Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
    • Seasons
    • See all
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Accessibility
    • Arts
    • Attractions
    • Downtown
    • Health & Wellness
    • History
    • Live Music
    • Parks
    • Shopping
    • Stories
    • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
    • Hiking
    • Nature Walks
    • ADK Guides & Tours
    • Birding
    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Cycling
    • Downhill Skiing
    • Fishing
    • Golfing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Paddling
    • Snowmobiling
    • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • North Country New Year
    • Northern Current
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Packages
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
    • Accessibility
    • Downtown
    • Getting Here
    • Greater Region
    • Guide
    • Stories
    • Seasons
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • Local
    • Local
    • See all
    • Live Here
    • Meet the Locals
    • Real Estate
    • Town of Harrietstown
    • Town of North Elba
    • Town of St. Armand
    • Village of Saranac Lake
    • Do Business Here
    • Chamber Job Board
    • Essex County IDA
    • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
    • Professional Services
    • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Community Initiatives
    • Arts & Culture Master Plan
    • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
    • Saranac Lake Brand
    • Village Community Development Department

Celebrate Paddling ADK

Homepage Story 11 Easy Does It Vics Black Pond Loop
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
      3. Seasons
      4. See all
      5. Spring
      6. Summer
      7. Fall
      8. Winter
      9. Accessibility
      10. Arts
      11. Attractions
      12. Downtown
      13. Health & Wellness
      14. History
      15. Live Music
      16. Parks
      17. Shopping
      18. Stories
      19. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
      3. Hiking
      4. Nature Walks
      5. ADK Guides & Tours
      6. Birding
      7. Boating
      8. Camping
      9. Cross-Country Skiing
      10. Cycling
      11. Downhill Skiing
      12. Fishing
      13. Golfing
      14. Ice Fishing
      15. Mountain Biking
      16. Paddling
      17. Snowmobiling
      18. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      4. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      5. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      6. North Country New Year
      7. Northern Current
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Packages
      7. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      8. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
      3. Accessibility
      4. Downtown
      5. Getting Here
      6. Greater Region
      7. Guide
      8. Stories
      9. Seasons
      10. Spring
      11. Summer
      12. Fall
      13. Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
      2. See all
      3. Live Here
      4. Meet the Locals
      5. Real Estate
      6. Town of Harrietstown
      7. Town of North Elba
      8. Town of St. Armand
      9. Village of Saranac Lake
      10. Do Business Here
      11. Chamber Job Board
      12. Essex County IDA
      13. Franklin County Economic Development Co.
      14. Professional Services
      15. Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      16. Community Initiatives
      17. Arts & Culture Master Plan
      18. Downtown Revitalization Initiative
      19. Saranac Lake Brand
      20. Village Community Development Department

The VIC's Black Pond Loop

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!

ADK Blogger

November 14, 2018

Share

The VIC pretty much has every kind of Adirondack experience you could want — lakes, wetlands, forests, a nice waterfall, and a sweeping mountain view, all in one 25-mile trail network. In fact, the nature center is home to every Adirondack ecosystem except high alpine tundra, the hard-to-reach landscape found atop many of our highest peaks, so visitors are guaranteed to see a full sampler of Adirondack habitats when they visit. Besides that, the VIC is just beautiful. My family visits a few times a month, and it looks a little different each time as a steady rotation of birds, wildflowers, and other plants and animals cycle through the seasons. 

The trail around Black Pond is well kept and well marked.

The wild array of bright fall foliage is now behind us, and the tamaracks are fully displaying their soft, fiery orange needles, a final hoorah before winter white sweeps across our forests engulfing trees, boulders, and waterways. We usually visit the Heron Marsh and Barnum Pond areas of the VIC — they’re outrageously pretty locales with boardwalks and bridges over wetlands — so we decided it was time to see a different side of this beloved property, Black Pond.

We love the VIC

Compared to hiking mountains in the High Peaks, the VIC’s trails are mellow and pleasant. The loop around Black Pond is no exception. A 2.3 mile-hike in the mountains might involve 700 feet or more of elevation gain; here it’s nice rolling terrain that delivers plenty of scenic views across this large pond’s glassy surface. And since the Black Pond Trail is connected to the greater VIC network, options for a longer trek are plentiful.

Anna and Lucina walk along the base of the esker that runs along Black Pond's western edge.

