August 16, 2021
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today the temporary closure this month of the southern end of the Browns Tract Trail on the John Brown Tract Conservation Easement for forest management activities. The Browns Tract Trail provides access to Middle Settlement Lake and the western portion of the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness.
The 3,078-acre John Brown Tract Conservation Easement is located southwest of the hamlet of Old Forge in Herkimer County. The tract is owned by Heartwood Forestry Fund IV. The owners signed an agreement with DEC to allow public use of the property, including trails, for recreation while retaining the right to practice forest management and the authority to close portions of the property to public use during sustainable timber harvesting operations.
The temporary closure will begin Monday, Aug. 30, and is expected to continue for one week. Please call DEC's Herkimer office at 315-866-6330 before planning a hike on the trail or check the DEC website for current trail information. DEC will announce when the trail is reopened.
Alternative access to Middle Settlement Lake and the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness can be made via the Scusa Trailhead Access, which is located across from the State Department of Transportation parking area on State Route 28.
Andrea C. Pedrick
DCEE, Region 8
6274 East Avon-Lima Rd
Avon, NY 14414