The Sylvan Falls property is well suited to those seeking a large, forested landscape with river frontage and an amazing waterfall, supported by asset appreciation from a well-stocked, long-term timber resource.
Property highlights include:
• Attractive location in the northern Adirondack foothills, situated at the edge of a transitional zone between expansive forestland tracts and the St. Lawrence River valley;
• 2 plus miles of river frontage on the West Branch of the St. Regis River and sole ownership of Sylvan Falls;
• Easily accessible along town maintained roads;
• Home or cottage site(s) possible near Sylvan Falls and the West Branch of the St. Regis River;
• Well stocked timber resource with high-quality stems, perfectly positioned for future growth and appreciation.
The property is located in the town of Hopkinton (population 1,077), a rural, primarily forested area of the northwestern Adirondacks, historically called the “south woods.” This area is quite rural, where scattered homes and camps are situated along the town roads. To the south are large forestland tracts. The closest community is Parishville, located 6 miles to the north. The larger community of Potsdam is 14 miles northwest. Potsdam is home to SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University. Potsdam is considered the cultural and educational center of the region. Potsdam is also home to Damon Field, a municipal airport that is open to the public.
Burlington, Vermont, is a two-and-a-half-hour drive to the east, and Montreal, Quebec is a two-hour drive to the northeast.
The property has two access points. West of the river, access to the large portion of timberland is from the town maintained White Hill Road, where a gated woods road originates. Once on the land, the road runs 2 miles east towards the river. A secondary road, 1.75 miles in length, heads north along the river, providing more than adequate access to the river and future forest management needs. Numerous logging trails run throughout the land, most well suited to hiking, skiing, and ATV use. From the east, access is provided along the town maintained Sylvan Falls Road. The road runs parallel to the river, and a short trail to the river ends at a flat section of ledge rock ideal for picnics and viewing the river.
The property’s terrain is generally quite gentle, with rolling terrain. A few small hills represent the highest points within the property at approximately 1,310’ ASL. The low point of the property is where the river exits the property at an elevation of 985’. This rolling terrain is typical of the Adirondack foothills region.
The entire property is forested with the exception of a few small clearings along the internal access roads and a few wetland areas with semi-open water created by beavers. Soils are largely well-drained.
Timber harvesting has taken place on the tract for many years. The majority of the forest is a northern hardwood type with mixed softwoods along the river and in lowland areas.
A young, well-stocked timber resource offers a mix of early successional forest and mid rotational poles and sawtimber benefitting from favorable species composition and high stem quality—desirable attributes for a long-term, multiple-use forestry perspective.
Species composition includes a mix of quality northern hardwoods dominated by maple, birch, and cherry with common softwood associates with hemlock, spruce, and fir. Regeneration within the hardwood is most notably yellow birch, a desirable hardwood species, making up much of the younger age class.
No timber inventory is available at this time.
The property’s most defining attribute is Sylvan Falls and its ±2.25 miles of frontage along the West Branch of the St. Regis River. The West Branch of the St. Regis River originates in the Saranac Lake Region of the Adirondacks running nearly 75 miles before emptying into the St. Lawrence River. The southern 0.75 miles of river frontage occurs on both sides of the river. Above Sylvan Falls the river is flat water great for paddling and fishing. Below Sylvan Falls the river is a beautiful fast-moving stream. The elevation change at the falls is approximately 25 feet making for a spectacular scenic attribute. A small island splits the river at the falls. A series of small bridges allow walking access to the island and to the western side of the river just above the falls. The West Branch of the St. Regis River is classified as a “recreational river” by the Adirondack Park Agency in this area.
The property has been leased to a hunting/recreation club for many years. Recreational leases provide an annual stream of income to help offset annual carrying costs. The lessee maintains some small occasional use camps on the property.
A Conservation Easement does not encumber the property. A Right Of Way exists to the island where a private owner has a small camp on less than a ¼ acre out parcel
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