Challenge and article written  by Linda Grace

Patch design by Mike Farmer

Pictures by Linda Grace unless otherwise noted

 Want to have some fun this summer and earn a free patch?!  Then you will want to check out our Central Adirondack Family Challenge! Here are just a few reasons to do this challenge:

1.   It doesn’t require you to have or bring your family. But if you do have a family it is a fun activity to do together.
2.  It will get you outside!
3.  It will get you moving!
4. You can choose your activity; whether you choose to hike, bike or paddle or a combination of each.
5. You don’t have to pay for a patch, just bring in your completed Log to the Old Forge Visitor Information Center and you will receive a free patch.
6.  If you work hard you could do the whole challenge in one year or you may choose take your time and work on it for as many years as you want.
7. You can make the challenge as easy or as hard as you want.  
8. The challenge has already started and so should you!

So what is the challenge? I am so glad you asked, here it is:

Central Adirondack Summer Family Challenge

For a FREE patch: Hike, Bike or Paddle any 10 of the following 16 challenges. Fill out the Challenge Log and bring it to the Old Forge Visitor Information Center. Find the Log at the end of this document, on page 15.

Pictures of you and your family or friends on the challenge are encouraged, but not necessary. To post your pictures to our Facebook page click on this link:  https://www.facebook.com/OldForgeNY/

The challenge begins May 23, 2022. You must complete 10 of the 16 outings on or after May 23, 2022 to qualify for the patch. Bonus! If you have already hiked Bald, Rocky or Black Bear Mountain, they can be included in your total - you do not have to hike them again.

*Please note: due to many trails being used for snowmobiling and hunting, some trails for this challenge will only be open April 1^st through the 2^rd weekend of September.

All mileages are estimated. Trail mileages refer to a full round trip total, unless otherwise noted.

1.                  Lock and Dam - Easy 2 miles. This is an easy, family-friendly trail. From the trailhead, the trail heads immediately into the woods and is very flat until about 0.4 miles, where there is a short, fairly easy hill. At about 0.9 miles there is another trail that turns off to the left and leads to a snowmobile trail  known as Humphrey Hill.  Keep going straight on the main trail. The very last part of the trail becomes more like a gully as the trail slopes down to an open grassy area at the top of the picture-perfect falls. A short side trail to the left (south) of the dam leads to the bottom of the lock and dam. The lock and dam was originally built in 1888, in order to improve the very rough transportation conditions of the time. A train would carry passengers coming from the McKeever area (what was called the Moose River Settlement) to “Jones Camp” which used to be located near the lock and dam. The passengers would then board a steamboat named "The Fawn” and continue up the river to the Fulton Chain of Lakes. 

For more information on this hike visit our website and blog: http://adirondackbasecamp.blogspot.com/

This will also make for an easy paddle to the picturesque, historic falls.  Just park and put in on the north side of the Green Bridge (closer to Route 28). Paddle under the bridge and follow the Moose River around the bend towards the dam.

  ~ To get there:  From NYS Route 28 in Thendara, turn onto Beech Street which is just north of the “New York Central” railroad bridge. Beech Street curves to the left after 2 blocks and becomes Green Bridge Road and then curves to the RIGHT and passes over the Moose River. Parking for the foot trail is immediately after crossing the bridge on the RIGHT.

  For paddling parking please park on the left side of the road just before the bridge and watch for traffic as you load and unload your boats. 

           

2.                  Bald Mountain  (Rondaxe Mountain Fire Tower) - 2 miles intermediate hike. This extremely popular hike has a 2350 foot summit (and about 500 feet elevation gain) with views of the Fulton Chain of Lakes.  A moderately easy climb, as climbs go, the trail starts out flat then ascends rapidly. It eventually evens out with some mild ups and downs over mostly bare rock through the trees, then opens to a lookout just before the ridge that leads to the climbable tower. This mountain has a storied history with its many name changes and iconic fire tower. Here is one link that will get you started on learning about its history: http://www.masterpieces.com/bald.htm.

Good news! If you have already hiked Bald Mountain, you do not have to do it again for this challenge.

