A winter recreation hotspot with history in Newcomb

Upper Works, located at the end of a long mountain road in Newcomb, serves as the premier southern gateway to the High Peaks Wilderness Area and a testament to the region's industrial heritage. Originally the site of the 19th-century MacIntyre Iron Works, this area was once a bustling mining village known as Adirondac, which supported a massive iron ore extraction operation until the mid-1850s. Today, the site is preserved, and the historical ruins offer a rare glimpse into the Adirondacks’ transition from an industrial resource to a protected wilderness. Everyone can enjoy this place in the winter, from beginner snowshoers to experienced cross-country skiers. Come along to learn about some of the experiences you can have at Upper Works in Newcomb, New York.

Beginner snowshoeing and XC skiing at the trailhead

If you’re interested in Adirondack history, and want to try out snowshoeing or xc skiing, hanging out near this historical trailhead is a must. After a long drive in, you’ll pass by the historic blast furnace of MacIntyre Iron Works. Stop here to learn about the 19th-century industrial relic. Continuing on, you’ll park at the recently renovated MacNaughton Cottage, once the basecamp for Theodore Roosevelt’s attempted climb of Mount Marcy (cut short because of President William McKinley’s dire condition). You can learn about Teddy’s tales along the interpretive trails at Upper Works, all while snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Explore the remnants of the 19th-century village of Adirondac, which once served as a bustling center for the MacIntyre Iron Works. It’s a unique way to learn about the site's dual-mining history, transitioning from early iron extraction to the later 20th-century titanium mining operations that shaped the local landscape. 

Intermediate XC skiing and winter hiking to Flowed Lands

The Calamity Brook Trail is oft-troddened by hikers looking to summit a High Peak. However, it is a classic cross-country ski for those with experience, and a lengthy intermediate winter hike. The trail leads hikers and skiers approximately five miles toward Flowed Lands, following the drainage of Calamity Brook. A vast opening provides unobstructed winter views of Mount Colden. Bring a beer and some pizza wrapped in foil from Paradox Brewery for a hang out at the lean-to next to the trail’s mid-point at Flowed Lands.

Intermediate winter hiking to Mount Adams

Located just south of the primary Upper Works parking lot, Mount Adams provides a concentrated vertical challenge. This winter hike is on the tougher end of an intermediate hike, with lots of elevation gain packed into a relatively short window of mileage (1,800 feet over the course of 5 miles). Along the way, you’ll pass the actual cabin that fire tower observers used while they were resting up for their day’s work. The summit features a historic 47-foot fire tower, originally used for forest fire surveillance, which remains open for ascending. From the cab, visitors are rewarded with a 360-degree panorama that includes a direct view of the heart of the High Peaks, and south towards the southern Adirondacks. Take care while on the fire tower, and don’t wear your spikes up the stairs. A very dedicated group of volunteers take care of this historical gem, and spikes on the wooden steps can degrade them quite easily.

Expert winter hiking to Mount Marshall

Mount Marshall is a remote objective intended for experienced winter hikers only, often hiked from Upper Works. Successful completion of this peak requires advanced winter hiking skills and prior experience with winter 46er summits. A critical safety concern is the presence of unbridged water crossings along Herbert Brook, which can be extremely hazardous if ice is thin or snow-covered. Hikers must be prepared for all winter conditions, and have the right gear for the season. Furthermore, the lack of official trail markers means that expert navigation is required to follow the herd paths through deep, drifting snow.

With all of that being said, a trip up Mount Marshall can be rewarding. The unexpectedly-stellar views from a couple viewpoints really makes this trip special, and you’ll be hard-pressed to run into many other hikers on your hike up. This is the perfect summit for those who have the knowledge, experience, and gear necessary to spend a tough day in the mountains. Because of the long drive in, and the need to be out all day for this peak, consider finding lodging in Newcomb or nearby towns to get a headstart to your day.

