Bridge over Johns Brook

[rbi99]

I saw a post dated in 2006 that the bridge would be repaired in a few months. I have searched but haven't found a post that confirms the bridge has been repaired. So that's my question - has it?

[Gandalf]

Assuming that you are referring to the bridge near the DEC Interior Outpost, it hadn't been replaced when I was last through the area (the middle of last September), and it seems all but certain that it has not been replaced since. Here's a site that provides updates on the status of the bridge (among many other things). You'll have to scroll about halfway down the page:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9198.html

[beardly]

Just the question I was about to ask. I am planning a trip of the great range the 1st weekend in May. Is there an easy way to cross there? I've never been through that part so I'm not sure how deep the water is.

John

[Gandalf]

I've only crossed once in that vicinity, about 0.5mi upstream (near JBL) on the marked trail roughly 5 years ago in mid-summer. It was easy to cross then, but I would guess it could be difficult or impossible in early May depending on the weather, snowmelt at higher elevations, etc.

Other options would include attacking the Great Range from the Ausable (southeast) side, or checking the Southside trail crossing (about half a mile from the Garden parking lot). I've frequently forded there and have never had a problem, but I've heard it can be impassible (or nearly so) given the wrong set of conditions. I'm not sure which would be the easier fording spot if the situation is borderline.

[beardly]

Yea, I'm thinking going in from Ausable may be the way to go. Then there won't be any question. There's nothing worse that turning around. . .

Thanks for the info,
John

[Tuchov]

Last year I crossed Johns Brook at about this time of year. If ya cross it in the morning, the water is a few inches deep, and you can practically rock-hop. By evening, after the sun has been beating down on everything, the brook rises considerably.
I would definitely recommend going after the Great Range via Ausable at this time of year until the bridge is fixed; or pack waders.

[rbi99]

A couple of years ago we were up the Orebed trail, getting there by crossing John's Brook and another secondary stream. Nothing more than a simple rock crossing at both places. We hiked out two days later because of constant rain, but couldn't even get across the secondary stream as it was waist high at the time. We took the Soutside trail but never even tried crossing John's Brook at the beginning of the trail as it was a raging river at the time. We stayed on the Southside trail (though technically it wasn't the Southside trail at this point), and came out near a small bridge on the road to the Garden Parking lot. It was maybe 1/2 mile below the parking lot.

I want to go back this spring to do both Gothic and Basin. If the water depth is too much I need to go back in the way I came out on the previous trip. However, I am not positive I can pinpoint the entrance point. Does anyone know if that entrance point is easy to spot from the road to the Garden? Like I said, I think I remember the road turning right at a small bridge, and that was the point where we came out at. We had just past some homes prior to coming out at the road.

[Tuchov]

We stayed on the Southside trail (though technically it wasn't the Southside trail at this point), and came out near a small bridge on the road to the Garden Parking lot. It was maybe 1/2 mile below the parking lot.

Wow, thats the same way I got out! Had to hike the extra mile or two on the south side of the creek to get to the bridge. I ended up on private property when the terrain wouldn't let me follow the creek, and hiked back on the Jeep Trail (an unlit gravel road).
BTW: Did you come across a leanto down there that's not on the maps (at least not on the ADK map)?

[JoeCedar]

A couple of years ago we were up the Orebed trail,
I want to go back this spring to do both Gothic and Basin. If the water depth is too much I need to go back in the way I came out on the previous trip. However, I am not positive I can pinpoint the entrance point. Does anyone know if that entrance point is easy to spot from the road to the Garden? Like I said, I think I remember the road turning right at a small bridge, and that was the point where we came out at. We had just past some homes prior to coming out at the road.

The land below the Southside trail crossing (and some above it with right of way) is private and posted, and you are trespassing! Although it may be justifiable in an actual emergency, do not plan a trip to trespass. Get landowners permission first. By not respecting landowner's rights, you hurt all the hiking public, and may potentially cause the part of the Southside trail on private land to be closed completely.

[rbi99]

When I hiked out I never saw any sign whatsoever stating private property, no trespassing. I realize the lean to down by Johns Brook is private and not public, and we didn't go near it. I came up to a property owner and asked him directions out and he was very friendly and made no mention of my trespassing. Are you sure about the no trespassing? Even out by the road to the Garden I didn't see a no trespassing sign. I am not doubting you, just asking if you are sure. At the time we were definately very wet and a little concerned about just where we were, so maybe we just missed seeing the postings. Again, just asking, does private automatically mean no trespassing? We were on a dirt road and trail, not anyone's yard.

How does one go about getting permission, especially since I have no names or addresses? I am fairly confident that in early May Johns Brook will probably be too deep to cross.

[JoeCedar]

Signs are there

I came down the Southside trail a few weeks ago and specifically noticed several big red (or orange) signs. The first when you enter their property which are "posted, no trespassing" but allowing you to pass through on the trail, then periodically up to the turn to cross Johns Brook (which is clearly marked with arrows). At that point there is another "posted, no trespassing, private property" sign indicating that going on is not permitted. The owner's name on the sign is "Smith's, Keene Valley, NY" and they have owned the land for generations. The road at the intersection near the bridge is "Smith Lane, private road".

Please do not trespass. Emergency use is one thing, and the owner would probably not object, but defiant trespass is something else.

[rbi99]

I came down the Southside trail a few weeks ago and specifically noticed several big red (or orange) signs. The first when you enter their property which are "posted, no trespassing" but allowing you to pass through on the trail, then periodically up to the turn to cross Johns Brook (which is clearly marked with arrows). At that point there is another "posted, no trespassing, private property" sign indicating that going on is not permitted. The owner's name on the sign is "Smith's, Keene Valley, NY" and they have owned the land for generations. The road at the intersection near the bridge is "Smith Lane, private road".

Please do not trespass. Emergency use is one thing, and the owner would probably not object, but defiant trespass is something else.

Thanks for that info. I have to come up with some other options now to get to Basin and Gothic.

[Gandalf]

I would say that Gothics is as easily (probably more easily) hiked from the Ausable side of the Range as it is from Keene Valley in most types of weather and/or ground conditions. The same can't be said for Basin, of course, though a VERY strenuous day from AMR or perhaps even from the Adirondack Loj might get you there (more easily if you camp for a night).

I advise keeping an eye on what the weather is like for 2-3 weeks prior to your hike. Warmer or drier conditions than average (April of 2005 was very much of both, for example) could make either of the trailed crossings of John's Brook quite manageable. Even a few nice, sunny days just prior to your hike could do the trick.