Scenic and remote, Massawepie Mire contains the largest bog in New York State. The trail through the mire is an old railroad bed that is now a dirt road. A birder can hike or bike on perfectly level terrain for many miles through enchanting boreal forest, bogs, mixed forest, and marsh areas near brooks and rivers.
Important additional information
The Massawepie Easement includes Massawepie Lake and the Massawepie Scout Reservation. There is no public access to Massawepie Lake or the scout camp from June 15 through August 31 of each year. From September 1 through June 14, the public may recreate by hiking, biking, birding, fishing, and paddling, using only non-motorized watercraft, subject to New York State rules and regulations. In summer, you may drive through camp to reach the mire, but do so with great caution and watch for campers on foot.
How to Get There
From the intersection of Routes 3 and 30 in Tupper Lake (by Stewart's convenience store), follow Route 3 west for 11.5 miles to the Massawepie Boy Scout sign on the left. If traveling from the west on Route 3, the Massawepie Boy Scout sign is 5.8 miles past the intersection of Routes 3 and 56. Turn onto Massawepie Road and travel approximately 4.8 miles on this dirt road along the ridge of an esker to a 4-way intersection. (This road can be quite rough in the spring.) Turn right at the intersection. In two-tenths of a mile, a "Y" intersection is reached. Go right and immediately park in the dirt area on the right. The old railroad grade is ahead around a metal gate. New York State has an easement on this road, but all the surrounding land and dirt roads are private.
Trail Description
The dirt road trail is level and goes on for 5 miles. The trail starts in a recently logged forest, then transitions to a mixed forest. After about a third of a mile, the habitat transitions to a boreal forest, then to an immense bog. The South Branch of the Grass River is reached after a mile and a half. Across the river, the habitat reverts to a boreal forest. There is another bog on the left and wet areas as the hike continues. Silver Brook is reached in just under 3 miles. Continuing toward the Grass River Flow, there is more boreal habitat and mixed forest.
Birding
Massawepie Mire is one of the most popular birding destinations in the Adirondacks. Between the long drive in and the trail itself, there are many diverse habitats, including lakes, ponds, deciduous, mixed, and boreal forests, forests regrowing after logging, bogs, marshes, brooks, and rivers. Eighteen warbler species breed in this area, including Northern Waterthrush, Mourning, Palm, and Canada Warblers. Other boreal species include the increasingly rare Spruce Grouse, Common Loon, Black-backed Woodpecker, Merlin, Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied, and Alder Flycatchers, Philadelphia Vireo, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Evening Grosbeak.
Massawepie Mire is open to birders throughout the summer. The Boy Scout property is closed to the public from June 16 to August 31. Take great care in driving through the Boy Scout area on the drive into Massawepie Mire during those dates.
Cycling
Mountain bikes can be used on the dirt road trail.
Snowmobiling
Massawepie Road is only plowed for about 1.5 miles. The rest of the road is groomed for snowmobiles. It would be necessary to cross-country ski 3 miles along the road to reach the trail through the mire (which is also groomed for snowmobiles). There is no official parking area for skiers yet, but there are plans to create one.
