EXPLORE! Sand Pond

Sand Pond is located within the 23,800+ acre Pepperbox Wilderness. The Pepperbox isn’t exactly known for having extensive hiking opportunities; in fact, the wilderness here is largely “trailless.” But what it lacks in marked trails it makes up for in solitude. And one of the marked trails offers something relatively unique for the area.

Hardened for wheelchair use, the 0.15 mile trail to Sand Pond is branded as accessible. The sign by the parking area says it is an accessible fishing spot, too. Whether you're here exploring solo or with the family, it's a great, short trail to a beautiful wilderness pond.

An afternoon view across Sand Pond.

Getting there

Getting to Sand Pond requires more effort than actually traversing the trail. Navigating a network of forestry roads through the Croghan Tract Conservation Easement is required and cell phone service is basically non-existent. The parking area is on Main Haul Road approximately 7.3 miles east of the intersection of Long Pond and Prentice roads. GPS coordinates are 43°56'55.2"N 75°09'56.8"W. Even though you will be driving on forestry roads through “Motorized Access Corridors,” this area feels very remote and secluded. Don’t be fooled by the “middle of nowhere” feeling - the roads are in good shape.

The trail

Starting at the small parking area, follow the arrows on the sign that leads to a few boulders at the start of the trail. The path is obvious as soon as you enter the woods, and wide enough to accommodate wheelchair use. Very soon, you’ll come to the first of two boardwalks that take you over wet areas. The wood is extremely slippery, so be mindful when crossing. Below the boardwalks is a lush display of vegetation. This trail may only be 0.15 miles long and not very far from a road, but it’s a great microcosm for the entire Pepperbox Wilderness.

After crossing the second boardwalk, you’ll reach the accessible fishing area. This is a wilderness site, so there’s no big pier to fish from, but there are a few tree-less viewpoints where you can cast a line. Sand Pond is the largest pond in the Pepperbox, but the emergent vegetation might offer good hiding places for pumpkinseed. A full history of the Pepperbox will revel that Edwin R. Wallace, author of Descriptive Guide to the Adirondacks (1889), found the pond to have no trout. According to the DEC, Sand Pond contains brook trout and brown bullhead today.

The accessible trail does end at the water's edge, but a clear herd path extends a little further south along the shore until reaching an open area.