Cranberry Lake Wild Forest
This 24,111 acre forest consists of three separate parcels to the west, northwest and east of
Cranberry Lake. It contains 15 miles of foot trails, 9.4 miles of snowmobile trails, a four-mile ski trail
and two Adirondack lean-tos. Generally, the trails in this forest are more easily traversed than
those in the wilderness to the south.
Western Parcel
Consisting of 2,033 acres, lies between Inlet Road, Rte. 3, the Wanakena Road and the
Oswegatchie River. It contains the following:
Wanakena Snowmobile Trail (2.6 miles)
This trail follows the original road to Wanakena. It joins Wanakena Road and Inlet Road to allow
snowmobilers to travel between Wanakena and Star Lake. Together with Moores Trail, it makes a
loop.
Moores Trail (yellow) (2.0 miles)
This trail, although paralleling the Wanakena Snowmobile Trail, follows a more scenic route
adjacent to the Oswegatchie river. Canoeists sometimes use this trail as a carry between Inlet and
Wanakena.
Northwestern Parcel
Consisting of 7,535 acres, lies between Wanakena and Cranberry Lake, both north and south of
Route 3. It contains the following:
Peavine Swamp Ski Trail (7 miles)
This trail begins on the south side of Route 3 east of Peavine Swamp. It presently contains three
loops. The last half of the trail passes through lands that have never been significantly harvested.
Large specimens of hardwoods, red spruce and eastern hemlock are common.
Eastern Parcel
Consisting of 14,452 acres, lies primarily south of Route 3 to the northeast and east of Cranberry
Lake. It offers the greatest opportunity for outdoor recreation within this forest and contains:
Bear Mountain Trail (red) (2.4 miles)
This is a loop trail, beginning at a parking lot adjacent to campsite 27 in the Cranberry Lake
campground and ending in loop IV. Several vistas overlook the lake from the mountain; a lean-to
is located .6 mile from the parking lot.
Campground Trail (yellow) (2.2 miles)
This trail connects Bear Mountain Trail with Burntbridge Pond Snowmobile Trail. It was
constructed in 1987 to provide campers at the Cranberry Lake Campground with more access to
this parcel. It also provides hikers with access to Bear Mountain from Route 3. The crew that built
this trail refers to it as "the boardwalk" because two 250' bridges cross portions of Bear Mountain
Swamp.
Burntbridge Pond Snowmobile Trail (6.8 miles)
Beginning at a parking lot on Route 3, this trail is the roadbed of a spur of the Grasse River
Railroad, which was probably constructed between 1913 and 1916; the tracks were removed prior
to state acquisition in 1933.
The Campground Trail joins this trail 1.4 miles from Route 3. It shortly enters a clearing that was
the former site of a logging camp. A 1916 Conservation Department map shows this camp serviced
by a telephone line. The trail leaves this railroad bed .8 mile later and follows old logging roads to
Brandy Brook and a grassy area beyond known as the "Potato Patch." From here, the trail
branches easterly to Burntbridge Pond and private lands, while a southerly branch leads to Brandy
Brook Flow on Cranberry Lake. A lean-to was constructed at Burntbridge Pond in 1986.
Dog Pond Loop Trail (blue) (9.8 miles)
Construction of this trail began in 1988. It leaves the Burntbridge Pond Snowmobile Trail at Brandy
Brook Flow, passes four developed campsites on the flow and heads south, crossing the Hedgehog
Pond Trail to Curtis Pond, where it goes easterly to Irish and Dog ponds. At Proulx's Clearing, near
Dog Pond, the trail turns north to meet the Burntbridge Pond Snowmobile Trail west of Burntbridge
Pond.
Dog Pond Trail (red)(1.5 miles)
This trail provides access to Dog Pond from Proulx's Clearing to the north (.4 mile) and the
Otterbrook Trail to the south (1.1 miles).
Otterbrook Trail (blue) (7.5 miles)
This trail follows a restricted access road from the South Branch of the Grass River to Chair Rock
Flow. It shortens the distance to Dog Pond to 3.4 miles.
Hedgehog Pond Trail (yellow) (.5 mile)
This short trail runs from Hedgehog Bay to Hedgehog Pond.
Curtis Pond Trail (red) (1.2 miles)
This trail runs from East Inlet to Curtis Pond.
Five Ponds Wilderness Area
This 107,230 acre area lies between Cranberry Lake and Stillwater Reservoir and contains some of
the best remote wilderness in the Adirondack Park. Trails are mostly in the northern part, leaving
much of the area trailless. The remoteness of the area and heavy beaver activity provide more
rugged trail conditions than on the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest to the north.
The High Falls Loop (red) (13.0 miles)
This trail begins at the parking lot on the South Shore Road in the Hamlet of Wanakena at the start
of the Dead Creek Flow Trail.
