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Exit 26 off I-87 (Northway) at Pottersville. Take Olmstedville Rd. (County Rt.29) west to intersection with NY Rt.28N. Turn right heading northwest to Minerva. See trail section below for directions to specific trailheads. General Description: See Adirondack Forest Preserve for trail regulations and other important information. The Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest covers almost 92,000 acres, with 44 ponds and small lakes, portions of the Hudson River and much of the Boreas River and Vanderwhacker Mountain, 4th highest peak in the unit at 3,386 ft. The Boreas River, a designated scenic river, is one of the most beautiful in the Adirondacks. This is a region of scenic vistas, striking mountain ranges, tranquil beaver ponds, rushing streams and historic hamlets. Each trail here has its own personality and a new mountain biking adventure awaits around every bend. The adjacent Hoffman Notch Wilderness Area and the Hudson Gorge Primitive Area are off limits to mountain bikes. For a post ride swim, Minerva Lake has a public beach.
The Trails: Deer Creek Trail: (1.4 miles) Easy/moderate Elevation Change: 300 ft. This was an old route between Minerva and North River, which included a ford of the Hudson River. Follow the jeep road along Deer Creek, descending gradually. It is a relatively easy trail, with some rocks and ruts requiring basic mountain bike handling skills. You will eventually reach a cable gate marking the end of state land. Do not proceed beyond the gate.
Irishtown Snowmobile Trail: (8.9 miles) Advanced Elevation Change: 640 ft. This trail is remote and should only be attempted by experienced mountain bike riders with advanced abilities. It requires fording the Boreas River, difficult when the water level is high, and wading across Minerva Stream 3 times. This classic trail begins by fording the Boreas River at the southern tip of Lester Flow. Conditions are variable and maintenance minimal, so be prepared and fit for a demanding bike ride. The first 0.9 mile is singletrack with short steep climbs and descents and occasional wet spots as it heads northeast and then swings east. The trail soon becomes the western boundary of the Hoffman Notch Wilderness Area. It heads southeast and gradually downhill until crossing the west tributary of Minerva Stream at 2.4 miles. Technical sections with exposed rocks and roots follow. At about 3.4 miles you cross the swift east tributary of Minerva Stream. The trail heads south, along the stream and crosses to the west side of Minerva Stream at 3.6 miles. It now looks more like an old road as it continues east of Mud Pond at 4.4 miles, leading to camps on a small private lot. The trail is eroded and rocky as it descends to cross Minerva Stream again at 4.9 miles. The next section has a series of large puddles as it follows the east side of the stream before climbing. At about 6.2 miles begin a long gradual descent through a hemlock forest above Minserva Stream. The trail swings east to cross another tributary at 7.3 miles and stays fairly level on a much improved road as it heads south to Byrnes Rd., where you hopefully left a vehicle. Lester Dam Trail: (2.6 miles) Moderate Elevation Change: 170 ft. Because there are no big climbs, this would be a good trail to tackle for the adventurous novice. This is also the northern access to the Irishtown Snowmobile Trail, for advanced mountain bike riders only. Cheney Pond Rd. starts with a downhill ride. At 0.4 mile take the gated woods road which forks right, marked as a snowmobile trail. This wide grassy trail heads south over gently rolling terrain. Watch for occasional rocks hidden by vegetation. The trail bends to the west at 0.8 mile, then again to the south as it climbs to a low pass. It gets a little rougher as it winds up a sidehill, then down a long gradual descent to a beaver flow on the right at 2.4 miles. Across a small brook, climb a small rise, then take a sharp left and drop down to the Boreas River at an old dam site. If the water level is low cross the river to open rocks which provide great views of the High Peaks (north).
Roosevelt Truck Trail: (2.5 miles) Moderate Elevation Change: 200 ft. This wide, smooth, moss covered woods road makes for a leisurely ride over rolling hills. It connects Blue Ridge Rd. and Rt.28N. From the north the trail begins in a spruce plantation and is level for .25 mile followed by a sharp drop down to a tributary of Vanderwhacker Brook, crossed on a wooden bridge. It then climbs to higher ground and turns southwest. After another brook crossing, the trail enters a white pine forest and gradually climbs a broad ridge, passes through a patch of young hardwoods, into another spruce plantation and climbs to the high point of the ride. Enjoy the long downhill cruise to the gate at the paved road. You will have to climb it on the return trip. Riding the trail from the north is easier, because there are two long climbs if starting from Rt.28N.
Sherman Ponds Trail: (3.9 miles) Advanced Elevation Change: 980 ft. The trail heads south from the lean-to at Stony Pond. Detour around marshy area just beneath a rock cliff, then climb to higher ground as it follows the west shore of Stony Pond. Climb over the ridge at southern tip of pond, then steep descent down to Little Sherman Pond at 0.5 mile. A new section of trail goes up and over the west shore of Big Sherman Pond. This tough climb will be rewarded with an exhilarating downhill after crossing the outlet at 1.3 miles. A short climb from Falls Brook leads to an intersection with an old road. Turn right and follow snowmobile trail heading southeast. It climbs gradually, then starts downhill at 1.7 miles. Continue past a junction on the right at 1.9 miles. Two long descents are interrupted by a bench south of a small wetland. The trail reaches the state land boundary at 3.4 miles, parallels Falls Brook, crosses the brook on bridge at 3.7 miles, then drops down to the trailhead. This trail should be made an extension of the Stony Pond Trail to take advantage of the elevation drop. The 1.3 mile section to the outlet of Big Sherman Pond is on narrow, technical singletrack with short steeps, rocks and roots. Advanced skills are necessary.
Stony Pond Trail: (2.1 miles) Moderate Elevation Change: 150 ft. This marked snowmobile trail follows an old road headed east over rolling terrain. It starts with a moderate climb. Bear left at 0.3 mile, the right fork leading to Twentyninth Pond. Continue up and over a hill, then a tricky stream crossing. The trail descends to a large beaver dam at 1 mile, requiring a dismount to cross the brook. A short climb levels off at 1.4 miles, then a muddy technical section with slick logs parallel to the direction of travel. The trail descends to a wet grassy area with sections of corduroy. It climbs moderately up along the south side of the outlet of Stony Pond. The last hill up to the lean-to is eroded. The lean-to makes a nice setting for a break before returning or going on to ride the Sherman Ponds Trail.
Vanderwhacker Mountain Trail: (1.2 miles) Moderate Elevation Change: 220 ft. The trail is suitable for experienced riders up to the observer’s cabin. An old snowmobile route starts off with a gradual climb, then levels off as it parallels a brook. At 0.3 mile cross brook on a log bridge, then climb steeply to a beaver flow. The trail skirts the edge of the wet area on a stringer bridge, crosses the brook again on a small bridge and follows the northerly edge of another beaver flow. The trail then climbs gradually, getting rocky and washed out. The hiking trail diverges from the overgrown snowmobile trail and a final steep climb switches back to the observer’s cabin clearing. Continue on foot to the summit for a great view from the firetower. We recommend starting at the beginning of Moose Pond Club Rd., adding 2.6 miles to the ride. Majestic white pines line this scenic and hilly road, with limited motor vehicle use.
For more information: Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau
NYS DEC Phone: (518) 897-1200
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