Croghan Tract

Croghan Tract Sign The lands purchased from Champion International consist of three noncontiguous blocks known as the Santa Clara Tract, Tooley Pond Tract and Croghan Tract, covering portions of ten towns in Franklin, St. Lawrence, Herkimer and Lewis Counties. The area was purchased for its significant stretches of high quality recreational water which will provide public recreation while maintaining lands in timber production. This web page deals exclusively with the State-owned Forest Preserve lands within the Croghan Tract.

Location and Access

The Croghan Tract is located in Herkimer and Lewis Counties in the Towns of Webb, Croghan and Watson. The Forest Preserve portions of this land are located in three separate sections. The westerly portion is in Lewis County north of the Prentice Road, east of the Adirondack Park Boundary, south of the Lassiter Conservation Easement Lands, and west of the Future Farmers of America's Camp Oswegatchie property. The central parcel straddles the Lewis and Herkimer County lines and includes Sand Pond and Spring Pond. The easterly tract is the Greggs Lake Lot surrounding Greggs Lake and Green Pond in Herkimer County.

For the first year, all access to these new sections of Forest Preserve will be via Long Pond Road.

To Reach the Croghan Tract - Take NYS Route 812 to Croghan. Turn onto Belfort Road (County Route 10). At Belfort, turn right on Long Pond Road.

Westerly Section - Take Long Pond Road to the West Branch of the Oswegatchie River. A trail accesses Mud Pond at this point or you can continue on Long Pond Road, which passes through the parcel in several places. You can also turn off on Prentice Road and, after crossing the Adirondack Park Boundary, the lands are on the north side of the road.

Central Section - Take Long Pond Road to Prentice Road. Follow Prentice Road to the intersection with the Champion Main Haul Road. Turn onto Main Haul Road (note: do not leave this access road) and follow the signs to the intersection with Jakes Pond Road. At that point, you are at the boundary of the central section of the new Forest Preserve. You may use Jakes Pond Road and Sand Pond Road for further access.

Easterly Section - (note: four-wheel drive is recommended) Take Long Pond Road to its end at Bergens Clearing. Cross the parking lot and proceed up Bear Pond Road. Turn south on Tied Lake Road to the parking area. Motor vehicle access is not permitted beyond this point.

Area Maps and Trip Planning

These new Forest Preserve lands can be located on two USGS topographic maps. The eastern and central sections of the property can be found on the USGS Stillwater 7 ½" topographic map. The western parcel can be found on the adjacent USGS Soft Maple Reservoir and Oswegatchie SW 7 ½" topographic maps. Maps are available in many book and outdoor stores or directly from USGS by calling (800) USA-MAPS.

Additional Resources:

Tips for Using State Lands. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, State Office Building, Watertown, NY 13601 (315) 785-2263.
Adirondack Waterways. Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, P.O. Box 51, West Chazy, 12992 (518) 846-8016.
Adirondack Great Walks and Day Hikes. Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, P.O. Box 51, West Chazy, 12992 (518) 846-8016.
Adirondack Canoe Waters North Flow. Paul Jamieson and Donald Morris. 1998. The Adirondack Mountain Club. 814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY 12845 (518) 668-4447.
Northern Region Guidebook. Peter V. O'Shea. 1995. The Adirondack Mountain Club, 814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY 12845 (518) 668-4447.
Discover the Northern Adirondacks. Barbara McMartin. 1994. North Country Books, 311 Turner St., Utica, NY 13501 (315) 735-4877.

History

The Croghan Tract is one of the more remote areas of the Adirondacks. Since European settlement of the region, in the 1870's, the area has been owned by a series of large and small timber companies and utilized primarily for timber production. The limited road network through the property stems primarily from these activities. The area has a long tradition of use for hunting, fishing and trapping.

Land and Waters

The Croghan Tract is located in a transitional area between the Tug Hill Plateau and the more rugged area of the Adirondack Mountains. The terrain is generally rolling, with hardwood forests covering much of the area. Each of the three fee parcels contains at least one fairly large pond, including Greggs Lake, Green Pond, Mud Pond and French Pond.

Fish and Wildlife

The streams, river, ponds and lake of these lands contain a variety of fish. Brook trout are found in Greggs Lake, Mud Pond, both French Ponds and Sand Pond. Bullhead are found in Mud Pond, Sand Pond and both French Ponds. Mud and Sand Ponds also have pumpkinseed.

Wildlife is plentiful throughout the Croghan Tract. Visitors may see or hear white-tailed deer, black bear, raven and gray jay, coyote, red fox, fisher, red squirrel, chipmunk, snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse and wild turkey. Along the shorelines, bald eagle, muskrat, mink, otter, beaver and raccoon may be observed. Various songbirds typical of deep woods and disturbed areas are present throughout the area.

Special Rules And Regulations

Many of the following special rules and regulations are temporary, but will serve until a detailed plan is developed for the area.

The public must stay on designated primary access corridors or on public highways to access this property. Certain primary access corridors will be open for public use only during certain times of the year, while others will remain under exclusive use of lessees for a period of time. Snowmobile use is permitted only on access corridors designated for such use.
Public access to the easement portions of the Croghan Tract will be made available for recreational purposes after June 30, 2000. Leases in existence between June 30, 2000 and June 30, 2014 will retain exclusive hunting rights from September 1 through December 31 of each year. Additionally, for the same period, with the exception of primary access corridors, public use of the easement lands will not be allowed during the rifle season for white-tailed deer.
Unless otherwise posted, public hunting, fishing and trapping are not permitted.
Motorboats are permitted only in areas posted for same. A 10 horsepower limit has been established for motorboats within the Croghan Tract.
Camping will be available on designated sites only. These sites will be identified by DEC signage. Camping permits are required for groups of 10 or more persons or for stays at one site of more then three consecutive nights.
Please do not to trespass on adjacent private lands. The perimeter of the Forest Preserve lands is signed.

