Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area

Covering an area of 112,000 acres, the Siamese Ponds region is roughly bounded by Route 28 to the north, Route 30 to the west and south, and Route 8 to the east. Often overlooked by vacationers, the area encompasses gentle mountains, dense forests, crystal-clear ponds, and rushing streams. In certain sections, you can hike all day without encountering another person.

Thirty-three miles of marked hiking trails—and many more unmarked ones—run through the wilderness. Major trailheads are located at the end of Big Brook Road (off Route 30 a half mile south of Indian Lake village); at Thirteenth Lake and the end of Old Farm Clearing Road (take Rte. 28 east to Thirteenth Lake Rd.); and on Route 8 about four miles west of Bakers Mills.

Hiking Chimney Mountain

One of the trails at the end of Big Brook Road leads up Chimney Mountain, named after its unusual central bulwark of layered gneiss, granite, and marble. The mountain is also known for its many crevices and caves. These should be explored by expert spelunkers only, but you might want to bring along a flashlight to shine down into the depths.

The round-trip hike up and down Chimney Mountain covers three miles, takes two and a half hours, and is quite rugged in spots. From up top are good views of Kings Flow, Round Pond, and the High Peaks.

Hiking Snowy Mountain

The tallest of the southern Adirondacks, Snowy Mountain (3,899 ft.) offers a long and challenging climb best suited for hikers in good condition. The hike to the summit—which offers excellent views of the surrounding lakes—is about seven miles round-trip and takes about five hours. Steep sections are located near the trailhead and again near the top, while in between are rolling terrain and a sparkling brook that follows the trail for close to a mile. To reach the trailhead, take Route 30 south of the hamlet of Indian Lake 6.5 miles. Watch for a sign marking the trail on the right and a paved parking area on the left.

Rafting Trips

White-water rafting trips down the nearby Hudson River Gorge and Moose River are offered by the Adventure Sports Rafting Co. (Main St., 518/648-5812) and the Adirondack Rafting Co. (Rtes. 27 and 30, 518/523-1635).

© Avalon Travel and Sascha Zuger from Moon New York State, 5th Edition