50 mile Trek - Troop run

Run your own 50-mile trek with your older scouts while at Onteora Scout Reservation

Onteora - Mongaup Pond - Balsam Fire Tower Trek

Take your older scouts on a high adventure trek through some of the most majestic wilderness in the Catskills.

The trek starts and ends at Onteora Scout Reservation, while your younger scouts are at camp.

Overview

Route: Start by doing a 10-mile hike in camp on the White trail. The second day hike 10 miles to Mongaup Pond State Campground and camp there. On the third day hike 10 miles to Balsam Fire Tower and camp near one of the best springs in the Catskills and near one of the last fire towers. Fourth day hike back to Mongaup Pond and camp. Fifth day hike 10 miles back to Onteora. Return to Onteora in time for dinner and closing campfire.

Logistics: Troop supplies their own trained leaders for the trek, makes reservations at Mongaup Pond, supplies all food for trek. The size of a trek is limited to a total of 8-12, including adults. Mongaup Pond campsites have a limit of two tents and 6 people per site. Since Mongaup Pond is only a few miles from OSR by road, larger tents and cooking equipment could be easily transported there.

ROUTE

Day 1 - Monday

10 Mile hike in camp

Starting at the Long House walk along the camp road towards the water tower, head downhill on the Power line trail to the lake road. Turn right on the lake road and follow it to the dam. At the dam connect with the OSR White trail.

Follow the White trail counterclockwise around the camp border. When you get back to the dam, you leave the White trail and continue along the lake road and back up the Power Line trail to the Long House

Day 2 - Tuesday

10 Mile Hike to Mongaup Pond State Campground

Hodge Pond lunch break

Eat breakfast in the dining hall and pack a trail lunch. Cross into state land hike to Mongaup Pond via Hodge Pond (10 mi.). Hike along the OSR Blue trail, starting in the camp parking lot. Take the Yellow trail to the end of camp property, continue ahead and join with the NYS Orange snowmobile trail. Hike uphill passed Coyote Junction.

Take the Red Quick Lake trail around Hodge Pond Mountain at 2750 ft. Join with the Blue Flynn trail to Hodge Pond. After lunch at Hodge Pond, continue along the Blue trail to the Orange snowmobile trail to Mongaup Pond. Meet the supply truck and setup camp. Swim or fish at the pond, or participate in ranger lead program. Last hot shower along the trek is here.