Boreas Ponds Update

By Rich Macha

It comes as no surprise that the Boreas Ponds area has become a popular destination for folks who are willing to expend just a little effort so as to experience the incomparable view of the Adirondack High Peaks from across its waters. Access was limited in 2022 due to the fact that the road bridge over the Boreas River at LaBier Flow needed replacement, but as of late May of this year, things are back to normal and the general public can drive the dirt and gravel Gulf Brook Road for 5.8 miles to at least the Four Corners parking area.

Before the dam was built, there were three separate ponds (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) – hence the plural in Boreas Ponds – with the dam, the result is one big 320-acre pond. The land around the ponds is classified as “Wilderness” where motors are not allowed, whereas most of the land to the south of the ponds was placed in the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest. A “Wild Forest” designation could allow for some motorized usage.

In June, a couple of friends and I were able to take advantage of some fair weather and spend three days of camping, paddling, and hiking in the area. This was my third visit to the ponds and my second that involved camping out. From the Four Corners parking area, we used carts to wheel our canoes and kayak 0.9 miles on a relatively smooth dirt and gravel road to the put-in at the dam. Along the way we passed a short carry to LaBier Flow, a small parking area that requires a permit, and then a sharp left turn that leads to a lean-to – at this time it’s the only designated campsite at the ponds although up to five campsites are in the plans.

Paddling – Once we had set up camp at the lean-to, we paddled the perimeter of the ponds in a counterclockwise direction. From south to north, the straight-line length of the ponds is only 1.5 miles, but by following its convoluted shoreline, you can easily paddle over five miles. Most of the shoreline consists of a dense growth of spruce and balsam fir and there is a definite lack of good places to land if you are looking for a break or to stop for a picnic lunch. The mountain views gained from a variety of locations do compensate however – Mount Marcy, Mount Haystack, and the rock face of Gothics stand out, although Allen Mountain makes its presence known because of its proximity to the ponds. The North River Mountains and Cheney Cobble loom to the west, and Boreas Mountain dominates to the east.

Paddlers can find themselves pushing through froggy lily pads and, soon after, skirting the skeletons of drowned trees. Watch for loons diving after fish and the heads of curious otters popping up from the water, while grunting at the sight of the interlopers, before making a quick disappearance. Keep an eye out for great blue herons and, if you are lucky, a moose.

On day two, we paddled to the north end of the ponds and hiked over a mile on old logging roads to White Lily Pond. When we returned to our boats after the hike, we made our way in and out of the islands as we headed back to camp. Some of the islands are covered in dense spruce and fir like most of the shoreline, but there are also many fascinating boggy islands with pitcher plants, sundews, and other vegetation that is usually associated with bogs. One boggy island has a huge boulder attached to it. A swim by the dam can be a satisfying end to the day.

Hiking – As of June 2023, there were no marked hiking trails in the area although several are planned. For the time being, you can hike extensively on old logging roads, some of which are shown on certain maps and some advance research is necessary if you plan to go any distance.

White Lily Pond, near the foot of Allen Mountain, makes for an attractive destination. We paddled to the north end of the ponds and left our boats at the inlet, then hiked on a hardened logging road going in a northwest direction. We soon gained almost 300 feet before dropping to a small clearing on the left where another logging road heads south – this is 0.8 miles from where we started the hike. The logging road we had been following makes a turn to the northeast and, soon after the small clearing, there is a somewhat hidden trail on the left that connects to another logging road (the routes are shown reasonably well on the USGS Mount Marcy map), which we took for 0.2 miles to another grassy clearing. At the northwest corner of the clearing, an unmarked 0.1-mile path leads to White Lily Pond. If your map and compass skills are not up to snuff, just follow the moose tracks as we saw many.

It is possible to hike from Four Corners to White Lily Pond without paddling. Hike or bike to the dam (biking is not allowed past the dam) and enjoy the view – some folks will be satisfied with the short but rewarding hike and head back. Continue hiking northeast on a hardened dirt road to a junction 1.75 miles from the dam – take a left here. After going another 0.9 miles you reach the Boreas River, the inlet to the ponds where we started our hike, as described above. A round-trip to White Lily Pond from Four Corners is about eight miles without much change in elevation. Much of the hardened roads can be visualized using the satellite view in online maps.

Camping – As mentioned, as of early summer of 2023, the only designated backcountry campsite at the ponds is the lean-to at the south end of the ponds. I really enjoyed the peace and quiet there, occasionally interrupted by a loon call or the hooting of an owl. We also saw a ruffed grouse and observed a snapping turtle laying eggs in the clearing near the lean-to.

You are allowed to camp on state land using the 150-foot rule: you must be 150 feet from any road, trail or water. Be prepared to do a “bear hang” or use a bear-proof canister for your food storage and make sure you don’t leave anything, especially trash, behind. The area is located in the “Outer Zone” of the High Peaks Wilderness so campfires are allowed but should be restricted to designated fire pits so as not to burn the forest down.

If primitive car camping is desired, I noticed at least three sites along Gulf Brook Road that have a fire ring and a privy and at least one of them is handicap accessible.

You can find a map of proposed hiking trails and other info in the 2018 Amendment to the High Peaks UMP linked here: dec.ny.gov/lands/107504.html.

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