West River Road currently goes 7 miles from Wells to the old ghost town of Whitehouse, complete with two historic chimneys and several campsites. A scenic area, with views of the West Branch of Sacanadaga River and Dugaway Mountain. There is an old cementary located up there, along with one of the biggest pedestrian suspension bridges in Adirondacks. The Northville-Placid Trail also runs about a 1/4 mile from Whitehouse, and is frequently accessed from the Whitehouse Parking Area.
Although a long distance trail many people use the Northville-Placid Trail to access the wilderness for day trips. The Whitehouse Trailhead is used for short hikes across a unique suspension bridge over the West Branch of the Sacandaga River. Other popular destinations from Whitehouse include Big Eddy, Mud Lake, and Hamilton Lake Stream.
While the state has been trying to close off West River Road since the initial purchase of Whitehouse in the early 1970s, as early as 1972 it was proposed to be added to Silver Lake Wilderness. The latest 2006 Silver Lake Wilderness Unit Management Plan also calls for closure of the road, but no action has been taken, the road is still well maintained by the Town of Wells all the way out Whitehouse.
I hiked from the West River Rd ,Whitehouse (where it dead ends) to the Suspension Foot Bridge and nearby Leanto todayโฆit was the first tyme ive been back there in 21 years!!! MEMORIES ABOUNDED! Its a relatively flat, easy walkโฆtook me 1 hour to do this 2.3 mile trek one wayโฆwas wonderful to experience that crazy bridgeโ again!!!. Two questions: where is the old cemetery? AND there is a unmarked but well trod trail /jeep road that goes off to the left about 10 min in to this hikeโฆwhere does that go to?? (i am thinking of going back to explore that trailโฆworth a hike?) Beautifully marked trail and well kept up (thank you!) and NO LITTER!!
I think i have figured it outโฆabout that side trail to the left about 10 min into the suspension foot bridgeโฆmight be the โtrailโ to Big Eddy?? correct? worth the hike???
thank you!!
6/6/21โฆToday I revisited Whitehouse NYโฆ(near Wells, NY) Today I found the longer suspended pedestrian footbridge over the West Branch of Sacandaga River, and the old stone fireplace chimney that stands at the entrance to that bridge!! One word describes it all: MAJESTIC!!! Beautiful workmanship on both !!! But that bridgeโฆwell, THAT really had me stunned! That bridge was erected when? and to be in the beautiful sturdy shape that it is still today!!? Obviously they do not make things like THAT anymore!!I can only imagine the years of beating that bridge has withstoodโฆwith people constantly walking over it and not to mention all the river floodings after winter snow melts and rainstorms!!โ THAT IS ONE STURDY AND WELL BUILT BRIDGE!!! Shame on the state of NY if they ever tear it down and construct a โnewโ bridge in its place!! YOU CAN NEVER BUILD A FINER,STRONGER, MORE ELEGANT bridge as the one thats there now and has BEEN there for YEARS!!! LEAVE IT BE!! In my eyes THAT is a historical landmark!! Today , alone, I met 13 different people that had come there just to experience that bridge!! , me included!!! SO, LEAVE THAT BRIDGE ALONE, ITS UNIQUE AND PEOPLE TRAVEL MILES TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE IT!
Next week, I hope to find the old graveyard (finally got decent directions to find it) and I want to find the Big Eddy! Stay tuned!
Can someone please include directions on the fastest trail to get to the bridge? I found this helpful site but 2.5miles may be a bit long for my group.
Hi,
I found the bridge at this lat/long: 43.373833, -74.434730 and when you enter those coordinates on Google and zoom in, you can see the bridge perpendicular to River Road. It doesnโt however, look like itโs at the end of the road but a little bit before that. Andy or Peter, can you please clarify the best place to start walking from on River Road as I have family with me who cannot walk the 2.5 miles but can do the 0.5mile hike.
