We know from beer commercials that crystal clear waters are a good thing to have. Luckily, Colvin Brook flows through a remote valley in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness. Cause this little brook has the clearest water I can recall seeing anywhere. And I wouldn't want anything to happen to this little slice of heaven.
Colvin Brook between the Height Of Land and the Cedar River. Crystal clear and little visited.
Colvin Brook drains the western side of the ridge punctuated by Lewey Mountain on the north, and the Blue Ridge on the south. On the eastern side, Sucker Brook drains the same range, and the trail ascends the Sucker Brook Valley, crosses the ridge, and descends along Colvin Brook on the other side.
The Sucker Brook trail overlaid on the 1997 USGS 24K Indian Lake Quad. The trail starts at the Lewey Lake Campground (on the right) and covers seven miles to reach the Cedar River Crossing. The section from the Height of Land to the River is un-maintained and rarely used.
In the past, this trail provided entry to the West Canada Lakes Wilderness, and an on-off ramp for the Northville Lake Placid Trail (NLPT). And it still does, except that the four mile stretch between the height of land, and the NLPT, has been abandoned by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Usage of this trail was always low, and it was difficult to maintain, so in 2016 the DEC called it quits. You can follow the entire route --it's still a whole lot easier than bushwhacking-- but the trail markers are starting to thin out and and blow-down has obscured the way in a few places. You have to pay close attention.
Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides). Leaves shining in the late day sun.
Starting from Lewey Lake you can think of the entire eight mile route as having three sections:
The first 3.5 miles to the height of land; this section is well maintained and it is a lovely walk. The first couple of miles pass through a magnificent mature forest with Sucker Brook running nearby.
From the height of land to the Cedar River; This is the un-maintained section covering an additional 3.5 miles. The route follows, and repeatedly crosses, Colvin Brook.
From the Cedar River to the NLPT Junction, one mile; The river can be crossed on rocks when the water is low, or waded at most other times.
The best part of the route starts at the height of land. Descending towards the Cedar River the forest and terrain initially look a lot like the east side of the ridge that you just came up. But, once you reach the first crossing of Colvin Brook, the makeup of the forest starts to change and the trail becomes noticeably muddier and harder to follow. As you descend further, you'll get a distinct feeling of solitude and remoteness, at least I did. As of October 2018 the route is relatively easy to follow, but if you are day hiking, it would be wise to turn around from time to time to see if the way back is evident.
Colvin Brook at the second crossing. This is October, but following a few days of rain; so neither really low or really high. But, even at this water level, you'd need to be pretty sure footed to cross without wading (that's a four foot gap between the rocks if you are wondering). The trail crosses the brook several more times below this point and several tributary streams coming down from the Blue Ridge add significantly to the flow. If you are going the whole way, plan on wading.
The Colvin Brook section of this route is spectacular to my eye. The forest is mature and varied, and Colvin Brook is literally crystal clear. I didn't walk the last mile down to the Cedar river, turning back at about the six mile point. So, keep in mind that the last stretch might be more difficult (or at least wetter). You'll need to cross Colvin Brook several times, and the very last section, before you reach the river, crosses a beaver flooded area. A few years back I came to that beaver swamp from the other direction (from the NLPT), and with over six miles back to my car, thought better of it. A dry land crossing may or may not be possible.
Colvin Brook
If you do go all the way to the Cedar River you'll come to a lean-to on the east bank. The lean-to sits just above the river at a particularly striking spot. Wild, remote, and little used, with only the sound of the river rushing by to break the silence. Just beautiful. From there, after crossing the river, it is a little over a mile to the junction with the NLPT.
A mile from the Lewey Lake trail-head. The first two miles of the trail pass through a magnificent mature forest. Mature trees of several species are present; Maple, Yellow Birch, Hemlock, Red Spruce and others. This area was apparently never logged or only lightly logged.
I've been up Burnt Mountain before, but this trip was memorable. For starters, my brother was visiting from Colorado, and we've been talking about doing this particular hike for years. The weather forecast was not great, but, as we neared the top, the sun poked through the clouds adding drama to the great views. And, just to add icing to the cake, as we neared the top, I stepped out of a tangle of Spruce trees and a Fisher was standing ten yards away on open rock. I've seen Fishers before, but nothing like this; close up, good light, and completely in the open. As I said, it was memorable.
