Hike the Balsam Lake - Alder Lake Traverse |
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| View of the Alder Lake in the Balsam Lake Wild Forest |
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OVERVIEW |
| | Trail Name: | 
Dry Brook Ridge Trail (From Balsam Lake Mtn Parking Area to Balsam Lake Mtn Trail) |
| | Trail Name: | 
Balsam Lake Mountain Trail (From Dry Brook Ridge Trail TO Mill Brook Ridge Trail) |
| | Trail Name: | 
Mill Brook Ridge Trail (From Balsam Lake Mtn Trail to Alder Lake Loop Trail) |
| | Trail Name: |
Alder Lake Loop Trail - Southern Route (From Mill Brook Ridge Trail to Alder Lake PA) |
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| | Forest: | Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest |
| | Parking Area : | 30 spaces at Balsam Lake PA & 30 spaces at Alder Lake PA |
| | Winter Access: | Hardenburgh Parking Area (1.8 miles away from Balsam Lake Mtn Parking Area) |
| | Camp sites: | 11 Camp Site Region locations (free) |
| | Lean-to sites: | Two Lean-to (Balsam Lake Mountain Lean-to & Mill Brook Lean-to) |
| | Access: | Hike or snowshoe |
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| | Trail Length: | 8.51 (traverse) |
| | Trail Type: | 61% Single-Track Trails - 39% Double-Track Trails |
| | Hiking Time: | Average 6 hours |
| | Lowest Elevation: | 2,209' (A) |
| | Highest Elevation: | 3,493' (A) |
| | Views : | Beecher Lake Overlook and Alder Lake |
| | Difficulty: | Moderate |
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| | USGS Map: | USGS Seager Quad Maps |
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| | USGS Map: | USGS Arena Quad Maps |
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| | DEC Trail Map: | DEC Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest Map (free) |
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Maps to Balsam Lake to Alder Lake Traverse |
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| | Notes About Hiking to the Balsam Lake to Alder Lake Traverse |
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| | TRAIL |
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The hike up the base of Balsam Lake Mountain is well travelled. The Mill Brook Ridge Trail is not used that much. So, it tends to be much more wild then other trails in the Catskill Mountains. The trail is overgrown on most of the trail, but still fairly easy to follow if you are an experienced hiker. If you hike the Mill Brook Ridge Trail, the chances of encountering another hiker is rare. It provide a lot of solitude from incredible masses of people who visit the Catskills. While 90% of the hikers are visiting only a few places, you will have this large mountain range to yourself.
Meanwhile at the Balsam Lake Fire Tower, hordes of people will be there on most summer weekends. On your way back after visiting Balsam Lake to Alder Lake Traverse, you may want to visit the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower. Later in the day, there is often less people at the tower. It add another 1/2 mile to your hike (round-trip).
With most of the Mill Brook Ridge being populated by deciduous trees, it will exceptional in the Fall months.
Unfortunately, the Beecher Lake view point is almost completely overgrown. It is unlikely the DEC tree crew will be there anytime soon. So, you may be disappointed in the summer months. After the leaves have drifted slowly to the ground, you may have a much better view of Beecher Lake. Without leaves you may enjoy this hike better then summer months.
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| | PARKING |
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Parking at the Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area can be difficult on summer weekends. As it can be quite crowded. There are about 25 spaces for cars. It is directly off the end of Beaver Kill Road. In the Winter months, you will most likely have to park at the Hardenburgh Parking Area 1.8 miles down the road.
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| | OTHER INFORMATION |
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There is NO cell phone service as of 2023 at lower elevations. You may be get reception at higher elevations.