~To get there:  From Old Forge Information Center parking Lot (3140 State Rt 28, Old Forge, NY): turn RIGHT unto Route 28 heading North/East. Drive about 4.5 miles and turn Left onto Rondaxe Road. Bald Mountain trail-head parking is just a little ways up Rondaxe Road on the Left.

3.                  Rocky Mountain - 1 mile, easy to intermediate climb. This is a family-friendly hike up a small mountain that offers a nice overlook of the Fulton Chain of Lakes (2225 feet at the summit and about a 430 foot elevation gain). It is located on the north side of NYS Route 28 between Eagle Bay and Inlet. The large parking area is also used for the trail up Black Bear Mountain at its east end.  The first few feet of the Rocky Mountain trail can be muddy, but don’t let that scare you away from this wonderful little climb. There are some relatively steep sections, but the view is worth the effort.

Good news! If you have already hiked Rocky Mountain, you do not have to do it again for this challenge.

  ~To get there:  From Old Forge Information Center parking Lot (3140 State Rt 28, Old Forge, NY): turn RIGHT unto Route 28 heading North/East. Drive about 10 miles and the parking area will be on the Left. This parking area is also used for the Black Bear Mountain trail.

 

4.                  Maple Ridge/McCauley trails – Depending on which trail you choose you can take a hike/bike ride on a variety of trails, ranging from easy to more difficult.  Do any hiking trail and it counts. If you are into mountain biking, make sure you check out our new bike trails that count for this challenge as well!

In the winter, these are snowshoe and x-country trails that you can count for this as well!!

It is highly advisable to stop at the Visitor Information Center for a map of this area or download it by clicking on this link for the Maple Ridge/McCauley trails map: http://www.oldforgeny.com/documents/WARDAMapofMapleRidge_000.pdf

For the bike trails you can use the trailforks app. Or come into the Information Center for a paper map.

For more about this trail and the wonderful history of the hill you can visit these links:  http://www.nelsap.org/ny/mapleridge.html  and http://adirondackbasecamp.blogspot.com/2016/11/mccauley-mountain-maple-ridge-multi-use.html.

  ~To get to the Maple Ridge Trailhead:  From Old Forge Information Center parking Lot (3140 State Rt 28, Old Forge, NY): turn Left onto Route 28, and then make an immediate LEFT onto Lakeview Road (next to the yellow Restaurant, Slickers). Follow Lakeview to the stop sign and make a RIGHT onto Park Avenue. A short distance after you pass Saint Bartholomew’s Church on the right, look for the Town of Webb School. Please park in the parking area ACROSS the street from the School on your LEFT.

  ~To get to the McCauley Trail system: From Route 28 in Old Forge, follow the signs for McCauley Mountain and Nick's Lake, heading up Joy Tract Road and turning LEFT onto Bisby Road. About 6/10 of a mile up this winding road will be the final sign pointing you to McCauley Mountain. Turn LEFT here onto McCauley Mountain Road. Drive just under half a mile, and look for the parking area on the LEFT.

            

Pictures by Kurt Gardner

 

5.                  Nick’s Lake from Bisby Road - 6.2 mile loop, moderate. This is a fairly flat trail, often muddy in parts, making it a little difficult to negotiate around. It makes for a fun mountain bike ride or cross country run, with many other connecting trails that could extend your trip if desired. It is a well-marked trail, mostly flat with only a few slight inclines. There are no views of the lake until you come to the southeast part of the trail. Cross the footbridge that comes out to the front of the beach. The trail is not marked at this point, but  continue past the beach and the playground, then turn LEFT onto the campground’s road. Keeping the lake to your LEFT, follow the road up a little ways past the boat launch and another beautiful view of the lake. Take the first road to the LEFT just after the boat launch and follow it past some campsites, again, keeping the lake to your LEFT. You will eventually come to a sign for the trail beside a huge rock and in between campsites #94 and #92. This trail will continue past more campsites, going slightly up and down and then back into the woods. Once in the woods, there are some muddy, wet spots.  Eventually the trail turns back out on the start of the loop where there is a sign to guide you back to the trailhead.

 ~How to get there: From Route 28 in Old Forge, follow the signs for McCauley Mountain and Nick's Lake, heading up Joy Tract Road and turning LEFT onto Bisby Road. The trailhead parking area is found about 0.2 miles up Bisby Road on the RIGHT hand side.

