Catskill Mountaineer

Hike the Trout Pond Loop
View of Trout Pond from foot of pond
Trout Pond - Taken from the foot of the pond
 
 

OVERVIEW

  Trail Name: Trout Pond Trail
  Trail Name: Mud Pond Trail
  Trail Name: Mud Pond Middle Trail
  Forest: Delaware Wild Forest
  Parking Area : 15+ spaces (DEC) directly off Russell Brook Road
  Winter Access: Russell Brook Road / Morton Hill Road PA
  Lean-to sites: 2 on the north side of Trout Pond
  Campsites : 16+ around Mud & Trout Pond Region
   
  Trail Length miles: 4.87 miles (one-way)
  Trail Tread Type : 100% Double-track trail
  Hiking Time : 2-4 hours (loop)
  Lowest Elevation : 1,811' (A)
  Highest Elevation : 2,559' (A)
  Views Locations : Russell Brook Falls, Trout Pond, Mud Pond
  Trail Difficulty : Easy
   
  USGS Map: USGS Downsville Quad Maps
   
  USGS Map: USGS Roscoe Quad Maps
   
  DEC Trail Map: DEC Delaware Wild Forest Map (free)
   
  Digital Mapper: Topo     Terrain     Satellite

Maps to the Trout Pond Loop

Map of the Trout Pond Loop

 

Notes About Hiking the Trout Pond Loop

 HISTORY
  While everyone now calls the 32 acre water body, "Trout Pond", the offical name of the water body is, "Cables Lake", according to the USGS. However, the 1922 USGS topo maps shows the name as, "Trout Pond". The 1965 USGS topo map, then shows the named changed to "Cables Lake". In 1981, the USGS officially named the water body, "Cables Lake". At some point, the DEC started to call Cables Lake, "Trout Pond". Many believe that the water body should be called, "Trout Pond", and the name has stuck. Now everyone calls it "Trout Pond". Hopefully, sometime in the future the USGS will change the name back to "Trout Pond". Catskill Mountaineer will only use the name, "Trout Pond" in our listings.

Trout Pond is one of the few water bodies that contained self-sustaining populations Eastern Brook Trout. Eastern Brook Trout are considered the only native trout in the Catskill Mountains. Trout Pond is well known to anglers as a "Right of passage" to fish in. Special fishing rules apply to this region.

Where the Russell Brook DEC Parking Area is now located used to have have a school located nearby. It was called the Russell School. There also used to be railroad tracks that ran up near the eastern Middle trailhead to the Mud Pond Trail. There was also a company, named "Dye Works" further down the Russell Brook just south of the Mud Pond Trailhead. The company had a contract with the US Military to dye all the army uniforms during WW I. The company shut down operations in 1949.

Both Trout Pond (32 acres) and Mud Pond (26 acres) have dams at the foot of these water bodies. Trout Pond has a concrete dam, where Mud Pond has a thick stone dam where the water flows through the lower rocks.


 TRAIL
  The Trout Pond Loop includes visiting Trout Pond, Mud Pond, and the Russell Brook Falls. The trails for this hike are easy hiking.

For those who like to camp, this hike has two Lean-to's (Trout Pond Lean-to (north) and Trout Pond Lean-to (south). There are 12 primitive campsites near this hike. There are also 8 other primitive campsites on Russell Brook Road and Morton Hill Road.

Russell Brook Falls is a very nice waterfall. It is a short 150 foot walk off the beginning of this hike to see it. Well worth visiting. Both Trout Pond and Mud Pond have beautiful views and are very enjoyable to visit. They are very busy in the summer months. Some of the campsite are difficult to find. Not all of the campsites have established trails. So, you might have to bushwhack to find them. Good problem for those who are looking for a remote campsite on the water. Most hikers like to hike the Trout Pond Loop in a counter-clockwise direction.

 PARKING
  There is basically one good place to park:

Russell Brook Road - This DEC Parking Area can hold about 15 cars. There are also two more parking areas south of Trout Pond Trailhead. But, they only hold about 3 cars. There are a couple other spots along the side of the road. The Russell Brook Road is NOT maintained in the Winter. There is a parking area at the road junction to Russell Brook Road and Morton Hill Road where you can park year around. In the busy Summer months, it may be difficult to find a parking place.


 OTHER INFORMATION
  WATER: You can obtain water at a number of locations along this hike. Many trails in the Delaware Wild Forest are challenging to find water. The Trout Pond Loop is the exception to that rule.

