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The William C. Whitney Wilderness Area, an
The terrain consists of lakes, ponds, wetlands, and low forested hills with a few modest mountains ranging as high as 2,297-foot (700 m) Antediluvian Mountain. The centerpieces of this area are 2,300 acre (9.2 km2)
The area is a popular destination for
"Adirondack State Land Master Plan"
Updated 2001. Wilderness areas in Adirondack Park Protected areas of Hamilton County, New York
Adirondack Park
The Adirondack Park is a part of New York's Forest Preserve in northeastern New York, United States. The park was established in 1892 for “the free use of all the people for their health and pleasure”, and for watershed protection. The park ...
unit of New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
's Forest Preserve
A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or o ...
, is located in the town of Long Lake, Hamilton County. It is bounded on the east by Hamilton County Route 10, on the south by lands of Whitney Industries, on the west by private lands owned by The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. it works via affiliates or branches in 79 countries and territories, as well as across every state in the US.
Founded in 1951, The Natu ...
and the Brandreth Park Association, on the northwest by the Remsen to Lake Placid Railroad right-of-way, and on the north by other private land holdings. The area contains 12 bodies of water covering 4,286 acres (17.1 km2) and 20 miles (32 km) of foot trails. The area is named for William C. Whitney
William Collins Whitney (July 5, 1841February 2, 1904) was an American political leader and financier and a prominent descendant of the John Whitney family. He served as Secretary of the Navy in the first administration of President Grover Clev ...
, who was an American political leader and financier.
Geography
The terrain consists of lakes, ponds, wetlands, and low forested hills with a few modest mountains ranging as high as 2,297-foot (700 m) Antediluvian Mountain. The centerpieces of this area are 2,300 acre (9.2 km2) Little Tupper Lake
Little Tupper Lake is a lake located by Whitney Headquarters, New York. Fish species present in the lake are brook trout
The brook trout (''Salvelinus fontinalis'') is a species of freshwater fish in the char genus ''Salvelinus'' of the salmon f ...
and 1,400 acre (5.6 km2) Lake Lila
Lake Lila is a remote lake in the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area, in the west-central portion of the Adirondack Park. It is accessed via a dirt road. Boat access to the lake is by hand-launch only, after a portage from the parking lot.
It ...
, respectively the seventeenth and twenty-second largest water bodies in the Adirondack Park. This area also includes twelve smaller water bodies, a short section of the Beaver River, pond and lake outlets and numerous other small streams and flows. There are extensive wetland complexes within the area, particularly along the western end of Little Tupper Lake and the southeastern portions of Lake Lila.
The vast expanses of the area are important to many species of mammals and the area abounds with bird life.
Recreation
The area is a popular destination for canoeing
Canoeing is an activity which involves paddling a canoe with a single-bladed paddle. Common meanings of the term are limited to when the canoeing is the central purpose of the activity. Broader meanings include when it is combined with other acti ...
. It also contains an extensive network of old logging roads which provide prime cross-country skiing trails.
History
In 1897,William Collins Whitney
William Collins Whitney (July 5, 1841February 2, 1904) was an American political leader and financier and a prominent descendant of the John Whitney family. He served as Secretary of the Navy in the first administration of President Grover Clev ...
purchased of land to create the privately owned Whitney Park, including the lands which now comprise this wilderness. After Whitney's death in 1904, his family retained ownership of the tract. In 1997, the family sold a portion of the property to New York State
New York, officially the State of New York, is a state in the Northeastern United States. It is often called New York State to distinguish it from its largest city, New York City. With a total area of , New York is the 27th-largest U.S. stat ...
. The area was subsequently combined with adjacent state lands to form the present wilderness area.
See also
*List of Wilderness Areas in the Adirondack Park
The Adirondack Park is a part of New York's Forest Preserve in northeastern New York, United States. The park was established in 1892 for “the free use of all the people for their health and pleasure”, and for watershed protection. The park' ...
References
{{reflist * Adirondack Park Agency"Adirondack State Land Master Plan"
Updated 2001. Wilderness areas in Adirondack Park Protected areas of Hamilton County, New York