6.                   Moss Lake loop- 2.5 mile loop, moderately easy family-friendly hike. Moss Lake is an iconic Adirondack lake trail.  It is a popular destination to hike, bike, run, x-country ski and snowshoe.  The motorless lake is small enough that it can easily be paddled and explored in a day, offering quiet and picturesque paddling. The hiking trail can be muddy in parts during rainy periods and travels along some mild up and down terrain.  Moss Lake was home to a privately owned girl’s camp from 1922-1972.  In 1974, a group of Mohawk Indians occupied this land for three years.  

            For more history of Moss Lake, check out these books: The Adirondacks: Fulton Chain-Big Moose Region and The Story of a Wilderness by Joseph F. Grady or visit these links: https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/outtakes/running-around-moss-lake and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganienkeh

~How to get there: Follow Route 28 from Old Forge to Eagle Bay (about 9.4 miles). Turn LEFT onto Big Moose Road and drive about 3.5 miles, the trail-head parking is on the LEFT.

                        

Picture by Kurt Gardner

7.                   Black Bear Mountain - Moderate to difficult. There are actually two different trails up this mountain. The most obvious and most direct route begins from the parking area on the north side of NYS Route 28 between Eagle Bay and Inlet. The parking lot is actually part of an old road and is a shared parking area for the Rocky Mountain trail. This is a 4.5 mile round trip hike and is the shorter, more difficult and steeper route.  Follow the yellow disks for just under a mile, then turn RIGHT and follow the blue disks.

The second trail could actually be used to make a loop route and makes it a 6.3 mile round trip, when combined with the first trail. This second trail is not well marked, is a lot harder to follow and can be very muddy. It starts at the same parking lot as the first trail and is 6.2 miles round trip.

Good news! If you have already hiked Black Bear Mountain, you do not have to do it again for this challenge.

   ~ How to get there: From Old Forge Information Center parking Lot (3140 State Rt 28, Old Forge, NY): turn RIGHT onto Route 28 heading North/East. Drive about 10 miles and the parking area will be on the LEFT. This parking area is also used for Rocky Mountain.

 

 

8.                  Vista Trail loop - This difficult 5.6 mile round trip trail follows a pleasant ridge with a few scenic outlooks. It is a challenging hike, starting with a rough initial ascent which is followed by many ups and downs.  At the far end of the loop, Mountain Pond and Cary Lake make for nice pictures.  It can be very muddy by Cary Lake at the bottom of the descent from Cork Mountain and Mountain Pond.  Turn LEFT onto the multi-use TOBIE trail (which is snowmobile trail 5 in the winter), then it’s fairly easy and flat for the remainder of the hike (just under three miles) back to the parking area. 

*NOTE: the snowmobile trail is NOT to be used by pedestrians in the winter.*

   ~ How to get there: Drive 7.6 miles northeast from the Old Forge Visitor Information Center, the trailhead and parking are located on the LEFT. This parking area is shared with the trailhead for Bubb and Sis Lakes.

9.                  Middle Settlement Lake - Moderate 6.4 miles. At the very beginning of this hike is a somewhat steep climb. But the rest of the hike is on a fairly level, beautiful trail that leads through wooded areas and only some up and down work. It can be muddy, especially near the northeast side of the lake. It is a very rewarding hike to a beautiful lake and lean-to.

   ~How to get there: From the Information Center in Old Forge drive just under seven miles south on Route 28 to the U-shaped parking area on the LEFT. Carefully cross Route 28 to the Scusa Access Trailhead that starts just over a wooden footbridge.

Picture by Wende Carr Swick

10.              Cascade Lake and Falls - A moderate 6 mile walk if you do the loop and the falls (If you just go to the lake and back it is 4 miles round trip). This is a beautiful and pleasant trail which starts out flat, but has some ascending and descending on the south side of the lake. It is often muddy and wet on the north/east side of the lake. 

    ~How to get there: From Route 28 in Eagle Bay, turn onto Big Moose Road. Follow this for 1.8 miles to the parking lot on the RIGHT.

