calendar




Guestbook Comments







vacation rentals, real estate rentals




waterfront properties, residential listings




lodgings, accomodations




dining, restaurants, food




mountaineering, canoeing, hiking, biking




mountaineering, canoeing, hiking, biking




antiques, furniture




attractions, events, happenings




lake placid, new york shopping, shops, stores




adirondacks life, Adirondacks, adk




antiques, furniture




lake placid education, Adiroindack Schools




New York Businesses, Adirondack Business




public services, fire, police, vets




New York Businesses, Adirondack Business




New York Classifieds, Adirondack classifieds




adirondacks History, Adirondacks, adk




adirondacks life, Adirondacks, adk




adirondacks life, Adirondacks, adk




Adirondacks.com homepage


skiing, ski,
x-country, cross country ski, snow

Lewis County offers a variety of cross country skiing and telemark skiing to suit everyones ability. Please scroll down the list to find your perfect trail.

The following trail information was very generously provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Adirondacks, New York, Resource Guides

LEWIS COUNTY

Barnes Corners Ski Trails

Access to these cross-country ski trails is from the north side of Rt. 177, about two miles west of Barnes Corners and .75 mile east of the intersection of Routes 177 and 189.

Homerun Trail: Novice Skill - 1.0 miles

This trail starts at the parking area in a stand of European larch and red pine. You pass Snowbird Loop on the left and further on Whiteway Trail to the right. Proceeding northerly, thee is a slight uphill slope for 200 yards, followed by a half-mile run through a fine northern-hardwood forest. Snowbird Loop then intersects from the left. When you go downhill, after crossing a tributary of Fish Creek, you pass through a hemlock stand used by over wintering deer. The Homerun Trail ends at Times Square, one mile from the access point.

Snowbird Loop : Intermediate Skill - 1.5 miles

This loop runs westerly from the parking area and parallels Rt. 177 for .5 mile. You will pass through plantations of red pine, larch and white pine and then turn northerly, reaching a knoll of hardwood overlooking a bridge over Fish Creek. A short steep pitch to the bridge is followed by a long stretch of hardwoods, that includes black cherry, white ash and beech. You then climb a long grade, followed by a gently downhill run, before intersecting the Homerun Trail again. If you reverse your direction on this loop not recommended for most skiers you will have a challenging downhill run. Some maintenance to Snowbird and Linkup is done by the Black River Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club.

Electric Loop: Novice Skill - 2.2 miles

This loop traverses plantation of red pine, white pine and white spruce. The westerly section parallels the Lighthouse Hill transmission line. Completed in 1925, this electric line carries 115,000 volts from Black River generating plants to Altmar NY. No matter which direction you take on the Electric Loop, you will circle back to Times Square. The entrance to Explorer Trail is adjacent to the lean-to built in 1982 by Steve Wood of Boy Scout Troop 7, with help from the Black River Chapter ADK.

Zigzag Trail: Novice Skill - 1.8 miles

Does just that it zigzags: it turns north off ?Snowbird Loop, bypasses some hills and joins Snowbird again, where a bridge crosses Fish Creek.

Whiteway Trail: Novice Skill - 1.8 miles

This trail leaves Times Square in an easterly direction and passes through stands of white spruce, red pine and native hardwood. It also crosses two open wetlands. Williams Truck Rd. a DEC maintained access road, lies just to the north. A short 10% slope about .25 mile from the intersection with Homerun Trail, gives an exciting downhill run to skiers going clockwise around the loop. Turn left here to return to the parking lot, 700 feet away.

Linkup Trail: Intermediate Skill - 2.5 miles

Connecting to the County Trail System, this trail runs easterly from the parking area and soon turns south, crossing Rt. 177. Watch out for vehicles! You will ski through stands of Japanese larch, northern hardwoods, young white spruce and mixed conifers, up two steep hills, and across a bridge built by ADK over a tributary of Grunley Creek. Cross Denning Rd., then ski through some scotch pine and across Grunley Creek. Proceeding through white spruce, hardwood, and red pine, you reach Loomis Rd., where the county trail system starts. Before crossing either road, watch out for snowmobilers.

John Young Nature Trail: Intermediate Skill - 1.7 miles

This trail winds along Inman Gulf. It was constructed by the Black River Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club in memory of a beloved member who spent many volunteer hours building and maintaining recreational trails. You will pass many interpretative nature signs and a picnic area with a swing donated by relatives by John Young.

Inman Gulf Glide: Intermediate Skill, No Beginners - 1.5 miles

Cut by Forest Ranger Dave Larrabee, with help from Bill Blodgett this trail runs along the edge of Inman Gulf and through some hilly sections. Scenic Rainbow Falls may be seen on the north side of the rim; Gulf Stream courses along the bottom of Inman Gulf. Be cautious when crossing Williams Truck Rd. because it is a main snowmobile route. In summer, five parking areas along Williams Truck Road allow people to choose loops of different lengths.

Explorer Trail: Intermediate Skill - 1.4 miles

This trail was constructed in 1990 by the Explorer Scout Troop of Sackets Harbor. The trail allows skiers on the Electric Loop to increase the trail by .9 mile and experience different scenery. Located in the northwest section of the ski complex, this trail runs through numerous stands of white spruce.

Of Special Historical Note

These trails are in the Tug Hill State Forest, which totals 12,000 acres. Much of the land was purchased for $4.00 per acre in 1933, when it was abandoned agricultural land.

In July 1995, a severe windstorm, called a microburst swept through the area. The valuable downed timer was salvaged by numerous local loggers. DEC's Operations Unit and local volunteers reopened the trails. The dramatic impact of this storm on the local ecosystem will be evident for many years to come.

Back to Cross Country Skiing

Adirondacks, New York, Resource Guides

how to get here, adirondacks, New York,
Adirondack Park, nyNeed Directions?
please sign our guestbookGuestbook
add url, link siteWeather
advertise, homepage, adsAdvertising
email adirondacks new yorkSend Email
comments, adirondacksComments

Adirondacks, New York, Resource Guides

Calendar of Events |  Vacation Rentals |  Real Estate |  Lodging & Accomodations
Dining |  Summer Sports |  Winter Sports |  Arts & Crafts |  Attractions
Shopping |  Adirondack Kids |  Adirondack Lifestyles |  Education
Business Profiles |  Community Links |  Business Directory |  Classifieds
Adirondack History |  Bulletin Board |  Chat Room |  Guestbook Comments |  Return Home

BACK TO THE TOP

Adirondacks, New York, Resource Guides

adirondacks new york
resource guide
43 Broadway
Saranac Lake, New York 12983
Phone: 518-891-3745    Fax: 518-891-3768
E-Mail: Adirondacks.com

This website is owned and operated by
adirondacks.com internet publishing group.
For advertising and editorial content,
please contact Rob Grant;
adirondacks.com reserves the right to reject,
modify or cancel any advertising at its sole discretion.
© Adirondacks.com - all rights reserved