OK Slip Falls and Three Ponds 

By Rich Macha

The Hudson Gorge Wilderness not only contains the most exciting stretch of the Hudson River, but also one of the highest waterfalls in New York, plus several seldom-visited ponds – as well as a few small, trailless mountains with views. The trails to the falls and three of the ponds can be cross country skied by strong intermediate skiers when there is over a foot of snow on the ground; they can also be snowshoed by just about anyone in halfway decent shape.

A trip to the falls and all three ponds would amount to close to 15 miles of travel, so most folks opt to go to either the falls or the ponds. The trip to OK Slip Falls has become very popular, but the ponds see less visitation, especially in winter. The trailhead and the first half-mile are the same for either trip, so when you get to the fork in the trail, would you take the trail less-traveled to go for a little bit of Bad Luck? Or slip and slide over to the more than just OK attraction?

The parking area is located on the south side of NY Route 28, halfway between North Creek and Indian Lake. You have to walk west alongside the road for 0.2 miles to reach the actual trailhead. The trail passes through conifers at first, then mixed woods of sugar maple, beech, spruce, hemlock, and some large white pines. After a bit of a climb, the trail reaches a junction at the 0.7-mile mark – a right turn heads toward the falls, and a straight-ahead route leads to the ponds.

Ross, Whortleberry and Big Bad Luck Ponds – From the junction, the route is mostly downhill, then it crosses Ball Mountain Brook. The trail then climbs over 200 feet in 0.4 miles, going over a shoulder of Ball Mountain, before leveling out somewhat. Some beaver meadows can be seen to the north before reaching a junction, 2.2 miles from the start – a right turn puts you on the short trail to the south side of Ross Pond, but I usually just ski down through tall evergreen woods to the pond’s west shore. My notes from last winter describe the pond as “cute, with a couple of small islands.”

Back on the main trail, now mainly going downhill, another junction is soon reached – a left turn reaches Big Bad Luck Pond in 0.5 miles. Going straight and continuing downhill, the trail to Whortleberry Pond is not marked as well as the others in the area, so some added attention to the route may be necessary. If I had to skip one of the ponds, this would be the one. However, curiosity has won out every time I’ve been out this way.

The spur trail to Big Bad Luck Pond is well-marked and a pleasure to ski. The trail ends at the outlet on the east end of the large pond. If the ice is solid, which is likely in mid-winter, you can ski across to the campsite on the north shore. As you ski out onto the pond, look down the pond for a view of Snowy Mountain. The return trip will have a couple of exciting downhill runs. If you visit all three ponds, you will have traveled at least eight miles, more if you skied out onto the ponds.

OK Slip Falls – From the junction, the trail to OK Slip Falls heads northeast over rolling terrain through a mature forest. A beaver pond is passed and the trail then goes through an area that was logged more recently so the trees are smaller. A woods road, which gives access to the private Northern Frontier Camp, is reached after traveling over two miles from the Route 28 trailhead. The trail follows this road for less than 100 yards then turns off it to the right.  

The grade is then gently downhill at first, but steepens as the trail gets closer to the top of the falls, and hardwoods transition into a forest of large hemlocks and white pines. Switchbacks ease the grade to a certain extent but good ski control is needed on the descent. At a junction, the way right leads to views of the top of the falls – the combination of water and ice can be breathtaking. Be very careful if there is any iciness since the drop over the cliff is well over 200 feet.

At this last junction, the trail left soon drops steeply to cross OK Slip Brook on a bridge, then goes up a short steep stretch before leveling out for a bit. The trail then drops steeply, losing well over 300 feet, via switchbacks down to the Hudson River. I have fantasized about skiing this 0.8-mile trail, but have only hiked it in late winter with little or no snow on the ground (March 2016 was the end of a low-snow winter). In reality, I cannot recommend this section to most skiers, but do go for it if you are on snowshoes. At the end of the trail, Kettle Mountain looms over the river on the opposite shore. I have skied up Kettle, a bushwhack from Northwoods Club Road, and viewed OK Slip Falls from above and across the river.

Round-trip to and from the top of OK Slip Falls is over six miles and close to eight miles if you go down to the Hudson River. Whichever route you travel, you’ll be sure to leave civilization well behind. Make sure you carry the “10 Essentials” and more for a safe and pleasurable trip. For the 10 Essentials, see my “Prepare for Late Fall (and Winter) Adventures” article in the November 2020 issue: adksports.com/2020. Before you head out, check the NYSDEC website for updates and recommendations: dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html.

A lover of wild places, Rich Macha has led many trips for the Adirondack Mountain Club, and has spent 20 years in the paddlesport/snowsport business. More of Rich’s adventures can be found at northeastwild.blogspot.com.