The road ends before that. The trail that connects the Northville โ Placid Trail to parking area follows the old road. It is gated off by old boulders that were installed in the early 1970s when the area was added to the Silver Silver Lake Wilderness.
In the summer when the road is open itโs a 0.5 mile walk but in the spring/winter when the road is closed itโs 2.5 miles. Iโve been told the past few years itโs been open again.
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I hiked from the West River Rd ,Whitehouse (where it dead ends) to the Suspension Foot Bridge and nearby Leanto todayโฆit was the first tyme ive been back there in 21 years!!! MEMORIES ABOUNDED! Its a relatively flat, easy walkโฆtook me 1 hour to do this 2.3 mile trek one wayโฆwas wonderful to experience that crazy bridgeโ again!!!
. Two questions: where is the old cemetery? AND there is a unmarked but well trod trail /jeep road that goes off to the left about 10 min in to this hikeโฆwhere does that go to?? (i am thinking of going back to explore that trailโฆworth a hike?) Beautifully marked trail and well kept up (thank you!) and NO LITTER!!
I think thatโs the old road to the Big Eddy Tentsite at the intersection of Hamilton Lake Stream and West Branch Sacandaga River.
I think i have figured it outโฆabout that side trail to the left about 10 min into the suspension foot bridgeโฆmight be the โtrailโ to Big Eddy?? correct? worth the hike???
thank you!!
Itโs been a while but I believe that is correct.
6/6/21โฆToday I revisited Whitehouse NYโฆ(near Wells, NY) Today I found the longer suspended pedestrian footbridge over the West Branch of Sacandaga River, and the old stone fireplace chimney that stands at the entrance to that bridge!! One word describes it all: MAJESTIC!!! Beautiful workmanship on both !!! But that bridgeโฆwell, THAT really had me stunned! That bridge was erected when? and to be in the beautiful sturdy shape that it is still today!!? Obviously they do not make things like THAT anymore!!I can only imagine the years of beating that bridge has withstoodโฆwith people constantly walking over it and not to mention all the river floodings after winter snow melts and rainstorms!!โ THAT IS ONE STURDY AND WELL BUILT BRIDGE!!! Shame on the state of NY if they ever tear it down and construct a โnewโ bridge in its place!! YOU CAN NEVER BUILD A FINER,STRONGER, MORE ELEGANT bridge as the one thats there now and has BEEN there for YEARS!!! LEAVE IT BE!! In my eyes THAT is a historical landmark!! Today , alone, I met 13 different people that had come there just to experience that bridge!! , me included!!! SO, LEAVE THAT BRIDGE ALONE, ITS UNIQUE AND PEOPLE TRAVEL MILES TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE IT!
Stay tuned!
Next week, I hope to find the old graveyard (finally got decent directions to find it) and I want to find the Big Eddy!
Can someone please include directions on the fastest trail to get to the bridge? I found this helpful site but 2.5miles may be a bit long for my group.
Thanks,
Bridgehunter Sandmeister
Itโs only about a half mile from the end of West River Road. But the road may be closed, which makes it about 2.5 miles.
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=43.37297,-74.43552&z=18&t=S
The road is open. I visited there on 10/10/22.
Hi,
I found the bridge at this lat/long: 43.373833, -74.434730 and when you enter those coordinates on Google and zoom in, you can see the bridge perpendicular to River Road. It doesnโt however, look like itโs at the end of the road but a little bit before that. Andy or Peter, can you please clarify the best place to start walking from on River Road as I have family with me who cannot walk the 2.5 miles but can do the 0.5mile hike.
Thanks,
Bridge-lover Sandy
The road ends before that. The trail that connects the Northville โ Placid Trail to parking area follows the old road. It is gated off by old boulders that were installed in the early 1970s when the area was added to the Silver Silver Lake Wilderness.
In the summer when the road is open itโs a 0.5 mile walk but in the spring/winter when the road is closed itโs 2.5 miles. Iโve been told the past few years itโs been open again.