Indian Lake Road

[Wldrns]

It is the loop road because technically it completely encircles North Lake from logging days. You can also access on the east side, but it is a bushwhack, not a driveable road and the southern end may be on private land now. Best way today may be to launch a canoe from the landing at the dam and paddle north. That is what I would do. If not carrying to Horn Lake, stash your canoe safely and proceed on foot. There is probably more than one canoe hidden at Horn Lake.

[Bagadeez04]

It is the loop road because technically it completely encircles North Lake from logging days. You can also access on the east side, but it is a bushwhack, not a driveable road and the southern end may be on private land now. Best way today may be to launch a canoe from the landing at the dam and paddle north. That is what I would do. If not carrying to Horn Lake, stash your canoe safely and proceed on foot. There is probably more than one canoe hidden at Horn Lake.

I don't yet own a canoe. Would have to park before the washout and walk up there I guess.

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[Lucky13]

As WLDRNS says, call the ranger he'll be able to give you the best up to dates. Or, keep reading the back country pages, and read more carefully and thoroughly than I do!

[bridgeman]

If the washout is at Golden Stair Creek, it is another 1.5 miles to the large parking area at the end of the road. There is a couple of other turn offs, on the left going in, so make sure you're on the correct track. From the end of the road, it's another 5 miles to Horn Lake. Last time I was in there I saw flagging along the way. I believe it was from an planning trip for the North Country Trail.

Lots of Moose sign along the way.

[Bagadeez04]

If the washout is at Golden Stair Creek, it is another 1.5 miles to the large parking area at the end of the road. There is a couple of other turn offs, on the left going in, so make sure you're on the correct track. From the end of the road, it's another 5 miles to Horn Lake. Last time I was in there I saw flagging along the way. I believe it was from an planning trip for the North Country Trail.



Lots of Moose sign along the way.

Will there be a trail through there in the future?

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[bridgeman]

That's the plan. Search the North Country National Scenic Trail. Others on this forum might have more insight.

[Lucky13]

This trail is one to keep an eye on if you value the ability to drive close to Squaw Lake and the northern trail to Brooktrout Lake, Falls Pond, Wolf Pond, and Deep Pond. I fear that if the trial is routed as planned, the remaining spur of the Indian Lake Road could be closed to allow the trial to follow it without any cars, as opposed to routing it through the West Canada Lakes Wilderness, where initial studies say the trail will cause too much disruption (begs the question of why there are ANY trails if it is "wilderness"). Many of us have been involved at least through letter writing in trying to keep that portion of the road open, going back to the original UMP. Even as big a proponent of Wilderness values as former ranger for the area Gary Lee wrote some strong statements in opposition to closing the road. The creation of the corridor along the main road, and maintenance of a large number of the roadside campsites is in direct response to letters received (over 8000 in opposition to the original UMP as I recall), which resulted in the modifications to the UMP in place now (some of the language in my 8.5 page letter showed up word for word in the final plan). As this multi State trail proceeds, it may be necessary to get "loud" again if we want to see this road maintained as far as it has survived for the people already using it.

[Wldrns]

I worked with the NCNST for a time when planning was approaching this area. Most on what was called "Rome North" as the most reasonable and safe way to get north of Rome. The trail starts way out in the western U.S. and heads ultimately to the Long Trail in Vermont. It was mostly intended to be a village to village trail, using existing trails and canalways where possible, wherein people could stop overnight (hotels), and not to be of any particular wilderness character. Things got a bit bogged down with the Rome North segment, and it took a while to choose from at least three different possible routes through the Adirondacks and eastward. There was a couple of years worth of delay while the DEC (and APA?) made up their minds. Other than the hardy, or folks who would most likely be on this forum, I truthfully would not expect a lot of folks who the original trail was designed for, to head through the villageless wilds of the Adirondacks with little to no outside facilities or direct support.

[bridgeman]

I worked with the NCNST for a time when planning was approaching this area. Most on what was called "Rome North" as the most reasonable and safe way to get north of Rome. The trail starts way out in the western U.S. and heads ultimately to the Long Trail in Vermont. It was mostly intended to be a village to village trail, using existing trails and canalways where possible, wherein people could stop overnight (hotels), and not to be of any particular wilderness character. Things got a bit bogged down with the Rome North segment, and it took a while to choose from at least three different possible routes through the Adirondacks and eastward. There was a couple of years worth of delay while the DEC (and APA?) made up their minds. Other than the hardy, or folks who would most likely be on this forum, I truthfully would not expect a lot of folks who the original trail was designed for, to head through the villageless wilds of the Adirondacks with little to no outside facilities or direct support.

Thanks for the insight. I noticed NCNST signs along the Black River Canal trail between Boonville and Forestport and have seen a couple of people obviously hiking. I should have quizzed them on their plans heading out of Forestport.

[Justin]

Posted on the MRP facebook page today...

[Lucky13]

Ya beat me to it!

[Bagadeez04]

Posted on the MRP facebook page today...

Thanks Justin. I've kinda settled on hiking in from North Lake. The drive to Indian would be quite a bit longer coming from Rochester and I'm nervous about my car on the Indian Lake road. The closure of the Loop Road at washout adds a little less than a mile according to DEC.

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[Justin]

It’s one of the last roads to open that far back in, and can be a little muddy & rough, but usually drivable in a city car once it’s been opened.

Me & my big fat mouth almost got stuck last weekend in my truck along the Plains Road near Payne Mountain.
Seemed fine going in, not so much on the way out during the storm. I definitely need some new snow tires/chains. Wouldn’t want to be stuck in there, especially this coming Sunday-Monday, just in case anyone is planning on heading in deep please be careful. Hopefully DEC has closed most of these type of back roads by now.