Blue Ridge Wilderness

Includes Wakely Mtn Primitive Area

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released the Draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the Blue Ridge Wilderness and Wakely Mountain Primitive Area.

The Blue Ridge Wilderness consists of more than 47,000 acres of State Forest Preserve lands in the central Adirondacks, near the communities of Raquette Lake, Blue Mountain Lake and Indian Lake. The wilderness area's northern and eastern boundaries are roughly defined by Route 28 as it arcs from the South Inlet of Raquette Lake to Cedar River Road. The area is bounded on the south by Cedar River Road and on the west by the Moose River Plains Wild Forest and Great Camp Sagamore. Many people enjoy hiking the famous Northville-Lake Placid Trail, established in 1922, which follows the Cedar River Road, enters the Blue Ridge Wilderness through private land, and continues to Lake Durant Campground on Route 28. Others enjoy big game hunting in the fall, cross-country skiing near Great Camp Sagamore, and camping in the lean-tos on Cascade Pond and Stephen's Pond.

The Wakely Mountain Primitive Area is adjacent to the Blue Ridge Wilderness and consists of 235 acres of State Forest Preserve lands in the Town of Lake Pleasant. The primitive area encompasses the Wakely Mountain fire tower, observer cabin, and helipad. A hike to the tower is rewarded by panoramic views of the central Adirondacks.

Entire plan in one file (pdf, 7.53 mb - This file is very large and may cause some computers to crash during download)

Table of Contents, Preface, Acknowledgements and Unit Location Map (pdf, 409 kb)

Section 1 - Introduction (pdf, 738 kb)

Section 1 - Introduction, continued (pdf, 751 kb)

Section 2 - Inventory of Resources and Human Influences (pdf, 1.00 mb)

Section 2 - Inventory of Resources and Human Influences, continued (pdf, 956 kb)

Section 2 - Inventory of Resources and Human Influences, continued (pdf, 1.18 mb)

Section 3 - Management History and Direction (pdf, 580 kb)

Section 4 - Proposed Management Actions (pdf, 673 kb)

Section 4 - Proposed Management Actions, continued (pdf, 1.48 mb)

Section 4 - Proposed Management Actions, continued (pdf, 543 kb)

Section 5 - Schedule for Implementation and Estimated Budget (pdf, 165 kb)