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| | DIRECTIONS to the Alder Lake from Exit 19 (Kingston) |
| | Alder Lake Parking Area - WGS84 (DEC): 42.049767, -74.682417 - Elevation is approximately 2,279 feet |
| | Alder Lake Parking Area - Deg/Min/Sec: N42 02 59, W74 40 56 - Elevation is approximately 2,279 feet |
| | Alder Lake Parking Area - GPS: N 42 02.986, W 74 40.945 - Elevation is approximately 2,279 feet |
| | Alder Lake Parking Area - UTM: 18N 526281 4655351 - Elevation is approximately 2,279 feet
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| | Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 19 (Kingston). |
| | Take a RIGHT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 28 West. |
| | Go approximately 45.4 miles on Rt 28 West |
| | Take a LEFT onto Spur to BWS Road No 10
(Look for Brown hiking signs for Huckleberry Loop & Kelly Hollow) |
| | Take a RIGHT onto BWS Road No 10 |
| | Go approximately 3.75 on BWS Road No 10 |
| | Take a LEFT onto Millbrook Road |
| | Go approximately 1.4 miles on Millbrook Road |
| | Take a RIGHT onto "Cross Mountain Road" (DO NOT take "Old Cross Mtn Road") |
| | Go approximately 4.3 miles on Cross Mountain Road (dirt road) |
| | At almost the end of the dirt road section is a dirt road on your LEFT |
| | Take a 180 degree LEFT turn into the DEC dirt road (NO DEC sign at entrance) |
| | Go approximately 0.4 miles on The DEC road to the end |
| | DEC Parking Area is at the end of the DEC Road |
| | NOTE: Cross Mountain Road may be closed during the Winter months. Use an alternate route, like Barkaboom Road (further down BWS Road #10). |
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| | DIRECTIONS to BALSAM LAKE from Exit 19 (Kingston) |
| | Balsam Lake Mtn Parking Area WGS84 (DEC): 42.0238, -74.60005 - Elevation is approximately 2,588 feet |
| | Balsam Lake Mtn Parking Area Deg/Min/Sec: N42 01 25, W74 36 00 - Elevation is approximately 2,588 feet |
| | Balsam Lake Mtn Parking Area GPS: N 42 01.428, W 74 36.003 - Elevation is approximately 2,588 feet |
| | Balsam Lake Mtn Parking Area UTM: 18N 533111 4652496 - Elevation is approximately 2,588 feet
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| | Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 19 (Kingston). |
| | Take a RIGHT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 28 West. |
| | Go approximately 45.4 miles on Rt 28 West |
| | Take a LEFT onto Spur to BWS Road No 10
(Look for Brown hiking signs for Huckleberry Loop & Kelly Hollow) |
| | Take a RIGHT onto BWS Road No 10 |
| | Go approximately 3.75 on BWS Road No 10 |
| | Take a LEFT onto Millbrook Road |
| | Go approximately 1.4 miles on Millbrook Road |
| | Take a RIGHT onto "Cross Mountain Road" (DO NOT take "Old Cross Mtn Road") |
| | Go approximately 4.3 miles on Cross Mountain Road (dirt road) |
| | Cross Mountain Road (dirt) will turn into Adler Creek Road (paved) |
| | Go approximately 2.2 miles on Adler Creek Road (paved) |
| | Take a LEFT onto "Beaver Kill Road" (No street sign - bridge on right) |
| | Go approximately 8.1 miles on Beaver Kill Road (paved then dirt) |
| | DEC Parking Area is at the end of Beaver Kill Road (on the RIGHT side of the road). |
| | NOTE #1: The Beaver Kill Road is closed 1.88 miles before the Balsam Lake to Alder Lake Traverse Parking Area during the Winter months. In the Winter park at the Hardenburgh Parking Area, which is located 1.88 miles from the BLM PA. |
| | NOTE #2: Cross Mountain Road may be closed during the Winter months. Use an alternate route, like Barkaboom Road (further down BWS Road #10). |
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MILEAGE CHART - Hike from Beaver Kill Road TO Balsam Lake to Alder Lake Traverse |
| | Mileage |
Mile Point |
Altitude |
Notes |
| | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,575' | Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area (25 cars) |
| | 0.10 | 0.10 | 2,595' | DEC Registration Box |
| | 0.90 | 0.80 | 2,938' | Trail Junction for Balsam Lake Mountain Trail |
| | 1.33 | 0.43 | 3,500' | Side trail to Balsam Lake to Alder Lake Traverse Lean-to |
| | 1.55 | 0.22 | 3,673' | Trail Junction for Mill Brook Ridge Trail |
| | 3.49 | 1.94 | 3,745' | Beecher Lake View Point |
| | 4.70 | 1.21 | 3,348' | Dry Brook Ridge Mtn Summit |
| | 6.10 | 1.40 | 2,720' | Mill Brook Lean-to |
| | 7.61 | 1.51 | 2,249' | Alder Lake Loop |
| | 8.51 | 0.90 | 2,230' | Alder Lake Parking Area |
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Hike to Balsam Lake to Alder Lake Traverse from Beaver Kill Road |
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This is the Alder Lake Parking Area where you want to park your second car. Then drive your other car to the Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area.
Drive out of the Alder Lake PA. Take a left and then another left 50' later (onto a paved road).
Drive 2.2 miles on the paved Alder Lake Road.
Take a left onto Beaver Kill Road. Drive 8.1 miles to the end of the road. Balsam Lake Mtn Parking Area is on the right side of road.
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As you come to the end of Beaver Kill Road, you will see the Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area on the RIGHT side of the road. That is where you will park.
On the left side of the Beaver Kill Road is the entrance to the PRIVATE Balsam Lake Club. Do NOT drive or hike there!
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At the entrance of Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area is the DEC sign marking the public parking area.
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This is the trailhead for the trail to the Balsam Lake Mountain, Dry Brook Ridge Trail, Mill Brook Ridge Trail, and the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail. The trailhead is located at the end of the parking spot.
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This is the trailhead for the Dry Brook Ridge Trail. The trailhead is located at the end of the parking area.
