The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the opening of the new 2.2-mile spur trail connecting the 134-mile Northville-Placid Trail (NPT) to the hamlet of Long Lake in Hamilton County. The spur trail provides ease of access to food, supplies, and lodging for backpackers through-hiking the NPT and enhances the local economy.

“We are pleased to work with the town of Long Lake to open this spur trail to the Northville-Placid Trail,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The trail benefits through hikers on the NPT, and hikers and skiers who want to do a medium distance loop through the forests, as well as businesses in Long Lake. This is another example of the Forest Preserve providing economic benefits to Adirondack communities.”

Located in the Blue Mountain Wild Forest, the spur trail connects with the NPT approximately 1.9 miles south of Route 28N. The connection is marked with yellow trail markers and includes 0.4 mile of the Three Brook Ski Loop Trail, 0.8 mile of recently constructed trail on Forest Preserve lands, 0.8 mile of trail built by the town of Long Lake on town-owned lands in 2017, and 0.2 mile of Pavilion Lane, a town-owned road.

“The Town of Long Lake welcomes backpackers and other outdoor recreationalist to avail themselves of our bustling business district with amenities that include the post office across from the trail, lodging, camping and re-fueling supplies, and ice cream,” said Clark Seaman, Supervisor of the Town of Long Lake. “This spur trail, which also will divert foot traffic off a busy highway corridor, was accomplished through the resources of the Town, DEC, and private enterprise. We continue to invest in and improve our outdoor recreational assets and providing more access to more people.”

The trail terminates at a gravel parking lot at the intersection of State Route 30/28N, South Hill Road, and Pavilion Lane. The Long Lake Post Office, where many backpackers send packages for resupply, is located on the opposite side of State Route 30/28N. Businesses with food and supplies are located less than 0.2 mile from the terminus.

Overall, using the spur trail eliminates an estimated 1.4 miles of hiking, including 1.3 miles of hiking on the shoulder of the state highway. In the winter, cross-country skiers can ski from Long Lake to the Three Brook Ski Loop Trail along the NPT and back for a pleasant 5.5-mile round trip ski.

The 0.8-mile of trail on the Forest Preserve was sustainably constructed by DEC staff and crews from the Student Conservation Association (SCA) Adirondack Program. Crews also improved conditions on the Three Brooks Ski Loop.

Users are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace when recreating in the Adirondacks to enjoy the outdoors responsibly and minimize impact on the natural resources.

Under Governor Cuomo's Adventure NY initiative, DEC is making strategic investments to expand access to healthy, active outdoor recreation, connect more New Yorkers and visitors to nature and the outdoors, protect natural resources, and boost local economies. This initiative will support the completion of more than 75 projects over the next three years, ranging from improvements to youth camps and environmental education centers to new boat launches, duck blinds, and hiking trails. Read more about the Adventure NY initiative.

Find more information on planning an outdoor adventure in New York State.