Hiking in the Adirondacks

We went for another hike again today. This time we took a short 2 mile one way hike which passed two ponds and ended at a third. At the first, Owen Pond, we saw a loon. He was so far away you can hardly tell what it is in the picture. I was so excited. That is the first loon we’ve seen since our trip to Maine a couple years ago. He was quite a surprise and my favorite part of the entire day. We stopped at the second and largest pond, Copperas, for a long break. I again sat on a rock at the waters edge to soak up the beauty of it all. We were somewhat disappointed with Winch Pond, where the short side trail ended. All the trees around the edge of the pond were dead. Many had fallen over into the water.

Moss covered log

A loon on Owen Pond

Lean to on Copperas Pond

The trail was typical of what we are going to find in this area. There was ample parking at the trailhead and it was well marked at the road. There was a register at the trailhead for hikers to sign in and out. The trail was well marked with blue metal disc nailed to trees. These markers are higher on the tree than the blazes of most trails in the south. Many of these trails are used by for cross country skiing and snowmobiling; therefore, the trail marker must be higher to be above the snow pack. This is a wet environment and again we crossed bogs. If we were lucky there had been a foot bridge of sorts to cross on. More often, though, we just tried to find a rock to step on to stay out of the mud as much as possible. To avoid spreading the size of the bog, hikers are encouraged to walk through the bog rather than going around on the edge. Because of the dampness, rocks, roots, and fallen tree trunks are covered in moss. It is a lush, rain forest kind of place. The ground is kind of spongy, sort of like walking on peat, and there is always the smell of pine in the air. I just love it.

Beaver dam

This is a very popular trail and we saw several people today. This could easily be made a loop hike of 3 miles if you used the road as a connector. There is parking at both trailhead locations. We chose not to do that because we wanted to go to the upper pond. However, if you started at the northern end you could be at Copperas Pond in just a half mile of very easy trail—great for families with children.

A frog

Blue bead lily

Copperas Pond

The park is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). I am assuming they, along with the help of the Adirondack Mountain Club, and hundreds of volunteers maintain the trails. Whoever is responsible, they are doing an outstanding job. Hats off to the trail maintainers! Thank you.

View of Whiteface Mountain from Copperas Pond