Future ADK Rail Trail Route Options
As construction clicks along on Phases 1 & 2 of the Adirondack Rail Trail, naturally we're thinking about all the new route options that will be possible when it's done.
Guest blog by Phil Brown
NOTE: Phases 1 & 2 are currently closed to all traffic during construction.
When I moved to Saranac Lake years ago, Dick Beamish, the founder of the Adirondack Explorer, introduced me to one of his favorite cycling loops. Starting in the village, he would ride up Forest Home Road, coast down McMaster Road, take Route 186 to Donnelly’s Corners, and return to the village on Route 86.
Depending on where you begin, the ride is 15 to 16 miles. I got in the habit of doing the loop before or after work. For the most part, it follows quiet roads. The only part I disliked was riding the four-mile stretch along busy Route 86 from Donnelly’s Corners back to the village.
The good news is that the Adirondack Rail Trail will allow cyclists to avoid Route 86 (and Route 186) entirely by getting on the trail from McMaster Road and taking it back to town.
This scenic section of the rail trail is still being built and should not be used during the construction season, which ends December 18. Work is expected to resume in the spring and continue until next fall, at which time the rail trail will be open all the way from Lake Placid to Floodwood Road--a total of 25.2 miles. The state plans to seek bids in January for the final 8.5 miles of the rail trail, the stretch from Floodwood to the village of Tupper Lake. Work on this section should begin in 2024.
Earlier this year, I biked the variation of the Forest Home loop to give cyclists a preview of what to expect once the rail trail opens. I started and ended at the Saranac Lake depot. The new loop is shorter than the original--only 11.5 miles--but this may be enough for tourists staying in the village or locals looking for a quick workout. And there is a longer option that I will describe later.
One of hallmarks of the loop is the variety of terrain. You climb a total of 575 feet to the junction of Forest Home Road and McMaster Road. This is followed by a thrilling downhill to the rail trail. The 4.7 stretch of the trail from McMaster to the depot is virtually flat. It’s nice to get the climbing out of the way early so you can ride at a relaxing pace back to the village.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation, which will manage the rail trail, plans to solicit proposals for reusing the Saranac Lake depot. Presumably, the depot will cater to bicyclists and other users, so it’s a logical place to set off on the Forest Home loop. Also, there will be parking at the depot. Following is a description of the ride, divided into discrete sections with cumulative mileage noted in the text.
Depot to Forest Home Road (1.0 mile)
From the depot, ride 0.3 miles west on the rail trail (this section will be paved) to Cedar Street. Turn left and go about 100 feet to Route 86. Turn left and then take an immediate right onto Ampersand Avenue. Ride down Ampersand 0.65 miles, passing the civic center and soccer field, to the start of Forest Home Road.
Forest Home Road to McMaster Road (4.5 miles)
Turning right onto Forest Home Road, you’ll see Little Colby Pond on the right. The road climbs past a few private homes and then descends to Fish Creek at 3.0 miles, an inlet of Lower Saranac Lake. Soon after crossing the creek, you pass the entrance to Knollwood, the compound where Bob Marshall, the renowned wilderness advocate and original Forty-Sixer, spent his boyhood summers and fell in love with the Adirondacks. After a long, winding climb through wild forest, you reach McMaster Road on the right at 5.5 miles.
McMaster Road to Rail Trail (1.25 miles)
After all that elevation gain, you have earned the right to coast downhill to the rail trail at 6.75 miles, passing woods and fields on the way. Just be aware that you can pick up a lot of speed, so be prepared to feather the brakes.
Rail Trail to Saranac Lake Depot (4.7 miles)
Turn right onto the rail trail. Unlike the stretch within Saranac Lake, this part of the trail will be surfaced with compacted limestone dust, which should accommodate most road bikes. (I was able to ride the unimproved surface with a gravel bike.) Heading east, you come to beautiful McCauley Pond less than a half mile after leaving McMaster Road (or 7.1 miles into the ride). Though largely privately owned, the shoreline has few signs of development. Continue riding through a stretch of state-owned Forest Preserve. One of the more scenic spots is a beaver meadow offering a view of the McKenzie Range. At 9.6 miles you catch a glimpse of Lake Colby before crossing the lake on a causeway with views of nearby peaks. You reach Route 86 at 11.1 miles. Cross the highway and follow the paved trail about 0.35 miles back to the depot.
The Forest Home loop is a prime example of how cyclists can cobble together loop rides by connecting the Adirondack Rail Trail with roads and other trails. For those wanting a longer ride, I would suggest the following:
A Longer Loop
Begin as before and head up Forest Home Road, but instead of turning down McMaster Road take Forest Home another 3.8 miles to its end at Route 30. Cross Route 30 and follow Fish Hatchery Road 0.3 miles to Station Road. Turn right onto this short dead-end road to get on the rail trail. Head east on the rail trail toward Charlie’s Inn at Lake Clear Junction. Just past Charlie’s the trail crosses Route 186 and then reaches McMaster Road in another 1.5 miles. Finish the ride as described earlier. The longer loop is roughly 21 miles, including about 10 miles on the rail trail.
It will be best to ride these loops after Phase 2 of the rail trail is finished. The completion date for Phase 2 is October 2024. Meanwhile, cyclists will be able to enjoy the 9.9-mile stretch of rail trail between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake sometime this fall. The completion date for this part in November 9. It’s possible the contractor will finish early.
After years of debating and planning, the Adirondack Rail Trail is becoming a reality. It’s not too early to begin mapping out your rides. Look for other suggestions in future columns and be sure to sign up for the free BikeADK e-newsletter for the latest rail trail and Adirondack bicycling news.