Bear Lake

Bear Lake Trail is in the Black River Wild Forest in the Adirondack Park. From Kayuta Lake, we took NY28 North into the Adirondack Park past White Lake.  Before crossing the bridge over the Moose River (which was unidirectional at the moment because of bridge construction), we turned right on McKeever Road where there was a DEC sign at the corner.


Shortly, we followed a right fork on the road with a sign that stated "Access to State Land".  We crossed the railroad tracks and found the McKeever Trailhead parking area where we saw a kiosk and signed the trail registry.  Two dirt roads lead out of the parking area.  The one on the left is the Woodhull Mountain Trail that led to a number of trails including the Bear Lake Trail (0.5mi) and as far as the Bear Creek Parking area via Woodhull Lake lean-to (13.1mi).  Although it was marked a foot trail, we saw a car drive that way.  The one on the right is the Wolf Lake Landing Road which was slightly wider than the other road. The barrier was open so we proceeded that way.

It was a one-lane gravel road, in fairly good condition, with red snowmobile markers.  There were some pull outs along the sides in case one encounters oncoming traffic. At 1.1 mile from the McKeever parking area, we found the trailhead for the Bear Lake Trail. It was not clearly marked and at first looked like a campsite on the right side of the road. We parked close to the entrance of what turned out be a semicircular driveway. Across the other entrance to the trailhead, we saw some markers for other trails but still no sign confirming that this was the Bear Lake Trail.  We were only assured it was the correct trail based on the GPS coordinates (N43.36.628, W75 04.127). There were some signs along Wolf Lake Landing Road warning about some narrow bridge (actually just where the road crosses some creek) and this parking lot was just after the second warning sign. 

We started walking on the narrow trail that was almost completely overgrown with ferns and soon passed a small bridge over a stream.   Blue markers were easily visible which made it easy to follow the trail.  Gradually ascending, we crossed the stream several times, mostly over boulders, tree trunks or just jumping across.  At some areas, the trail was so wet we thought we were walking along a stream bed.

After a steep climb, 0.8miles later, we started to see views of the lake through the tall deciduous trees.  Walking alongside the creek, we heard the unmistakable sound of a waterfall, a narrow ribbon hiding behind the trees.




At 1.2 miles, we reached an unofficial campsite with a great view of the lake.  Bear Lake, is small, and according to the Adirondack Lakes Survey has a surface area of 1.97 sq. miles, maximum depth of about 15ft and mean depth of 6.5ft.  It was really peaceful with only a pair of loons on the water, entertaining us with their synchronized diving.

Bear Lake. Loons on right side of lake.

After having our fill of the loons, we continued on the trail as it made its way around the lake, again crossing the stream as it drains into the lake, this time over a small wooden bridge.  At around 1.5mile, we caught a glimpse of a lean to and made our way to it via an unmarked trail.  Built in March 2010 by a group of lean to rescuers, it looked almost new and very clean, including the nearby privy. There was a picnic table and a large fire pit.

Leaving the site, we found the real trail to the lean to and a sign which can only be seen coming from the opposite direction.  Along the shore, there was a beaten up old aluminum boat complete with a makeshift oar.  Still did not look seaworthy though.

With more trail ahead, we continued onward passing a bridge over a bigger stream until we reached a trail junction, one going to Woodhull Lake lean-to, the other to the Neejer Hill Trail. 

We followed the latter trail a short distance towards the shore where there was another unofficial campsite with a beautiful view of the lake.  From here, we retraced our steps back to the trailhead on Wolf Lake Landing Road.