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 Quadrangles The 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.