Looking north to Kempshall Mountain with the Sewards and Seymour in the distance.
Burnt Mountain is at the end of a ridge that comes down from the Fishing Brook Range just east of Long Lake. You reach the mountain by hiking the Northville Lake Placid Trail (NLPT) south from the parking area on Rte. 28n (east of Long Lake Village).
Northeast: Couchsachraga, Panther and Santanoni
There's no trail from the NLPT to top of Burnt Mountain, you'll need to be comfortable with cross-country navigation, over rough terrain, to reach the top. Pick a point where you will leave the NLPT and set off to the east, aiming for the small notch on the south side of the summit. From the likely departure points, it's three quarters of a mile to the notch, and a couple hundred yards of scrambling over steep and thick terrain to the top.
The summit of Burnt Mountain used to be completely open; the soil is very shallow and fires in the late 1800s burned off the top. The forest is re-establishing itself, but plenty of open rock persists and, with a bit of poking around, good views can be had in every direction.
Plan on a seven to eight mile round trip from the parking area. The green line is the NLPT and the orange line is the GPS track showing the route we followed (up and back). As the crow files, it's roughly three quarters of a mile from the NLPT to the top. The terrain is rough, and wet, and the small drainages coming down off the ridge all look alike; so take a map and allow plenty of time.
A wider look, from the left: Kempshall in the foreground with the Sewards and Seymour in the distance. From the right: Santanoni, Panther and Couchsachraga.
Looking east, Fishing Brook Mountain.
Trees are re-establishing themselves on the summit of Burnt Mountain but, by working your way around the top, it's possible to get clear views in every direction.
Looking south towards the Fishing Brook Range. The Northville Lake Placid Trail crosses this ridge through the notch on the right. That notch is the highest point on that trail at just over 3000 feet.
Just a short drive from Long Lake Village, the Cedarlands Conservation Easement is a 5000 acre tract open for public use. For residents of Long Lake the opening of this area is a gift. The parcel is owned by the Boy Scouts, but, except for the period when the scouts are present in July and August, you can walk, hike, canoe (starting with a .8 mile carry), camp, fish, or hunt. For specific information visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation page on the tract.
To get there; drive to the end of the pavement on the Kickerville Road and pass through the stone gate. After half a mile a sign points to a parking area off the road on the left. It's then a .3 mile walk along the road to a three-way intersection; take the hard left. Then it's another half mile to the canoe put-in on Mud Pond. Fish Camp Road continues past the pond and provides access to the interior of the tract.
McRorie Lake
If you can manage the .8 mile initial carry to Mud Pond, and a short carry between Mud Pond and the lake, you can put your canoe or kayak on McRorie Lake. The lake covers nearly 400 acres, good sized even by Adirondack Standards. That's Kempshall Mountain on the east shore of Long Lake providing the backdrop.
McRorie Lake, the light fading fast.
Continuing past Mud Pond it's 2.25 miles (total) to a trail that ascends Mud Pond Mountain (the sign, placed by the Boy Scouts, calls it "OA Mountain"). The scramble to the top is just half a mile. But, be prepared (you know, scouts, oh never mind), it is a steep half mile, gaining 600 feet of elevation.
This limited view to the southeast is from the trail up Mud Pond Mountain. The mountains in the center are part of the Fishing Brook Range. That's Vanderwhacker in the distance.
I had not planned on going up Mud Pond Mountain, and never realized that there is a large open area a short distance from the summit. There are limited views from the actual summit, and when I arrived, with darkness less than an hour away, I didn't take much time to look around. Oh well, that leaves something interesting for the next visit.
A brand new lean-to on McRorie Lake. It's about three miles from the parking area to the lean-to.
For hikers, the real prize is Rock Pond Mountain (McRorie Lake was originally named Rock Pond). Rock Pond Mountain is just under 3000 feet and the map shows a trail to the top. An large --and intriguing-- cliff is visible from the road past the lean-to, so there are almost certainly good views. It would be just under five miles from the parking area to the top. That would make for a fine full day outing.
Mud pond at twilight.
The area is managed for timber production so the forests along the main trail (Fish Camp Road) are not much to look at. It's young second growth with large logging openings every quarter mile or so. On the plus side, that will make for good birding or wildlife spotting.
