Adirondack Hiking Trails:
Esker Trail
The Esker Trail is a 1.5 mile loop accessed from the Logger’s Loop Trail. The trail is quite rough, involving some steep sections, so hiking boots are recommended. Hikers are advised to take a clockwise route. Because the trail traverses recently-logged terrain, those sections are not particularly attractive during the summer months. However, the trail will improve as the vegetation grows in; and the early successional forest areas which result will attract birds and wildlife which prefer such areas.
For hikers walking in a clockwise direction, the Esker Trail can be accessed from the Logger’s Loop Trail not far from the intersection of the Logger’s Loop Trail, Woods and Waters Trail, and Skidder Trail. This short stretch of the trail is a wide, gravel logging road through primarily deciduous forest, including some lovely white birch trees. The open areas support a number of sun-loving wildflowers which are found in old fields and other successional habitat, including Spotted Knapweed (a nonnative invasive species) and wild asters. The road continues to a wide gravel clearing – Log Landing. Look for a light green trail sign on the opposite side of Log Landing.
The trail quickly deteriorates into a very rough track through a series of intersecting strips of logged-over deciduous forest. At this point, hikers are advised to hike from marker to marker, although the markers may be difficult to see. The trail leads upward through a series of switchbacks. At the northern-most section of the trail, where the trail descends down the slope of the esker, look for a tree marker in the shadows on your right, marking the point where the trail turns sharply to the right and descends again to the Logger’s Loop Trail.