Wilmington Flume - Wilmington, NY
Posted by: 
Telomere
N 44° 21.981 W 073° 50.445
18T E 592368 N 4913217
A narrow gorge on the Ausable River, under the NY Rt. 86 highway bridge. This scenic area includes a preserve with hiking trails, and a fly-fishing paradise.
Waymark Code: WM80W4
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 01/05/2010
Views: 16
The Wilmington Wild Forest consists of 13,000 acres in the Adirondack Forest Preserve. In this area, the Ausable River runs alongside NY Rt. 86 in a northeast heading. At the point where the highway switches sides, the river is divided into twin waterfalls by a granite ledge, then begins to narrow - and then enters a granite and limestone flume, which constricts the flow, then drops it into a punchbowl in a picturesque setting.
Above the highway bridge, the river is a year-round fly-fishing destination; the strict catch-and-release policy allows anglers to catch some larger, elder trout.
Trails begin at a small parking area near the bridge. A short walk upstream on the trail leads to a nice pond with a huge beaver lodge. Cross the highway to access the gorge; following the river along the flume will require hiking boots and careful navigation.
