Easily accessible, easy to love: that's Shoebox Falls. In the summer, this can be a popular spot. 

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for two exits to exit 30. From here take a left and follow Route 9 toward Elizabethtown and shortly a left onto Route 73 and head toward Keene. Continue for 1.3 miles to the bridge over the Boquet River, the parking in just over the bridge on the right. 

Hiking

Shoebox Falls is on the north side of Route 73 after it passes under the bridge. Walk back over the bridge and continue for a few hundred feet to a path leading to the top of the falls. The falls are bit tough to see from here but does offer a somewhat popular swim hole. To best see the falls, continue a bit further past the tree line where the falls can be seen from the roadside. Please stay on the backside of the guardrail for safety from traffic. 

• Distance: Less than 0.1 miles round trip

Walk through quiet, scenic forests and along the river.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit #29. From here follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue all the way to Newcomb and Route 28N. Take a left onto 28N and continue for just under 6.75-miles to the trail on the right.  

Hiking

This is the southern approach to Hewitt Eddy and is a mellow and lovely 0.8 mile hike. Only a very small rise over a hogback will be in front of you. A trail continues past the eddy and becomes what is known as the Boreas River Trail. With two cars or a 0.75 mile road walk you could use both trails for an extended hike.   

• Distance Round Trip: 0.8 miles

Winter

The hard part about this trail is finding a good place to park. If the snow banks are pushed back it’s not too bad, but otherwise you may have to consider using the Bores River Trail to access Hewitt Eddy. The trail is short and seldom used, but if you want to experience breaking trail this would be a good place to start. At just over 0.8 miles to Hewitt Eddy it’s not a demanding process. 

Boquet Falls is on the North Fork of the Boquet River and accessed from the same location as Shoebox Falls.

Getting there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for two exits to exit 30. From here take a left and follow Route 9 toward Elizabethtown and shortly a left onto Route 73 and head toward Keene. Continue for 1.3 miles to the bridge over the Boquet River, the parking in just over the bridge on the right. 

Nature walks

From the parking area cross the road onto an old dirt road, blocked by large boulders; walk this to the river and upstream for a less than 0.1 miles to the base of the falls. The top of the falls can be accessed by crossing the river slightly below the falls by rock hoping the gentle current. Again this is another popular swim hole with a deep pool of cool Adirondack waters below the falls.  

• Distance Round Trip: Less than 0.1 miles

The Boreas River Trail (aka the Boreas Loop Trail) is a pleasant loop hike that takes you along the Boreas River, to Hewitt Eddy, and onwards to the road. This hike is not to be confused with Boreas Ponds, a much larger body of water found further north.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: 250 feet
• Based on a loop hike that ends with a road walk back to your car
• Hike includes a road walk

Hiking the Boreas River Trail

This is the northern approach to Hewitt Eddy and is a flat and pretty hike. The trail follows along the course of the river, where in the autumn the colorful leaves make it an outstanding destination. A trail continues past the eddy and becomes what is known as the Hewitt Eddy Trail. With two cars or a 0.75 mile road walk you could use both trails for an extended hike, which is what the key takeaway numbers above are based off of.

Boreas River Trail in the winter

Parking for this trail in the winter is accessible. You can snowshoe or cross-country ski the loop, but be mindful of doing the road walk. Shoulders of the road can be narrower. Be prepared for all winter conditions, and stay away from the edge of the river.

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Looking for another hike? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find another adventurous hike for you!

How to get there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake, follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit, #29. From here, follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue all the way to Newcomb and Route 28N. Take a left onto 28N and continue for just under 6 miles to the trail on the right (just as you cross the Boreas River).