Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness Area, Protected wilderness area in Herkimer and Lewis Counties, New York.
Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness Area covers about 26,600 acres of rolling terrain studded with beaver meadows and mixed forests in Herkimer and Lewis Counties. White pine trees towering over 100 feet (30 meters) combine with bare summits to create a varied landscape.
The wilderness was established as New York worked to protect natural forests in the region from development and other pressures. Forest fires shaped the landscape over generations, creating the open summits visible today.
The area draws visitors interested in exploring open summits that formed after forest fires swept through the region. People use these peaks as natural viewpoints to experience the landscape and its recovery over time.
Visitors can access roughly 35 miles (56 kilometers) of marked trails from NY Route 28 and will find two lean-to shelters by lakes for overnight stays. The trail system allows for both day hikes and longer backpacking trips.
The northern section preserves white pine trees over 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter that survived historical logging operations in the region. These large trees offer a glimpse of how the forest appeared before widespread timber harvesting.
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