Debar Mountain Wild Forest 📍

The Debar Mountain Wild Forest (DMWF) is located in the northeastern portion of the Adirondack Park, just north of Paul Smiths, and is entirely within Franklin County. The highest point on the unit is Debar Mountain, which, at over 3,300 feet offers a broad distant view of the high peaks region to the south. Some portions of the DMWF have been split from the unit to create the Chazy Highlands Wild Forest, which is located to the northeast of DMWF.

Trails on the unit offer opportunities for hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, horse back riding, mountain biking and snowmobiling. Popular destinations within the unit include Debar Mountain, Azure Mountain and Debar Meadows. Other popular pastimes are hunting, fishing, canoeing and boating. Access to the unit’s water resources is available at Meacham Lake Campground and Buck Pond Campground, as well as on the St. Regis River, Osgood Pond, Jones Pond, Deer River Flow, Mountain Pond, and Lake Kushaqua. Vehicle access to the unit is provided primarily via NYS Routes 3, 30 and 458. Important local roads for access include county route 26 (Old Route 99), Red Tavern Road, Kushaqua-Mud Pond Road, Gabriels-Onchiota Road, Blue Mountain Road, and Oregon Plains Road.

🖼️ Photos
SVGZ Graphic: Lowest Named Elevation Places in NY State
Map: Snow Bowl State Forest

Debar Mountain Trail

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Debar Mountain Trail (3,305 feet) extends 3.7 miles and ascends 1,725 feet from the trailhead within Meacham Lake Campground to the summit of the mountain. The trail ascends only 170 feet in the first 1.9 miles and ascends 755 feet in the next 1.3 miles. The last portion of the trail is steep, climbing 800 feet in the 0.5 mile to the summit. A lean-to is located along the trail just before the last steep section to the summit. Views at the top are limited by the trees growing on the summit but include the High Peaks to the south. When the campground is open, hikers are required to pay a day-use fee.

Debar Mountain Trail

Map: Jerseyfield Road Campsites

Jones Pond in Gabriels/Paul Smiths in the Adirondacks

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Jones Pond, located in the Gabriels and Paul Smiths area within the Adirondack Park, is a scenic, shallow waterway popular for its raw wilderness feel and easy access. While the eastern shore features a few private homes, the surrounding scenery is bordered heavily by Forest Preserve.

Jones Pond

NameDescriptionLatitudeLongitude
Jones Pond Campsite #1Drive In Accessible44.4569525896741-74.188649483317
Jones Pond Campsite #2Drive In Accessible44.4564287983522-74.1886417035592
Jones Pond Campsite #3Drive In Accessible44.4553331034887-74.1872938934022
Jones Pond Campsite #4Drive In Accessible44.4549908358991-74.1874165909272
Jones Pond Campsite #5Drive In Accessible44.4540269570102-74.1869059407144
Jones Pond Campsite #6Walk In Only44.4545495755897-74.1918145221005
Jones Pond Campsite #7Walk In Only44.4521799623119-74.1943423506174
Jones Pond Canoe LaunchHand Carry Launch44.4563746662624-74.1890374144369
Jones Pond Parking44.4569338000819-74.1889903446017

Jones Pond is an excellent, family-friendly fishery characterized by its shallow depths and dense aquatic vegetation. 🎣

  • The Habitat: The water is filled with cattails, lily pads, reeds, and grass, providing ideal cover for fish.
  • Target Species: It is best known for containing large numbers of Northern Pike. It also holds healthy populations of yellow perch, brown bullhead (catfish), pumpkinseed, and bluegill sunfish.
  • Angling Tips: Because of the heavy weeds, using weedless hooks and lures is highly recommended to avoid constant snagging, especially on the ultra-shallow western side. The southeastern portion of the pond is historically the most popular zone for casting.
  • Winter Fishing: Jones Pond is also a highly popular winter spot for ice fishing.

Friday Night Fishing

There are several primitive campsites located along the pond’s northeastern shore. 🏕️

  • Campsite Setup: There are primitive sites spread along a rough, dirt, two-track jeep road extending from the boat launch. There are also an additional three walk-in/foot-access primitive sites on the northwestern shore.
  • Site Profiles:
    • Site #1 sits near the main entrance road and is the only space level and large enough to accommodate a small RV or trailer.
    • Sites #2, #4, and #5 sit closer to the water and are accessible by standard cars, trucks, or SUVs, with Site #4 being exceptionally large for groups.
    • Site #3 and #6 are walk-in only due to high-clearance, rough road conditions.
  • Amenities: These are entirely primitive sites with stone fire rings and two rustic pit privies. There is no running water or electricity.
  • Regulations: Camping is free and operates on a strict first-come, first-served basis. You can stay up to three nights without a permit; longer stays or groups of 10+ require a permit from a NYS Forest Ranger.

Getting Campfire Going

Jones Pond is an ideal haven for kayakers, canoeists, and paddleboarders looking for calm waters and abundant wildlife viewing. 🛶

  • The Launch: A hand-launch site is located at the north end of the pond just off Jones Pond Road. It accommodates canoes, kayaks, and small watercraft with trolling motors or small outboard engines.
  • Day Paddling: A paddle around the perimeter of the pond takes less than a half-day. As you float, you are highly likely to spot classic Adirondack wildlife, including loons, great blue herons, bald eagles, and beavers.
  • The Jones Pond Outlet Route: For a longer trip, you can paddle to the marshy western end of the pond to enter the Jones Pond Outlet. This winding, narrow stream cuts through a deep, highly biodiverse wetland marsh and flows directly into Osgood Pond.
  • Paddling Notes: Active beavers frequently build dams along the outlet stream. Depending on the water levels, kayakers should be prepared to pull over or portage around a few beaver dams or fallen logs.

As Fog Rises on Jones Pond

Thematic Map: Corning Tower Shadow
Map: Triangle State Forest
Thematic Map: US Highway System