Picture by Kathy Queen 

11.              TOBIE TRAIL  (From Thendara to Pirate’s ship by Old Forge Pond/beach) - This is an easy 5 mile ride/walk that is part of a longer bike trail. This paved section of the trail is close to town and could be done on either a mountain bike or street bike, and is not too hard for smaller children still on training wheels. Also suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. This section of the trail starts on the corner of Route 28 and Sequoia Road in Thendara, (just south of the railroad station) and ends at Old Forge Pond. It is easy enough to make into a round trip after playtime, or you may opt to cut the mileage in half by planting a second car at the park to load up after enjoying your time by the pond. You could use this trail as a great initiative for small children to hike/bike with you, since the pond offers the beauty of the pond, fishing off the dock, it is near the playground and the beach (note the beach is only open if a lifeguard is on duty). This is also near the Visitor Information Center, where you may want to get information on more places to visit in our area.

*The full TOBIE TRAIL offers opportunities for an easy mountain bike ride that could be as short or long as you want. It can be done in sections, or, if using two cars, could be done as a 14-mile trip one way. The trail starts on the corner of Route 28 and Sequoia Road in Thendara (just a little south of the railroad station) and ends at Arrowhead Park in Inlet. North of Old Forge, most of the ride is done on dirt and/or gravel roads and trails which function as snowmobile trails in the winter.  The ride includes scenic river views, photogenic ponds, woods, and the possibility of seeing wildlife.  There are many places along the trail to stop for a rest and picnic.  Please note that part of the TOBIE trail (the section between the bridge on North Street and Rondaxe Road) is closed to pedestrians/bicycles from the second weekend in September until April 2^nd.

For more information on this hike, please read the article, “The Town of Webb TOBIE Trail”, written by Linda Grace, in the Fall 2018 issue of the Localadk magazine. It can be found on their website at http://localadkmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1029965-local-adk-fall-2018 .

For a map of this area, or more information on this and other biking trails click on this link: http://oldforgeny.com/recreation.html#biking

 ~How to get there: The trail starts on the corner of Route 28 and Sequoia Road in Thendara. The parking area is beside Route 28; please do NOT park in the apartment parking lot across the road. 

 

12.               TOBIE TRAIL  (From Old Forge Pond to Rondaxe)- This section of the TOBIE Trail is about  10 miles, most of which is on a dirt road, or you may opt to cut the mileage in half by planting a second car at the Rondaxe Road parking area. Starting at the Old Forge Pond and following the Tobie Trail signs, go through the covered bridge and turn LEFT on North Street. Follow North Street all the way over the bridge, where the pavement will turn to dirt road. Continue to follow the signs on the multi-purpose dirt road (snowmobile trail #1) for half a mile to the TOBIE trail sign, turn RIGHT and follow this dirt road. About a half mile on the RIGHT, be on the lookout for Wheeler Pond and the short access trail leading to the shore. Wheeler Pond has a small beach area that would be a great place to take a break and have a snack, as you can listen and look for birds and other wildlife. After you enjoy your pond visit, continue your journey on the TOBIE trail. A little ways further you will PASS a sign for the Wheeler Pond Loop on your right (this trail goes around the back of the pond and back out to trail #1 and is not part of the TOBIE Trail). Continue following the TOBIE Trail signs, and soon the trail runs parallel with the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. Eventually the trail signs will lead you to turn RIGHT onto snowmobile Trail #8 and over the Steel Bridge spanning the Moose River. From here it won’t be too much longer to get to Rondaxe Lake, which is adjacent to Rondaxe Road.  See note about the full TOBIE Trail by the * above.

Please note that part of the TOBIE trail (the section between the bridge on North Street and Rondaxe Road) is closed to pedestrians/bicycles from the second weekend in September until April 2^nd.

(Note: During the fall hunting season, some of this area is part of a large parcel of land leased to a local hunting club. Watch for the Posted signs and be sure not to trespass.)

    ~How to get there: Old Forge Pond is on Lakeview Road in Old Forge.  You may have to park in the parking area shared with the Pied Piper on Route 28. Make sure you park in the spots closer to the water.

