Courtney and Shingletree ponds are two small bodies of water in the Hammond Pond Wild Forest. You won't miss Courtney Pond; it sits right on the edge of the road. It is very scenic with lily pads and abundant wildlife. 

Getting there

The trailhead is located on Route 9, 0.2 miles south of the Sharp Bridge Campground. Courtney Pond is located right beside the road, so it is not easily missed. Park at a small roadside lot next to Courtney Pond.

Hiking and snowshoeing

This end-to-end hike, only 1.1 miles one way, runs from from Courtney Pond to Shingletree Pond along a trail with minor elevation changes. It is full of lovely terrain, and features a tunnel that runs under the Northway. The narrow path goes from the Hammond Pond Wild Forest to the Dix Mountain Wilderness. It ends at Shingletree Pond.

This path gets little use, so take care to stay on the trail.

In winter, this path would make a nice snowshoe to stretch your legs.

Paddling

Both ponds are small, but offer classic Adirondack scenery. These are good choices for days when it might be windier on larger bodies of water. There is a hand launch at Courtney Pond. Shingletree is surrounded by dead and down trees and may be harder to access with no official launch.

Fishing

Courtney and Shingletree ponds are reclaimed trout ponds, so the use of fish as bait is illegal. Shingletree mat be fished easier from shore than a boat, due to access. Courtney, however, has a nice hand launch and is easily accessible.

This wonderful hike and area is not to be missed!

Getting there

To get here, take Exit 28 off of Interstate 87 and follow Route 9 south toward Schroon Lake. Continue for 0.6 miles and turn onto Alder Meadow Road and follow that to East Shore Road and continue for 2.75 miles to the trailhead on the left. 

Hiking

The trail to Spectacle Pond is easy and it's perfect for an afternoon jaunt or a family outing. A slight climb from the trailhead goes past Beaver Meadow Hill before descending to cross Shanty Brook, a pleasant backcountry stream. From here, another slight climb leads to Spectacle Pond, where the trail continues along the south shore for better views. The mountainous terrain around the pond gives it a really interesting feel, with stellar vistas to boot. 

• Elevation gain: 350 feet
• Distance: 3 miles round trip

Paddling

Paddlers will need to carry a canoe or kayak the 1.5 miles to this pond. What you see from the water is a mass of imposing cliffs. Make sure that you visit on a clear day.

• Size: 33 acres

Fishing

There is plenty of shoreline fishing available. Paths lead partway around the pond to access other areas. The northern end of the pond is quite marshy and not good for shoreline fishing, but most of the other sides are good. There are great camping areas on this pond. Use them for an overnight and have fun catching bullhead.

• Fish species present: bullhead, brown trout

Always follow New York state fishing regulations and be sure to pick up a NYS Freshwater Fishing Guide at your local outfitters or regional NYSDEC office.

Camping

There are backcountry camping sites around the pond.

Twentyninth Pond is a beautiful spot that's very close to the road.

Getting there

Take Exit 29 off of Interstate 87 and follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue to Route 28N, take a left and head toward Minerva. Continue for just under 10.5 miles to the Stony Pond trailhead on the left.

By the numbers

Elevation gain: minimal

Distance: 0.6 miles round trip

Hiking

The trail climbs slightly from the trailhead to a high point and soon comes to an unmarked path on the right. This is the short trail down to the pond, which you can see from the main trail.

Fishing

Twentyninth Pond contains brook trout and there are faint fisherman paths along the shore to explore. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.

Alder Pond may not be very deep but it's a beautiful spot in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. Alder Pond is an easy hike for kids who want to shore fish, too.

Getting there

To get here from Schroon Lake's downtown, take U.S. 9 north for 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Alder Meadow Road for 2.1 miles. Continue straight onto Crane Pond Road for 1.4 miles, to the large parking area at the end of the road.

Hiking

The pond is accessed by a 1-mile hike along Crane Pond Road. The hike is easy with minimal elevation change.

Fishing

The shore fishing is okay, but the pond is super shallow and the fish are not all that big. This could be a fun fishing area for the kids to toss out a bobber and let it float. The west end of the trail is the deepest part of the lake. There is a short access trail leading to the west end of the long finger pond. Use weedless hooks or float a bobber. There is no boat access without a long portage.

Fish species: bullhead, panfish, rock bass

A easy trail leads back to the beautiful Goose Pond in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. At 66-acres, Goose Pond isn't large, but it's deep waters offer anglers a chance to catch some really wild fish!

Key takeaways

• Distance: 3 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 290 feet

Hiking Goose Pond

Start walking along Crane Pond Road, which is not drivable past the parking area. After 0.9 miles you will come to the Goose Pond Trail on the right. Now, it's a 0.6 mile hike along a foot trail, with minimal elevation change.

Fishing

There are paths around part of the pond that can be used to access different fishing locations. The pond is around 100 feet deep in the middle and the best way to reach those depths, other than by canoe, is to cast from a southern peninsula, where the shelf drops off dramatically. It is possible to carry a canoe or kayak back to the pond, but no motors are allowed. Anglers will be pleased to find brook trout and rainbow trout here.

