Cat Mountain from Low's Lake

[MJB12866]

I understand that there is a trail from the western end of Low's Lake to Big Deer Pond (this still exists by all acounts). Then another trail (1) leads from there to Clear Pond. From Clear Pond still another (2) trail leads to the Cowhorn Junction Trail.

Does anyone know if trails (1) and (2) still exists or are usable? In one ADK guidebook that I have it says the these trails have been abandoned. However, I have seen a seen a number of other references that suggest the trip from Low's Lake to Cat Mountain via this route is still viable and they do appear on my Topo Map.

Any insight would be most appreciated.

Matt Battle

[forevrwyld]

Matt,

The trail from Lows to Big Deer is still there, cleared and marked. I do not beleive the trail from Big Deer to Clear Pond was reclaimed after the microburst. I also don't think the continuation of the trail from Clear Pond to Cowhorn Jct was reopened either.

I was at Cowhorn Pond 2 weeks ago, and I know for fact that no trail was marked down from Cowhorn Jct to the south towards Clear Pond because I asked the guy I was with why they called it "Cownhorn Junction" when there was only 1 trail.

I was told that the trail south to Clear was not reopened due to intense blowdown, although I understand you can still see a faint foot bed if you tried to hump up, over, under and around the tangled mess.

I'm sure others will weight in, but from what I have been told and observed I don't think this is a "maintained" trail anymore. Although it sounds like an interesting 'wack.

-george-

[Wldrns]

I understand that there is a trail from the western end of Low's Lake to Big Deer Pond (this still exists by all acounts). Then another trail (1) leads from there to Clear Pond. From Clear Pond still another (2) trail leads to the Cowhorn Junction Trail.

Does anyone know if trails (1) and (2) still exists or are usable? In one ADK guidebook that I have it says the these trails have been abandoned. However, I have seen a seen a number of other references that suggest the trip from Low's Lake to Cat Mountain via this route is still viable and they do appear on my Topo Map.

Any insight would be most appreciated.

Matt Battle

I travel that exact area every year at least once, often two or three times a year since well before the 1995 microburst. I use that whole section for a training class in map and compass. The trail to Big Deer Pond from Low's is well traveled by paddlers making their way south from BDP to the Oswegatchie. It was reopened soon after the big blow.

The other trails you mention have not been cleared since the 15 July 1995 microburst. There used to be large signs indicating the trails were officially "closed", to keep out the unwary. Since the trail turnoff toward Cowhorn is now practically invisible, that sign is gone. Another small warning sign remains nearby on what used to be the westerly trail to the tri-county marker and what used to be called Ranger's Rest. That trail also disappears for the most part into the heavy bush soon after leaving BDP.

I would not recommend anyone attempt to travel on unmarked trails without understanding that you are effectively bushwhacking, and your navigation skills must be up to trailless conditions in severe blowdown. However, if you understand how to read the terrain with map, you can still pick out the trail in most places. If you lose it but you stay on course, you can usually find it again. Just be prepared to climb over numerous downed trees and tangled tops that still remain 11+ years later.

This is some of the most difficult terrain to navigate in, as large areas had nearly 100% of the mature trees toppled. The sudden loss of shade allows replacement saplings to grow quickly and very densely spaced, making travel all the more difficult. I choose this area for map and compass training (I do not allow use of gps) because when my students learn how to navigate and learn from the inevitable mistakes made here, then they can navigate anywhere. We have a great time at it. There are some fantastic places with great rewards to find in this region. If you are serious about going you may PM me for more detailed info.

[Glen L]

Don't believe there was ever a trail directly connecting Big Deer & Clear Ponds ?
You can take that info provided by Wldrns to the bank !!!
My very limited success attempting to travel this area off trail since micro burst confirms his info. On every occasion when I've tried to follow the former trails (easily & often hiked pre-burst) from Cowhorn Jct either SE towrd Grassy & Slender, or S toward Clear I've quickly become very frustrated by blowdown & soon turned back. The jct is atop an esker & was whacked hard by storm.
However, you can still get from Low's to Cat Mt. - With a boat you can either carry to Cranberry L, paddle to Janacks landing & hike up Cat Mt (or take the longer water rte via Oswegatchie)
W/O a boat one can hike from Low's to Cranberry's Chair Rock Flow, take the "private trail" (soon to be re-rted & officially opened) to it's jct w/ 6 Mile Creek trail, follow it past Cowhorn jct, then NE past Cat Mt Pond to Cat Mt. All are "the long way around" but get you an even more extensive tour of this magnificent area. Enjoy !

