Hour Pond has been referred to as the most scenic pond in Siamese Ponds Wilderness. The pond has a lean to that was built in 2008 as well as a campsite near the pond shore. There are two popular routes to this remote gem in the Adirondacks. The hike to the pond is either 3.4 miles or 4.2 miles, depending on the route you choose. Look below for more information on both routes to Hour Pond.

Directions: From the hamlet of Indian Lake, take NY 28 East. Turn right on County Route 78 aka Thirteenth Lake Road. At the split you will either veer right for the Thirteenth Lake Trailhead on Beach Road The GPS coordinates are N43 43.120 W74 07.101 for those who have a GPS devise. Or you will veer left for the Old Farm Trailhead. The GPS coordinates are N43 42.275 W74 07.055 for the Old Farm Parking Area.

For more information on this hike we suggest purchasing the Adirondack Central Trails Map Pack from the Adirondack Mountain Club.

Hour Pond from Thirteenth Lake Trailhead

Starting from the large parking area, follow the well used accessible trail past the trail register. The DEC sign states it is 3.0 miles to Hour Pond. You are following the red marked Peaked Mountain Pond Trail. It is 3.4 miles to the pond from this trailhead. You'll soon pass by campsite #1, a handicapped accessible campsite. There are a couple of other accessible campsites in this area. The trail begins traveling along near the shore of Thirteenth Lake. At 0.4 miles a side trail on the left travels to a campsite on the lake.

At 0.7 miles there is another side trail on the left that leads to a campsite on the lake. At 0.9 miles the trail reaches the junction of the red marked Hour Pond Path. The DEC sign states it is 2.6 miles to Hour Pond. Turn left and cross the log bridge over Peaked Mountain Brook. At 1.2 miles there is a side trail that leads to the lake. Soon the trail will begin a steady climb over a ridge as it works its way from Thirteenth Lake.

 At 2.1 miles the trail reaches the height of the land and begins to descend. At 2.5 miles reach the junction of the Hour Pond Trail. Stay right to Hour Pond. The trail becomes very boggy/marshy (beavers) at 2.6 miles, where you may need to find a new route by going left and crossing the beaver dam. Soon pass a primitive campsite. At 2.7 miles the trail begins to climb to reach the pond. At 3.2 miles reach a campsite near the outlet of the pond. At 3.4 miles reach a side trail on the right that goes to the somewhat hidden Hour Pond Lean To. The main trail heads to a campsite in an open area on the shore of Hour Pond.

Look below for a map of this hike of this hike. There is an overall elevation gain of nearly 500 feet of this moderate hike in the Central Adirondacks. This is a great short overnight backpacking trip.

Hour Pond from Old Farm Trailhead

From the Old Farm Parking Area, follow the old dirt road past stone barriers. You are on the Old Farm Clearing Trail, which was once open to motor vehicles up to the clearing. At 0.5 miles a side trail on the right travels down to Elizabeth Point and a campsite on Thirteenth Lake. At 1.1 miles reach Old Farm Clearing. There are numerous trails that travel out of this clearing.

On the left is the Botheration Pond Trail. Straight ahead is the blue marked East Branch Sacandaga River Trail and to the right is the blue marked Puffer Pond Trail. This clearing is also where the future North Country Trail will cross in this area. The future NCT will come from the Puffer Pond Trail and continue on the Botheration Pond Trail as it travels through this wilderness. You will be heading right onto the Puffer Pond Trail.

You will be descending almost immediately after you start your traverse on the Puffer Pond Trail. At 2.2 miles cross Buck Meadow Creek on a wooden bridge. Now the trail begins a steep climb away from the creek. At 2.4 miles there is a campsite to the right along Hour Pond Brook. At 2.6 miles you reach the junction with the Hour Pond Trail on your right.

At 3.3 miles the trail reaches the junction of the red marked Hour Pond Path. At 3.4 miles the trail becomes very boggy/marshy (beavers), where you may need to find a new route by going left and crossing the beaver dam. Soon pass a primitive campsite. At 4.0 miles the trail passes a primitive campsite near the outlet of the pond. At 4.2 miles reach a side trail on your right that leads to the lean to. The trail continues to a campsite on the open shore of Hour Pond. This is the longer and tougher route to Hour Pond.

DEC sign at the Thirteenth Lake Trailhead

Hour Pond Path junction along the Peaked Mountain Trail