Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest

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

The Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest contains 14.4 miles of designated foot trails, including access to the fire tower on the summit of Vanderwhacker Mountain.

• Tower Trail extends 2.5 miles and ascends 1,650 feet from the Tower Trailhead to the summit of Vanderwhacker Mountain (3,386 feet). The Vanderwhacker Mountain Fire Tower is located on the summit. The summit is thick with tall firs and birches, so the only views are from the cab of the fire tower. The 360° view includes the High Peaks to the north, the Boreas River valley to the east and the spectacular scenery of the Adirondacks spreads out for many miles in every direction. The Tower Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download. 
• Wolf Pond Trail extends 2.3 miles feet from the trailhead to the outlet of Wolf Pond on the southern shore. This new trail is gently rolling and easy to navigate trail. A new lean-to is located up a short spur trail on the southwestern shore of the pond. Wolf Pond provides scenic views of the High Peaks and surrounding mountains, as well as excellent fishing opportunities. The 59-acre pond is home to native strain stocked brook trout. The Wolf Pond Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• Boreas River Loop Trail extends 1.8 miles along the Boreas River between two trailheads along State Route 28N. The trail weaves through the Boreas Hardwoods region, with many mature, large diameter northern hardwoods. The trail descends 120 feet from in the first 0.6 mile from the trailhead, then climbs 60 feet in the next 0.5 mile and remains basically level for the remainder of the distance to the bridge over the Boreas River. A 0.75-mile hike that ascends, or descends, 135 feet along the State Route 28N completes the loop. The Boreas River Loop Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• Roosevelt Truck Trail extends 2.0 miles between the Roosevelt Truck Trail 28N Trailhead and the Truck Trail Blue Ridge Road Trailhead. The Roosevelt Truck Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• Linsey Marsh Trail extends 2.0 miles from the Lindsey Marsh Trailhead to Lindsey Marsh. The Linsey Marsh Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• Hewitt Pond Trail extends 4.3 miles from the trailhead to northern shore of Stony Pond Trailhead where it intersects with the Stony Pond Trail. The trail provides access to Hewitt Pond, Barnes Pond, Center Pond, and Stony Pond. From north to south the trail ascends 515 feet in the first two miles, then descends 170 feet in the next 2 miles to the shore of Stony Pond. The Hewitt Pond Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• Center Pond Trail leaves the Hewitt Pond Trail 3.1 miles south of the trailhead and extends 0.2 mile to the shore of Center Pond. The trail descends 100 feet to the pond in the last 0.1 mile. The Center Pond Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• Stony Pond Trail extends 2.1 miles from the trailhead to the outlet of Stony Pond where it intersects with the Hewitt Pond Trail. A lean-to near the shore of Stony Pond provides views of Green Mountain. The trail continues another 1.4 miles along the shores of Little Sherman Pond and Big Sherman Pond to the southern shore of Big Sherman Pond. The trail continues as a designated snowmobile trail only beyond the ponds as it crosses private lands. The Stony Pond Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• 29th Pond Trail is a short spur trail that leaves the Stony Pond Trail 0.3 mile from the trailhead to the shore of the pond and a designated tent site.
• Lost Pond Mountain Trail extends 5.0 miles and ascends 800 feet between North Woods Club Road and the Stony Pond Trail. The trail is mainly used as a snowmobile trail. The Lost Pond Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• Rankin Pond Trail extends 0.4 mile from its trailhead to the eastern shore of Rankin Pond. The scenic trail ascends 105 feet in the first 0.1 mile before descending 180 feet in the remainder of the distance to the pond. The Rankin Pond Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• Camp Santanoni-Lake Harris Campground Connector Trail extends 1.2 miles between Camp Santanoni Gatehouse and Lake Harris Campground along the northern shore of Harris Lake. The Connector Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• Cheney Pond Trail extends 0.5 mile and descends 140 feet from its trailhead to a hand launch on the shore of Cheney Pond.
• Lester Flow Trail leaves the Cheney Pond Trail approximately 0.3 mile from the trailhead and extends 2.3 miles to the banks of the Boreas River.
• Vanderwhacker Pond Trail extends 0.75 mile and ascends 185 feet from the Vanderwhacker Pond Trailhead to the shore of the pond.
• Raymond Brook Trail extends 5.2 miles between the Barton Mine Road Trailhead and the Raymond Brook Trailhead and the trail descends 1,035 feet from Barton Mine Road. The Raymond Brook Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
• William Blake Pond Trail in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness connects with a network of trails in the wilderness and can be accessed on the opposite side of Barton Mine Road.
• Oak Ridge Trail extends 1.9 miles from the Raymond Pond Trail to the Schaefer Trail.
• Schaefer Trail extends 4.5 miles and ascends 2,550 feet from the North Creek Ski Bowl Trailhead to the summit of Gore Mountain (3,586 feet elevation). The trailhead and first part of the trail are located on lands owned by the town of Johnsburg. The remainder of the trail and the summit of Gore Mountain are located on the intensive use classified Gore Mountain Ski Center (leaves DEC website) which is managed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (leaves DEC website).
• Moxham Mountain Trail (2,361 feet) extends 2.5 miles and ascends 1,000 feet from the trailhead to the summit of the mountain. The open summit provides views of the Hudson River Valley, Gore Mountain and the Central Adirondack. The Moxham Mountain Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.

