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2024 Season Open Dates:
Friday, May 24, 2024 – Monday, October 14, 2024
10am – 5pm | Open 7 days a week, including holidays
ADKX Research Library is open year round by appointment only.
Minnow Pond Trail is generally open daily, July 1 – August 31, depending on weather, trail conditions, and events. The trail and boathouse may close without notice.
A short hike from the center of campus – take an easy ¾-mile walk and discover “a gem in the wilderness” – Minnow Pond. A trail to Minnow Pond dates back to this site’s early settlement history and was admired by Miles Merwin, the original builder and owner of the Blue Mountain House (1874-1953). Suitable for the whole family, the trail is open daily in July and August, depending on weather, trail conditions, and special events. This is a natural trail; it has uneven surfaces and some short, steep rises. It may not be accessible for people with limited mobility.
When walking Minnow Pond Trail, learn about the connections between land and water in the Adirondacks. Hunters and trappers who long ago navigated the region needed a boat that was easy to move over land and on water; thus emerged the guideboat, a unique vessel that was built specifically to meet the challenging landscape of the region. You’ll also learn about the people who were so moved by the recreational wonders of the Adirondacks, they committed themselves to protect the range of habitats found here.
At Minnow Pond you will see why many consider the Adirondacks a boater’s paradise; the region is home to roughly 3,000 lakes and ponds and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams—many only reached by trails. The endlessly interconnected waterways are prized by those looking for a quiet outing or a wilderness adventure.
Minnow Pond is a small, roughly 90-acre waterbody above Blue Mountain Lake and is part of the Raquette River watershed. Surrounded by mixed forest, this serene pond is home to loons, otters, beavers, wood ducks, frogs, salamanders, and a variety of fish. Located at approximately 2,000 feet in elevation, the pond’s shoreline consists of coniferous and deciduous forests as well as wetlands.
Hikers looking for a short, more vigorous route may want to try the Blue View Trail. From the higher vantage point, the views of Blue Mountain Lake are even more breathtaking. You can access the Blue View Trail as a spur off the Minnow Pond Trail.
When walking the Minnow Pond Trail, please remember: