(PROVIDED PHOTO — SPENCER MORRISSEY)
State Forest Preserve
Rocky Mountain
Fulton Chain Wild Forest The state Department of Environmental Conservation describes the Fulton Chain Wild Forest as a 16,028-acre unit of Forest Preserve located along its namesake — the Fulton Chain of Lakes. It is located in the southwestern part of the Adirondack Park, close to the hamlets of Old Forge, Eagle Bay and Inlet. “Although not as remote as other parts of the Adirondacks,” the DEC states on its website, “the Fulton Chain Wild Forest has many natural and man-made features which make it perfect for various recreational activities. The abundant water resources on and adjacent to this area include the Fulton Chain of Lakes, Moss Lake and more remote waters like Twitchell Lake. “Elevations within the unit range from 1,700 feet to 2,500 feet; the highest relief can be found on the ridge line in the southern part of this unit along Fourth Lake and the NYS Route 28 corridor. Impressive rock faces are found on Bald, Onondaga and Slide-off Mountains as well as to the northwest of Moss Lake. The rest of the terrain can be best characterized by a series of rolling woodlands and rocky hills intersected by many streams, wetlands and beaver meadows in the lower lying areas.” The rest of this article was provided by the DEC. Descriptions of this and other Forest Preserve units can be found on the DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov/lands/67299.html.
Hiking
The Fulton Chain Wild Forest has about 20 miles of marked foot trails, and below are some of the more popular destination: 8
¯ Razorback Pond Trail: 1.9 miles, from the parking lot at the south end of Twitchell Lake to Razorback Pond ¯ Snake Pond Trail: 0.6 miles, from Twitchell Road to Twitchell Creek and Snake Pond ¯ Safford Pond Trail: 5.2 miles, from the Orvis Road parking lot (adjacent to Big Moose Road) to West Pond to Rondaxe Lake (North Shore) Road, this trail also access West Pond, Goose Pond, and the Moose River ¯ Moss Lake Loop: 2.5 miles, from the Moss Lake Trailhead completely around Moss Lake to the point of beginning. ¯ Bubb Lake-Sis Lake Trail: 2.3 miles, from the trailhead/parking area along Route 28 to the Moss Lake Circuit Trail via Bubb and Sis Lakes. ¯ Vista Trail (Scenic Mountain Trail): 4.4 miles, from the Bald Mountain parking area to the Bubb Lake-Sis Lake Trail. The section of trail from the Cary Lake Road to the Vista Trail (south of Mountain Pond) is delineated with Red Markers. There are also three short spur trails off of the Vista trail that also have Red trail markers: the Fly Pond Spur Trail, Cork Mountain Spur Trail and the Mountain Pond Spur Trail. Keep in mind the trail over the Vista is a bit tough to follow in spots and minimally larked. ¯ Bald Mountain Trail: 1.0 miles, from the Rondaxe Road Trailhead and parking area to the summit of Bald Mountain and the Rondaxe fire tower.
EMBARK ~ Get Up, Get Out
Continued on page 9 Summer 2021