The following trails are developed for use by snowmobiles in the winter but are also open for hiking:

• Cheney Pond-Irishtown Snowmobile Trail extends 9.5 miles between Irishtown Road and Blue Ridge Road. There is no bridge over the Boreas River near the southern end of the trail. During low water conditions, crossing by rock hopping may be possible.
• Stony Pond-Irishtown Snowmobile Trail extends 5.8 miles between Irishtown Road and the Stony Pond Trailhead.
• Lost Pond Mountain Trail extends 5.0 miles and ascends 800 feet between North Woods Club Road and the Stony Pond Trailhead.

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

Only non-motorized boating is permitted in Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest.

• Cheney Pond Hand Launch provides access to Cheney Pond and a flatwater section of the Boreas River named Lester Flow. There are many class IV and class V rapids and steep elevation changes on the Boreas River below Lester Flow Dam.
• Oliver Pond Hand Launch provides access to Oliver Pond.
• Muller Pond Hand Launch provides access to Muller Pond.
• LaBiere Flow is accessed along Gulf Brook Road, approximately 6.7 miles from Blue Ridge Road. LaBiere Flow is a shallow flooded section of the Boreas River.
• Balfour Lake Hand Launch provides access to Balfour Lake.

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

There are six designated campsites, 38 designated primitive tent sites and three lean-tos in the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest. All 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.

• Six designated campsites are located along Moose Pond Road. Note: Moose Pond Club Road is currently closed to public access due to a bridge closure.
• Vanderwhacker Mountain Tent Site is located near the Tower Trailhead.
• Boreas River has three designated tent sites along it. Two are near the State Route 28N Bridge that can be accessed from the Boreas Pond Loop North Trailhead and one is located 0.25 mile south of the Newcomb/Minerva town line on the east side of 28N.
• Wolf Pond Lean-to is located on the shore of Wolf Pond can be accessed via the Wolf Pond Trail.
• 29th Pond Tent Site can be accessed from the Stony Pond Trailhead via the Stony Pond Trail and the 29th Pond Spur Trail.
• Stony Pond Lean-to is located near the shore of Stony Pond can be accessed from the Stony Pond Trailhead via the Hewitt Pond Trail. The lean-to was recently moved off the shore and reconstructed with new base logs, floor and roof.
• Cheney Pond has three designated tent sites, two on the shore of the pond and one at the overlook west of the pond, and a lean-to on the shore of the pond. All can be accessed from the Cheney Pond Trailhead via the Cheney Pond Trail and the Cheney Pond Hand Launch.
• Lester Dam Tent Site is located on the banks of the Boreas River (Lester Flow) and can be accessed from the Cheney Pond Trailhead via the Cheney Pond Trail, Cheney Pond Trail and a paddle down Lester Flow or via the Lester Flow Trail.
• Oliver Pond has two designated tent sites on its shore adjacent to the Oliver Pond Hand Launch.
• Boreas River has two designated tent sites near the Blue Ridge Road Bridge.
• Six designated sites are located along North Woods Club Road, three near the bridge over the Boreas River, one near Huntley Pond and two in between. Three of these are campsites and three are tent sites.
• Huntley Pond had four designated tent sites on its northern shore in the Hudson Gorge Wilderness that can be accessed from the Huntley Pond Trailhead.
• Newcomb Lake has three designated tent sites on its eastern shore north of Camp Santanoni's Main Camp Area that can be accessed from the Newcomb Lake Road Trailhead via the Newcomb Lake Road and Trail.
• Deer Creek Tent Site and Sunnyview Farm Tent Site are located along Fourteenth Road.