    ~How to get to Rondaxe Road parking area: From Old Forge Information Center parking Lot (3140 State Rt 28, Old Forge, NY): turn RIGHT onto Route 28 heading North/East. Drive about 4.5 miles and turn LEFT onto Rondaxe Rd. Drive another 1.5 mile and turn RIGHT onto Carter Road. The parking area is on the LEFT.

13.               TOBIE Trail (From Rondaxe Road to Eagle bay).  This is an easy 13 mile bike/hike (or you may opt to cut the mileage in half by planting a second car at the Eagle Bay Welcome Center). Follow the TOBIE Trail up over the embankment, with Rondaxe Lake on your LEFT and West Lake on your RIGHT. It will lead you down South Rondaxe Road, where you will eventually get to the scenic, picture worthy Cary Lake. The path follows along the eastern side of Cary Lake which turns into a pretty little creek. This is the last part of the back-country woods, before the TOBIE Trail runs parallel with Route 28 the rest of the way to Eagle Bay. There is an Information and rest area in Eagle Bay, making it a nice place to stop or park a second vehicle.  See note about the full TOBIE Trail by the * above.

     ~How to get to Rondaxe Road parking area: From Old Forge Information Center parking Lot (3140 State Rt 28, Old Forge, NY): turn RIGHT onto Route 28 heading North/East. Drive about 4.5 miles and turn LEFT onto Rondaxe Rd. Drive another 1.5 miles and turn RIGHT onto Carter Road. The parking area is on the LEFT.

     ~How to get to Eagle Bay Visitor Center: From Old Forge Information Center parking Lot (3140 State Rt 28, Old Forge, NY): turn RIGHT unto Route 28 heading North/East for 12 miles. The Eagle Bay Visitor Center will be on the LEFT.

 

                            

14.               Moose River from Rondaxe Bridge to North Street bridge - Easy, pleasant, four-hours one-way paddle. Curvy, downstream and lots of nice beachy areas for picnics, stretching and sunning.  For more information on this trail, click on the link and search for “Paddling the Moose River”: http://adirondackbasecamp.blogspot.com.  For this trip, two cars are needed or help from one of our local canoe and kayak outfitters to get you to your starting point.

  ~How to get to Rondaxe Bridge parking: From Old Forge Information Center parking Lot (3140 State Rt 28, Old Forge, NY): turn RIGHT onto Route 28 heading North/East. Drive about 4.5 miles and turn Left onto Rondaxe Rd. Follow Rondaxe Road about 1.5 miles, and bear RIGHT onto Carter Road, which is a gravel road. Follow Carter road about a ½ mile, past the sand pit on the right to the bridge which goes over the river. Put in on the far side of the bridge; there is a pull off parking area near the bridge.

   ~ How to get to North Street Bridge Parking area: From Old Forge Information Center parking Lot (3140 State Rt 28, Old Forge, NY): turn RIGHT onto Route 28 heading North/East and take the second LEFT onto North Street. Follow North Street for 1.6 miles, to the parking area which is on the LEFT side of the road just before the bridge.

15.               Moose River from North Street  Bridge to Green Bridge in Thendara  - Easy, family-friendly, four-hour one way trip that does require one short carry around some rapids. For this trip, two cars are needed or help from one of our local canoe and kayak outfitters to get you to your starting point.

   *Note you could opt to do a full day trip from Rondaxe Bridge to Green Bridge.

 ~How to get to North Street Bridge Parking area: From Old Forge Information Center parking Lot (3140 State Rt 28, Old Forge, NY): turn RIGHT onto Route 28 heading North/East and take the second RIGHT onto North Street. Follow North Street for 1.6 miles, to the parking area which is on the LEFT side of the road just before the bridge.

 ~How to get to the Green Bridge in Thendara: From NYS Route 28 in Thendara, turn onto Beech Street which is just north of the “New York Central” railroad bridge. Beech Street curves to the left after 2 blocks and becomes Green Bridge Road and then curves to the right and passes over the Moose River. Please park on the LEFT side of the road just before the bridge and watch for traffic as you load and unload your boats. 

