Ager's Falls

What a beautiful day Memorial Day turned out to be.  After the week's cold, rainy spell which had lasted until mid-day Sunday, we were ready to go out and do some exploring.  Our destination was Ager's Falls.

Proceeding on Route 12 North, we turned right on E. Main St. in the village of Port Leyden, about 14.4 miles from where Rt 12 had separated from Rt. 28.

From the bridge, we noticed what looked like a cormorant on a rock in the middle of the Black River.

Lyonsdale Falls

We eventually reached Lyons Falls where we noticed a bridge by the Burrows Paper Mill on Lowdale Road. Directly under the bridge is Lyonsdale Falls.

Moose River Trail

Going back to Lyonsdale Road, we went a mile and reached the trailhead for the Moose River Trail leading to Ager's Falls.  The trail went through the woods, going alongside the river throughout it's course.  It was a lovely hike, although some parts were soggy and what used to be boards or boardwalk over these parts are now rotted.

We hiked alongside some rapids that make the Bottom Moose one of, if not the most important whitewater run in the state. After all the rains the previous days, the rapids certainly looked intimidating. We would have loved to watch the coming Moose River Race. Alas, our camp would be closed by then.

After a mile,  we reached Ager's Falls. This has been described as "one of the easiest 18 footers around".  Really?  Well, in the not too exact science of whitewater rapids classification which goes to Class VI, it is only Class IV.  Rapids along the bottom Moose goes as high as Class V.

Agers Falls

Ager's Falls is named after Joel W. Ager who was born in New Hampshire but came to Lewis County in 1840 to build a new paper mill. 

The Ager's Falls Historical and Recreation Area is owned and maintained by the Fortis US Energy Corporation. In addition to hiking, there are areas for swimming, picnicking and fishing.  There are even some very welcome, clean outhouses.  And, one does not need to hike to get there. 

  An access road on Lyonsdale Road (about 0.6 miles before the hiking trail) leads directly to the recreational area.  Thankfully, we missed the turn the first time we drove by it.  Otherwise, we might have missed out on the very pleasant hike along the Moose River Trail.