Explore hiking and fishing in the beautiful, quiet woods and waters of the Adirondack Hub.
Getting there
From Exit 29 on Interstate 87, follow Blue Ridge Road toward North Hudson and take a left onto state Route 9 and follow it north. Continue for 2.5 miles and turn right onto Caza Turn Road, then take the next right onto Ensign Pond Road. Follow Ensign Pond Road for just under 3 miles to the trailhead on the right.
Hiking
At the trailhead there is an immediate split; right heads toward Bass Lake, left goes toward Hammond Pond. Signs will point the correct way. This nice hike will bring you along a well-used trail and quickly passes by a snowmobile access point, which is used mainly as a handicap access. Continue straight ahead from Berrymill Brook. There will be an obvious split, but it's not marked. Heading right and slightly uphill brings you above the pond for a view of it through the trees, and eventually leads to Black Brook Pond. Turn left to descend slightly to the shore of the pond for the best views.
For a longer trip, continue along the shore to the western portion of the lake, where additional views await.
- Elevation Gain: 250 feet
- Distance Round Trip: 2.0 to 6.0 miles, depending on route
Fishing
There is a 1-mile hike along a foot trail to access this pond. The shore fishing is decent with options. Paths lead around parts of the shore to add other access locations
