ledges across the Cold River.
| 06.55 |
Ouluska Pass Lean-to | 06.80
| Big Dam was once a lumber camp area and is often made
a camping place. The "hermit of Cold River", Noah John Rondeau, lived here for
many years on land of the Santa Clara Lumber Co., now part of the Forest Preserve.
He welcomed real lovers of the woods but shunned curiosity seekers. He made a
frugal living by hunting, trapping and serving as a guide. Two Wigwams from his
"Cold River City" the "Beauty Parlor" and the "Hall of Records" can be seen at
the Adirondck Museum at Blue Mt. Lake. He died in 1967, at the age of 84. |
10.50 | Mountain
Pond (2,142' elev.)is in a wild setting. The trail follows the old lumber road
through second growth forests to the junction with a fire truck trail. Right on
this truck trail .40 miles to two Cold River lean-tos |
12.10 | At the Duck Hole are
two lean-tos and a side trail to the right (blue markers) leading to Bradley Pond,
Lake Sandford and Tahawus. |
12.50 | A side trail (red markers) on the right leads
to Indian Pass, Mt. Marcy and Tahawus. The main trail, with blue markers, continues
on upstream. | 16.00 |
Moose Pond lean-to | 17.20
| This is the divide between the Moose and Chubb Rivers.
Wanika Falls lean-to is on a side trail to the right at 17.50 miles. |
18.20 | Trail
turns to the right of the former trail to Averyville and crosses the Chubb River
on a log bridge. | 24.25 |
Averyville County Rd., turn right to Lake Placid. To the left is the Chubb River
bridge. Across the bridge 800 feet to the right is the entrance to trailhead parking.
| 25.50 |
Old Military Rd. and Lake Placid Village. The end of the trail. |
43 Broadway Saranac
Lake, New York 12983 Phone: 518-891-3745 Fax: 518-891-3768
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