Adirondack Park Grasse River Railroad Grade

The old St. Lawrence & Adirondack Railroad once hauled timber through this forgotten corridor, and the abandoned grade still cuts a straight line through dense Adirondack wilderness. Starting from Cranberry Lake, you’ll follow overgrown rail bed that becomes increasingly technical as beaver dams flood sections and deadfall blocks the path. The highlight is crossing the original railroad trestle foundations at Grasse River—now just concrete pillars standing in rushing water that requires careful rock-hopping or wading.

This is moderate-difficulty territory requiring high-clearance 4WD and recovery gear. Mud holes can be axle-deep during spring runoff, and several creek crossings demand careful line selection. Best tackled May through October when water levels are manageable. No permits needed on this state land, but fuel up in Cranberry Lake—you’re 40 miles from the next gas station. What you get is genuine wilderness solitude and a piece of logging history most people will never see.