Piseco-Powley Road

Stretching from Stratford to Piseco, Piseco-Powley Road winds along the western edge of one of the last remaining old Adirondack dirt roads. Lined with venerable spruce trees, some nearly brushing against the road, it offers a glimpse of nature’s untouched beauty. The tranquil West Branch of the East Canada Creek intersects Powley Road at Powley Place. This spot is positioned 8 miles southwest of Piseco Outlet, where NY 10 crosses, and approximately 7.5 miles from the point Piseco-Powley Road branches off from NY 10. When approached from the south, Powley Place is found 10.5 miles northeast from Stratford via Piseco Road. Notably, this area hosts four campsites, forming part of the 22 designated camping spots along Piseco-Powley Road, enhancing the allure of this picturesque route.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/28339.html

Get maps of campsites and destinations as a single-page PDF here: https://www.scribd.com/document/640949248/Piseco-Powley-Road-Campsite-Map-Pack

The year Lower Piseco-Powley Road washed away

It’s a bit remarkable to think it’s been three years since the pandemic summer when Piseco-Powley Road was closed all summer until October. It was a mixture of supply chain issues and the shut down as COVID spread across the state but it was still horrific to see the destruction brought upon it from the Halloween 2019 storm.

 Damaged Wing Wall On Lower Piseco-Powley Road Bridge

Three years have passed and much of the evidence of repairs has been hidden as the brush regrows and the natural wear and tear and erosion make it look like it did before the storm – generally maintained to a high standard for a dirt road but still subject to the same wear and tear of all dirt roads.

 Road Up To New Powley Bridge

The truth is the closure probably kept a lot of yahoo’s and families away seeking wilderness solitude and a place to party while most other places were closed during the pandemic. Still walking the road prior to the rebuild was jarring with all the damage visible.

Brayhouse Brook Crossing Just Needs Top Gravel

The road was fully reopened during October 2020, I camped at the House Pond Campsite for two nights after Thanksgiving to celebrate and witness it’s reopening. It was cold and gray at times but it was wonderful to see it back open again.

After the wildfire

Back in 2016, there was a grass fire at Powley Place along the East Canada Creek. I don't know if it occurred before or after the road had opened for the year, but by end of summer there wasn't much evidence of the grass fire as burnt over ground reseeded and grew strong as was before the fire. I just remember being surprised how burnt the area was when I was up there.

Taken on Sunday June 26, 2016 at Piseco-Powley Road.