Trail to Curtis Clearing

[trekker]

I am planning a long Weekend in May and was wanting to hike into the Curtis Clearing area in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. My main concern is the East Branch of the Sacandaga. I've used the search function on this site, and can't seem to find if there is a bridge over the river when you leave the Siamese Ponds trail. Basically, I don't want to have to ford the river for safety concern. Can anybody help me on this?

Also, what is a good book to order with good descriptions of the ADK trails?

Thanks as always.

[chaser]

Trekker, Sorry, no bridge there. Got to get your feet wet. Hopefully you go late May and the snow runoff is all done. The East Branch rises in a hurry also during rain so you it might be low when you go in and high when you come out. In May getting in the water might be a relief from the black flies anyways! For a book get Guide To Adirondack Trails #3 Central Region. Have fun, I enjoy the Siamese area.

[DSettahr]

The trail from the Sacandaga River to Curtis Clearing is a herd path, and is not marked, although I believe it does follow an old road. As Chaser said, there's no bridge across the river, so you've got to ford it. The Sacandaga is not a small river, so yeah, this is a crossing that you probably only want to attempt during low water.

The junction (Burnt Shanty Clearing) where you need to leave the Sacandaga River Trail is hard to find if you've never been there before. It's actually easier to find in the dark; it's well marked with cat's eyes, the reflective pushpins that hunters often use on trees to mark trails to follow at night.

Another option might be to approach Curtis Clearing via Shanty Brook from the south. This would still require crossing the Sacandaga along Route 8, however. There used to be cable crossings on the river along this road, but I think they've all been removed.

The DEC has plans to clear and mark a trail from Burnt Shanty Clearing to Curtis Clearing, and from there south along Stockholm and Shanty Brooks to Route 8, but who knows when it will happen. When it's done, though, it will provide a nice alternative hiking route into the interior of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area. There are also plans to designate a campsite at both Burnt Shanty Clearing and Curtis Clearing.

[fishcane]

I crossed at the crossing described in the ADK guidebook and didnt get my feet wet but it was in Oct, I wouldnt plan on being that lucky in May

[trekker]

Thanks Gents.

[Hard Scrabble]

The trail from the Sacandaga River to Curtis Clearing is a herd path, and is not marked, although I believe it does follow an old road. As Chaser said, there's no bridge across the river, so you've got to ford it. The Sacandaga is not a small river, so yeah, this is a crossing that you probably only want to attempt during low water.

The junction (Burnt Shanty Clearing) where you need to leave the Sacandaga River Trail is hard to find if you've never been there before. It's actually easier to find in the dark; it's well marked with cat's eyes, the reflective pushpins that hunters often use on trees to mark trails to follow at night.

Another option might be to approach Curtis Clearing via Shanty Brook from the south. This would still require crossing the Sacandaga along Route 8, however. There used to be cable crossings on the river along this road, but I think they've all been removed.

The DEC has plans to clear and mark a trail from Burnt Shanty Clearing to Curtis Clearing, and from there south along Stockholm and Shanty Brooks to Route 8, but who knows when it will happen. When it's done, though, it will provide a nice alternative hiking route into the interior of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area. There are also plans to designate a campsite at both Burnt Shanty Clearing and Curtis Clearing.

"D"
Shanty Brook flows into the east branch from the north, not the south, on the trail to the Siamese Ponds before the leanto at the crossing of the East Branch.
Jim

[DSettahr]

"D"
Shanty Brook flows into the east branch from the north, not the south, on the trail to the Siamese Ponds before the leanto at the crossing of the East Branch.
Jim

When I made this post (5 years ago ), I said it right, but it is admittedly potentially confusing. Shanty Brook flows into the East Branch from the north, yes, but if you were to use this stream (combined with Stockholm Brook) then you would be approaching Curtis Clearing from the south.

Also, the confluence of Shanty Brook and the East Branch isn't anywhere near the lean-to, so I'm not sure what you mean mean by the second part of your post. Here's a link to a USGS map of the location where the streams meet.

[Hard Scrabble]

When I made this post (5 years ago ), I said it right, but it is admittedly potentially confusing. Shanty Brook flows into the East Branch from the north, yes, but if you were to use this stream (combined with Stockholm Brook) then you would be approaching Curtis Clearing from the south.

Also, the confluence of Shanty Brook and the East Branch isn't anywhere near the lean-to, so I'm not sure what you mean mean by the second part of your post. Here's a link to a USGS map of the location where the streams meet.

"D"
Shanty Brook flows into the east branch only about a half mile from the leanto and the trail that crosses the river on the swinging bridge on the way to the Siamese Ponds.
Stockholm Brook is a range to the south.
The best way to Curtis Clearing is to find Shanty Brook and cross the river there.
I would not call that a "herd path"
I've spent more that a few nights at the lean to at the crossing of the east branch and maintained a deer hunting tent on the slopes of Big Shanty.
Maps are no substitute for boots on the ground, respectfully.
Jim

[DSettahr]

"D"
Shanty Brook flows into the east branch only about a half mile from the leanto that crosses the river on the swinging bridge on the way to the Siamese Ponds.
Stockholm Brook is a little to the south.
The best way to Curtis Clearing is to find Shanty Brook and cross the river there.
I would not call that a "herd path"
Jim

Either, you're confusing Curtis Brook with Shanty Brook, or the USGS maps have the stream names mixed up.

