The West Branch of the Ausable River runs north from the flanks of Marcy and Basin, gathering the high-elevation drainage before joining the East Branch near the old Adirondak Loj Road intersection — this is the water that feeds into the Lower Ausable Lake system and eventually runs through Keene and Keene Valley. It's a quick, cold river with pocket water and plunge pools, accessible at multiple road crossings and trail intersections depending on how far upstream you're willing to hike. Brook trout hold in the deeper runs and undercut banks. The West Branch sees less trail traffic than the East Branch corridor, but it's still High Peaks water — expect company on summer weekends anywhere within an hour of a trailhead.
No proprietor marinas listed within 7 mi yet.
No public beaches listed within 7 mi yet.
No bait & tackle shops listed yet.
Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data; surface and capacity from OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.
+4 more on the map above
Source: NYS DEC Stocking Records via data.ny.gov · Annual refresh
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What to do, where to stay, and what's reopening across the Park as the snow melts and the calendar fills.
A complete planning guide: difficulty by peak, common combo days, seasonal realities, and a sortable, filterable table of every summit.
Overnight, day, and trip camps in the Park — the camp belt, choosing the right fit, costs and financial aid, ACA accreditation, and the questions every parent should ask before they commit.
