Adirondack Iron Mine Circuit
Iron ore ruins and granite obstacles in the High Peaks
Deep in the Adirondack High Peaks region, this 24-mile circuit connects three abandoned iron ore operations from the 1800s through increasingly technical terrain. Starting at the Tahawus ghost town ruins, the route climbs through Henderson Lake country past the old blast furnace remains, then drops into the brutal rock garden approach to the Sanford Lake mine site. The gnarliest obstacle is the washed-out bridge crossing at Opalescent River, where you’re picking your line through house-sized granite boulders.
Difficult rating with serious rock crawling and multiple water crossings. You need lockers, skid plates, and 33s minimum – this isn’t a trail for stock rigs. July through September offers the best conditions, but even then expect mud holes and creek crossings up to your door handles. No permits required but fuel up in Newcomb before heading in. The payoff is pristine wilderness camping at Henderson Lake and some of the most remote country left in New York.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 24 mi / 38.6 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2100 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Newcomb, New York |
| Land manager | Adirondack Park Agency |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail?
No. The granite slab sections and embedded rock on the logging road segments require lockers and a minimum of 2-3 inches of lift with aggressive all-terrain tires. A bone-stock rig will high-center or get stuck hard, and recovery out here is a serious undertaking.
When does the trail actually open and close each season?
July through September is the reliable window. Spring snowmelt and Adirondack mud season can keep the approach roads impassable well into June, and early fall storms can drop snow on the high sections by mid-October. Don't guess — check with the Adirondack Park Agency before you roll.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the trail, but you're operating within Adirondack Park Agency jurisdiction. Dispersed camping is allowed but must follow APA guidelines — camp 150 feet from water, trails, and roads, and no camping above 4,000 feet elevation. A free registration at a DEC trailhead register may be requested at the start point.
What's the hardest section and what does it actually demand from the driver?
The granite boulder field roughly 8 miles in is the crux — think stacked, angular rock with no line that doesn't require careful tire placement. Lockers front and rear are not optional here, and you'll want a spotter. Budget 2-3 hours for that 1.5-mile stretch alone.
How deep are the water crossings and is there anywhere to resupply near the trailhead?
There are multiple crossings ranging from knee-deep to thigh-deep depending on recent rainfall — approach each one on foot first before committing. Newcomb is your last stop for fuel and supplies, and it's minimal, so top off in North Creek or Long Lake before heading in.
Trail track
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