A trip to Upper Works isn’t complete without experiencing the amenities the Adirondack Hub has to offer. A drive over to Paradox Brewery post-trip for excellent craft brews and delicious food is a must, and stocking up on supplies for the drive home at Frontier Town Gateway is always a great idea. Plan your trip to the Adirondack Hub to experience Upper Works in the winter!

Craving a hearth and warm meal? You’re in luck

The Adirondacks are firmly tucked into their winter blanket, dropping the temps to dramatic lows so we can enjoy all our favorite pastimes like snowshoeing and ice fishing. But after a day braving the cold, you’ll need a roaring fire and a hot meal to tuck into to thaw those rosy cheeks. And of course, the good hosts that our local restaurants are—many come with hearty fireplaces perfect for cozying up while you wait for dishes filled with regional comforts, from flatbreads to hot soups. Here are our three top picks for the season!

Trail Break at Schroon Lake

Once the old Drake’s Motel and Restaurant, Trail Break at Schroon Lake has been reborn as a classic Adirondack stay, complete with their cozy restaurant. Restored, renovated, and with new ownership that has deep hospitality roots in the area, this is a triumphant return for the best in tradition, updated for the new century! Their menu is massive, and the drink menu even more so. Tuck into a range of dishes from pub fare like the french dip sandwich to heartier plates of roast duck or their dirty pasta; all while cozying up in their lodge-style interior. 

Paradox Brewery

Boasting views of the surrounding mountainscapes, you get the best of both worlds at Paradox Brewery. Bask in winter views from the warmth of their tasting room, where you’ll dig into their 35-tap selection of craft brews (maybe select a few to try, not all 35). Their food menu takes bar eats to a whole new level, with a laundry list of pizza options, their homemade pretzel, and the bratwurst on a baguette roll, served with sauerkraut and chips. 

The Brown Swan and Tavern at the Lodge at Schroon Lake 

From casual bites in their convivial dining room to pizza in the lounge—you'll enjoy simple, hearty Adirondacks-inspired cuisine at The Brown Swan. For those dining in, you’ll find everything you need to warm up, from their pulled pork poutine to the braised short rib and ravioli Alfredo. While the roaring fire may be what you’re looking for, there’s plenty to do here! Whether you're tucking in for dinner, gathering for cocktails at The Bevy, or checking out the local craft beer at the Trailhead Vintage Truck, you'll find the perfect experience for any taste and mood. 

Find us by the fire

If you’re like us, you’re planning your wintertime fun around where you’ll dine after. Conveniently, these cozy corners can be found just steps from winter trails and frozen lakes, so you won’t be out in the cold for long.

History all around us

Adirondack history goes way back. While we could write many books (and, indeed, many people have) on the histories of each community in the Adirondack Hub, Schroon Lake can be seen as a microcosm of the entire Adirondack Park. We'll start there. 

The town of Schroon Lake was first settled around 1800, north of the current Schroon Lake hamlet. However, there is a claim that the town was occupied during the colonial period as a French colony. The origin of the name "Schroon" is not precisely known, though some believe it is derived from a Native American word for large lake. Others contend it was named by French soldiers in honor of the Widow Scarron (Françoise d'Aubigne) who was previously the wife of noted French author and playwright Paul Scarron. She was subsequently the Madame de Maintenon and second wife of Louis XIV of France. 

Officially formed in 1804, the town of Schroon was originally part of the town of Crown Point. Then the town was partitioned to form the newer town of Minerva in 1817 and in 1840, part of Schroon was returned to Crown Point.

Industry

Affordable land, abundant water, fish, game, and first-growth timber attracted early settlement. Schroon grew quickly, benefitting from the Old State Road (US 9, currently), which ran through the town and on to Canada, and after 1840, from the road to Carthage in Jefferson County. Saw and grist mills soon appeared, as well as a tannery and a distillery.

