New York State’s Land Use Proposal Could Open Access to Adirondack Park’s Most Remote Community

The tiny hamlet of Beaver River, located north of Old Forge in the Herkimer County town of Webb, is likely the most remote community in the Adirondack Park. Thanks to a new proposal from New York State, this home of just eight year-round residents could become easier to reach.

How difficult is it to reach Beaver River? Currently there are no roads into the hamlet, which is located near the eastern shore of the Stillwater Reservoir. There are snowmobile trails accessable in the winter and hiking trails in the summer. Also a water taxi runs between Stillwater and Beaver River during the summer.

The state is considering amendments to the Use Management Plan for the Adirondacks. This is the hotly debated proposal that would tear up the Adirondack Scenic Railroad tracks between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid to covert the corridor to a trail for hiking and skiing.

Buried deep in this plan are two improvements to access Beaver River. WKTV.com reports the plan

seeks to provide additional access to the community of Beaver River by siting and creating a snowmobile trail outside of the Corridor connecting the community to the regional snowmobile trail system. The Draft 2015 UMP Amendment also serves as a Draft Supplement Environmental Impact Statement. Hut to hut cross-country skiing opportunities between Beaver River and the Horseshoe Lake Station and train stops in Beaver River, Lake Lila and other interior destinations.

So should be plan pass as proposed, there would be better snowmobile access and a stop on the railroad at Beaver River. The amendments stop short of opening up land access, something that some members of the community have long requested.

[WKTV.com]

A Drive Through the Salisbury Center Covered Bridge

Take a video tour of the covered bridge in the Herkimer County hamlet of Salisbury Center.