Moriah Wilderness Preserve

Moriah, NY 1,775 acres Visitor Guidelines Download Map

Northeast Wilderness Trust celebrated the creation of Moriah Wilderness Preserve in June 2023

Setting the stage for ecological transitions

These 1,775 acres in New York’s Champlain Valley support wildlife movement between Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. This land sits directly on the transition between two geologic stories: the ancient rocks of the Adirondack Dome to the west, and the glacial sediments deposited by Glacial Lake Vermont in the Champlain Valley to the east. Often referred to as the West Champlain Hills, this region is well-documented to be the most biologically diverse part of the Adirondack Park.

The subterranean transition, combined with varied topography that ranges from the shoreline of Crowfoot Pond to the summit of Moriah’s Armstrong Mountain, results in an ecologically resilient landscape that will support diverse flora, fauna, and fungi responding to climate change.

What’s more, the Moriah Wilderness Preserve geographically ties together Hammond Pond Wild Forest and the Eddy Foundation’s Parch Pond conservation lands with privately conserved timberlands.

Contains the summit of Armstrong Mountain (2,042′)
To jumpstart rewilding, two abandoned structures were demolished

Forests young and old

The forests that occupy Moriah Wilderness Preserve today are determined by those geologic histories, and also by more recent human choices. The northern half of the land has been extensively logged, so much of the forest is at an early successional stage, sporting young poplar, white pine, sugar maple, beech, and yellow birch. The southern half hosts some more mature forest with larger trees, undisturbed wetlands, and streams with a healthy amount of woody debris.

The summits of Armstrong Mountain and its surrounding hills host open glades of moss and reindeer lichen dotted with pines and oaks. Throughout, stands of hemlock appear. As a forever-wild landscape, the young forests of Moriah Wilderness Preserve will have the freedom to rewild, adapt, and evolve on their own terms. The commitment we make today will result in an old-growth forest of tomorrow.

Water and wildlife

In addition to frontage on Crowfoot Pond, the land’s water features include a vernal pool, two large beaver wetlands, a forested swamp, and several small brooks, streams, and seepage wetlands. The land supports a wide diversity of songbirds, such as the Black-and-white Warbler, and is home to many of our wild neighbors such as bear, coyote, and porcupine. Forever-wild conservation ensures these beings will always have a home at Moriah Wilderness Preserve.

“Balancing use and obligation to the forest is always a challenge. But reserving land in its natural state is an essential part of progress. Otherwise, our connection with nature is blurred or lost. We need the products that the forest provides to keep us stable and strong. We also need the serenity of nature that can only be found in an undisturbed forest. The opportunity to experience that setting restores our spirit and our soul.” Chris Gearwear, Forester

Winter photography by Jerry Monkman/Ecophotography, Autumn photography by Bob Linck, Summer photography by Stephen Matter.

More like this...

Sep
17

Explore New Trails in New York & Maine Community Conservation Alder Stream & Eagle Mountain Wilderness Preserves have new trails. Join us to celebrate and explore! Read More >

Apr
14

Celebrating and Continuing the Wildlands Partnership Carbon & Climate Change The Wilderness Trust has opened up a new round of applications for land trusts to propose projects for Wildlands Partnership funding by June 15, 2023. We are excited to begin a new phase of collaborations to build upon this momentum. Read More >

Dec
17

Eagle Mountain Success Featured News With the slap of her tail, the beaver formally welcomed us to her domain. She dipped back under the tannin-brown water, reemerged, slapped again, and zigzagged around her lodge. This river was her home, not ours; we were interlopers in her wild place. Read More >

Visitor Guidelines
Moriah Wilderness Preserve is open to the public for quiet exploration and enjoyment. Please respect the plants and animals who live here, show consideration to wildlife, other visitors, and neighboring landowners, know and obey the law, and leave the natural environment as you found it. Enjoy your visit and respect the following guidelines while on the land:

Welcomed Activities

Walking, hiking, snowshoeing & cross-country skiing
Photography, wildlife observation & nature study
Swimming, fishing, paddling & non-motorized boating
Dogs under voice or leash control
Hunting on the Preserve requires a permit, available at newildernesstrust.org/hunting

Prohibited Activities

Motorized vehicles (ATVs, dirt bikes, 4x4s, snowmobiles, or other motorized or mechanized vehicles)
Bicycles
Horses or pack animals
Camping, fires & fireworks
Loud music or radios
Trapping, hounding, or predator hunting
Cutting or damaging plants or trees
New trails or unauthorized trail maintenance
Launching & landing drones

Click here to read NEWT Preserve & Sanctuary Visitation Guidelines

Moriah Wilderness Preserve

Setting the stage for ecological transitions