LOCAL HIKING
Iain Walker and Reggie at Little Moose Pond, February 2008
Hiking/Backpacking and camping are with out a doubt my biggest hobbies. Despite growing up in the area, it wasn't until about eight years ago that I started to realize just how many remote lakes and ponds there are in the immediate area. I grew up doing the usual hikes at Nine Corner, Broomstick, Jockeybush, Kane Mountain, etc. In 2000, I started hiking, camping, and fishing along the Lake Placid Northville Trail (LPNT) and after looking at various trail guides, books, and maps, I was really shocked at how many lakes there are in the area with absolutely no marked, trailhead access. This, coupled with fish stocking data I began to collect from the New York State DEC, really sparked my interest in exploring areas not typically seen by the average hiker. I invested in a a GPS and it's pretty easy to get coordinates of any body of water off the internet. Below are some of my favorite hikes in the area, some a bit longer and more difficult than others. These are the ones that I'll share anyway!
BROWN LAKE
43°
14' 32" N 74° 29' 29" W
Distance: Approximately 2.2 miles round trip
Time: Approximately 1 hour each way
Brown Lake is one of my favorite hikes and is right in our own
backyard. As can be seen by the map (marked with the red dot), Brown Lake is only about
1 mile from the south shore of Little Stoner Lake. There are
no formal, marked trails to Brown Lake, although you might find some
informal trails marked and blazed by hunters and fishermen.
Because Brown Lake is really just a big pond, it is quite difficult
to find with just a map and compass, as it can be easily missed.
I attempted to reach Brown Lake on two occasions
using a map and an
old trail book, and both times I was unsuccessful. If you are
really good with a map and compass, you might have more luck.
I rely primarily on my GPS after I obtained the lake's coordinates
from the internet. To get started, start by walking along the
south shore of Little Stoner Lake by following the informal path
East directly from the campsite. Follow the path and/or
bushwhack until you reach the eastern edge of the lake and the inlet
of Little Stoner Lake. This is a good point to access your GPS
using the coordinates referenced above. There is a very
overgrown and informal path that heads E/NE through the valley, with
the Little Stoner Lake inlet to your left, or north. After
about 0.3 miles, you will cross an intermittent tributary stream and
blazed on the right you might be able to see a marked path that
follows the stream. Continue N/NE following the south side of
Little Stoner Lake inlet. Continue on a compass heading of 45
degrees magnetic. You will eventually be on top of a large
hill or draw and following this heading you will descend directly to
the lake. Keep in mind that the tree coverage in this
area is very thick and GPS usage at times is sporadic. If you
do get lost, as I did on one occasion, a bearing of due West will
bring you directly to Route 10. The lake is beautiful and is
surrounded with evergreens. The shorelines, although quite
thick, are accessible and not marshy. There is a small outlet
worth exploring, where you will most certainly find fish in the
spring months after ice-out.
After making an inquiry, the NYS DEC indicated that Brown Lake
historically was a very productive Brook Trout pond. In 1978,
stocking was ceased due to the acid rain epidemic. However, in
1987, the DEC surveyed the lake at which time it was
determined that that conditions had improved enough to try an
experimental stocking program. This has proven to be
successful and to date the DEC stocks Brown Lake with approximately
350 Brook Trout annually. The lake also contains Brown
Bullhead and Golden Shiner. You will not find a formal
campsite here but there are plenty of places to pitch a tent if you
are creative. Below is a picture from my trips to Brown Lake.
CLOCKMILL POND
Coming Soon!