A legendary river, an extraordinary place

Written by guest blogger, Natalie Moore, for whitefaceregion.com.

The Ausable River is one of the Adirondacks' most defining geographical features. Here’s how to enjoy it—and how to save it.

Some regions of the US are defined by their mountains, some by their beaches. Some towns only appear on maps because their natural features (towering Redwoods or interesting rock formations) draw tourists. And while one of the Whiteface Region’s defining features—the Ausable River—definitely attracts tourists, it’s also responsible for the vibrant communities that have grown not only around it, but because of it. Today, there are countless ways to enjoy life along the river.

Remember when

Some 200 years ago, the Ausable River Valley looked very different than it does today. Back then, the region was put on the map by the Rogers family, which brought both the iron and paper industries to the area. When the J. & J. Rogers Company slowly closed up shop in the mid-1900s, things didn’t look good for the region, which was suffering a major loss of jobs. But people quickly learned to appreciate the river for more than its usefulness as a power source and log-shipping route—most notably, for recreation.

Get outside

Due to its abundance of fish—some 60 species call the watershed home—the Ausable River has become one of the country’s premier fly-fishing destinations, with outfitters such as Hungry Trout Fly Shop offering gear, rentals and guided outings for seasoned anglers and first-time fishermen alike. In addition to its damn-good fishing, the region is known as being one of the most scenic places to cast a fly in America.

For those who’d rather be on top of the water than standing in it, the Ausable River is also a kayaker’s paradise. One notable spot to dip your paddle in is Lake Everest, which isn’t so much a lake as a widening in the Ausable. There’s a Lake Everest boat launch at Wilmington Town Beach—a worthy day trip in and of itself—that offers rentals for those without their own vessel.

Even if you’re the sort of person who likes to admire a river from the solid ground of its banks, the Ausable has something for explorers like you. The river boasts waterfalls aplenty, several of which are visible right from the roadside, or accessible via a short hike. Check out Monument Falls, High Falls Gorge, The Flume Falls, and Jay Falls, which is near where the historic Jay Covered Bridge crosses the East Branch of the Ausable in Douglas Memorial Park. Spanning 175 feet and beloved by locals, the wooden Howe truss covered bridge was built in 1857 and completely restored in 2007. Be sure to take a break from looking down at the river to look up; the Whiteface Region is also home to a great many species of birds.

Create a community

While the Ausable River has made the Whiteface Region into a tourist destination, it's also facilitated the growth of vibrant towns from Upper Jay to Au Sable Forks. With so much to explore, the Ausable River offers something for everyone, breathing life back into the community and drawing in visitors to its flowing waters.