State Land

Kushaqua Conservation Easement Tract

Top Kushaqua Conservation Easement Tract

Open for Recreation: Year-round

Kushaqua Tract Conservation Easement location

Fee: Free
Contact Information:
- DEC Region 5 Ray Brook Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:30PM), 518-897-1200; [email protected]
- Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911 or 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
  A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
Location: Towns of Franklin and Brighton, Franklin County
Wildlife Management Unit: 5C
Map: Kushaqua Conservation Easement Tract (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The 19,000-acre Kushaqua Conservation Easement Tract is part of the conservation easement lands in the northern Adirondacks. This property is currently owned by Lyme Adirondack Timberlands. Some of the principle natural features on the property include the cliffs on the southern exposure of Loon Lake Mountain, the Sable Mountain Range, Mountain Pond and the headwaters of the North Branch of the Saranac River.

The private landowner manages the lands for timber and leases 31 camps to private outdoor recreation enthusiasts. The easement allows for full public access to the property, except for one-acre parcels around the leased camps.

A conservation easement is an agreement with the private landowner that allows public access while protecting open space by limiting development. The private landowner retains the right to manage the property for purposes such as sustainable timber production. Logging trucks, skidders, and other logging equipment may be present during logging operations.

Trail Information for the Northern Adirondacks provides general information regarding backcountry and seasonal conditions; specific notices regarding closures and conditions of trails, roads, bridges and other infrastructure; and links to weather, state land use regulations, low impact recreation and more.

Featured Activities

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

Approximately 100 miles of seasonal access roads and numerous miles of old skidder trails are available to hikers, however there is only one hiking trail on the property.

Loon Lake Mountain Trail (3,279 feet) extends 2.8 miles and ascends 1,600 feet from the trailhead to the summit of the mountain and the fire tower in the Debar Mountain Wild Forest. The Loon Lake Mountain Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download. NOTE: The Loon Lake Mountain Fire Tower is closed for public use.

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and 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.

North Branch Saranac River is stocked with brook trout and may be accessed from the North Branch Road Parking Area via a 460-foot walk from the parking area to a 115-foot path leading to a hand launch with a dock on the shore of the river. The launch is restricted to non-motorized watercraft. The path is located off the southern shoulder of North Branch Road near the intersection of Mountain Pond Road (44.5114°N, 74.1472°W) Google Maps.

Upstream portions of the North Branch Saranac River and Hays Brook, their tributaries, and other unnamed streams contain native brook trout. Currently these waters may be accessed by non-motorized means via the seasonal access road system.

Wildlife Management Unit: 5C

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

Hunters may access almost all of the property except one-acre parcels around the leased camps.

The diverse habitat naturally present and created through timber harvesting supports a wide variety of big and small game wildlife species and fur bearers. Recently harvested areas are rich with a variety of non-game species as well as popular game species including white-tailed deer, black bear, ruffed grouse and woodcock.

Approximately 100 miles of seasonal access roads and numerous miles of old skidder trails provide non-motorized access throughout the property.

Mountain Pond Road extends approximately three (3) miles from North Branch Road and provides motor vehicle access to the southeastern portion of the tract from the end of mud season through the close of the Northern Zone Regular Big Game Hunting Season. Several old log landings and road shoulders along Mountain Pond Road have been mowed to provide off-road parking.

Hunter's Camp Road extends nearly four (4) miles from North Branch Road into the southern portion of the tract and provides motor vehicle access from the end of mud season through the close of the Northern Zone Regular Big Game Hunting Season. Several old log landings and road shoulders along Hunter's Camp Road have been mowed to provide off-road parking.

Wildlife Management Unit: 5C

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

Trappers may access almost all of the property except one-acre parcels around the leased camps.

Approximately 100 miles of seasonal access roads and numerous miles of old skidder trails provide non-motorized access throughout the property.

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

Approximately 65 miles of seasonal access roads are available to biking.

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

An approximately five (5) mile secondary snowmobile trail extends through the tract between the C7B Snowmobile Trail Corridor just north of where it leaves the Kushaqua-Mud Pond Road and C7B just south of where it crosses County Route 26. The trail is groomed and maintained by Franklin Snowmobilers Inc. and provides stunning views as it passes through saddle of the Loon Lake Mountain Range and a valley between the mountains.

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

Approximately 100 miles of seasonal access roads and numerous miles of old skidder trails are available to skiers.

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

Approximately 100 miles of seasonal access roads and numerous miles of old skidder trails are available to snowshoers.

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

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 from the SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center.

You can protect wildlife and wildlife habitat when viewing them.

Wildlife Found in the Adirondacks

Mammals
Birds

Directions

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

North Branch Road is the main public entrance to the property. Mountain Pond Road is the first gravel road on the right after the public parking area on North Branch Road. Hunters Camp Road is the first gravel road on the left approximately one mile beyond the Mountain Pond Road intersection.

Both Mountain Pond Road and Hunter Camp Road have been upgraded to allow for seasonal motor vehicle access and will be open to cars and trucks annually from the end of mud season through the close of the Northern Zone Regular Big Game Hunting Season. Several old log landings and road shoulders along both roads have been mowed to provide for off-road parking.

North Branch Parking Area is located off of North Branch Road, 0.7 miles west from its intersection with Kushaqua-Mud Pond Road. (44.5116°N, 74.1449°W) Google Maps.
Hunter's Camp Road Parking Area is located off Hunter's Camp Road approximately 2.0 miles west of its intersection with North Branch Road. (44.5021°N, 74.1829°W) Google Maps.
Loon Lake Mountain Trailhead Parking Area is located along Port Kent-Hopkinton Turnpike (County Route 26). (44.5826°N, 74.1233°W) Google Maps.

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts.

All users of Kushaqua Conservation Easement Tract must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Specific Rules

Respect posted signs.
Only travel on roads and corridors designated open to the public.
Do not travel beyond any closed gates with motorized vehicles (whether locked or not).
Park in designated parking areas or pull-offs that do not block gates or roadways.
Expect to see logging trucks, skidders, and other logging activity.
Be aware that the landowner leases 31 camps to private individuals and sports groups that have access and recreation rights that the public does not have - please respect the rights of the lessees.

Planning and Management

DEC manages public recreation on these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Kushaqua Tract Conservation Easement Lands Recreation Management Plan (PDF), including the appendices: Appendix A (PDF), Appendix B (PDF, 5 MB), Appendix C (PDF, 7 MB), and Appendix D-G (PDF). Recreation management plans present a long-term plan for public recreation activities, access on the eased property, information on proposed and existing recreational infrastructure, natural and human history, and relevant public recreation opportunities.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

Food, gas, and other supplies may be found in the nearby communities of Vermontville, Bloomingdale and Gabriels, and in Onchiota from the weekend before the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend through the Columbus Day Holiday Weekend.

Lodging and dining opportunities are available in Saranac Lake.

Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, Visit Malone, Franklin County Tourism, and Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.

Numerous guide books and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.