Figure 8: A Sable Highlands destination in need of long-planned road improvements

By Phil Brown

One of many greatest easement tracts within the Sable Highlands open for recreation is the Determine 8 Public Use Space, located within the hills west of Decrease Chateaugay Lake.

Earlier this yr, I biked by means of this tract on a very good logging highway and continued on a really messy woods highway to the Rocky Brook Public Use Space, one other of the Sable Highlands tracts. Alas, I used to be thwarted in my need to go to a 3rd tract, the Lilypad Public Use Space.

At 3,939 acres, Determine 8 is the second-largest of the 14 public use areas within the Sable Highlands. Although owned by a timber firm, the tracts are open to the general public for recreation, together with biking, mountaineering, fishing and looking.

Judging by the register on the parking space, many of the Determine 8 guests are hunters and anglers. One man stated he wished to {photograph} moose. No indication whether or not he succeeded.

Determine 8’s pure options embody Figure 8 Pond, Lilypad Pond, Little Trout River, a number of streams, Baldy Mountain, Soulia Mountain and the western finish of Determine 8 Mountain. 

In a 2009 interim recreation plan, the state Division of Environmental Conservation stated it meant to construct a brand new highway and quick trails to offer entry to Lilypad and Determine 8 ponds. These tasks stay on the drafting board. Likewise, DEC has but to create a footpath alongside the Little Trout River or campsites proposed within the plan.

The logging highway traversing the Determine 8 PUA is designated Linear Recreation Hall 1 within the recreation plan. Finally, DEC desires to enhance this highway so guests will be capable of drive from Determine 8 to the Rocky Brook, Lilypad and Sugarloaf PUAs. As I found, nonetheless, the highway from Determine 8 to the Rocky Brook tract is in horrible form. It’s going to take a significant funding to enhance it for motor automobiles. In truth, it was so muddy that I needed to push my bike many of the approach (this was in spring).

The excellent news is that the primary 4 miles of highway are in glorious form for mountain biking. From the parking space, I pedaled uphill for a couple of half-mile after which coasted downhill to a bridge over a tributary of the Little Trout River. From right here, the highway climbed a brief distance to a pointy left bend, headed south after which turned due east, reaching a clearing with good views after 4 miles. En route, I crossed the river twice and gained about 450 toes in elevation.

The highway, in the event you can name it that, continues in a degraded state within the woods past the clearing. I discovered it a multitude of mud, puddles and rocks. I did handle to achieve the Rocky Brook PUA ultimately, nevertheless it was not enjoyable. My recommendation is to show round and benefit from the lengthy downhill cruise you earned in your approach up.

The Rocky Brook PUA lacks a parking space or any indicators indicating it’s open to the general public. I had deliberate to proceed to the Lilypad PUA, however given the hour, I made a decision in opposition to it. I coasted down a logging highway to the Narrows Highway and returned to my automobile through paved highways. I later tried to drive to Lilypad however discovered the logging highway gated.

The Determine 8 parking space is reached by Blair Kiln Highway, a city highway that turns to dust earlier than reaching the lot. The highway continues previous the parking space. I’d advocate strolling down this highway a tenth of a mile or so to a quiet stretch of the Little Trout River. The view is well worth the quick detour. 

Though I loved biking on the Determine 8 tract, I’m wanting ahead to taking my canoe to Lilypad and Determine 8 ponds (the 2 seem conjoined on the map). It’s anyone’s guess when that will probably be attainable. DEC has not deserted its recreation plan, nevertheless it has no timetable for when tasks within the Sable Highlands will get completed.

DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of NY 374 and Standish Highway in Lyon Mountain, drive north on NY 374 for five.2 miles to the Narrows Highway. Flip left, go 0.2 miles, after which flip proper at a T-intersection. Go 3.6 miles to an unmarked highway (Turtle Lane). Flip left and go 0.3 miles to a T intersection. Flip proper onto Drew Lane and go 0.7 miles to Blair Kiln Highway. Flip left and go 2.3 miles to the Determine 8 parking space.