[MJB12866]

Thanks for all the replies.

WLDNS - Yes I am serious about and I am interested more Map & Compass training as well as wilderness first aid.

Glen - Please provide more details regarding the route you mentioned. Per the topo map that I have, the Chair Rock Creek trail seems to end near Darning Needle pond. How does it get to Low's lake?

Also, approximately where does it catch the Six Mile Creek trail?

Thanks Again,
Matt Battle

[Wldrns]

Thanks for all the replies.

WLDNS - Yes I am serious about and I am interested more Map & Compass training as well as wilderness first aid.

Glen - Please provide more details regarding the route you mentioned. Per the topo map that I have, the Chair Rock Creek trail seems to end near Darning Needle pond. How does it get to Low's lake?

Also, approximately where does it catch the Six Mile Creek trail?

Thanks Again,
Matt Battle

Glen will be able to tell you more about the 6 Mile Creek trail connection from that end. The Chair Rock trail puts you in a gorgeous mostly dry marsh to the west of Darning Needle. Do not continue on eastward to DN. If you make your way toward the SW through the marsh, you will pick up the trail again, freshly cut, following near the outlet to Fish Pole Pond. Passing FPP on the east it leads to the rise due south and heads toward Wolf Mtn until it gets steep, then turns south again to end at Grass Pond's northern tip.

[Glen L]

MB
Just so's we're talking about same things & not confusing each other..........
It's the "6 mile creek trail" that begins on Cranberry's West flow & connects to Cowhorn Jct. S of there & to it's terminus w/ High Falls loop trail, DEC refers to it as "Cowhorn Jct trail" There is no trail officially named "Chair Rock trail"
The yellow marked trail that begins few ft from campsite #17 on Cranberry Lake's Chair Rock Flow travels S & ends @ Darning needle Pond. (It has always been known as Darning Needle Pond trail as formerly that was it's only destination).This spot (shoreline landing & trailhead) is newly signed but distances are innaccurate.
A few yds S of trailhead & right where Chair Rock creek tumbles over some large rocks & disappears into CL you'll see an unsigned, unmarked but very distinct path on W side of creek's mouth. It's EZ to follow this "path" (as it's not yet an official trail) W near shoreline to it's entry onto private land behind some waterfront camps. Different owners I've spoken w/ here all agreed public is welcome along this "shared" rte by long used convention.There are a few turns in this area too confusing to describe exactly but you''ll find a new detour uphill behind a camp, (marked by official looking brown/gold sign) pass an old log cabin, a few more camps, then a long abandoned tennis court, & arrive in a large, grassy clearing. Next you'll return to public land on a continuing & very distinct path, cross a bridge over the very scenic inlet of South Flow & arrive @ 6m creek trail jct @ a spot few minutes S of it's N end on West flow. Plans are in works for re-rte off private land & then an official marking & acknowledgement of this trail. This section will complete 50 mile hike around Cranberry Lake envisioned in the UMP's
Now, back @ campsite #17. If instead of above, you follow yellow trail S, in 2min you should see an unsigned & indistinct jct w/ a blue marked trail that heads E. This is the Otterbrook trail. 10 min father S on yellow trail another jct (newly signed w/ inaccurate distances) is reached. This is where another blue trail diverges. It rock-hops CR creek, passes near Fishpole Pond, & thru a magnificent Sugar Maple stand & leads to Low's Grassy Pond (actually a connected bay)
With exception of what I called "private trail" all others appear on DEC brochure/map "Trails in Cranberry lake region" (Highly recommended) All but the recently opened Low's- Chair Rock trail are also briefly described in the text.

