A hike that circles three ponds with side trips to more possible. The hike to Moose Mountain Pond gets you into the backcountry of the Hammond Pond Wild Forest, and includes a side trail to Bass Lake (1.4 miles round trip added).
Key takeaways
- Distance: 8.4 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 770 feet
- Hike includes trail junctions and bridges
- Based on a hike of both Moose Mountain Pond and Bass Lake
Hiking Moose Mountain Pond and more
This route leads to two ponds and an open beaver meadow. From the parking area, take the right trail to Moose Mountain Pond, not the one for Hammond Pond — both trails are side-by-side, so be careful. The path stays in a nice valley as you pass by Berrymill Hill and the attractive Berrymill Brook. It heads uphill slightly, but never undergoes any major elevation change. At around 1.5 miles in you'll come to a trail junction. Turn right for Bass Lake and head left for Moose Mountain Pond. Turning right leads 0.9 miles to the east end of Bass Lake and its rock ledges, cliffs, and great fishing. Turning left, you'll soon come to the grassy Berrymill Pond, which has a large bridge over its outlet. The trail remains easy as it goes through a hemlock forest. You'll reach the south end of Moose Mountain Pond at 3.2 miles, with Bald and Owl Pate mountains towering over you, and Moose Mountain joining in. The trail continues along the shore to an attractive lean-to at 3.5 miles. Return the way you came, and take the side trip to Bass Lake on the way back.
In the winter
This trail can be accessed in the winter, but is not well-trafficked, so expect to be breaking trail with your skis or snowshoes on. Because it isn't highly trafficked, you'll want to be ready for all winter conditions. Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing over a frozen body of water can be fun (like on Moose Mountain Pond or Bass Lake), but it can be a dangerous activity and should be done with care. Know the ice conditions and be prepared for anything, including heavy winds, snow drifts, whiteouts, slushy conditions, and thin ice if you decide to head out onto the frozen ponds.
Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub
Does Moose Mountain Pond sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find the best hike for you!
How to get there
Take Exit 29 off I-87 and follow Blue Ridge Road east toward North Hudson, then drive north on Route 9. Continue for 2.5 miles, turn right on county Route 4C, then turn right on Ensign Road. Follow Ensign Road for just over 2.5 miles to the trailhead on the right. This trailhead is shared with the Hammond and Bloody Pond trails.
