SUNY ESF
Trails
The AIC features 3.6 miles of interpretive trails on its 236-acre property, along the shoreline of Rich Lake and Rich Lake outlet. Trailheads are located at the building.
- Rich Lake Trail (0.8 mile loop, easy) – this 0.8 mile loop is a fantastic warm-up, and is the starting point of our trail system. Experience a variety of habitats, views of the Goodnow Mountain Fire Tower and a raised boardwalk through a cedar swamp. (GREEN markers)
- Peninsula Trail (0.9 mile loop, moderate) – this trail takes visitors over a floating boardwalk and through an old-growth hemlock grove, and offers great views from elevated overlooks on Rich Lake. (RED markers)
- Sucker Brook Trail (1.1 mile loop, moderate) – this trail encircles the outlet of Rich Lake, crossing two scenic bridges. Remnants of a historic dam structure that was used to control the lake's water level for log drives can be viewed from the eastern-most bridge. (BLUE markers)
- R.W. Sage Jr. Memorial Trail (1.1 miles, moderate) – named for Richard W. Sage, Jr., former associate director of the Adirondack Ecological Center, this trail features south-facing slopes and stands of pure hardwood forests, and a boardwalk through a seasonal wetland offering visitors a true deep-woods feel. Take the Sage Trail Cut-Off to shorten the loop by 0.3 miles. (YELLOW markers)
- AIC—Santanoni Connector (0.5 miles, moderate) – This trail departs the Interpretive Center property from the eastern edge of the Sage Trail and leads visitors through NYS DEC lands to the Newcomb Lake Road Trail. The connector trail intersects the Newcomb Lake Road Trail approximately 0.3 miles north of the Camp Santanoni trailhead. Learn more about Great Camp Santanoni