Minerva Weather Forecast, NY

North Country Trail Adirondack Park Hudson Gorge Primitive Area Hudson River & Boreas River

NOTE:  This information is based from the information gathered from the DEC plan available at the DEC website.  The info below is for just part of what will be the North Country Trail in the Adirondacks.

The Hudson Gorge Primitive Area encompasses approximately 17,200 acres of State Forest Preserve in Essex and Hamilton Counties. It is located north of NY 28 between the hamlets of Indian Lake and North River, near the center of the Adirondack Park.

The steep-sided Hudson Gorge is one of the most spectacular reaches of the Hudson River. Whitewater rafting through the gorge is the most popular recreational activity in the primitive area.  With limited foot trail access, the interior of the area offers great opportunities for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and trapping in a wild setting.

The Hudson Gorge Primitive Area is near the geographic center of the Adirondack Park, straddling the Hudson River in the town of Minerva in Essex County and the town of Indian Lake in Hamilton County. The area borders three other Forest Preserve units: the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area on the south, the Blue Mountain Wild Forest on the west, and the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest on the north.

Currently there are only two official trailheads in the Hudson Gorge Primitive Area. The only trail north of the Hudson River is the one leading from Northwoods Club Road at Huntley Pond to the "Blue Ledge" on the Hudson River. The only trailhead in the area south of the Hudson is located on NY 28. A marked trail leads to Ross, Whortleberry, and Big Bad Luck Ponds.  That will all change with the future arrival of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

The North Country National Scenic Trail route will temporarily follow NY 28 south from a DEC parking area for approximately 2.9 miles. The North Country National Scenic Trail enters the Hudson Gorge Primitive Area off of NY 28.

The North Country National Scenic Trail will circle the southeastern base of Black Mountain on newly constructed trail for approximately 1.0 mile. The North Country National Scenic Trail intersects the abandoned Delaware & Hudson (D&H) Railroad on the Hudson Gorge Primitive Area southeastern boundary.

The North Country National Scenic Trail will follow the D&H Railroad, paralleling the Hudson River, for 3.6 miles. The North Country National Scenic Trail will use the railroad bridge to cross the Hudson River (see panorama above).  The DEC plans to place safety railings along the bridge to allow for a safer pedestrian crossing.

The North Country National Scenic Trail will leave the D&H Railroad where it intersects the Northwoods Club Road on the Hudson Gorge Primitive Area northeastern boundary.  The DEC plans to have 7.5 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail in Hudson Gorge Primitive Area.