Ride Report: Saranac Lake Lollipop Loop
Last spring, cyclists could ride only 10 miles on the Adirondack Rail Trail, between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. This spring, they can ride the trail 25 miles, all the way to the Floodwood Outpost on Floodwood Road.
The final nine-mile stretch of the trail, from Floodwood Road to Tupper Lake, isn't scheduled to be completed until late summer or early fall, but undoubtedly many bike tourists will visit the region before then to ride the 25 miles already open, including this 19.3-mile lollipop loop from Saranac Lake that is just a joy to ride.
It begins and ends at the Saranac Lake depot, where there is ample parking. For a longer ride you can start at the Lake Placid depot (now a museum) and follow the rail trail to Saranac Lake. This will add 20 miles to the trip. Bike Adirondacks also offers shuttle service for those who'd prefer a one-way rail trial ride, regardless of the direction or starting point.
Unless otherwise indicated, the mileage figures represent the distances (as measured by a Garmin watch) from the start of the ride.
Rail Trail, Part 1
For the first part of the trip, you stay on the rail trail for 9.3 miles, as far as Little Clear Pond on the edge of the St. Regis Canoe Area. From the Saranac Lake depot, head west on the paved trail, crossing both Cedar Street and State Route 86 in the first quarter-mile. From this point on, the trail is packed stone dust.
At 0.6 miles, the trail reaches a long causeway that crosses Lake Colby. On the way back, toward the end of the ride, you might want to enjoy the views of nearby peaks from the causeway’s fishing platforms and benches.
Leaving Lake Colby behind, you soon pass the start of a snowmobile route (it leads to the Bloomingdale Bog Trail) and then come to a scenic beaver meadow. You next ride through deep forest before reaching a pleasing view of McCauley Pond. Though mostly in private hands, the pond has little development.
At 4.6 miles, you reach McMaster Road, the start of the loop portion of the ride. For the counterclockwise option, cross the road and stay on the rail trail. If going clockwise, turn left and begin a stiff climb to the junction of McMaster and Forest Home Road.
I suggest riding counterclockwise. That way, just before returning to the rail trail, you enjoy a thrilling downhill from Forest Home Road.
Cross McMaster and take the rail trail 1.3 miles to Route 186. Just after crossing the highway, you come to Charlie’s Inn, a bar and restaurant that also rents campsites and rooms.
Just past Charlie’s, you cross Route 30 and come to Lake Clear Lodge. The trail parallels the shore of Lake Clear, passing a number of homes. St. Regis Mountain rises across the lake (look for the fire tower).
A mile from Route 30, the trail crosses the Lake Clear outlet, a nice spot for a photo, and then crosses the little-traveled Conley Road. In another mile, you pass Little Clear Pond on the right. A rail-trail parking lies just beyond the pond. Exit left.
On the Road
The road segment is 5.5 miles. From the parking area, follow Station Road a tenth-mile to Fish Hatchery Road, turn left, and pedal uphill past the state hatchery and maintenance shops to Route 30, reached roughly a half-mile from the rail trail.
Cross the highway to pick up Forest Home Road. Follow Forest Home for 3.6 miles to its junction with McMaster Road. It entails a fair amount of climbing, but the grades are not steep. En route you’ll see a large pond on the left. It’s an impoundment of the Lake Clear outlet.
Upon reaching McMaster, turn left and enjoy a long, exhilarating descent past woods and fields. At 1.3 miles from the junction, you reach the rail trail. Turn right to return to Saranac Lake.
Rail Trail, Part 2
Reverse the first 4.6 miles of the ride, once again taking in the views of McCauley Pond, the beaver meadow, and Lake Colby. As you approach the beaver meadow, look up for a glimpse of McKenzie Mountain, which falls just short of 4,000 feet. As you cross Colby, you can see a number of smaller peaks in the neighborhood, including Scarface Mountain, Baker Mountain, and Mount Pisgah.
EDITORS NOTE: Road construction is scheduled for the Saranac Lake end of Forest Home Road beginning in May. It is expected to impede thru traffic throughout the summer and early fall. This route is not impacted by the project.
