Silver Lake Wilderness

[Bagadeez04]

Hi. Im looking to do a solo in this area as I've never been but have wanted to for a while. Looking for some solitude and to do a little exploring.

Any suggestions on areas to go to..stay away from? Also does anyone know which "Discover" book covers this area?

Thanks!


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[Woodly]

Be careful of hunters there. Big land, some very remote and rugged. Visit Taylor Pond. One of the prettiest and wildest places in the ADK's in my opinion when you are on the mtns./range.

[Bagadeez04]

Originally Posted by Woodly

Be careful of hunters there. Big land, some very remote and rugged. Visit Taylor Pond. One of the prettiest and wildest places in the ADK's in my opinion when you are on the mtns./range.

Wheres this not seeing Taylor on map?

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[stripperguy]

Uhmmm,
I believe Woodly is referring to the area around Silver Lake And Taylor Pond, in Clinton county, a bit NW of Wilmington.

[Woodly]

Originally Posted by stripperguy

Uhmmm,
I believe Woodly is referring to the area around Silver Lake And Taylor Pond, in Clinton county, a bit NW of Wilmington.

I was

[Tick Magnet]

One of my favorite areas to explore. Discover the Southern Adirondacks, 2014 has some good info on SLWA destinations. I have been fortunate to hike with the esteemed author of the series and several other Forum members in this awesome area.

2b TLR - Copy.jpg

Since the NPT bisects the area, it's a great hike and a lot of good things are within easy reach of the corridor. Good NPT parking can be found in Piseco, West River Rd in Wells (until it snows--it's not plowed), and of course the old NPT trailhead at Godfrey Rd.

Like Woodly says, there are a lot of hunters in the woods this year. Record numbers, I think I heard someone say? Best to stick to marked trails and wear some orange (no brown, black or white). Winter is the best season to bushwhack anyway.

I hope this helps.

[DSettahr]

There's some confusion here- Bagadeez and Woodly are referring to different areas.

Woodly is referring to the Silver Lake area, in the northern Adirondacks. The state lands in this area are part of the Taylor Pond Wild Forest.

The Silver Lake Wilderness that Bagadeez04 is asking about is in the southern Adirondacks.

The warning about hunters is definitely still appropriate, of course. I will add the caveat that hunters rarely stray more than a mile or so from the nearest road and the Silver Lake Wilderness has quite a bit of terrain that is substantially more remote than this, so if you go deep I wouldn't expect to encounter many hunters. But wear your blaze orange and remain aware for sure.

I agree with Tick Magnet- the NPT is about as good an introduction to the area as any, especially if you can spot a second car and hike through. From what I can recall, it's also about the only trail of any significant length in the unit. The three lean-tos on this stretch are all very nicely situated, and there's a few decent tent sites as well.

If bushwhacking is your thing, there's tons of trail-less terrain to explore.

[Justin]

Agreed!
The Silver Lake Wilderness is one of my favorites, especially for venturing off trail. Lots of open hardwoods & hemlocks & ponds & creeks & meadows...a bushwhackers paradise for sure!
I know of at least one Adkforum member that has found one of my favorite secret hidden campsites.

[Tick Magnet]

Originally Posted by Justin

I know of at least one Adkforum member that has found one of my favorite secret hidden campsites.

[Justin]

Good to be back!

[Tick Magnet]

[Bagadeez04]

I opted for Siamese Ponds Wilderness instead!

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[Woodly]

A lovely pic

[saabrian]

That area of Route 8 between Wevertown and Wells (Siamese Ponds WA on the west and Wilcox Lake WF on the east) is probably my favorite area to hike in the Adks.

[montcalm]

Fox Lair - for some reason I really, really love it there too.

[Tick Magnet]

Bagadeez,

How was the road back into the trailhead. A couple times I've been back there it's been a mess. Once, I almost got ran off the muddy/rutted road by a logging truck. Good times.

Great destination!

[Bagadeez04]

Originally Posted by Tick Magnet

Bagadeez,



How was the road back into the trailhead. A couple times I've been back there it's been a mess. Once, I almost got ran off the muddy/rutted road by a logging truck. Good times.



Great destination!

It wasn't bad. Was dry and pretty well graded..I have a low clearance vehicle and it was fine as long as I went slow.

I could definitely see how it could be rough though...especially during rains.

Assuming that road is closed soon until spring/summer?

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[Tick Magnet]

Originally Posted by Bagadeez04

Assuming that road is closed soon until spring/summer?

Yeah, they usually close it after hunting season and don't open it until after mud season (mid-May/Memorial Day?).

[JimVroman]

Originally Posted by Bagadeez04

I opted for Siamese Ponds Wilderness instead!

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That's great cross country ski trip.
The first pitch is tough, over the coll of eleventh mountain from the trailhead on route 8. Lots of ice.
The rest is easy, along the East Branch. Really pretty.
After the trail crosses the river, it's an easy climb to the Siamese Ponds and a good slide back to the bridge near the leanto.

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by Justin

Good to be back!

You cut all that wood with a hand saw? I've been limbing out a fallen tree in my back yard with one this past week, and I'm beat, and it is a nice sharp fiskers! I know that is what chain saws are for, but these branches are close and there are lots of kickback possibilities, so for safety sakes I'm doing it by hand. But those are some big diameters showing fresh cuts, and lots of "twigs", although I know a good evening fire eats that up like a kid with candy!