Note: The land identified on this map as "Tooley Pond Tract-Northern Flow River Corridors" are part of the Forest Preserve. All codes, rules and regulations listed under Part 190 of the Environmental Conservation Law apply.

Water travel and safety

Canoes, kayaks and car top boats may be used on water bodies in the Croghan Tract Forest Preserve. All water bodies are flat water. During the first year, short canoe carries will be built to Mud Pond and Sand Pond. All persons need to have an approved, wearable, personal flotation device. Operators of motorboats are required to conform with NYS Parks and Recreation Law.

Comments and Suggestions

If you require more information on the Croghan Tract, river conditions, backcountry information and permits, or on any lands administered by the Department of Environmental Conservation, or for Forest Fire, Search or Rescue during office hours, consult the office listed below. Normal office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:45 pm

DEC Lowville Office,
RD 3, Box 22 A, Lowville, New York 13367, (315) 376-3521

For camping permits, contact Forest Ranger Michael Lewis at (315) 346-1040. If no answer, call (315) 376-3521 during office hours. Please plan ahead and try to get your camping permits arranged for two weeks in advance.

For General Information:

If you require additional information regarding the fishing and hunting regulations and licenses and other DEC programs, consult the office listed below. Normal office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:45 pm.
DEC Region 6 Headquarters,
State Office Building, Watertown, NY 13601 (315) 785-2263

Important Guidelines for Outdoor Recreationists

The Adirondack Forest Preserve's forests, mountains, lakes and rivers offer numerous opportunities for recreational pleasure, nature appreciation and an escape from the urban world. To help maintain the natural character of the Forest Preserve for your enjoyment and those that follow, please observe these simple guidelines:

Plan Ahead - Plan your trip according to routes and time available, carrying the latest guidebooks and maps. Check weather forecasts before you depart. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Park in designated areas only. Sign all trail registers.
Prepare for Emergencies - Even for day trips, each party should carry a waterproof bag or pack with minimum emergency essentials: a basic first aid kit, pocketknife, space blanket, waterproof matches, rain gear, extra protective clothing, high energy food snacks, a whistle for signaling, a flashlight with extra batteries, a water rescue throw-bag, and at least 30 feet of rope. Bring sun screen and insect repellent. Dress for the weather. An approved, wearable, personal flotation device is required for anyone aboard a boat, kayak or canoe.
Keep Parties Small - This reduces your impact on river environments and on the experiences of others. You will also increase your chances of seeing wildlife in and adjacent to the rivers and wetlands.
Camping - Camping is permitted at designated sites only. Respect other campers by keeping noise to a minimum and keeping your site clean. Carry a tent in case interior lean-tos are full. A DEC camping permit is required if there are 10 or more persons in your group. Regardless of group size, all persons camping at one location more than three consecutive nights must possess a camping permit. These are issued by area Forest Rangers free of charge on a first-come first-served basis.
Trails and Carries - River corridors are narrow strips of land bordering each river, and there is little room to disperse human impacts. Stay on designated carries (portages) and avoid making new trails. Designated carries provide safe routes around rapids, waterfalls, and other river hazards.
Fires - No fires are permitted, except for cooking, warmth or smudge. Choose bare level ground, clear away leaves and twigs for three feet and lay stones in a fire ring. Use only dead and down wood. Be sure fires are extinguished, DEAD OUT, before you leave. Better yet, carry a portable stove. Stoves heat more quickly, are easier to clean and do not leave blackened rocks and partially burned firewood. They come in handy during wet rainy weather. Be careful with cigarettes and matches. Don't leave garbage in the fire pit. Report unattended fires to the local Forest Ranger.
Water Supply - Wash dishes and yourself away from and below sources of water. Dispose of waste water away from streams and springs. Do not drink untreated water. Boil, filter, or chemically treat all water from natural sources to avoid microbiological contamination.
Pack It In, Pack It Out - Leave the woods cleaner than you found them. Bring a garbage bag to carry out trash. Burying refuse is prohibited.
Properly Dispose of Human Waste - Use a pit privy if one is provided. If not, bury all human waste under four inches of soil Stay 150 feet away from (and below) any water source.
Take Nothing But Pictures - Enjoy but do not remove or deface plants, animals, fossils, minerals or other materials. Do not drive nails into trees, or peel birch bark.
Firearms - Do not discharge a firearm in a parking or camping area or across a road open for traffic.
Accidents or Emergencies - In case of an accident, at least one person should remain with the injured. Others should carefully note the location and contact the local Forest Ranger to report a lost or injured companion.
If you get lost - If lost, keep calm, stay where you are and keep warm. If you think you can find your way out, following streams downhill will nearly always lead you to habitation. A large smoky fire is the best means to signal your position.
Pets - As trail use increases, owners with dogs should consider fellow hikers so that restrictive measures will not be necessary to control pets. When others approach, leash your dog and keep him quiet. Keep him out of sources of potable water. Remove droppings from the trail and campsite area.
Be Considerate of Others - Practice good river etiquette. Slower parties should keep to the right, if possible, and allow faster groups to pass. Groups from the same party should avoid spreading across the entire width of the river and maintain a tight group when encountering others. All river users should respect anglers on the river and not cross over fish lines or disrupt their fishing holes.
Storage of Boats and Canoes - Boats and canoes may not be left stored on State land for more than 24 hours. All watercraft must be removed from State lands at the completion of each trip.

In Case of Emergency

During business hours: (315) 376-3521
During off hours and on weekends: (518) 891-0235 or dial 911