Jay Mountain Wilderness Area

State Land Master Plan February 2014 Description

This area lies within the Towns of Jay and Lewis in Essex County. It is bounded by the Jay Mountain Road on the south and private land boundaries elsewhere, except where the road west of Mt. Fay severs an appendage of State lands.

The high and precipitous mountains in this area are generally similar in character to the Hurricane Range and require careful management in order to avoid natural resource degradation. The vistas from Jay, Saddleback and Slip Mountains make the climb to the vantage points well worthwhile. The AuSable Valley can be seen as well as the Champlain Valley and the High Peaks.

The Jay Mountain Road, a seasonally maintained road, separates this area from the Hurricane Mountain Wilderness. A drive along this rough gravel road offers both attractive views of the upland region above Keene Valley and access to lovely stands of white birch on the lower slopes.

Although this area is below 10,000 acres in size and was originally classified as a Primitive Area, it is large enough to provide a sense of remoteness and to be maintained in an unimpaired condition and therefore was reclassified as Wilderness in l985. Should the Jay Mountain Road be closed, this area could be extended to encompass all, or a major portion, of the Hurricane Mountain Wilderness.

A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 2010.

Mapping Resources:
(Not from the State Land Master Plan or Unit Management Plans)

Recreational Opportunities Map

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Soils and Wetlands