Campers who prefer more amenities may camp at the nearby Eagle Point Campground, Lake Harris Campground, or Scaroon Manor Campground, and take day trips into the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest.

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 Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest are open to fishing. Anglers may use the same trailheads and trails as hikers, the same hand launches as paddlers and the same camp sites as campers to access and fish these waters.

• Hewitt Pond contains brook trout and can be accessed from the Hewitt Pond Trailhead via the Hewitt Pond Trail. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.
• Barnes Pond contains brook trout and can be accessed from the Hewitt Pond Trailhead via the Hewitt Pond Trail. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.
• Center Pond contains brook trout and can be accessed from the Hewitt Pond Trailhead or the Stony Pond Trailhead via the Hewitt Pond Trail. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.
• Stony Pond contains brook trout and can be accessed from the Stony Pond Trailhead via the Hewitt Pond Trail. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.
• Big Sherman and Little Sherman Ponds contains brook trout and can be accessed from the Stony Pond Trailhead via the Hewitt Pond Trail and the Stony Pond Trail. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.
• Twenty-ninth Pond contains brook trout and can be accessed from the Stony Pond Trailhead via the Hewitt Pond Trail. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.
• Balfour Lake contains brown trout and rainbow trout. It can be accessed from a hand launch on its shore. Ice fishing is allowed.
• Cheney Pond contains brown trout and can be accessed from a hand launch on its shore.
• Rankin Pond contains brook trout and can be accessed from the Rankin Pond Trailhead via the Rankin Pond Trail. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.
• Oliver Pond contains brook trout and can be accessed from a hand launch on it shore. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.
• Muller Pond and its outlet contain brown trout and be accessed from a hand launch on its shore. Ice fishing is allowed.
• Horseshoe Pond contains northern pike, yellow perch, brown bullhead, and redbreast sunfish, and can be accessed from the Horseshoe Pond Road. Ice fishing is allowed.
• Vanderwhacker Pond contains brown trout can be accessed from Vanderwhacker Pond Trailhead via the Vanderwhacker Pond Trail.
• Boreas River contains brown trout, brook trout, and smallmouth bass in some portions and can be accessed from the Cheney Pond Trailhead via the Cheney Pond-Irishtown Snowmobile Trail; the Cheney Pond Hand Launch via Cheney Pond and Cheney Pond Outlet; and the Blue Ridge Road, State Route 28N and North Woods Club Road bridges.
• Wolf Pond is stocked with brook trout and can be accessed via the Wolf Pond Trail. A new lean-to sets on its southwestern shore.
• LaBiere Flow contains brook trout and bullhead. It can be accessed along Gulf Brook Road, approximately 6.7 miles from Blue Ridge Road.

For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on the waters listed below, visit DECinfo Locator- Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (DECinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer. Users are encouraged to visit the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide first for "how to" instructions on using the fishing map).

• North Creek contains brook trout and rainbow trout and can be accessed via the areas with public fishing rights along Peaceful Valley Road.
• The Hudson River contains brown trout and rainbow trout and can be accessed from the end of the Fourteenth Road and via the areas with public fishing rights along State Route 28.
• Minerva Stream contains brook trout and brown trout and can be accessed near the junction of Irishtown Road and the Irishtown-Cheney Pond Snowmobile Trail.
• Palmer Pond is stocked with both brook trout and brown trout. The eastern half of the pond is on Forest Preserved while the western half is on private lands. It can be accessed from the parking area near the dam or one along Blue Ridge Road at the forest preserve/private land boundary. Anglers must stay within the Public Fishing Rights Corridor along the shoreline when fishing the western half of the lake.
• The Branch is stocked with brook trout. It is located on private properties but anglers can fish the river from within Public Fishing Rights Corridor on both banks. It can be accessed from pull-offs along the Blue Ridge Road.

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.

All the lands and waters of the Vanderwhacker Wild Forest are open to hunting. Hunters may use the parking areas, roads, seasonal access roads, hand launches used by paddlers, trailheads, and trails used by hikers. Hunters can park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are out of the travel lane.

