Chapter 703

July 1, 2026

Boreas Ponds

bucket list

Finally, I was able to get into this central segment of the Adirondacks facing north with the High Peaks Wilderness in the background. I have wandered near some of these formerly Finch Pruyn Paper Company lands for 50 years but access was always restricted. They logged here from 1865-1950 floating logs down past this sluice way at the bottom of my drone shot. NYS bought this tract in 2016 and after contentious hearings split the land classed as  Primitive, Wilderness and Wild forest. So from the Gulf Road one can legally launch a drone and it's legal to fly over but you can not use an E-bike or even a manual mountain bike in what you see here.

I had to hike with my carbon fiber canoe a mile into this spot from the allowed Four Corners Parking Area. Just a few years ago you had to hike in 6miles, then register on line to get an authorized parking pass. With my worn out hips this was not feasible.

From Pete's Pond in Virgil eighty years ago to now, it has been quite a journey. I think it's goreous.

Marcy is near the cloud on the left while the prominent Haystack is just left of center. I was able to take my inflatable raft down the Boreas River below Newcomb 50 years ago.

The pond is home to trophy size native Brook Trout so I brought a spinning rod. With the heat index close at 100 degrees I had gotten there early in the morning and it wasn't too bad on the water but I left after noon knowing the hike back out was going to be difficult. Thus I spent only maybe an hour on the water.

I did acomplish my goals of capturing a few photos however. Success.

A lone Loon approached me while I was photographing and I also recorded his wail for Colleen who loves these guys.

This is near the outlet dam. A beautiful guy.

The DEC made a nice launch site at the dam as well as a leanto for overnighters. A few parking spots and tent sites but it's all minimal. The road in is 6 miles of dirt, rock one way road.

Three miles from the Gulf Road access is the Adirondack Buffalo Meat Company. They were staying calm in the cool mud in the afternoon. On the way in they were frolicing in the pond.