The most popular trail in Independence River Wild Forest is the Beach Mill Pond Trail.  It's not popular for the former pond, but are most notable for Gleasmans Falls.  The falls are modest in height, but pass through a narrow gorge with the trail offering views from along the cliffs straight above.  They are well worth a trip to visit.  The hike to the falls is 2.9 miles and 3.1 miles to above the "high falls".  The Beach Mill Pond Trail is 7.1 miles long and ends at the "West Bridge" over the Independence River.

From the trailhead the yellow marked trail heads south and descends the creek bank, then crosses the creek.  Reach a trail register (be sure to sign for your safety and for the DEC to track the amount of visitors) then the old road climbs gently toward the remains of Beach Mill Pond.  The dam and mill are long gone.

The trail turns easterly and gently climbs to easy hilltop walking.  Look for white pine along the trail as you hike.  A gradual turn leads toward the Independence River at 2.5 miles where Second Creek reaches the river.  The wide riverbed is worth a side trip for a look up the falls (see picture below).

Soon after crossing Second Creek, the falls can be heard in the distance.  The trail reaches solid rock, approaches the gorge at 2.9 miles near a campsite.  Now your following in and out along the cliffs before reaching the highest falls at 3.1 miles.  The highest of the Gleasmans Falls is a modest ten feet.

Beyond this pond the trail is generally unused however is well marked.  The only exception is just past the falls.  At 3.4 miles the trail approaches the riverbank but turns skirting a beaver pond.  The trail turns again and goes along the side embankment of another beaver pond.  This embankment almost seems manmade.  Continue east through the beaver area and soon be clear of the wetland area.  The trail can be very difficult to follow through this section.

Soon the trail turns north to bypass a privately owned parcel of land.  Watch carefully for trail markers as the route is obscure due to the lack of foot traffic through this area.  The trail goes north for 0.4 miles before turning east along a large beaver pond.  Cross on the 200 foot beaver dam then turn left for 50 feet to pick up the trail again.  The trail is well marked, but obscure still.

At 5.3 miles you'll cross Pine Creek on a bridge and soon turn south (right).  Be sure to follow the yellow trail markers and not the well worn path that leads to private property.  The trail turns east and then crosses Third Creek heading south.  After a small hill the trail heads toward the Independence River and joins an old road that leads to the private property just bypassed.

The old road fords the river as the trail turns and follows the north bank of the river for the next 0.4 miles.  The trail ends at 7.1 miles at the Independence River West Bridge and the junctions of the Fish Trail plus the Panther Pond-Independence River Trail.

The Fish Trail goes 2.2 miles south to a parking area on the very rough Stony Lake Road, which is only accessible by 4x4 trucks.  The Panther Pond-Independence River Trail goes 5 miles north to a trailhead at the end of seasonal dirt Smith Road.  The Panther Pond Lean To is located one mile south of the Smith Road trailhead on the pond.

Directions:  From Lowville; turn east on River Road and 4.1 miles to Watson.  Turn left on Number Four Road and go 2.7 miles then turn right on Loson Road.  After 0.4 miles turn right on McPhilmy Road crossing Erie Canal Road and continue on dirt road.  Turn left on unmarked Beach Mill Road and go three miles to barrier/trailhead parking.  Be sure to veer left where Cleveland Lake Road goes right.

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