Views of the High Peaks dominate the scene from the shore of Boreas Ponds, the 320-acre waterbody for which this region is named. LaBier Flow, Boreas River, LeClaire Brook, Casey Brook, Slide Brook, and White Lily Brook can also be found on this tract.

This tract is one of the newer additions to the Adirondack Park Forest Preserve and the NYSDEC is in the process of adding new features, so keep up to date on the latest information.

Getting there

Gulf Brook Road is the main route to Boreas Ponds. It's located off Blue Ridge Road, about 16.5 miles east of Newcomb and about 7 miles west of Exit 29 on I-87. Visitors are permitted to drive on Gulf Brook Road, and if paddling you'll want to park at the Four-Corners parking area, which is 500 feet beyond LaBier Flow access, and just under a mile walk to Boreas Ponds. 

Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing

Gulf Brook Road is currently the main route to Boreas Ponds, and the only other "trails" in the area are overgrown and difficult to navigate.

Hikers can park at the first lot to walk the entire 6.7 mile Gulf Brook Road to reach Boreas Ponds, or they can park at one of the other three lots along the road to shorten the trip. The road travels through a dense, young forest for most of its length and doesn't really get scenic until it reaches LaBier Flow, a mile or so from Boreas Ponds. Shortly after that is a four-way intersection — take a right to pass another view of LaBier Flow before reaching the shore of Boreas Ponds. In the winter, you will have to ski or snowshoe the entire length of the road.

Paddling

In low water, the best option is to do the walk from Four Corners parking area to Boreas Ponds, instead of putting in at LaBier. Once on Boreas Ponds, you can make your way northeast through the main parts of the ponds and into the Boreas River, where depending on the water level it can be quite navigable and scenic.

Cycling

Bicycling is permitted along Gulf Brook Road, from Blue Ridge Road to Boreas Ponds Dam. Bikes are not allowed past the dam. The Handlebarley, an annually-organized social gravel bike ride, includes stopping at Boreas Ponds. 

Fishing, hunting, and trapping

Boreas Ponds is open to fishing, hunting, and trapping.

Ride through lightly-trafficked trails in and around Frontier Town. 

How to get there

Access via a short road which begins and ends off of Route 9.

Cycling

The entire system is almost 9 miles of system of interlocked trails, from beginner to mid-level. They are older trails, and tend not to get much use nowadays. You can read about them a bit more in this blog, Mossy singletrack in North Hudson, but be mindful that the conditions mentioned in this blog are from several years ago.

A loop that circles three ponds with side trips to more. Beaver ponds and wide vistas, and more! The side trail to Bass Lake (1.4 miles RT) features rock ledges, cliffs, and great fishing.

Getting 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.Hiking

Hiking

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 1.7 miles you'll come to a trail junction. Turn right for Bass Lake and head left for Moose Mountain Pond. Turning right leads 0.9 mi. 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. Its beauty will keep you occupied, and before you know it you are at your destination 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.

• Elevation: 1,265 feet
• Elevation gain: 320 feet
• Distance round trip: 7 miles

Mountain biking

• 6 miles RT, Easy to Moderate Grades, Pond Trail

If you like gravel roads and scenic views, then this is the bike route for you! 

Cycling

The view includes a pond, which is frequented by osprey. It eventually becomes Stoney Lonesome Road and leads to Crown Point if you follow it all the way.

As far as dirt road cycling goes, this is a fine option in the area. This is the starting trail for most peoples hike to Crane Pond and the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area.

By the numbers

• Distance: 3.8 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 350 feet

Cycling

Town maintained dirt roads becomes non-maintained road. Woodsy, moderately hilly, and high likelihood of wind and mud. 

Running

Leads to Crane Pond & Pharaoh Mountain trailhead for even more scenic views and as long a trail run as possible. Reach 167-acre Crane Pond via the Pharaoh Mountain Trail.

How to get there

Crane Pond Road trailhead parking area is located at the end of Crane Pond Road off of Alder Meadow Road.