Take a look at the map I liked to above- Curtis Brook is the brook that flows into the East Branch a little ways south of the lean-to.

Stockholm Brook flows to the south of Curtis Clearing, where it enters in Shanty Brook. Shanty Brook then flows much further to the south where it joins the East Branch, near Route 8.

It is confusing, because "Burt Shanty Clearing" is near the confluence of Curtis Brook and the East Branch.

[Hard Scrabble]

Either, you're confusing Curtis Brook with Shanty Brook, or the USGS maps have the stream names mixed up.

Take a look at the map I liked to above- Curtis Brook is the brook that flows into the East Branch a little ways south of the lean-to.

Stockholm Brook flows to the south of Curtis Clearing, where it enters in Shanty Brook. Shanty Brook then flows much further to the south where it joins the East Branch, near Route 8.

It is confusing, because "Burt Shanty Clearing" is near the confluence of Curtis Brook and the East Branch.

With all respect.
You may be thinking of "County Line" Brook.
Shanty brook is a small rivulet that joins the East Branch downstream of the leanto at the crossing of the East Branch
Stockholm Brook is not a tributary of Shanty Brook
Stockholm Brook is a tributary of the East Branch Not Shanty Brook.
Shanty Brook receives the water from the west side of Diamond Mt. and Big Shanty Mountain and flows into the East Branch below the leanto.
Jim

[Justin]

Either, you're confusing Curtis Brook with Shanty Brook, or the USGS maps have the stream names mixed up.

It is confusing, because "Burt Shanty Clearing" is near the confluence of Curtis Brook and the East Branch.

D, just a thought...
I'm pretty sure you know as well as anyone that the old timers have different names for many differnent landmarks, regardless of what they're called on the map.

[DSettahr]

OK, I think I figured it out. For clarification, in addition to north/south/east/west cardinal directions, I'll use paddler nomenclature of "river right" and "river left," meaning right and left respectively as one faces downstream.

I was a bit confused by which stream Jim was referring to. Based on his first description, I thought he was talking about Curtis Brook, which flows into the East Branch from river right, a short distance downstream. After using the information from his most recent post, I realize that the "Shanty Brook" he is referring to a small stream that flows in to the East Branch from river left just downstream of that same location. The "Shanty Brook" that I am referring to is located much further south, and flows into the East Branch from river right, opposite of Route 8.

It would seem that there are 2 "Shanty Brooks" in the area- one that is officially named and recognized by the USGS, and another that is officially unnamed by the USGS but perhaps colloquially referred to as such by people familiar with the area (as Justin has suggested).

I've posted a map below with all of the streams that have been referred to highlighted and numbered. In order:

1. The "Shanty Brook" that Jim refers to, a small stream that drains the area between Big Shanty and Diamond Mountains to the south, and enters into the East Branch on river left. This stream is unnamed on the USGS map.
2. Curtis Brook, the stream I thought Jim was referring to until I better understood what he was describing. It flows into the East Branch on river right downstream of the lean-to.
3. Stockholm Brook, which drains the area south of Curtis Clearing. It eventually drains into/becomes Shanty Brook.
4. The "Shanty Brook" that I've been referring to (including in my original post years ago). This is the stream labeled as "Shanty Brook" by the USGS. If you look closely, you can see this stream labeled as such on the map I've posted below. It drains the outlet of Mud Ponds as well as the Stockholm Brook watershed. It eventually flows into the East Branch on river right much further to the south, near Route 8.
5. The East and West Branches of County Line Brook, which are further west than the "Shanty Brook" I've been referring to.

I apologize for the large image. It's the best way to show a map of the area that is legible:



In short, the original directions that I gave were correct. I perhaps could have been more clear by exactly which stream I was referring to. Had I known that there was a second "Shanty Brook" in the area I would have done so.

[Hard Scrabble]

Excellent representation, "D".
I'm an old guy, but haven't lost it yet.
Walking the trial, past the col of 11th Mtn, the first brook would be Diamond Brook, draining the watershed between 11th and Diamond Mtn.
By the way, there are some awesome White Birches on the south facing summit of Diamond.
The next sizable stream is just past Burnt Shanty Clearing about a half mile before the leanto.
Known to the locals and old timers as 'Shanty Brook".
It drains the watershed between Diamond and Big Shanty Mtn.
The old trail to Curtis Clearing is at a crossing of the East Branch near Burnt Shanty clearing.
Years ago, there was a guy who owned a team of horses and a wagon who would transport hunters and their gear up into Curtis Clearing.
That ended with the "Wilderness" designation of the Siamese Pond area.
It was always a wonder to me how those horses pulled a wagon up the rocky trail the led to the height of ground on the shoulder of 11th Mtn.
Jim