This may be one of the most difficult hikes in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest area. The trail begins in the Moose River Wild Forest and quickly enters Little Moose Wilderness. This is a hike that will test your skills and endurance for sure.  There are two trailheads for the Sly Pond Trail in Moose River Plains Wild Forest.  The main trailhead is off Otter Brook Road, 1.1 miles south of the South Branch Moose River. The marked trail is on the left. It was recently announced that this trail will become part of the 4600+ mile North Country Trail as it travels thru the Adirondacks.

The other trailhead is sometimes referred as the summer trailhead because it requires wading the South Branch Moose River and is located 3.8 miles east of the junction of Otter Brook Road on Moose River Plains Road, turn right or south on a side road that leads to campsite #35.  There is a barricade where the road ends at the old washed out bridge over the river.

The summer trailhead requires wading the South Branch Moose River

The remote Sly Pond is one of the highest bodies of water in Adirondack Park at an elevation of 2872 feet.  It is a long 7.2 mile, rugged hike with an elevation gain of over 1000 feet to reach this true wilderness pond.  This hike will take you through wet areas, beaver ponds, steep ascents, a badly marked trail and will truly test your ability to keep yourself focused as well as from getting frustrated.  It is a round trip of over 14 miles, so give your self plenty of daylight if you attempt this strenuous hike.

You reach the shore of the pond at 7.2 miles. The DEC reports that the pond is too acidy to support fish life. At the far end of the pond you may be able to see the crest of 3620 foot Little Moose Mountain.  Read a blog from the Forest Rat on a hike to Sly Pond here http://forestrat.wordpress.com/2007/06/16/sly-pond-revisited/

Starting your hike from the summer trailhead will still require a round trip of over ten miles in this rugged, remote area. The future North Country Trail will utilize this trail from Otter Brook Road to the pond and then a new trail will be constructed to take the NCT on to Little Moose Mountain and Manbury Mountain, then to the Otter Brook Trail. This will take the NCT through some of the most remote land in all of the Adirondacks.

DEC sign along Otter Brook Road