Aldrich Pond Wild Forest
Including Aldrich and Sucker Lake Conservation Easement Tracts
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
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- DEC Region 6 Potsdam Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM), 315-265-3090; [email protected]
- Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911 or 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
- Location: Towns of Pitcairn and Fine, St. Lawrence County; Town of Diana, Lewis County; and Town of Webb, Herkimer County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 6J
- Map: Aldrich Pond Wild Forest (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The 26,702-acre Aldrich Pond Wild Forest is part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. The 356-acre Aldrich Easement Tract and 214-acre Sucker Lake Easement Tract are conservation easements in the Adirondacks. Located within the Western Adirondack Foothills these units contain hardwood forests, coniferous swamps and a large bog south of Streeter Lake. The terrain is relatively flat in the southeastern portion of the unit and hilly in the remainder.
The two conservation easements are private lands with specific public access and recreational rights. Respect the rights of the property owner and their lessees. Obey all posted signs and do not trespass. Big game hunting is prohibited on the Aldrich Easement until 2020. Logging can occur on the easements. Trucks and other logging equipment may be encountered on access roads and in other areas. Use caution and yield the way to logging equipment.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Tamarack Creek Trail extends 3.5 miles between the Youngs Road Trailhead and the Streeter Lake Trailhead. The trail ascends 130 feet and then descends 120 feet in a 1-mile section beginning 1.5 miles from the Youngs Road Trailhead. Otherwise, the ascents and descents are moderate. The trail serves as the border between the wild forest and the adjacent Five Ponds Wilderness for most of its length. The Tamarack Creek Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
Francis Hill Trail extends 4.1 miles from the Streeter Lake Trailhead to Bassett Creek, passing along a shore section of the Middle Branch Oswegatchie River along the way. Much of the first half of this trail also serves as the border between the wild forest and the adjacent Five Ponds Wilderness. The Francis Hill Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
Round Lake Trail extends 2.9 miles and ascends 300 feet from the Round Lake Trailhead to the shore of Round Lake. The trail passes a large wetland complex known as the Scuttle Hole which once contained a Jackworks for loading logs from Scuttle Hole Creek onto a logging railroad. The Round Lake Trail Map (PDF) is available to view and download.
Maple Hill Trail extends 0.9 miles from the trailhead on Jackworks Road to the Middle Branch of the Oswegatchie River.
Jackworks Trail extends 3.6 miles from the junction of the Jackworks Road and the Maple Hill Trail to Mullins Flow Road. The trail is often severely flooded by beaver activity along Pins Creek, and may be very difficult to follow. This trail, and side trails off of it, is not maintained and should be used with caution.
Camping
General information on backcountry camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
All designated primitive tent sites, campsites, and lean-to's, are available on a first come - first served basis and cannot be reserved. Designated campsites are marked with a yellow "Camp Here" disc. Designated campsites are for tents only. Tents or small campers can use designated campsites. There are no hook-ups for water or electricity at campsites.
Twelve designated primitive tent sites and campsites, and one lean-to are located on these lands. All are available on a first come-first served basis and cannot be reserved. Designated sites are marked by a yellow "Camp Here" disc. Designated tent sites are for tents only. Tents or small camps can use designated campsites. There are no hook-ups for water or electricity at campsites.
Eleven designated campsites are located along Streeter Lake Road, a season access road between Coffin Mills Road and Streeter Lake. Two of the campsites are accessible, each has a hard surface, an accessible pit privy and a fire ring.
Accessible Camping
Streeter Lake Lean-to is located on the northeastern shore of the lake.
Campers who desire more amenities can camp at DEC's nearby Cranberry Lake Campground and Day Use Area and take day trips into the Aldrich Pond Wild Forest.
Paddling
General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
A nearly 7.0-mile flat water stretch of the Little River can be paddles between the Youngs Road Hand Launch and the Streeter Lake Road Hand Launch when water levels are low. A short carry is required to get around Schuler Fall.
Streeter Lake Outlet and Streeter Lake can be accessed from a Streeter Lake Outlet Hand Launch near the Streeter Lake Trailhead.
213-acre Star Lake may be accessed from the Star Lake Hand Launch.
Mud Pond can be accessed from the Mud Pond Hand Launch.
