Getting to Know The East Branch of the Ausable

The Ausable River is one of the most notable rivers in the Adirondacks. Over 90 miles long, this river is broken into three distinct sections. The East Branch of the Ausable initially flows south from Lake Placid, the West Branch northeast towards Wilmington, and both meander on their own paths to merge at Au Sable Forks to form the Main Branch.

The East and West branches each flow approximately 35 miles before merging at Au Sable Forks and flowing an additional 22 miles to Lake Champlain. This significant amount of linear mileage over multiple branches means the Ausable flows through a variety of communities. For anyone looking to purchase a property with river frontage, the Ausable is really an ideal place to look.

To learn more about the West Branch of the river, check out ADKPP’s blog here. To get the scoop on the East Branch, check out our handy guide below.

5 Adirondack Communities – Getting to Know the East Branch of the Ausable

1. Keene

Keene, NY is a charming community most known for its easy access to the hiking trails of the Adirondack Mountains. It also offers access to the East Branch of the Ausable River which flows right through the center of the community. This section of the river heads in two directions: south toward Keene Valley and north following Route 9N. This offers a variety of opportunities to find a property or explore the river via public access areas. The public access areas can be found off Route 9N.

If you are interested in finding a property on the Ausable River in Keene, NY here are some roadways to keep in mind:

• Route 9N heading north toward Upper Jay from the center of Keene.
• Grist Mill Lane and Hulls Falls Road in Keene following the river from the town center on opposite sides of the river heading south.

2. Keene Valley

As you leave Keene, NY heading south, Route 73 begins to follow a section of the East Branch of the Ausable River starting at Marcy field. This section of the East Branch follows Route 73 south until St. Huberts where it flows through the Ausable Club and back into the mountains.

The Keene Valley area offers some of the best opportunities to find a property on the East Branch of the Ausable River. Many of the roads to the west of Route 73 cross over the river. Once you reach St. Huberts, it flows on the eastern side of the road around the Ausable Club.

If you are looking for public access, the park area across from Marcy Field offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a picnic, wade or even take a little dip if the water level is right. This is also a nice area to stop to enjoy a picnic.

3. Upper Jay

Heading north from Keene, route 9N follows the East Branch of the Ausable River to Upper Jay. Upper Jay is a small Adirondack town that offers its own unique small town experience. The river flows through the center of the community of Upper Jay before continuing north.

Stopping in Upper Jay is worth your time and energy. Right across the road from the river, the Ice Jam Inn serves up drinks and dinner in a cozy atmosphere. The river on both sides of Upper Jay also has some public fishing access areas to throw a line in. Additionally, skiers and snowboarders can take a quick trip to Whiteface Mountain from Upper Jay, only a 9 minute drive away.

If you are interested in purchasing a property on the river in Upper Jay, definitely concentrate your search for listings along the Route 9N corridor.

4. Jay

Continuing north out of Upper Jay, route 9N follows the river and eventually lands in Jay, NY. Jay offers a notable landmark on the East Branch of the Ausable – the Jay Covered Bridge. This is a historic bridge offers a wonderful opportunity for photos as well as a little swimming area during the summer. The river flows a little higher and slower in this area, so it’s also possible to kayak and fish in some sections.

If you are interested in purchasing property near the Jay section of the Ausable River, keep an eye on:

• Route 9N running through town and following the river
• Howards Height Lane towards the end of the road
• Stickney Bridge Road following the opposite side of the river from Route 9N
• John Fountain Road following the river in the community area until it connects back to 9N heading toward Ausable Forks
• Glen Road going over the river

5. Ausable Forks

The East Branch of the Ausable River flows from the south region of Au Sable Forks into the center of this historic mill community. There it merges with the West Branch to form the Main Branch of the Ausable that flows into Lake Champlain. Heading into town from the south, 9N follows the East Branch into village center.

3 Popular River Activities – Getting to Know the East Branch of the Ausable

1. Fishing

The East Branch of the Ausable is not as plentiful for fishing opportunities as the West Branch. However, there are still opportunities to find brown and rainbow trout in the higher gradient areas of the river. Some areas around Upper Jay and Jay can fall under the higher gradient as the river gets closer to the merging point in Au Sable Forks.

2. Swimming

Swimming on the East Branch of the Ausable is similar to the West. There are a few areas along this section of the river that run a little slower and are used as swimming areas by locals and visitors. Some of these areas include the park across from Marcy Field between Keene and Keene Valley and the area next to the Jay Covered Bridge.

If you plan on swimming in the river, be sure to pay attention to current conditions. In heavy rain years or during or after inclement weather, the higher river flow can easily make conditions unsafe or unfamiliar. New debris may be present and channels can change in depth and location with increased flow.

3. Paddling

Kayaking and canoeing opportunities on the East Branch of the Ausable is not as plentiful as the West Branch. This is due to this section being more rocky and low flowing. However, there are still some opportunities to take a little paddle in higher water areas. Some spots may also be suitable for tubing.

Finding Out More – Next Steps

If you are interested in learning more about the East Branch of the Ausable or looking for available properties close by, check out ADKPP’s Adirondack Riverfront listings page to view current offerings. Another option is to contact one of our ADKPP Real Estate Sales Agents at 518-523-3333.

Not ready to buy quite yet? Come visit the region to see if the Ausable River fits what you are looking for. Our agency offers a variety of vacation rental listings to meet every group size, vacation and budget need. Book today to start exploring the East Brach of the Ausable in person!