The first two miles follow the bed of a logging railroad constructed by the Rich Lumber Company
prior to state acquisition of that parcel in 1919. In the mid 1930's, it was upgraded to a truck trail for
state administrative use. It is now used only as a foot trail, in conformance with wilderness
management guidelines.
After leaving the former roadbed, the trail follows old logging roads to meet with a short (.2 mile)
trail that provides access for boaters from Janack's Landing.
At the next intersection (Sand Hill Junction), a yellow trail provides access to the Cat Mountain
Trail and Cowhorn Junction, while the red trail continues toward the Plains. A short distance later,
the trail turns southerly to leave the former Plains Trail, which was abandoned due to excessive
beaver activity. The new Plains Trail was constructed in 1986 on higher ground. This trail ends on
the High Falls Trail, which shares its history with the Dead Creek Flow Trail. From here, it is a short
distance to High Falls.
On the return trip, a hiker may continue along an abandoned logging railroad that ran between
High Falls and Wanakena. Adjacent to the Oswegatchie River, this trail will likely contain some
beaver flooding. At the northern end of this trail is the Wanakena Primitive corridor, which is a one
mile remnant of a former truck trail retained in drivable condition to allow the Wanakena Water
Company to maintain its facilities. From the barrier at the northern end of the corridor, it is
approximately .5 mile along the South Shore Road to the parking lot.
Sand Lake Trail (blue) (7.3 miles)
This trail begins at the southwestern corner of the High Falls loop and crosses the only bridge over
the Oswegatchie River within this wilderness. Beaver flooding is very common along the beginning
of the trail. The trail runs southwesterly past Five Ponds and Wolf Pond, ending at Sand Lake.
Lean-tos are located at Big Shallow, Little Shallow, Wolf Pond and Sand Lake.
Wolf Pond Trail (yellow)
This trail leaves the Sand Lake Trail .5 mile from Wolf Pond and continues to Buck Pond. Wolf
Pond outlet provides a wide expanse of lowland that is usually wet and must be crossed on beaver
dams. The remainder of the trail to Cage Lake is on high ground, but beaver activities on Hammer
Creek often necessitate trail relocations beyond Cage Lake. At Buck Pond, it joins the Buck Pond
Primitive Corridor.
Buck Pond Primitive Corridor (8.5 miles)
This undeveloped roadbed is used by the owners of Buck Pond to reach their property. From Buck
Pond, it follows old logging roads until it meets the roadbed of the logging railroad constructed by
the Post and Henderson Company around 1905. About 1.2 miles north of Little Otter Pond, the route
utilizes old logging roads again. Beyond this juncture, it forks with the northern road continuing on
to Youngs Road south of the hamlet of Star Lake. The left fork leads to private property; but, before
reaching the former state boundary line, it meets the Boundary Line Trail. Deep ruts are found in
several places, especially at Little Otter Pond, and beaver activity is usually present at Little Otter
Pond Outlet.
Boundary Line Trail (yellow) (.6 mile)
This trail provides shortened access from Youngs Road to Buck Pond Road. A parking lot is
available at Youngs Road.
Cowhorn Junction Trail (yellow) (1.8 miles)
This trail connects the High Falls loop with Cowhorn Junction. It provides access to the Cat
Mountain Trail and passes Cat Mountain and Bassout Ponds.
Cat Mountain Trail (red) (.7 mile)
This trail ends at the summit of Cat Mountain, where a firetower was formerly located. A good view
of the blowdown is available.
Sixmile Creek Trail (blue) (5.3 miles)
This trail is accessible from West Flow, passes the Olmstead Pond Loop and Cowhorn Pond and
ends at Cowhorn Junction.
Cowhorn Pond Trail (yellow) (.2 mile)
This short trail leads from Sixmile Creek Trail to the Cowhorn Pond lean-to.
Olmstead Pond Loop (yellow) (3.2 miles)
This loop begins on the Sixmile Creek Trail approximately .5 mile from West Flow. It passes
Spectacle and Simmons ponds and joins the former Olmstead Pond Trail at the Olmstead Pond
lean-to and continues to rejoin the Sixmile Creek Trail.
Darning Needle Pond Trail (yellow) (2.4 miles)
This trail provides access to Darning Needle Pond from Chair Rock Flow. It follows Chair Rock
Creek and is subject to beaver activity.
Canoe Carry (3.5 miles)
This trail provides access for canoeists carrying between Lows Lake and the Oswegatchie River.
Canoeists may enter the Bog River at Lows Lower Dam and paddle up the slow-moving river
approximately 14.5 miles to the west shore of Lows Lake, where the canoe carry leads to Big Deer
Pond and the upper reaches of the Oswegatchie River. The route continues downstream to Inlet,
where it becomes unnavigable. The only major obstruction is High Falls, although beaver dams
are often encountered, and two minor rapids might not be navigable during periods of low water.