Insider tips

• The bays seem to produce and hold the best trout. The western bay in particular is fairly wide but very deep.
• There is also a deep rock shelf on the south side of the pond at the end of a wide peninsula, which is great for reaching deep waters with minimal cast.

How to get there

To get there from Schroon Lake's downtown, take U.S. 9 north for 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Alder Meadow Road for 2.1 miles. Continue straight onto Crane Pond Road for 1.4 miles, to the large parking area at the end of the road.

Gull Pond is a beautiful destination for someone looking for a quick hike to stretch their legs or for families. It is less than half a mile to the pond.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 1 mile round trip
• Elevation gain: 65 feet

Hiking

This marked foot trail might have some wet spots in low areas, but is otherwise on the easier side. (But don't worry, there are bridges.) Stick to the trail to avoid causing trail erosion. 

Camping

A side trail on the left a short distance from the pond leads to a designated tent site. There is no camping allowed at the rock outcrop overlooking the pond.

Fishing

It's well worth the added effort to have a pond all to yourself. Most of the shore can be used for fishing. Since there is a 0.5 mile hike to the pond, there is no boat access without a portage. That said, a canoe or kayak would be ideal to fish the deeper waters where trout tend to hang out during warmer months. A herd path may be visible around the pond, and that can be used to find different locations.

Fish species found here include: brook trout and bullhead.

How to get there

From Exit 28 on Interstate 87, take Route 9 toward Schroon Lake. In 0.6 miles, take a left onto Alder Meadow Road. Follow this for 3.8 miles to the Gull Pond Trail on the left. Park here.

The only access for canoe or kayak is the concrete state boat launch off Route 8. There is ample parking here, but during busy weekends it can get a bit cramped. Aside from the launch area the entire shore of Brant Lake is private property so please respect the private land owners.  

Once on the water it actually is a very attractive lake. Head right downstream through the narrows for an interesting look at the community. Head to the far northern end of the lake and enter the wetland area and paddle through the marsh for some stellar views of the mountains towering above.  

• Approximate Shoreline Length: 16.0 miles
• Type of launch: Concrete
• Portage/Carry Details: Less than 100 feet
• Type of water: While long and narrow it can get a bit choppy out there especially in the widest potions of the lake. Motorboats are allowed so be cautious.  

Getting there

From Schroon Lake get on I-87 and head south to Exit 25 and take a left and head east on Route 8 toward Brant Lake. Continue for just under 4-miles to the state access boat launch on the left.  

Fishing

There is a small bit of shore fishing available at the state launch site. The remaining portion of the shoreline is private. While limited in this area, it’s not a bad place to cast a line. The weeds do tend to house some bass than can be caught from the dock.  

Due to the shallow nature of this water, top water is the best type of lure or using a bobber to float a worm. There is no official boat access, but one can be carried to the pond.

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 for 15.5 miles to a very small pull-off by trees on the right, located on a sharp corner just prior to where Vanderwhacker Brook runs beneath the road. There is room for no more than 2 cars. The parking lot and trail are not marked.

Hiking

Once you have located the primitive parking spot you can locate the path on the left. The trail is not marked either; it is a fisherman’s path to access the pond. The path is very mellow and not steep. You will follow along Vanderwhacker Brook which is an attractive, mossy rock brook. You will reach the south end of the pond relatively quickly, where you can work your way around very easily for different vantage points. 

• Elevation gain: 260 feet
• Distance: 2.0 miles round trip

Fishing

Maximum depth is only around 12 feet but the fishing isn’t too bad from shore. The shore is very grassy near where the path ends, but you can work your way around the pond and it gets better. An old camping spot is located on the NE shore.

Fish species: brook trout, bullhead, brown trout

Special regulations: Always follow State fishing regulations and be sure to pick up a NYS Freshwater Fishing Guide at your local outfitters or regional NYSDEC office. 

Looking for a backcountry pond that doesn't require a lot of work to get to? If so, Cheney Pond is perfect for you! It's all peaceful wild forest and beautiful scenery. Visitors in any season can enjoy a variety of activities, including: hiking, fishing, paddling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and camping. Make Cheney Pond your destination for the day, or combine it with a longer hike for more time on the trail.

How to get there

To get here, follow Blue Ridge Road (County Road 84) toward Newcomb from Exit 29 off I-87. It is 13.4 mile to the trailhead parking area on the left. The "trail" to Cheney Pond follows an old access road, and while travel is permitted, it it not recommended. At first, the access road appears to be a fine gravel road, but soon deteriorates with washouts, ruts, and extremely muddy sections. No worries though; it's only about a half mile walk to the pond with minimal elevation change.