Boating
General information on boating includes safety tips with links to rules and regulations and lists of DEC boat launches by county.
213-acre Star Lake may be accessed from the Star Lake Hand Launch. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake.
Sucker Lake can be accessed from the Sucker Lake Hand Launch. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes fishing tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations. You can ensure of continued good fishing opportunities in the future by fishing responsibly. If you have never been fishing but want to try, it's easy to learn how to fish.
All waters within the Aldrich Pond Wild Forest are open to fishing. Anglers may use the same trailhead and trails as hikers, the same hand, launches as paddlers, the same boat launches as boaters and the same camp sites as campers to access and fish these waters.
Round Lake contains brook trout and can be accessed from the Round Lake Trailhead via the Round Lake Trail.
57-acre South Creek Lake contains brown trout and largemouth bass, it can be accessed from the Round Lake Trailhead via the Round Lake Trail.
Long Lake contains brook trout and can accessed from the Long Lake Trailhead via the Long Lake Trail.
Streeter Lake (PDF) contains brook trout and brown bullhead and can be accessed from the Streeter Lake Outlet Hand Launch and the Streeter Lake Trailhead.
Sucker Lake contains smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass and pumpkinseed bass and can be accessed from the Sucker Lake Hand Launch. Special regulations apply.
213-acre Star Lake contains lake trout, Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch, and pumpkinseed and can be accessed from the Star Lake Hand Launch. Ice fishing is allowed on Star Lake.
Fishing is allowed on the 0.65-mile portion of the Sucker Lake Outlet within the Sucker Lake Easement Tract.
Most of the streams in the area including the Middle Branch Oswegatchie River and the upper reaches of the Little River contain brook trout. The lower reaches of the Little River contain brown trout.
For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) information, visit DECinfo Locator- Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (DECinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer. Users are encouraged to visit the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide first for "how to" instructions on using the fishing map).
North Central NY Fishing provides information on fishing in the Adirondacks and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.
Help Protect Native Adirondack Fish; populations of brook trout, round whitefish and other native Adirondack fish species have severely declined due to introduced fish.
Hunting & Trapping
General information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to season, rules and regulations.
All the lands and waters within the Aldrich Pond Wild Forest and the Sucker Lake Easement Tract are open to hunting and trapping. Small game hunting and trapping are allowed on the Aldrich Easement Tract, but big game hunting is prohibited until 2020.
Hunters and trappers may use the parking areas, roads, seasonal access roads, trailhead, and trails used by hikers and others to access to hunt or trap the lands and waters. Hunters an park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are not out of the travel lane.
Jayville Road Parking Area and Dobbs Road Parking Area provide access to a large trail less portion of the wild forest between Powell Road and Street Lake Road.
Big game hunters can enjoy the pursuit of white-tailed deer, black bear, and ruffed grouse. Common furbearers include beaver, fisher, otter eastern coyote, muskrat, mink, and raccoon.
Biking
General information on biking includes how-to and safety tips with links to rules and regulations.
Biking is allowed on all access roads and trails used by hikers.
Electric bicycles (E-bikes) of any class are not allowed on trails and roadways where public motorized access is prohibited.
Horseback Riding
General information on horseback riding includes safety tips and rules and regulations.
Horseback riding is allowed on all access roads and any trails marked as designated horse trails. Horseback riders can access the trail system via the Youngs Road, Streeter Lake Road, and Powell Road. Popular riding areas include: Tamarack Creek Trail, Francis Hill Trail, and Streeter Lake Road.
Snowmobiling
General information on snowmobiling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
More than 33 miles of snowmobile trails are located within Aldrich Pond Wild Forest including most season access roads and hiking trails. The trails are part of the local snowmobile trail network which links the communities of Star Lake, Aldrich, Kalurah, and Harrisville. Snowmobiles are allowed on the following trails and seasonal access roads:
- Tamarack Creek Trail
- Wagonbox Corner Trail
- Francis Hill Trail
- Maple Hill Trail
- Jackworks Trail
- Streeter Lake Road
- Jackworks Road
- Tyler Road
- South Creek Lake Road
Cross-country skiers and snowshoers may also use snowmobile trails. Snowmobilers should slow down when approaching and passing skiers or snowshoers.
Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing
General information on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on all hiking trails within the unit. When traveling o designated snowmobile trails, skiers and snowshoers should be alert for snowmobiles. Move to the side of the trail to allow snowmobiles to pass.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
The Adirondacks contain large tracts of wildlife habitat with some boreal, bog, alpine and other unique habitats. Many species of birds and mammals are unique to the Adirondacks or are mainly found here. More than 50 species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds inhabit or pass through the Adirondacks at one time of the year or another so it is not unlikely to catch site of wildlife during your trip.
More information on Adirondack Flora and Fauna (leaves DEC website) from the SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center.
You can protect wildlife and wildlife habitat when viewing them.
Wildlife Found in the Adirondacks
- Mammals
- Birds
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
The Streeter Lake Access Route begins at the gate near Streeter Lake and extends 4.1 miles south to end near Bassett's Creek. Disabled persons with a permit through the Motorized Access Program for People With a Disabilities (MAPPWD) may use this route with an ATV.
Two Streeter Lake Road Accessible Campsites are located along this season access road between Coffin Mills Road and Streeter Lake. Each has a hard surface, an accessible pit privy and a fire ring.
Little River Youngs Road Hand Launch has accessible parking and an accessible path to a level surface parallel to the water's edge.
Directions
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Parking Areas and Trailheads
- Jayville Road Parking Area is located at end of Jayille Road.(44.1603°N, 75.1888°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Dobbs Road Parking Area is located at the end of Dobbs Road. (44.1496°N, 75.1985°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Streeter Lake Trailhead Parking Area is located at the end of Streeter Lake Road. (44.1118°N, 75.0713°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Kalurah-Round Lake Trailhead is located at the end of Powell Road. (44.1181°N, 75.2171°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Long Lake Road Trailhead is located at the end of Ty Swamp Road. (44.1000°N, 75.1771°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Mink Creek Trailhead is located along Tyler Road. (44.0937°N, 75.1561°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Wagonbox Corners Trailhead is located at the end of Tyler Road. (44.1097°N, 75.1301°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Maple Hill Road Trailhead is located along Jackworks Road. (44.0956°N, 75.0808°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Jackworks Trailhead is located at the end of Jackworks Road. (44.0846°N, 75.0973°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Tamarack Creek Trailhead is located along Youngs Road. (44.1373°N, 75.0277°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Francis Hill Road Trailhead is located at (44.0881°N, 75.0678°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Hand Launches and Boat Launches
- Star Lake Hand Launch is located off State Route 3 (electric motors only). (44.1590°N, 75.0349°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Streeter Lake Outlet Hand Launch is located at the end of Streeter Lake Road. (44.1118°N, 75.0713°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Little River Youngs Road Hand Launch is located on Youngs Road (44.1432°N, 75.0278°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Little River Streeter Lake Road Hand Launch is located on Streeter Lake Road just south of the village of Aldrich (44.1442°N, 75.1105°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Sucker Lake Boat Launch is located on Sucker Lake Road. (44.1805°N, 75.1250°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Mud Pond Hand Launch is located on Sucker Lake Road. (44.1751°N, 75.1303°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace principles (leaves DEC website) when recreating in the Adirondacks to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts other backcountry users.
All users of Aldrich Pond Wild Forest must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
Conservation easements are on private property. Please respect posted signs.
Planning and Management
DEC manages these lands in accordance with the 1995 Aldrich Pond Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) (PDF, 7 MB). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more. The UMP was amended in 2004 (PDF) to close certain roads to ATVs, and again in 2009 (PDF) for a proposal to build a canoe launch and parking area.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- Five Ponds Wilderness
- Cranberry Lake Wild Forest
- Cranberry Lake Campground & Day Use Area
- Frank E. Jadwin Memorial State Forest
- Greenwood Creek State Forest
- Bonaparte's Cave State Forest
- Cold Spring Brook State Forest
- Toothaker Creek State Forest
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Gas may be found in the nearby communities of Star Lake and Harrisville.
- Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Oswegatchie, Star Lake and Harrisville.
- Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Star Lake and Harrisville.
- Lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Harrisville and Newton Falls.
Adirondack Regional Tourism Council (leaves DEC website) and St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce (leaves DEC website) can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.
Numerous guide books and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.
Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.
Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association (leaves DEC website) for information on outdoor guides.
