Hour Pond and the New Hour Pond Trail

Hour Pond is a southern Adirondack destination with majestic views of Bullhead and Hour Pond Mountain. But what draws me to the pond most is the new Hour Pond Trail from Thirteenth Lake.

Paddling Thirteenth Lake

Like many others, this adventure started on Thirteenth Lake. Along the northwestern shore, we paddled beyond Peaked Mountain Brook to the next inlet stream coming off Hour Pond Mountain. We beached our boat, found the red trail and started climbing.

This route is old and must have been a trail back in the day. It passes through a narrow slot on the height-of-land between the Thirteenth and Hour drainages. It was an unmarked hunter’s path and bushwhack when I first skied it.

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Rock Pond, NY

Rock Pond is one of the easiest and most satisfying places to go, or take a family. It’s right there at the end of a long drive, just a paddle and a portage to a heavenly spot.

Putnam-Pond

For us it started at Putnam Pond, 40 miles from our camp in North River. Through Olmsteadville and Pottersville, out Route 74 towards Ticonderoga, down the Chilson Road to the DEC campground.

We set out on Putts Pond, headed to North Pond and points beyond. Invariably someone, usually me, is hiking around via the trail. Transporting boats over rocky hills is a special skill, and for your sake, I hope you never perfect it.

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Ross Pond, NY

Ross Pond NY lies three miles north of Route 28 in the Adirondacks, halfway between Indian Lake and North River.  It’s one of a cluster of three ponds; Ross, Whortleberry and Big Bad Luck.

Ross Pond NY

The route was a path for a long time, but several years ago, the DEC marked it, and spotted a trailhead a few hundred yards south on the highway. It was really the only place to put it.

You’ve got to look for the beginning of the trail as it is below highway level. From the parking lot, keep walking on the north side of the road, toward Indian Lake, and you’ll find it.

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