The Old Forge-Brantingham Lake area situated in the Town of Webb, Herkimer County, and the Town of Greig, Lewis County, consists of a scattering of small lakes and ponds among gently rolling hills. Moose River Mountain, the highest point in the area, was once the site of a forest fire observation station that was closed in 1971.
Most of the trails are within the bounds of the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness. These trails are not maintained at the high level they once were, especially in the northern portion of the wilderness area. This provides the Forest Preserve user an opportunity to enjoy the area in its natural-state.
Other trails are in the Independence River Wild Forest, which lies to the west and north of Ha-De-Ron-Dah. While the area is mostly used for hiking or backpacking, other activities can be enjoyed in the area.
A number of foot trails offer good nordic skiing possibilities during the winter season; the most popular being from Thendara to Big Otter Lake.
Horseback riding is not generally permitted on department foot trails. Exceptions are made, however, when such use will not cause significant deterioration to the resource. There are two horseback riding trails in the Old Forge-Brantingham area. The first follows the Big Otter Trail from Thendara west to the vicinity of Big Otter Lake. The second follows the Big Otter Road, from a point near Brantingham, east to the lake. While both terminate near Big Otter Lake, they currently do not join each other.
Access
The area can be accessed from Brantingham Lake on the west, or Route 28 on the southeast.
To reach the area from the west, watch for the Brantingham Lake sign on State Route 12, 15 miles north of Boonville and 10 miles south of Lowville.
Travel east on the Burdicks Crossing Road, 1.5 miles, to the Lyons Falls Road, turn left on the Lyons Falls Road and travel 0.8 miles to the Brantingham Lake Road, turn right on the Brantingham Lake Road and travel 3.7 miles to the four corners at Brantingham.
There are three trailhead parking areas in the vicinity of Brantingham Lake—two on the Partridgeville Road and one on the Steam Mill Road.
To reach the first parking area, turn left at the four corners at Brantingham onto the Partridgeville Road and travel 1.7 miles. At this point turn left on a gravel road and travel 6.1 miles to the first DEC-maintained parking area.
To reach the second parking area, travel straight ahead at the four corners at Brantingham on the Steam Mill Road, a distance of 2.5 miles, to the DEC-maintained parking area servicing the Centennial Cross Country Ski Trail System. Proceed 3.3 miles to the third trailhead parking lot at the Drunkard Creek barrier.
There are four access points to the area on the southeastern side. The first is at the end of Tower Road, north of the hamlet of Thendara. The second is a DOT parking area on Route 28, 3.0 miles south of the railroad station at Thendara; the third, a small DEC parking area, is north of Okara and the fourth, south of Cooper Lake Road, accessible from Route 28 near Gull Lake This can be reached by taking the Jones Road north, off Route 28 and traveling approximately 0.5 mile to the state boundary and parking lot. Most trailhead parking areas provide registration books. Please take the time to sign in and out.
from Away.com