                            

 16.               Paddle from Old Forge Pond to 4^th Lake, Inlet’s Arrowhead beach- The put-in dock is located between the Visitor Information Center and the covered bridge. You may temporarily park in the Information Center’s parking lot to unload your canoe or kayak and all your gear. After you are all unloaded, you will need to drive past the covered bridge and turn RIGHT into the parking area for the Pied Piper and The Factory Store. Please park in this parking lot, but away from the business, in the parking spaces closer to the pond.  After signing in, paddle up the channel through all four lakes. It is about a ten mile paddle. You may want to have another car waiting for you at the other end.  This could be a very tough paddle if it is a windy day.

For more information on this paddling route, which is the first leg of the "90-Miler" Adirondack Canoe Classic, and some history about the Fulton Chain of Lakes please click on these links: http://www.adirondackoutdoorsmagazine.com/stories/news-story/old-forge-paddling/printable, http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2013/07/lakes-history-the-fulton-chain-mail-boats.html , http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2014/01/fulton-chain-steamers-101-beginnings-1876-1895.html,  http://www.macscanoe.com/adirondack-canoe-classic---the-90-miler.html

Picture by Kurt Gardner

For Rentals or help and information getting on the water:

Mountain Man Outdoor Supply Co., Old Forge:   315-369-6672 http://www.mountainmanoutdoors.com/                

Frisky Otter Tours, Inlet: 315-357-6820 http://www.friskyottertours.com/

Pedals and Petals, Inlet (for bike sales and rentals):  https://www.pedalsandpetals.com/ 

Woodcraft Camp https://www.woodcraftcamps.com/

 

Central Adirondack Summer Family Challenge Log

Your Name: ________________________________

Your Phone number: ­­­­­­­­_________________________

Address: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­__________________________________________________________________

Email: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­____________________________________  

Date you finished the challenge: _________________________

The challenge begins May 23, 2022. You must complete 10 of the 16 outings on or after May 23, 2022 to qualify for the patch.  Bonus! If you have already hiked Bald, Rocky or Black Bear Mountains, they can be included in your total. You do not have to hike them again. **Once you successfully finish the challenge, bring this filled in log to the Old Forge Visitor Information Center for your free patch.  You can find more information about this challenge and each hike on www.oldforgeny.com. **

1.     1.  Hike, ski, snowshoe or paddle Lock & Dam.  Date completed: ______________  Circle which you did: Hike   Paddle   ski              snowshoe

2. Hike Bald (Rondaxe) Mountain.   Date completed: _______________

3. Hike Rocky Mountain.   Date completed: _____________________

4. Hike, x-country ski, snowshoe or bike Maple Ridge/McCauley trails.  Date completed: ___________________ Circle which you did:   Hike  Bike  ski  snowshoe

5. Hike or Bike Nick’s Lake.    Date completed: ____________ Circle which you did: Hike  Bike 

6. Hike, paddle, ski or snowshoe Moss Lake.  Date completed: __________________ Circle which you                 did: Hike   Paddle   ski              snowshoe

7. Hike Black Bear Mountain.  Date completed: ____________________

8.  Hike Vista Trail.    Date completed: ____________________

 9. Hike to Middle Settlement Lake.   Date completed: ____________________

10. Hike to Cascade Lake and  Cascade Falls.   Date completed: ____________________

11. Hike or bike TOBIE Trail: Thendara to Old Forge Pond (may start on either end). Date completed:                 ____________________       Circle which you did:    Hike       Bike

 12. Hike or bike TOBIE Trail: Old Forge Pond to Rondaxe Road (may start on either end). Date completed: ____________________                   Circle which you did:    Hike       Bike

13. Hike or bike TOBIE Trail: Rondaxe Road to Eagle Bay Information & Rest Area (may start on either end).   Date completed: ____________________     Circle which you did:    Hike   Bike

14. Paddle the Moose River - Rondaxe Road to North Street Bridge.    Date completed: ____________________     

15. Paddle the Moose River - North Street Bridge to The Green Bridge in Thendara.  Date completed: ____________________

16. Paddle the Fulton Chain of Lakes from Old Forge to Inlet (or Inlet to Old Forge).  Date completed: ____________________

·         On the back of this sheet could you please write a little about what was your favorite adventure and why?

·         Also write a little on your least favorite adventure and why?