LAKE CHAMPLAIN, SPLIT ROCK WILD FOREST hiking


On August 30, 2022, the towns of Westport and Essex experienced a microburst that caused a tremendous amount of storm damage, including significant blowdown in the Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest. Many trails are completely impassable at this time. DEC staff and Forest Rangers will work to clear blowdown from trails.

Oct 10, 2020 - SPLIT ROCK MOUNTAIN loop, from Lewis Clearing Bay Trailhead.  Counterclockwise this time.  There is a good lookout to the W before Ore Bed.  Spur to Ore Bed Overlook for great views to VT, Lake Champlain & High Peaks.  Could not find South Rocks Overlook - don't believe a marked trail exists.  Essex Overlook has limited views to Burlington - saw 2 Essex Ferries going in opposite directions.  Good fall foliage colors but a lot of leaves down already.  Lewis Clearing Bay Trail to unmarked Snake Den Harbor Trail - saw the eagles' nest but no eagles, just turkey vultures flying by - several viewpoints along this spur trail.  6 hours.


 





 

Oct 9, 2020 - BARN ROCK loop from Lewis Clearing Bay Trailhead.  Same loop & spurs as before.  1 small tourboat & 2 sailboats on the water - not too busy on water & on trail.  Love that view!  4.4 hours.  





 
Nearby:
Oct 11, 2020 - COON MOUNTAIN, near Westport NY.  Up the Summit Trail, down via Hidden Valley Trail.  High Peaks views incl. Dix, Giant, Hurricane, etc.  Lake Champlain, VT.  Only saw 1 other person on Sunday of a holiday weekend..  2 hours.  Adirondack Land Trust.  MAP.  






Apr 11, 2019 - BARN ROCK & BAY hike.  Southerly loop clockwise in Split Rock Mtn WF.  More pines & hemlocks in this area.  Calamity Trail was most interesting from a natural & historical perspective - beaver pond & meadow, split rock, quarry.  One spur goes to the tip of Barn Rock, another goes to the bay - no map shows both.  I've paddled into here before but never hiked in.  Elevations 100'-600'.  Great view of Lake Champlain & the Green Mtns.  6 miles, 5 hours.  No boats on the water.





Apr 10, 2019 - SPLIT ROCK MOUNTAIN hike, on the Adirondack coast between Westport & Essex.  Most trails are over old woods roads.  Did the northern loop, taking in views at Essex Overlook, Ore Bed Overlook (best views), & spur to Snake Den Harbor (cedars & yews looking down on a bald eagle on nest).  Oak/hickory woods at lower elevations.  10.3 miles, 6.5 hours.  Much of the route is good for skiing, the steepest spot is just S of Ore Bed Overlook, however, today the trails only had snow & ice in spots + some mud of course.  Views of Lake Champlain, the Green Mtns & Adirondack High Peaks.  Elevations 350'-950'.  Info & Map - Split Rock Mtn WF.





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