There is limited cell phone service in some parts of the region (as of 2023). Higher elevation locations often are the most promising locations for cell service.



 

DIRECTIONS to the Russell Brook Road Parking from Exit 19 (Kingston)

 
  • Russell Brook Road (DEC) - WGS84 (DEC): 41.9943, -74.94155 - Elevation is approximately 1,832'
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  • Russell Brook Road (DEC) - Deg/Min/Sec: N41 59 39, W74 56 29 - Elevation is approximately 1,832'
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  • Russell Brook Road (DEC) - GPS: N 41 59.658, W 74 56.493 - Elevation is approximately 1,832'
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  • Russell Brook Road (DEC) - UTM: 18N 504841 4649145 - Elevation is approximately 1,832'

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  • Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 19 (Kingston).
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  • Take a RIGHT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 28 West.
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  • Go approximately 46.4 miles on Rt 28 West
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  • Take a LEFT onto Rt 30
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  • Go approximately 19.9 miles on Rt 30 around the Pepecton Reservoir
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  • Take a LEFT onto Rt 206 (Cat Hollow Road)
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  • Go approximately 2.8 on Rt 206
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  • Take a RIGHT onto Jug Tavern Road
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  • Go approximately 1.5 on Rt 206
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  • Take a LEFT onto Campbell Mountain Road
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  • Go approximately 0.4 on Campbell Mountain Road
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  • Take a LEFT onto Morton Hill Road
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  • Go approximately 2.7 on Morton Hill road
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  • Take a RIGHT onto Russell Brook Road
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  • Go approximately 1.7 on Russell Brook Road
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  • Take a RIGHT into Russell Brook Parking Area (directly off road)
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  • NOTE: There two other places to park along side Russell Brook Road
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  • NOTE: In the Winter you can park on the corner of Morton Hill Road & Russell Brook


    • MILEAGE CHART - for the Trout Pond Loop

      Mileage Mile Point Altitude Notes
      0.00 0.00 1,830' Russell Brook Road Parking Area & Trailhead
      0.16 0.16 1,835' Trail Junction to Middle Mud Pond Trailhead
      0.26 0.42 1,919' Trail Juntion to Campsite
      0.45 0.87 2,100' Foot of Trout Pond & Trout Pond dam
      0.54 1.41 2,082' Trail Junction to Trout Pond Trail (north) & Northern Trout Pond Lean-to
      0.02 1.43 2,078' Trail Junction to Northern Mud Pond Trailhead
      0.78 2.21 2,539' High Spot on Trail - Plateau of Cherry Ridge
      1.17 3.38 1,155' Trail Junction to Middle Mud Pond
      0.20 3.58 2,103' Old homestead ruins and view of Mud Pond
      0.20 3.78 2,155' Return to Trail Junction with Middle Mud Pond Trail
      0.93 4.71 1,835' Trail Junction to Trout Pond Trail
      0.16 4.87 1,830' Russell Brook Road Parking Area

    Hiking the Trout Pond Loop

      TROUT POND TRAIL
    The Russell Brook Road Parking Area next to the Trout Pond Trailhead
    Next to the Trout Pond Trailhead is the Russell Brook Road Parking Area.

    The DEC Registration Box is next to the Kiosk. Make sure you register for your hike. If you are injured or lost, Rangers will use this information to find you quicker. The more people who register, the more money is allocated for maintenance of the trails at this trailhead.
    The Trout Pond Trailhead
    This is the Trout Pond Trailhead, that is just below the parking area. This trail will take you to both the middle and upper trailhead of Mud Pond Trail.
    heavy-duty bridge over Russell Brook on the Trout Pond Loop
    About 500 feet past the Trout Pond Trailhead is a heavy-duty bridge over the Russell Brook. It can be quite icy when the temperatures are near or below freezing. If the temperatures have been near or below freezing make sure you bring microspikes.
    Russell Brook Falls off the Trout Pond Trail
    About 150 past the trail junction to heavy-duty bridge, is an unmarked trail on your RIGHT. That unmarked trail will take you to the base of lower Russell Brook Falls. The Russell Brook Falls are 150 feet from the Trout Pond Trail. Some consider this one of the highlights of this hike.

    You can see the upper part of Russell Brook Falls from Russell Brook Road.
    Trail junction with middle Mud Pond Trailhead
    After another 600 feet, you will come to another trail junction. You want to continue STRAIGHT.