Big game hunters enjoy the pursuit of white-tailed deer and black bear. Small game and waterfowl hunting are also popular. Many species of furbearers are present on the lands and waters of the wild forest.

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

All the lands and waters of the Vanderwhacker Wild Forest are open to trapping. Trappers may use the parking areas, roads, seasonal access roads, hand launches used by paddlers, trailheads, and trails used by hikers. Hunters can park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are out of the travel lane.

Big game hunters enjoy the pursuit of white-tailed deer and black bear. Small game and waterfowl hunting are also popular. Many species of furbearers are present on the lands and waters of the wild forest.

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

Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest contains more than 25 miles of designated snowmobile trails, including the following:

• Cheney Pond-Irishtown Snowmobile Trail extends 9.5 miles between Irishtown Road and Blue Ridge Road. There is no bridge over the Boreas River near the southern end of the trail. Stony Pond-Irishtown Snowmobile Trail extends 5.8 miles between Irishtown Road and the Stony Pond Trailhead.
• Lost Pond Mountain Trail extends 5.0 miles and ascends 800 feet between North Woods Club Road and the Stony Pond Trailhead.

The trails above serve to connect snowmobilers to communities and the larger network of snowmobile trails in the region. Other trails shorter than 0.9 mile include:

• Horseshoe Pond Snowmobile Trail
• Charley Hollow Snowmobile Trail
• Thilo Snowmobile Trail

Cross-country skiers and snowshoers may also use snowmobile trails. Snowmobilers should slow down when approaching and passing skiers or snowshoers.

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

Cross-country skiing is permitted on all hiking trails. The following trails are popular with cross-country skiers:

• Raymond Brook Trail extends 5.2 miles between the Barton Mine Road Trailhead and the Raymond Brook Trailhead and the trail descends 1,035 feet from Barton Mine Road. The William Blake Pond Trail in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness connects with a network of trails in the wilderness and can be accessed on the opposite side of Barton Mine Road.
• Oak Ridge Trail extends 1.9 miles from the Raymond Pond Trail to the Schaefer Trail.
• Roosevelt Truck Trail extends 2.0 miles between the Roosevelt Truck Trail 28N Trailhead and the Truck Trail Blue Ridge Road Trailhead.
• Linsey Marsh Trail extends 2.0 miles from the Lindsey Marsh Trailhead to Lindsey Marsh.
• Stony Pond-Irishtown Snowmobile Trail extends 5.8 miles between Irishtown Road and the Stony Pond Trailhead.
• Cheney Pond-Irishtown Snowmobile Trail extends 9.5 miles between Irishtown Road and Blue Ridge Road.
• Lost Pond Mountain Trail extends 5.0 miles and ascends 800 feet between the North Woods Club Road and the Stony Pond Trailhead.

When traveling on designated snowmobile trails, skiers should be alert for snowmobiles. Move to the side of the trail to allow snowmobiles to pass.

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

Snowshoeing is permitted on all hiking trails. The following trails are popular with snowshoers:

• Raymond Brook Trail extends 5.2 miles between the Barton Mine Road Trailhead and the Raymond Brook Trailhead and the trail descends 1,035 feet from Barton Mine Road. The William Blake Pond Trail in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness connects with a network of trails in the wilderness and can be accessed on the opposite side of Barton Mine Road.
• Oak Ridge Trail extends 1.9 miles from the Raymond Pond Trail to the Schaefer Trail.
• Roosevelt Truck Trail extends 2.0 miles between the Roosevelt Truck Trail 28N Trailhead and the Truck Trail Blue Ridge Road Trailhead.
• Linsey Marsh Trail extends 2.0 miles from the Lindsey Marsh Trailhead to Lindsey Marsh.
• Stony Pond-Irishtown Snowmobile Trail extends 5.8 miles between Irishtown Road and the Stony Pond Trailhead.
• Cheney Pond-Irishtown Snowmobile Trail extends 9.5 miles between Irishtown Road and Blue Ridge Road.
• Lost Pond Mountain Trail extends 5.0 miles and ascends 800 feet between the North Woods Club Road and the Stony Pond Trailhead.

When traveling on designated snowmobile trails, snowshoers should be alert for snowmobiles. Move to the side of the trail to allow snowmobiles to pass.

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 (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

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

Electric bicycles (E-bikes) of any class are not allowed on trails and roadways where public motorized access is prohibited.