Siamese Pond Wilderness
Peaked (Pond) Mountain
This place is truly something special, it’s untouched beauty is unmatched by its competitors. Located in the Adirondack Mountains, in North River, New York, it encompasses many different lakes, streams, ponds, and a mountain peak. When I first came to the Siamese Pond/Lake Wilderness, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was very pleasantly surprised.
To get here you will go to North Creek, like you are going to Gore Mountain, New York. You will get on Interstate 87 North or South depending on where you are coming from and stay on here until Exit 23. You will take Exit 23 and take a left from the exit, towards US-9 and Warrensburg (or right if you are coming south). At the light, take a right onto Main Street, then in 4.1 miles, take a left onto NY-28. You will stay on NY-28 for 21 miles, then take a left onto 13th Lake Road. In 3.3 miles you will take a right onto Beach Road. Then, in about .6 of a mile you will arrive at the parking lot. The last .6 of a mile will be on a dirt road, but it’s very manageable.
After you have arrived and parked your car, you will walk on the main path towards 13th Lake Wilderness. You will find a sign-in area with a map of the entire wilderness. If you wish to hike Peaked (Pond) Mountain, the map will show you where and how to get there. You will start off by following the blue trail markers, then come to an intersection and follow the yellow markers.
The yellow trail markers will take you to the Peaked Pond. Both trails take you along beautiful scenery. The blue markers take you along 13th Lake, where you’ll find many different swim spots. You can also kayak/canoe, fish, and camp here in the designated areas. This website will provide you with more information on where you can kayak, fish, and camp.
I will warn you, when I hiked here, the trail markers were difficult to see. They are there, but you just really have to look for them. You will follow the blue markers until the yellow, to Peaked Mountain Pond. There is no plaque saying you are there, put you’ll know, because it’s a beautiful, big pond. From the Pond, if you wish to continue and go to Peaked Pond Mountain, it’s about a half mile to .7 of a mile to the summit.
The summit is beautiful of Peaked Pond Mountain. At the top, you will be able to see Peaked Pond, and most of the Siamese Pond Wilderness. It is a lower summit elevation, of about 2,900ft, but still is super gorgeous.
After you’ve enjoyed the summit for however long, you will hike the same way down as up. I recommend hiking this trail in the summer on a weekday, so you can enjoy your time and take advantage of all the awesome swim spots. In total this hike is 7.2 miles long, with an elevation gain of 1,245ft, with most of the elevation gain being in the last .7 of a mile. It is totally worth all the walking, it’s a beautiful place to be! Here is more information about the trail.
Overall, I really enjoyed this mountain and wilderness area and bodies of water. I love this hidden gem, many parts of it look like you’re out west in Montana or somewhere. I highly recommend this hike or lakes/ponds to kayak, camp, or swim at. Thank you so much for reading, take care, and get exploring!
