Condition of road to Spruce Lake TH?

[Frostbite Ale Man]

Just wondering if anyone knows if the dirt road from Sled Harbor back to the trailhead to Spruce Lake in the West Canadas is drivable by a regular car this year? I did notice that road work was done on the turn-off 1.2 mile section that goes to the Pillsbury Mountain Trailhead parking lot from Sled Harbor; but has anyone driven the other section recently?
Also, assuming you can drive all the way back to the barrier at the end of the road, is it a 3-mile hike to the nearest shore of Spruce Lake for canoe put-in? Thanks for any info

[sp_nyp]

I was looking at a map this past week that showed a jeep trail from perkins clearing back in towards spruce lake.

I too was wondering what the condition of that road was. Since it is labled as a 'jeep trail', I wouldn't have even considered taking a car down it, but I do have a bronco II that has decent clearance and 4wd that I might take down the road.

Also, is there any kind of parking and are there any turn-arounds/passing corridors on the road? I would hate to be 4 miles in and come head to head with another vehicle with no room to pull over to allow passage.

[pico23]

That Pillsbury road wasn't in bad shape before, I've seen Kia Rios parked at the trail head. Maybe it had gotten worse to need improvement. I actually found the big mud pit at the logging area staging site just before the road turnoff, a bigger issue. I watched a toyota 4 runner go nose first up to the bumper into it.

[Justin]

The road to the Spruce Lake trailhead has been in good shape the last couple of years, but I haven't been down it yet this year. It can get a bit messy after a heavy rain, but for the most part, I think it is a very well groomed dirt road all the way to the end.

I too noticed last year that there were significant improvements made to the road into the Pillsbury Mt trailhead.

I don't think you'd have any problem getting all the way to the Spruce Lk trailhead in a car, unless maybe if you're arriving right after a big storm. (and maybe I'd be worried about breaking down if I was driving a Bronco II )

There is limited parking at the trailhead, but there's plenty of room/spaces on the road to pull over to the side and park, or to let another vehicle pass.

I believe it's a little over a 2 and a half mile hike to the southern lean-to (LT #1) with a gentle incline most of the way in.

A canoe is a must if you want to catch fish, or at least some kind of floatation would be a huge benefit.

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I should also mention to be sure and take note of where the unmarked access trail intersects with the blue marked NPT. That can be an easy trail intersection to miss on your way out.




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[sp_nyp]

...maybe I'd be worried about breaking down if I was driving a Bronco II ) ...

haha, yeah, I suppose that would be a concern. I have broken down in the adirondacks several times -although not with 'Sweet Betty' (the B II). It was with my renault encore. That car got 50mpg - when it was running.

I once broke down an hour and a half back down this dirt road. I think it was north lake - off of the forestport section of 28. My dad and I drove back in to get it a few days later. I remember leaving after he got out of work and not getting back until 4 in the morning. I will be a poor, poor man if my pop ever decides to cash in all the mechanic fees I owe him ;-)

[1894]

haha, yeah, I suppose that would be a concern. I have broken down in the adirondacks several times -although not with 'Sweet Betty' (the B II). It was with my renault encore. That car got 50mpg - when it was running.

I once broke down an hour and a half back down this dirt road. I think it was north lake - off of the forestport section of 28. My dad and I drove back in to get it a few days later. I remember leaving after he got out of work and not getting back until 4 in the morning. I will be a poor, poor man if my pop ever decides to cash in all the mechanic fees I owe him ;-)

Call Shufelts if you get stuck in that area again they know the area pretty well