The Black Pond parking area is easy to find. It’s on the right about 2.5 miles down Keese Mills Road, just before the large parking lot for St. Regis Mountain, one of the Saranac Lake 6ers. This was a true family outing with my wife, Anna, our 10-week old daughter, Lucina, and our faithful and always obedient dog, Belle, along for the journey. 

The path starts right next to a dammed section of Black Pond Stream, making for a scenic introduction to the hike. It follows the river for a short distance — check out the enormous rocks! — and then Black Pond comes into view. There’s a lean-to that’s worth a visit, or a picnic if you’re already hungry, then it’s back into the woods. 

Carved by ice

Black Pond is a 72-acre glacial pond, which simply means its basin was formed when an enormous chunk of ice got wedged into the ground as the glacier receded. The chunk of ice melted and the depression that is now Black Pond remained. 

The bridge across Black Pond's northern end provides beautiful views across the water.

Along the western shore there’s a low ridge called an esker — the trail winds between the base of this landform and the shoreline as it approaches the pond’s northern point.

Today it looks like a long, wooded hill, but eskers are pretty amazing. Imagine a time when the entire region was covered by a glacier. As the massive ice formation melted, the meltwater created streams that flowed under it and carved tunnels inside of it. Those streams dislodged sediment and rocks trapped in the glacial ice; that sediment settled to become an inner-glacier stream bed. As the glacier receded those massive stream beds were left behind, and now they appear as snakelike ridges throughout the Adirondacks — eskers. 

We made our way past the esker and came to a trail junction. Straight goes to Long Pond and Jenkins Mountain; we turned right to continue the loop. After walking through a pleasant forest that’s littered with boulders we came to a bridge that crosses the inlet to Black Pond. There’s a great lean-to with a large picnic table just past the bridge, and there’s an outhouse on the hill behind the lean-to. 

An Adirondack lean-to is a perfect place to spend an afternoon.

From this spot it’s an easy walk back to the road along the pond’s eastern shore. Take a right to follow the wide shoulder of the road back to the parking area, less than a minute walk.

There were pockets of ice and snow during our adventure —winter is upon us in the Adirondacks! Black Pond is a great place for snowshoeing if you have your own pair. If not, head to the VIC's main building, where you can rent cross-country skis or snowshoes and take advantage of their lovely groomed trails. The paths at the VIC are all well marked, just be sure to grab a map before heading out or snap a picture at one of the map kiosks on the property.

We walked back to the car by the light of the setting sun.

Getting to Black Pond

From downtown Saranac Lake, follow Route 86 west toward Paul Smiths for about 10 miles. At the four-way intersection (straight is the college entrance), turn right on Route 30 and make the first left on Keese Mills Road. Follow that for 2.5 miles and look for the parking area on the right. 

After exploring the VIC, head back into Saranac Lake for some food and entertainment!

Share

Packages and Promotions

range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Bike & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Explore the beauty of Saranac Lake and the newly developed Adirondack Rail Trail.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Jan. 30

Valid Jan. 21

- Jan. 21

Pet Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Your dog deserves an Adirondack getaway too. Book our pet friendly hotel near Lake Placid welcomes every member of your crew. Book our Pet Package...

package
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Golf & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Tee off at one of the Adirondacks' historic golf courses, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

package
Golf

Valid

-

Valid Apr. 1

- Apr. 1

The Wild Center Family Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy 2 adult and 1 child admission tickets to The Wild Center, where nature meets discovery.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Aug. 1

- Aug. 3

Valid Apr. 1

- May. 31

BikeADK Loves Canada - Weekender

BikeADK

BikeADK

Canadian Residents receive 15% off Registration!

package
Other
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Fish & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy a 2-hour fishing session on Lake Flower for two, guided by expert anglers.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Paddle & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Escape to the serene beauty of the Adirondacks and immerse yourself in nature as you paddle the tranquil waters of Lake Flower in a kayak, canoe,...

package
Activities and Attractions
Load More
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•All Are Welcome•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES

Success!

You have successfully entered this contest. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for updating your information. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome by subscribing to our newsletter. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Success! Message Sent.

Thanks for being awesome. We have received your message and look forward to talking with you soon.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome. You can now download the guide.

Thank you!

You have successfully completed the Snowmobile Map Request form. You should receive a physical copy by mail in 1-2 weeks.

Share to: