Indian Lake

For the first time in a century, remote lands in the Adirondacks along the Hudson and Cedar rivers — including the region's highest waterfall — are available for the public to explore.

About 7,200 acres of former Finch Pruyn timberlands, purchased by the state this year, are now part of the forever-wild Forest Preserve and open to hiking, hunting, fishing and paddling, said state Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens.

Parking areas, public motor vehicle access, a hiking route to the Cedar River and waterway access sites for non-motorized watercraft are designated and available for public use on these newly acquired public lands in Newcomb and Minerva in Essex County and Indian Lake in Hamilton County.

New York bought the lands for about $6.3 million from the Nature Conservancy's Adirondack chapter, which had earlier purchased the areas as part of a massive property sale by Finch Pruyn. The company had held the property for decades and did not allow public access.

The state's move "will allow the public to explore remote and beautiful stretches of the Hudson and Cedar rivers for the first time in more than 100 years," said Michael Carr, the chapter's executive director. The area includes OK Slip Falls, the highest waterfall in the Adirondacks.

A map depicting the lands that are currently open to the public as well as parking areas, hiking routes, and public motor vehicle and waterway access is available on DEC's website at www.dec.ny.gov

Recreational users will be limited to existing paths to carry around rapids when traveling down the Hudson River. Camping will be allowed more than 150 feet from any road, trail, spring, stream, pond or other body of water.

Marked trails, camping sites and portages will be designated and constructed once DEC, in consultation with the Adirondack Park Agency, completes a plan this summer.

This plan will identify new trails for safe access to OK Slip Falls, as well as camping sites along the Hudson and Cedar Rivers, and portages around challenging stretches of the Hudson.

The public access is under a temporary plan that existed prior to classification of the lands by the APA.

The new access "may bring additional tourism revenues to our community and the region," said Indian Lake Supervisor Brian Welles.

Hearings on the land classifications are being held by the APA, including a June 25 event in Indian Lake.

bnearing@timesunion.com • 518-454-5094 • @Bnearing10