Pillsbury Lake

Know before you go! It’s a bumpy road in and a bumpy road out so be sure your vehicle is ready to handle a long, winding dirt and rocky road back to the trail head. The road is approximately 7 miles to the trailhead starting on Jessup River Road off of State Route 30 in Speculator, NY. Follow Jessup River Road for 4 miles before keeping left onto Old Military Road. Pay attention to intersection...

Pillsbury Mountain is a fairly short but satisfying hike, ending with beautiful views of surrounding mountain ranges and lakes, and home to a defunct ranger station and fire tower. To get to the parking area within the Perkins Clearing wilderness area, head north on Route 30 out of Speculator and make a sharp left onto the dirt road immediately after Mason Lake. Continue on the dirt road for se...

The Sacandaga River is accessed via a hand launch at the Speculator Ball Field Parking Area in the town of Speculator, NY. Follow the Sacandaga River 1.5 miles until you reach Kunjamuk Bay. The Kunjamuk River begins further up the bay to the left.  Approximately 4 miles up river is Elm Lake. Paddlers will need to portage over a few beaver dams along the river.  Once you reach Elm Lake, take in ...

Snowy Mountain is the largest mountain in this region of the Adirondacks, and with a 2100'+ elevation gain over the 3.5 mile ascent is actually more work than some of the famed High Peaks. Going north on Rt 30, the parking lot is marked as Snowy Mountain on the right hand side. If you make it to the village of Indian Lake you've done too far, but at least you can grab a milkshake at Stewart's b...

Augers Falls is a not so well kept secret in the Wells/Speculator area of the Adirondacks. It's usually not very crowded but the people that go to take it in come from far and wide. It's an easy family friendly hike (and that includes furry family, just keep them on leash) that offers some fantastic spots to take a dip or soak up some sun before making your way to the star attraction.From the i...

Shallow Lake is a 268 acre remote lake located in the Pigeon Lake Wilderness in Central Adirondacks. This trail starts from Brown Tract Pond Campground, near campsite number 68 via the Shallow Lake Trail. This is a nice and easy hike for all fitness levels, with little elevation gain.There is a wooden sign marked “Shallow Lake” (yellow trail) near a parking area. Take the trail from here, and f...