NCT Jessup River Wild Forest

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 Jessup River Wild Forest area consists of 47,350 acres of State Forest Preserve lands in the towns of Arietta, Indian Lake, Lake Pleasant, and Wells in Hamilton County. This Wild Forest is bounded by NY 28 to the north and NY 30 in the southeast, as well as three wilderness areas: West Canada Lakes Wilderness to the west; Siamese Ponds Wilderness to the east, and Silver Lake Wilderness to the south.

The state lands in Jessup River Wild Forest border, or are in close proximity to, the communities of Indian Lake, Piseco, Speculator and Wells. NY 30 bisects Jessup River Wild Forest and serves as the main access corridor. Many people enjoy hiking to the fire towers on Pillsbury and Snowy mountains, snowmobiling between Piseco Lake and Indian Lake, canoeing on Fall Stream, or camping on Mason Lake. Hunting, fishing, and trapping are also popular activities throughout Jessup River Wild Forest but particularly in and around Perkins Clearing, the Jessup River and the Miami River.

According to the DEC plan for the North Country National Scenic Trail, the NCT will follow the unmarked Miami River Trail to it's trailhead on Perkins Clearing Road. New trail will be built on the northern shores of Mason Lake to bring the trail to NY 30 and the Panther Pond - Jessup River Trail.

There are numerous campsites along scenic Mason Lake (see panorama above). The crossing of the Jessup River is a critical barrier for the trail. New trail will be built to bring the NCT to the Kunjamuk Trail trailhead and the Siamese Ponds Wilderness.

There will be 8.2 total miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail in Jessup River Wild Forest, with nearly five miles of new trail that will need to be built. See the map below from the DEC master North Country National Scenic Trail plan.

11/16/09 NOTE: The trailhead for the Miami River Trail on Perkins Clearing Road is currently not marked and difficult to find. The trailhead for the Panther Pond - Jessup River Trail is also currently not marked and very difficult to find.