By the numbers

• Round trip distance: about 1 mile
• Elevation loss: about 150 feet 

Hiking

Follow the old access road turned into an easy trail to a camping, picnic, and launch area at the pond. The hike is quite easy and all downhill to the pond. The wide trail is colorful in wildflower season. You will pass by an intersection with the trail to Lester Dam at 0.4 miles. Turn left here and the pond is 500 feet away. 

Fishing

Trout can be easily fished from shore and the bullheads tend to bite all day. There is a shallow bay on the north side of the pond, which is a nice location for panfish and floating a bobber for brookies. Fish species include: brook trout, bullhead, panfish, brown trout, and smallmouth bass. There are plenty of grassy areas where bass are said to hide.

Paddling

This lovely little pond is part of the Lester Flow. This is a hand launch only. Canoes and kayaks will likely need to be wheeled or carried the half mile to the pond.

Snowshoeing

Since it is not that long of a trail, this makes for a great snowshoe for beginners or even an excellent place to stretch your legs before a more rigorous adventure. Snowshoeing over a frozen body of water is a winter past time; it can access you to areas not seen by most in the summer. With that being said, it can be a dangerous activity to cross frozen waterbodies and should be done with care and respect for your environment. Know the ice conditions and be prepared for anything, including heavy winds, snow drifts, whiteouts, slushy conditions, and thin ice. 

Cross-country skiing

From the parking to the pond, it is all downhill, so it will be an exciting ski to your destination! Skiing over a frozen body of water is a cross-country skiing past time; it can access you to areas not seen by most in the summer. With that being said it is a dangerous activity to cross frozen water bodies and should be done with care and respect for your environment. Know the ice conditions and be prepared for anything including heavy winds, snow drifts, whiteouts, slushy conditions, and thin ice.

Camping

There is a large camping area on the pond, including a lean-to! This is a great choice for those looking to try winter camping. It's remote, yet only a little over a mile round trip to the car parked at the trailhead.

This short hike ends at a particularly scenic pond. On the northeastern side of the pond is a long finger created by a beaver dam and on the north end of the pond is an attractive wetland where birding could be quite good. There is the option to explore the second pond on an unmarked trail.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 2.2 miles round trip for both ponds, 0.8 miles for Rankin
• Elevation gain: 280 feet round trip for both ponds
• Hike includes unmarked trail

Hiking to Rankin and Little Rankin Ponds

From the parking area cross the road carefully and quickly, as the trailhead is located on a corner where traffic tends to move quickly. Once at the trailhead, you will sign into the trail register and follow the trail behind the register, not the old road to the right. The trail is marked with blue disks. Along the 0.4 mile trail (one way) there is a sweep around a small knob on your right known as Crusher Hill, while not changing much in elevation. There is a slight descent at the end to reach the eastern shore of Rankin Pond.

If you wish to continue to Little Rankin Pond be aware that there is no marked trail or designated route to reach the small back-county body of water. Map and compass and GPS knowledge is highly recommended. Not recommended for inexperienced hikers or children. To continue on to Little Rankin Pond, locate a herd path to your right from the end of Rankin Pond Trail. This anglers herd path is very faint and blowdown does cover it in spots. This herd path will bring you to another small spot with a great view of the pond. The herd path from here starts to become much less apparent and eventually disappears, but keep the pond to your left and continue down the finger to a beaver dam crossing.

Once you cross the beaver dam you will need to make your way through a somewhat open forest and head northwest, keeping the slopes of Rankin Pond Mountain to your right. Remain in the valley. Little Rankin Pond is a quaint little pond with a faint trail, but gives a nice, backcountry, secluded feel.

Rankin and Little Rankin Ponds in the winter

From the parking area which should be plowed out regularly, you will need to cross the road to access the trail. This trail is a good, mellow introduction to snowshoeing to the first pond. Only experienced hikers should attempt to reach the farther pond. Be prepared for all winter conditions.

Birding

Most of these species are found during the migration and breeding season. This is considered a lowland boreal forest, with species like Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Boreal Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cape May Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Pine Siskin.

Paddling

At the trailhead there is room for one car to unload a car-top boat, but park across the road (north via a slight curve) at the designated parking area. The trail is narrow, but overall fairly easy with a brief, somewhat steep, drop near the end. This trail is not the best option for a cart; it is recommended that you use a boat that you can carry.

Once on the pond you will have a wonderful secluded paddle, and most likely to yourself. The shoreline length is approximately one mile and the water is well-sheltered/mostly calm.

Fishing

There is a deep area good for brook trout, and only accessible by boat. As a result, there's not much angler competition. There is a limited amount of shoreline fishing but it’s decent in a few spots. At the end of the trail which is 0.4 miles from the parking area and slightly further along the shore on the east side via a short herd path. At the deepest it is around 20 feet, but the best fishing is had from the deeper portion and the finger on the NE side, which is accessed best by boat.

Fish species: brook trout, bullhead

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Do the Rankin Ponds 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

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 to Route 28N and take a left and head toward Minerva. Continue for just under 10 miles to the trailhead on the right, parking is on the left just prior to the trailhead.