Roosevelt-Marcy Trail

North Creek to Long Lake

Central Adirondack Mountains · New York · United States

Key measurements

Distance

40.1 miles

Elevation gain

2,760 ft

Elevation loss

2,141 ft

High point

2,040 ft

Low point

981 ft

Net change

619 ft (1,030 ft to 1,649 ft)

Surface

Paved

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

This 40.1-mile point-to-point route cuts across the heart of the central Adirondack Park, linking the Hudson River rail town of North Creek to the lakeside community of Long Lake. Traveling entirely on NY-28N—the designated Roosevelt-Marcy Trail—the road climbs out of the Hudson Valley at under 1,000 feet elevation up into the forested granite ridges of Essex and Hamilton counties, topping out at 2,039 feet around mile 11. The landscape is quintessential interior Adirondack wilderness: dense mixed hardwood and boreal canopy, river bog cuts, glaciated terrain, and long stretches of isolated two-lane highway flanked by mountain drainages.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

The Central Adirondack Highway — Miles 0.0–40.1

Beginning on Main Street in North Creek near its lowest elevation (981 feet), the route turns onto NY-28N and crosses the Upper Hudson River, climbing immediately through a series of sweeping grades toward Minerva. Between miles 5 and 12, the road executes its main elevation gain, reaching the high point of 2,039 feet as it cuts between forested knolls south of the High Peaks region. Passing through the quiet hamlets of Minerva and Newcomb, NY-28N bends west, paralleling the upper reaches of the Hudson and passing near Lake Harris and the Adirondack Interpretive Center lands. The final 15 miles roll across low ridges and timbered bottomlands before descending toward the eastern shore of Long Lake, terminating at Deerland Road (NY-28/NY-30).

Seasonal & Environmental Context

Late spring through autumn generally offers the most favorable conditions for motorcycle travel on this route. Winter brings snow, ice, road salt, and rapidly changing pavement conditions, while cool temperatures and shaded sections can persist well into spring. Summer offers warm, humid riding with lush green canopy, though afternoon mountain thunderstorms can drop temperatures quickly. Autumn brings peak foliage and crisp temperatures, but brings damp fallen leaves on the road and shorter daylight hours in deep mountain notches.

Logistics & Services

Fuel and services are limited along this corridor. Gas is readily available at the start in North Creek and at the finish in Long Lake. The intermediate hamlets of Minerva and Newcomb offer minimal services, which may not run year-round or operate late hours. Cell phone service is spotty to non-existent across much of the central wilderness stretch between Minerva and Long Lake.

Important Considerations

Pavement Quality: Winter freeze-thaw cycles regularly create frost heaves, cracked asphalt, and localized pavement damage, particularly in shaded low-lying bog areas. * Wildlife Hazards: White-tailed deer and black bears are common throughout this corridor; sightings increase significantly near dawn, dusk, and along stream crossings.