The Red Sandstone trail, maintained by the Laurentian Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, offers great views of the Raquette River through varying terrain. Beginning at the South entrance, the trail follows the Raquette River rapids and passes a quarry and dam before meeting a junction at 1.5 miles. At the junction is the parking area for the north entrance of the trail. The trail continues north, turning to the right and crossing a stairway over the aqueduct pipeline. The trail on the other side of pipe hugs the shoreline closely as it travels north.
The trail forks near the entrance to Sugar Island, bearing right, the trail continues on a loop around Sugar Island with an option to take a left for a shorter loop, or continue straight for a longer circumnavigation of the island.
There are interpretive signs provided by the Adirondack Mountain Club throughout the trail which detail the history of the Raquette River and the local area. This is a great trail for all ages and can be used for a short mid-day outing, or half a day of exploration.
The trails on Sugar Island are open year-round and offer over two miles of cross-country skiing in the winter.
The Red Sandstone Trail is coordinated by the Laurentian Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, maintained by the St. Lawrence County Youth Conservation Corps, and is on land owned by Brascan Power N.Y./Erie Boulevard Hydropower, L.P.
Southern access: Parking is available on the east side of Mill Street across the street from the Hannawa Falls Fire Department
Northern access: Parking is available at the end of the dirt access road off of County Road 138 (“Back Hannawa Road”) across from Sweeney Road.
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