Hiking Lonesome Bay
State Forest
#1000islands #ThousandIslands
Did you know that St. Lawrence County (upstate New York) has 43 State Forests? We
have only visited a few so far but figured that the Lonesome Bay State Forest
was worth blogging since it is located so close to the river (and Black Lake!).
In fact, we have heard you can even access it by boat from Black Lake. Like other State Forests it does not have any specific hiking trails. However this beautiful 1,122 acre forest has an approximately 2-mile long access road running right through the middle of it that makes for an easy and lovely hike. We discovered that you can drive in (at least this time of year) and park at any of several pull offs at the side of the road and just get out and walk this well maintained road. Note that also like other state forests, it is easy to get lost if one wanders off the road (so please don't, or don't blame us if you do).
But the Alamogin road takes you through a variety of terrains
including forest, meadow, and wetland.
From beginning to end, this is a four mile hike with two miles to Black
Lake and then back. Our hike was lovely.
And we never saw a single other person or car so it really has the feel of
being away from it all (yet is less than five miles from Hammond NY).
To find Lonesome Bay State Forest from Hammond, head south
on Route 37 for .88 mile and turn left onto Route 31. Continue for 2.78 miles
and turn left onto Alamogin Road for 1.59 miles. A parking area will be on the
right just before a gate (which we would guess is closed seasonally).
Be sure to see...
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Introduction
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Foster Blake Woods Preserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grand Lake Reserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Kanik Nature Trail
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Lonesome Bay State Forest
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Red Lake Indian River Trail
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Redwood Hill Preserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail