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The beginning of the Dry Brook Ridge Trail, which starts out level, and then starts to climb elevation at a mild incline
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Around 500 feet from the Trailhead is the DEC Registration Box. Funds for maintenance of the regional trails depends upon how many people register for a hike in this region. Additionally, if you or someone else in your party have an emergency, Rangers and SAR will use the information in the registration box to find and help you. If someone goes missing, Rangers may call you to determine if you saw someone missing. Your life and someone else life may depend up you registering.
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The Dry Brook Ridge Trail (former logging road) will have a mild incline up the base of Balsam Lake Mountain.
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About 9/10 of a mile from the Trailhead is a Trail Junction. You want to make a LEFT here onto the Balsam Lake Mountain Trail.
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Balsam Lake Mountain Trail has a moderate incline, that some call relentless for the next 2/3 of mile
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After over 4/10 of a mile, you will see a side trail on the left that will take you to the Balsam Lake Mountain Lean-to.
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OPTIONAL VISIT: The Balsam Lake Mountain Lean-to is about 500-600 feet off the Balsam Lake Mountain Trail. It does not have a view over the valley due to tree leaves blocking the view.
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After the side trail to Balsam Lake to Alder Lake Traverse Lean-to, the trail continues. In about 150 feet, you will encounter a DEC 3500 sign. You cannot camp above 3500 feet in the Spring, Summer, or Fall.
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After another 100 feet past the 3500 sign is a Spring that flows fairly well. Easy to collect cold water from the pipe.
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About 750-800 feet after the Spring on the Balsam Lake Trail is a Trail Junction. You want to go LEFT onto the Mill Brook Ridge Trail. Straight would take you to Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower.
Some people will hike up to Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower, which is about 1/2 mile (round-trip) side trip. Nice view from the tower and a picnic table.
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After a short distance down the Mill Brook Ridge trail, the trail will descend down a very steep slope in a zig-zag fashion with several switchbacks. It is questionable how difficult this steep section would be in the snow. This picture is just before the steep section begins. The trail tread is very small.
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Like many trails in this region, there a plenty of fern glades.
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The trail continues across the Mill Brook Range, with several ups-and-downs. But, no serious elevation gains-or-losses.
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After almost two miles of fern glades and dense forest, you will come to the Beecher Lake View Point. While the ledge does not look at big, it is about 50 foot drop on the other side of the rock. Standing on the rock is not safe.
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Unfortunately, the Beecher Lake overlook is almost overgrown. The view is a lot better when the leaves are not on the trees.
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About 1-1/4 miles after the Beecher Lake Overlook, you will come to the summit of Mill Brook Ridge Mountain. There are two spots that are almost identical in elevation. The first one is on the right side of the trail. About another 100 feet is the second summit spot (pictured).
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About 1.4 miles from the summit of Mill Brook Ridge, you will come back by the Beaver Meadow Lean-to. If you need water stop by the Spring. The Spring is located at the end of a side trail on the right side of the trail.
The Beaver Meadow Lean-to overlooks the Beaver Meadow Pond. There was probably a meadow there years ago before the beaver dammed up the stream.
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After another 1.5 miles, you will come to the end of the Mill Brook Ridge Trail. Take a LEFT onto the southern section of the Alder Lake Loop Trail.
You can take the northern route. Although most hikers enjoy the southern route more. And, if you are going to camp, the best campsites are off the southern side of the Alder Loop Trail.
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After a couple hundred feet past the trail junction for the Mill Brook Ridge Trail, you will encounter a bridge over the Alder Creek that is another inflow into Alder Lake.
When you exit the bridge, the trail will turn to the right for a very short distance before it turns 90 degrees to the LEFT. There is another side trail at the 90 degree turn that goes straight. That will take you to campsite #5.
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This is what a typical view of the southern section of the Alder Lake Loop Trail looks like. It is a double-track trail back to the Coykendill Loedge.
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After another 4/10 of a miles, you will pass over this bridge on the southern section of the Alder Lake Loop Trail.
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Towards the end of the southern section of the Alder Lake Loop Trail, you will come into a clearing where the dam is located for Alder Lake.
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This is the dam on the western part of Alder Lake
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The Alder Lake Loop Trail goes across the top of the dam on the western side of Alder Lake.
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This is the view of the outflow of Alder Lake from the top of the Alder Lake Dam. The Alder Lake Loop Trail runs across the top of the dam.
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View of the Coykendill Lodge ruins from Alder Lake. Hike up the trail to the ruins to complete the loop of the Alder Lake Loop Trail. Then take a LEFT to go back to the Alder Lake Parking Area where your car is parked.
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This is the Alder Lake Parking Area where your second car is parked. Hoped you enjoyed this hike as much as we did.
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S E C T I O N S
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W E A T H E R
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O T H E R
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