Wilcox Lake Trail, East Stony Creek Trail

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Wilcox Lake Trail, East Stony Creek Trail

Jul 27 2010 12:53:20 pm EST

Topics: Adirondacks, Backpacking,

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Please note: this article is intended as a reference only. It is not a substitute for an updated guidebook and map. Also, travel in the wilderness requires experience and preparation that a guidebook can offer. Always check trail conditions on the DEC website to make sure the trail is open. The Adirondacks are prone to slides, flooding, and trail erosion.

Wilcox Lake is an attractive body of water inside the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, in the southern region of the Adirondack State Park, NY. It is accessed by the 5.2 mile East Stony Creek Trail, or the 6.3 mile Wilcox Lake Trail. Two lean-tos with fireplaces, as well as designated camping are located along the shoreline, making the hike an ideal overnight trip. Although possible to make a day hike of either trail, I would not suggest it for the novice hiker or someone just starting the season, due to the distance traveled.

At the Beginning of the East Stony Creek Trail, there is a junction to another Trail, Tenant Creek Falls , that is worthy of it’s own review. The trail follows Tenant Creek to three separate waterfalls, each more attractive than the next.

As the East Stony Creek Trail is shorter, easier, and follows a beautiful creek, I suggest this trail over the Wilcox Lake Trail. However, I have included a review of each hike for the curious.

I published an image gallery on the Wilcox Lake, Tenant Creek Falls area for sale as prints. Feel free to peruse as a reference for your hike.

From East Stony Creek (5.2mi)

To get to the trailhead, turn east off NY-30 to Old Northville Rd. If coming from the south, Old Northville Rd. is .5mi N of bridge over Sacandaga River, N of Sacandaga Lake. If coming from the North, Old Northville Rd. is 11.0mi south of the town of Wells. After 1.4mi on Old Northville Rd., turn left on Hope Falls Rd. Continue 7.4mi on Hope Falls Rd.(the last 1.3mi is dirt road), until you find a parking area on the left and a barrier preventing vehicles from passing. Beyond this point, the road leads to the Old Brownell Lumber Camp, now posted private property. However, the current owners allow access around the property, asking that they remain on the marked trail only. I suggest the “Guide to Adirondack Trails: Southern Region” as a guidebook and/or National Geographic Illustrated Map, Lake George, Great Sacandaga Lake for a map. For Upstate New Yorkers, the nearest Barnes and Noble or Eastern Mountain Sports may stock these things. I also suggest bringing a GPS on your trip with appropriate map sets, as some of the roads and trails in the Adirondacks are confusing. Don’t count on cellphone reception.

Brown and yellow DEC signs point to the trail on the left, going north, following East Stony Creek. A trail register is on the right 50 yards from the trailhead. At .2mi, a large wooden bridge crosses Tenant Creek. Just before the bridge on the right, there is a blue marked trail to Tenant Creek Falls, a nice place for a swim.

However, the East Stony Creek Trail continues on the footbridge. The blue marked trail climbs gently as it diverges from the creek, traveling along the shoulder of an unnamed mountain to the left.

The trail rejoins East Stony Creek for the majority of the hike. Boardwalks and bridges span most wet portions of the trail, however some muddy portions must still be negotiated. The trail is generally easy to negotiate, although there are some wet and rocky portions.

The trail crosses East Stony Creek at 4.2 miles, using the Bakertown Bridge, an impressive suspension bridge. The trail then climbs the shoulder of Wilcox Mountain for a short time until a trail junction is reached at 4.9 miles. Willis Lake is to the west 4.5 miles. Wilcox Lake is to the right .2 miles.

Continuing right to Wilcox Lake, the trail joins a jeep road from Harrisburg Lake. A DEC sign directs hikers to the left, down a wide eroded trail, showing signs of motorized vehicle use. Approaching the lake shore, a small island comes into view, as well as a sign for lean-tos pointing both left and right.

The lean-to on the left is .4 miles away. It is larger with a nicer view of the lake. However, the one to the right is closer, and still has a good view of the lake.

From Willis Lake (6.3mi)

The trail to Wilcox Lake from Willis Lake is 1.1 miles longer than the East Stony Creek Trail. It is more rugged and overgrown than the East Stony Creek Trail, requiring the hiker to pay more attention to detours around fallen trees and deep mud. However, some may prefer an alternative challenge to Wilcox Lake.

To get to the trailhead, turn east off NY-30 to Pumpkin Hollow Rd. If coming from the south, Pumpkin Hollow Rd is just after a sign for the Town of Hope and the Alpine Inn on the right. Continue 1.6mi on Pumpkin Hollow Rd, until you find a parking area on both shoulders and a DEC guideboard on the left. Beyond this point, the road narrows and deteriorates, sometimes flooding. It is highly recommended to hike the mile of road to the Wilcox Lake trailhead. I suggest the “Guide to Adirondack Trails: Southern Region” as a guidebook and/or National Geographic Illustrated Map, Lake George, Great Sacandaga Lake for a map. For Upstate New Yorkers, the nearest Borders Bookstore or Eastern Mountain Sports may stock these things. I also suggest bringing a GPS on your trip with appropriate map sets, as some of the roads and trails in the Adirondacks are confusing. Don’t count on cellphone reception.

The hike on Pumpkin Hollow Rd. is not difficult, but as it progresses, it seems to be concentrated with horse flies during their season. Due to flies and a sudden thunderstorm, I was unable to discern any worthwhile views of Willis Lake. What I observed was bordered by private property.

At the end of the road, there is an iron DEC barrier and plank snowmobile bridge; this is the Wilcox Lake trailhead. The trail follows an old road that used to lead to Harrisburg Lake, and is simple and pleasant until about a mile and a half, where it climbs a washed-out rocky area. Past here, the trail becomes overgrown with lots of ups and downs, twists and turns. It is advisable to keep an eye ahead of the trail for obstacles such as fallen trees, as some detours lead to dead ends. Better to read where the trail is going, then chose a detour around obstacles, looking for trail markers as guides. This saves a lot of sweat and grief.

Large diameter trees are encountered throughout this area. The forest generally has a wild and aged look to it. It is the most remarkable feature of the trail, in my opinion.

At 4.8 miles, the Wilcox Lake Outlet is reached. A bridge spans the outlet, but may be washed out at times, requiring wading. Past the bridge, divergent paths indicate detours during different water levels. However, the trail markers follow left along the outlet then bears right up a ridge. The trail climbs partly up and around Wilcox Mountain before it reaches a trail junction at 6.1 miles. To the right, East Stony Creek Trail travels 4.9 miles to Old Brownell Camp, now private property, and beginning of Tenant Creek Falls Trail.

Continuing left to Wilcox Lake, the trail joins a jeep road from Harrisburg Lake. A DEC sign directs hikers to the left, down a wide eroded trail, showing signs of motorized vehicle use. Approaching the lake shore, a small island comes into view, as well as a sign for lean-tos pointing both left and right.

The lean-to on the left is .4 miles away. It is larger with a nicer view of the lake. However, the one to the right is closer, and still has a good view of the lake.

As a reminder, I published an image gallery on the Wilcox Lake, Tenant Creek Falls area for sale as prints. Feel free to peruse as a reference for your hike.

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