Lumber was the backbone of the early economy. As land was cleared for settlement, logs not needed locally were sent down river to Schroon Lake and on to Glens Falls. Although attempts were made to mine and forge iron in Schroon, the veins were not sufficient to make it profitable.

Tanning leather was the principal industry in Schroon in the 1850s and 1860s as in neighboring North Hudson and Minerva, but over time, the high cost of transportation outweighed the benefit of having accessible hemlock. Eventually, chemical methods of tanning replaced the natural process. 

Tourism

Between 1875 and 1910 the Adirondacks were flourishing as a tourist resort area. This was the Gilded Age of the Adirondacks. Many hotels, such as the famous Leland House in the town of Schroon, were built during the Gilded Era. In 1875 there were 200 hostelries including elegant inns and large hotels throughout the Adirondacks. The town of Schroon had its share to contribute to the region.

In 1872, the Leland House was built on a 6-acre parcel by Thomas Leland. It was one of the largest and grandest hotels on the lake; it was three stories high and could accommodate nearly 300 guests. The majority of the guest rooms were located where the hockey rink is today. On October 31, 1914, it caught fire and was destroyed. In 1915, plans were made for the Leland House to be rebuilt. It was completed in one year at a cost of $125,000. It caught fire again on December 16, 1938, but continued to operate until 1952.

Large hotels and children's camps clustered around the lakes: Paradox, Pyramid, and Schroon. All of the hotels filled up over weekends when parents came to visit their children. Although the depression took its toll on tourism, greater damage was done by polio epidemics. The camp directors decided to allow only one parental weekend a summer to reduce the spread of the disease. This took a tremendous toll on the hotels. Schroon Lake was also the former home to the world class Scaroon Manor Resort which opened in 1920.

It was a luxurious resort catering to clientele interested in fine dining, quality entertainment and outdoor fun. It featured an amphitheater, white sandy beach, and over 300 acres of gardens and landscaped walkways. For outdoor recreation, it offered a golf course, tennis courts, baseball diamond, basketball courts and water sports. The Scaroon Manor was also the site for the 1957 Warner Brothers movie "Marjorie Morningstar," which starred Gene Kelly, Natalie Wood and Ed Winn. The Manor closed in 1962 and was eventually sold to the state of New York in 1967. It is now used by the state Department of Environmental Conservation as a public campground and day-use area.

After beginning a successful summer music program in nearby Hague in 1915, Oscar Seagle bought a large farm on Charley Hill in 1922, establishing the Seagle Music Colony (now Seagle Festival), a training school for vocalists. Seagle Festival students still give concerts in Schroon and other Adirondack locations throughout the summer. Wonderful music can also be heard in summer bandstand concerts, a tradition started in 1958.

Transportation

The tourist business developed along with the expansion of the railroad line. Prior to that, guests were brought up the lake by steamer. During the 1880s visitors from Saratoga came to the Adirondack region by train to Riparius. They would then board the stagecoach and travel to the southern end of Schroon Lake to Pottersville and board the lake steamer called the Evelyn, which ran from June through October; the stage ran to Riverside the remaining part of the year.

Two steamboats that were favorites for the quests were the steamships Evelyn and Effingham. Both operated during the vacation months offering scenic tours of the lake. In the off-season the steamboats would pull the log booms from the inlet to the outlet of the lake where the logs would continue to float down the Schroon River until they reached the sawmills in Warrensburg and Glens Falls.

Prior to the construction of the Northway (I-87), US Route 9 was the major north-south highway between Albany and Montreal, Canada, which made Schroon Lake a convenient stopping off point for travelers to purchase gas, lodging, and meals. Today's travelers now have the convenience of two main, north/south roadways to reach Schroon Lake.

Present day

Today, Schroon Lake is still a thriving, year-round community. For more detailed historical information, please stop by the Schroon-North Hudson Historical Society. Other Adirondack Hub communities have historical societies as well that can help tell their unique stories and histories. Minerva and Newcomb each have dedicated spaces to preserve history and connect with visitors and locals.