The Grass River Wild Forest is made up of several Forest Preserve parcels that are collectively called the Grass River Wild Forest and the Long Pond and Champion - Tooley Pond Tract Conservation Easements, all in St Lawrence County. Located in the northwest corner of the Adirondack Park, these three areas represent approximately 54,000 acres of Forest Preserve lands and easements located in the Towns of Clare, Clifton, Colton and Fine.

The area is bounded on the west and north by the Adirondack Park Blue Line, on the north and east by NY 56, and on the south by NY 3 and the Oswegatchie River. Popular natural resource destinations contained in the Wild Forest are Lampson Falls, Stone Dam, Leonard and Church Ponds, and the yet unclassified Tooley Pond lands along the Grass River. The conservation easements in this area include Long Pond and Champion - Tooley Pond Tract.

The Grass River Area is located in a lesser traveled corner of the Adirondack Park. Good access to the area affords many recreational opportunities, including but not limited to hiking, hunting, trapping and fishing.

Lampson Falls

The Grass River Wild Forest trails or Lampson Falls trails are located in the town of Clare. The 3.4 miles of foot trails primarily run along the Middle Branch of the Grass River on State Forest Preserve Land.  The trails may be entered by parking along County Route 27 near a small dirt road leading to Lampson Falls. The trail follows the road to the falls. One trail goes along the river while the other follows the road through the woods northward until it reaches a clearing. The hiker then stays along the east side of the river making their way back up towards Lampson Falls.

Many cross-country skiers use the road during the winter months. It is suitable for novice skiers.

Directions

To reach the trailhead, proceed easterly on Park street leaving Canton and County Route 27 (Russell Road). Keep left on County Route 27 and in approximately 3 miles keep right on County Route 27 at Waterman Hill. Proceed southerly onto County Route 27 for about 12 miles to the Grass River Wild Forest sign becomes visible on the right.

The trail may also be reached by following NY 3 and County Road 27 north towards Degrasse. In Degrasse turn right towards Clare and Lampson Falls.

 

Lampson Falls Accessible Trail

Lampson Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Adirondacks with a vertical drop of approximately 100 feet. The 2900 foot long trail provides an enjoyable roll through the forest land ending at an overlook on the falls.

Accessible Features

The majority of the trail is at a grade of 5% or less, however, users should be prepared for steeper grades of up to 10% to get them to a point mid-falls for a great view of the falls and the surrounding area, level resting areas are provided at close intervals.

Directions:

Located in the St Lawrence County Town of Clare on the west border of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, in the Grasse River Wild Forest. The accessible trail is located on the west side of County Route 27, approximately 4 miles north of the Hamlet of Degrasse if traveling north or approximately 5 miles south of County Route 24 if traveling south.

contact CNY HIKING by email at contact@cnyhiking.com

(c) 2006-today CNY Hiking - All rights reserved.  Any use of information from this site without permission is strictly forbidden.