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Ski into Stone Dam Parcel, Grass River Wild Forest

Posted by Mark Martin,
North Country explorer from All over
February 1, 2015

I skied into the Stone Dam Parcel from the Dean Road in Clare today. It was cold but sunny and no wind, so pretty much a perfect day. It is about a 6 mile round trip. I parked about 1/2 mile from the Stone Dam Trail as the road isn't plowed and parts of it are a snowmobile trail. The ski is very nice, it goes through the Grass River Easement, and while there has been some timber management, several mature trees remain and give the area an open forest feeling. There are a few hills that are fun and not challenging at all, unless you get your skis caught on a branch hidden beneath the snow and do a face plant (TWICE). The trail ends at a primitive campground at the stone dam. There is also a suspension bridge over the Middle Branch of the Grass River. This is a very nice 3 hour or less outing, depending on how many photos and breaks you want to take.

Comments

Jacob Malcomb

Nice photos, Mark. I've never explored the Grasse River Easement lands, but it seems like there are lots of hidden gems in the area. Are detailed maps of the area available from the DEC?

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Mark Martin

Thanks Jacob. Here is a link to the easement page on our website. http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/41156.html We do have information brochures for some easements, but because the easements are often tens of thousands of acres, the National Geographic maps are often just as good if not better. Most of my postings are from personal adventures, in which case I have created my own maps with a mapping software I have at home, so if you wanted to visit an area I posted about chances are pretty good I can provide you with a detailed topographic map. As for exploring easements, please read the easement link I sent you carefully. Not all easements allow public access (I think you know that from your Mount Matumbla post). The nice thing about easement lands for most of us in the Canton/Potsdam area is they are close by, and while you aren't in the High Peaks, you can get a great afternoon adventure in and see some incredible wild life! The only moose sighting I have ever seen was on easement land, and I saw 7 bears in 1 day all on easement lands.

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