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.
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