Just an FYI. The Ausable Club at one time had private ownership of ALL of the land around this hike, which they have opened up to the public on the condition that cars cannot drive into it. But the access to these hikes is indeed "their" property, so they get to make some of the rules (just like you get to make the rules in your backyard). Despite the fact that private clubs get bad reps, this actually limits the number of hikers on the trails and keeps them from being overcrowded. And if its mercedes you hate, I don't advise hikes in Germany either.
Adirondacks