Canada to Balston Spa

[redhawk]

Anyone here know of an old Indian trail that runs from Odanack (Abanaki Reservation) in Canada, down through the Dacks to Balston Spa?

According to my Abanaki Brothers, there was/is such a trail that was used to met with other Nations there in the spring.

[swizzlenutz]

Indian trail?

I'm not sure but would love to find an old indian trail. I read somewhere that indians used to mark their trails by twisting tree branches.Then the tree limbs would grow deformed leaving a trail marker that was good for a few dozen years. Is there any truth to this? Jason

[lumberzac]

I'll see what I can find. I have in my possession an original copy of the 1885 edition of "The History of Saratoga County." It might have some info on the southern portion of such a trail. I do know that there were two major trails that ran between the St. Lawrence area and the Mohawk River. The Iroquois name of the two trails were the Saratoga Trail and the Kayadrosseros Trail. The Kayadrosseros Trail followed Lake Champlain and Lake George, crossed the Hudson River at Fort Edward, followed the valley to Mount McGregor, to a location near Stiles Tavern, possibly along present day Wilton -Greenfield Road, across the town of Greenfield up to Lake Desolation, across the town of Galway, and to the Mohawk Castles. I’m not sure where the Saratoga trail ran.

This link may or may not have a little more info.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nysarato/Sylvester/chap11.html

Both of these trails were used heavily during the French and Indian Wars.

[redhawk]

I'm not sure but would love to find an old indian trail. I read somewhere that indians used to mark their trails by twisting tree branches.Then the tree limbs would grow deformed leaving a trail marker that was good for a few dozen years. Is there any truth to this? Jason

Maybe the Eastern Indians did. I know we plains indians didn't.

[lumberzac]

Some info on the Saratoga Trail.

Whether en route to their favorite hunting ground or intent upon attacking the French settlements, the Iroquois invariably followed the Saratoga trail. Few of the many tourists who travel northward from Schenectady know that the pretty stream which parallels the Saratoga line was once the greatest of Indian trails. Alplaus Creek was then followed to a point near the Burnt Hills Road where a portage was made to the head of Ballston Lake. Over this beautiful sheet of water the canoeist paddled and from its outlet made a second carry to the Mourning Kill; thence he passed down stream to the Kayaderosseras and on to Saratoga Lake. Easy passage was then possible through Fish Creek to the Hudson. The trail terminated at old Saratoga, which is now Schuylerville. If the journey was northward from this point, passage was made through Wood Creek and Lake Champlain.

Relic hunters find rich reward in the country near the mouth of Alplaus Creek, where the Mohawk, who was exceptionally fond of fresh-water clams, was able to gratify his taste, as clams were abundant at this point. Near by stood the site of a village camp where even to-day the refuse of the shells may be found with numerous fragments of Indian pottery and stone implements. North of the Outlet Road, in the adjacent woods, still flows from a bubbling spring splendid water to which the thirsty redskins resorted. An exceptional stone hatchet of early date was recently found near by. Along the Mourning Kill have been found many relics, some of which, so tradition runs, tell of a great battle between the Mohawks and the Algonquins.

http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/railroads/trolleytrips/

[redhawk]

Some info on the Saratoga Trail.

Whether en route to their favorite hunting ground or intent upon attacking the French settlements, the Iroquois invariably followed the Saratoga trail. Few of the many tourists who travel northward from Schenectady know that the pretty stream which parallels the Saratoga line was once the greatest of Indian trails. Alplaus Creek was then followed to a point near the Burnt Hills Road where a portage was made to the head of Ballston Lake. Over this beautiful sheet of water the canoeist paddled and from its outlet made a second carry to the Mourning Kill; thence he passed down stream to the Kayaderosseras and on to Saratoga Lake. Easy passage was then possible through Fish Creek to the Hudson. The trail terminated at old Saratoga, which is now Schuylerville. If the journey was northward from this point, passage was made through Wood Creek and Lake Champlain.

Relic hunters find rich reward in the country near the mouth of Alplaus Creek, where the Mohawk, who was exceptionally fond of fresh-water clams, was able to gratify his taste, as clams were abundant at this point. Near by stood the site of a village camp where even to-day the refuse of the shells may be found with numerous fragments of Indian pottery and stone implements. North of the Outlet Road, in the adjacent woods, still flows from a bubbling spring splendid water to which the thirsty redskins resorted. An exceptional stone hatchet of early date was recently found near by. Along the Mourning Kill have been found many relics, some of which, so tradition runs, tell of a great battle between the Mohawks and the Algonquins.

http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/ra.../trolleytrips/

Now the Algonquins they refer to could well be the Abanaki who were part of that language group (Algonquin was actually a reference for a number of nations including the Ababanaki, Lenape or Delaware and the Penobscot.

Next tile I see Elie I will ask. I believe he mentioned that the trail came down through Saratoga.

[lumberzac]

This info makes me think that at least the southern portion of the trail was the Saratoga Trail.

Lying midway in the valley of "crooked stream," where the Kayaderosseras and the Mourning Kill unite, upon the once favorite hunting ground of both the Iroquois and the Algonquins, Ballston Spa now stands. This village, a century ago, was America's foremost watering place. Saratoga achieved its present distinction only when Ballston's early springs failed. "The Last of the Mohicans," by J. Fennimore Cooper, makes the hill near "Brooksides" the scene of a dramatic climax.

http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/railroads/trolleytrips/

[lumberzac]

Now the Algonquins they refer to could well be the Abanaki who were part of that language group (Algonquin was actually a reference for a number of nations including the Ababanaki, Lenape or Delaware and the Penobscot.

Next tile I see Elie I will ask. I believe he mentioned that the trail came down through Saratoga.

It's quite possible because my refernces (at least a book called Leading By Example: Partisan Fighters & Leaders of New France 1660-1760, by Bob Bearor) names the following nations that allong with the French attacked the Mowhawks near Schenectady, Abenakis, Algonquins, Crees, and Nipissings.