[MJB12866]

More Info + More Questions

As I review topos based upon your valuable and appreciated feedback, it provokes another question....

there is shown on the map a trail from Nick's Pond that leads largely west to High Falls..does this trail still exist or did it too get affected by the Blow Down of 1995?

[Wldrns]

As I review topos based upon your valuable and appreciated feedback, it provokes another question....

there is shown on the map a trail from Nick's Pond that leads largely west to High Falls..does this trail still exist or did it too get affected by the Blow Down of 1995?

The entire region much wider than you are considering got severely affected in 1995. I haven't been on the west side of Nick's Pond since before the microburst... getting to Nick's at all is quite an exciting chore from BDP. I know for a fact that the trails you see to the north of Nicks (toward Clear Pond) are nonexistant. I made that circuit from Tamarac/Slender both last year and the year before. I found following the old trail route on the esker between Nick's and Clear much more difficult with debris than following along the creek bed. I haven't heard of anyone being on the trail to the west so I'd be willing to bet it is not there anymore either.

At some point in your planning it would pay for you to contact one of the friendly knowledgeable DEC rangers... both Joe Kennedy and Will Benzel know that area well. Find info on them here. Tell them I sent you.

[Glen L]

MB
Trails in N section of 5 Pond Wilderness have been in transition over the yrs & maps haven't kept up. If you have '68 Wolf Mt. 7.5min topo & 69 5 Ponds quads (or other maps based on them) you'll note a trail labelled "The Loop" on Wolf Mt. quad. The section of that trail connecting High Falls w/ Cowhorn jct via Nicks Lake & Clear Pond was abandoned by DEC in 80's (I believe) due to persistent Beaver Flooding. The red markers were mostly removed. You can still try to follow it's course but in addirtion to very wet feet along Nick's Pond outlet, you'll have to contend w/ '95 blowdown.
(BTW that "Trails in CL Region" brochure purports to show the areas most effected by '95 microburst but I find it often differs from conditions on ground)
W/ a boat (non-motorized) you can access this abandoned trail from Camp Johnny on Oswegatchie R. (campsite #11 on DEC brochure or Adk Paddler's map) A 50 yd path connects w/ Pine Ridge on the former trail & you can follow it E or W (if you're good) About 40 large White Pines remain on Pine Ridge. Many were toppled in '95 & I read it really got wacked in a 1950 storm.

Another trail you'll see on topo runs generally N-S for approx 3m between High Rock on W & Roundtop Mt on E. It short-cutted a longer rte to the W closer to Osw. R of the longer High Falls truck Trail. It was known as the Leary Trail, was abandoned after the '95 burst, & High Falls loop trail re-rted back on the formerly abandoned truck trail.
The trail from near Glasby Pond thru "The Plains" to near Hi falls has also been moved well to the E along base of Threemile Mt. thus doesn't appear where shown on topo.
The Ash Pond trail on Wolf Mt quad was also abandoned in '80's
You'll find little or no sign of the Buck Brook trail until you reach hi ground S of Cage Lake Springhole leanto nor it's N end from Osw R to truck trail & bridge is long gone.
There are likely other changes to what's shown on topos
The CL Wild Forest was virtually untouched by microburst & aslo has some great trails.

[chairrock]

To get from Chairrock Creek to Cowhorn Trail head west on the unmarked trail over the big rocks right where the creek falls into the flow.
The trail is well maintained by the locals and hopefully by the state starting soon.It was origianally a trail for guests at Nunns Inn on South Bay,long since closed.There is one fork that leads to the right, this is the trail that leads to the private inholdings on South Bay,please respect their privacy.The fork to the left is the new trail that the state cut last summer.It was not marked as of Nov.5,06. It is harder to follow than the old "private" trail(at least until DEC marks it) .It stays high and away from the backyards of the property owners on the lake. There are some overlooks showing nice views of South Bay.It eventually comes down off the edges of the Indian Mt. and crosses Six Mile Brook at South Flow. It then continues to the Cowhorn Trail just south of West Flow.