Sentinel Range Wilderness

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

There are 10.4 miles of hiking trails in the Sentinel Range Wilderness.

Pitchoff Mountain (3,600 ft.) Trail extends 4.3 miles over the summit between two trailheads located on State Route 73. The trail ascends 1.9 miles and 1,400 feet from the Pitchoff Mountain West Trailhead. Parking for the Pitchoff Mountain West Trailhead is in any of the many parking areas along Route 73 that are shared with the Cascade Mountain Trailhead which is located within the High Peaks Wilderness. At approximately the 1.2-mile mark a 0.1-mile spur trail leads to the "Balanced Boulders" and a view of the Cascade Lakes, Cascade Mountain and other High Peaks. The upper reaches of the west trail and the ridgeline on the east trail are on open bedrock and provide many opportunities for taking in the views of the surrounding mountains. The Pitchoff Mountain Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.

Parking for the Pitchoff Mountain East Trailhead is located on the opposite side of State Route 73. The trail ascends 1,350 feet in the first mile from the Pitchoff Mountain East Trailhead. Once on the mountain's ridge the trail ascends another 1.4 miles and 350 feet to the summit with four 50 to 100-foot descents and ascents.

Jackrabbit Ski Trail extends 3.1 miles between Lake Placid and Keene. On the Lake Placid end there is a small parking area off Mountain Lane near where it intersects with State Route 73. On the Keene side the trail starts at the end of Alstead Hill Lane. A small parking area is located at the property of an outfitter/lodging business. Hikers and skiers can travel on the lane through the private property to the State land. From the Lake Placid end, the trail ascends 200 feet in the first 0.75 mile and then descends 700 feet in 2.75 miles. The trail is in the notch between Pitchoff Mountain and the southern end of the Sentinel Range and it passes several beaver ponds. The Jackrabbit Ski Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.

Owen Pond - Copperas Pond Trail extends 1.7 miles between two trailheads located on State Route 86. The forested trail ascends 0.5 mile and 200 feet from the Owen Pond Trailhead, much of it along the outlet of Owen Pond, before reaching the pond itself. The picturesque pond sits at the foot of Kilburn Mountain. The trail continues another 0.7 mile ascending another 200 feet before descending 100 feet to the clear waters of Copperas Pond. A 0.75-mile loop trail to Winch Pond is located just west of Copperas Pond. Winch Pond is more of a wetland pond, but is picturesque in its own right. Copperas Pond can be reached from the Copperas Pond Trailhead with a 0.5-mile hike which ascends 450 feet. The Owen and Copperas Pond Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.

General information on backcountry camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

All designated primitive tent sites, campsites and lean-tos are available on a first come - first served basis and cannot be reserved. Designated campsites are marked with a yellow "Camp Here" disc. Designated tent sites are for tents only. Tents or small campers can use designated campsites. There are no hook-ups for water or electricity at campsites.

Campers who desire more amenities may camp at the nearby Wilmington Notch Campground and take day trips into the Sentinel Range Wilderness.

There are four designated primitive tent sites and one lean-to in the Sentinel Range Wilderness.

One designated tent site is located on the shore of Owens Pond and two are located on the shore of Copperas Pond. A lean-to is also located on the shore of Copperas Pond.

A designated tent site is also located off the Jackrabbit Ski Trail approximately one mile from the Alstead Lane Trailhead.

General information on fishing includes fishing tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations. You can ensure of continued good fishing opportunities in the future by fishing responsibly. If you have never been fishing but want to try, it's easy to learn how to fish.

All waters within the Sentinel Range Wilderness are open to fishing. Anglers may use the same trailheads and trails as hikers, the same hand launches as paddlers, and the same campsites as campers to access and fish these waters.

DEC stocks brown trout in Owen Pond. The pond can be a can be accessed from the Owen Pond Trailhead.

Copperas Pond contains naturally-reproducing populations of lake trout and brook trout. The pond can be accessed from the Copperas Pond Trailhead. Check the special fishing regulations for Essex County for Copperas Pond lake trout limits.

Although technically a part of the High Peaks Wilderness, Lower Cascade Lake is stocked by DEC with brook trout. The pond can be accessed from the Cascade Lakes Day Use Area from a hand launch site at the upper end of the lake.

A section of the West Branch Ausable River runs along the western edge of the wilderness. The river is renowned for its trout fishing. DEC stocks brook, brown and rainbow trout in the river. Much of this section is catch and release only, check the special fishing regulations for Essex County. The river may be accessed from numerous pull-offs along River Road and State Route 86.

A section of the East Branch Ausable River serves as the eastern boundary of the wilderness. DEC stocks brook, brown and rainbow trout in the East Branch as well.



Adirondack/Lake Champlain Fishing provides information on fishing in the Adirondacks and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Help Protect Native Adirondack Fish; populations of brook trout, round whitefish and other native Adirondack fish species have severely declined due to introduced fish.

General Information on hunting includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Hunters may use the parking areas, roads, seasonal access roads, trailheads, and trails used by hikers, and boat launches used by paddlers to access the lands and waters in this area. Hunters can park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are out of the travel lane.

A parking area on Bartlett Road where it meets the northern boundary of the wilderness provides access to lands in the eastern portion of the wilderness.

General information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Trappers may use the parking areas, roads, seasonal access roads, trailheads, and trails used by hikers, and boat launches used by paddlers to access the lands and waters in this area. Trappers can park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are out of the travel lane.

A parking area on Bartlett Road where it meets the northern boundary of the wilderness provides access to lands in the eastern portion of the wilderness.

General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Although technically a part of the High Peaks Wilderness, Upper and Lower Cascade Lakes can be accessed from the Cascade Lakes Day Use Area off State Route 73.

General information on cross-country skiing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Cross-country skiing is permitted on all hiking trails.

A 3.5-mile section of the 24-mile Jackrabbit Cross-Country Ski Trail passes through the unit. It can be accessed from the parking areas on Mountain Lane and Alstead Hill Road.

General information on snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Snowshoeing is permitted on all hiking trails.

A 3.5-mile section of the 24-mile Jackrabbit Cross-Country Ski Trail passes through the unit. It can be accessed from the parking areas on Mountain Lane and Alstead Hill Road.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

A variety of fish and wildlife species are found across or adjacent to the easement parcels and in streams and water bodies. A partial list of wildlife species includes: black bear, beaver, bobcat, coyote, white-tailed deer, fisher, red and grey fox, snowshoe hare, moose, a wide variety of fur bearers, waterfowl, upland birds, wild turkey, numerous small mammal, amphibian, reptile and insect species and a multitude of song birds.

Sentinel Range Wilderness is part of the larger Adirondack Sub-alpine Forest Bird Conservation Area, which was established in 2001. The area is also home to roughly a dozen species classified as endangered, threatened, or species of concern.

The Adirondacks contain large tracts of wildlife habitat with some boreal, bog, alpine and other unique habitats. Many species of birds and mammals are unique to the Adirondacks or are mainly found here. More than 50 species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds inhabit or pass through the Adirondacks at one time of the year or another so it is not unlikely to catch site of wildlife during your trip.

More information on Adirondack Flora and Fauna (leaves DEC Website) from the SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center.

You can protect wildlife and wildlife habitat when viewing them.

Wildlife Found in the Adirondacks

• Mammals
  • Moose
  • Black Bear
  • Beaver
  • Eastern Coyote
  • River Otter
  • White-Tailed Deer
  • Little Brown Bat
• Birds
  • Bald Eagle
  • Common Loon
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Osprey
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Wild Turkey
  • Eastern Bluebird