    Left is the middle Trailhead for the Mud Pond Trail. This trailhead is for middle section of Mud Pond Trail. You would take this trail if you wanted to only visit Mud Pond". Since we are going to hike the Trout Pond Loop, you want to continue STRAIGHT. You will visit Mud Pond later in the hike.
    Trail junction with a campsite on the Trout Pond Trail
    After another 1/4 mile, you will come to the second Trailhead. You want to go RIGHT, and up the hill.

    Left would take you up to a campsite in a about 500 feet. Some hikers take the campsite spur thinking it is Trout Pond Trail. Unfortunately neither trail has trail markers at the trail junction.
    the climb from the campsite up to the foot of Trout Lake
    The Trout Pond Trail will climb about 200 feet in elevation before you reach the foot of Trout Pond.
    The foot of Trout Lake and access to the campsite on the southwest side of Trout Pond
    This is the foot of Trout Pond. There is a concrete dam that control the height of the water in Trout Pond.

    If you cross the concrete dam, there is a campsite on the southwestern side of Trout Pond. Beware that the water flowing over the dam is slippery. It often has algae on the concrete.
    picture of Trout Pond half way up the pond Trout Pond Trail going up the eastern side of Trout Pond
    This picture was taken about half way down Trout Pond
    The Trout Trail follows the edge of Trout Pond, and provide nice views as you hike up to the head of the pond.
    Northeastern end of Trout Pond
    This wooden bridge is near the head of Trout Pond (northeastern end). There is also another primitive campsite near the bridge.
    Bridge on the northeastern side of Trout Pond
    When you arrive at northeastern side of Trout Pond. You want to take a LEFT, and head west.

    Straight is a continuation of the Trout Pond Trail. Also, next to the continuation of the Trout Pond Trail is the Trout Pond Lean-to (north). Left will take you to two more campsite along with the Southern Trout Pond Lean-to. The Northern Mud Pond Trailhead is 100 feet after you cross the next wooden bridge.
      TROUT POND SPUR TRAIL
    The Northern Trout Pond Lean-to and outhouse
    At the trail junction to the continuation of Trout Pond Trail, you can see the Northern Trout Pond Lean-to. This lean-to was replaced in 2023, and overlooks Trout Pond.
    second wooden bridge at the head of Trout Pond
    After you turn LEFT at the Trail Junction for the continuation of the Trout Pond Trail and the Northern Trout Pond Lean-to, you will encounter this second bridge in about 100 feet. Continue STRAIGHT over the bridge.

    There are a number of nice view points on the northern side the Trout Pond. This is also time to get water.
    Northern Trailhead for the Mud Pond Trail
    After you cross the second wooden bridge, you want to take a RIGHT onto the Northern Trailhead for the Mud Pond Trail. From this picture the trail may not be obvious, but it is there.
    Northern Trailhead for the Mud Pond Trail
    This is the Northern Trailhead of the Mud Pond Trail. While the first 50 feet of the Mud Pond Trail is overgrown, the trail clears up and is wide and easy to hike on.
    Southern Trout Pond Lean-to on the northwest side of Trout Pond
    If you hike past the Northern Mud Pond Trailhead, the trail will take you to the Southern Trout Pond Lean. It is about 400 feet past the Northern Mud Pond Trailhead.

    There are also two additional primitive campsites beyond the Southern Trout Pond Lean-to. Just hike past the outhouse.
      MUD POND TRAIL
    Northern Trailhead for the Mud Pond Trail
    This is the Northern Trailhead of the Mud Pond Trail. While the first 50 feet of the Mud Pond Trail is overgrown, the trail clears up and is wide and easy to hike on.
    beginning of the northern side of the Mud Pond Trail
    The beginning of the Mud Pond Trail has a gradual uphill climb. The trail is a nice double-track trail and easy to follow. It is a little over 3/4 of a mile to the high point on the side of Cherry Ridge.
    crossing another tributary of the Campbell Brook on the Trout Pond Loop
    The Mud Pond Trail climbs about 400 feet in vertical elevation before you reach a plateau on the side of Cherry Ridge in a little more then 3/4 of a mile.
    plateau on the side of Cherry Ridge on The Mud Pond Trail
    This is the plateau on the side of Cherry Ridge. Unfortunately there are no views from this point. Hiking up to this point is the hardest climb of the entire hike. Continue off the plateau. The Trail will then descend downhill.
    The Mud Pond Trail off the south end of the Cherry Ridge Plateau
    After a short distance the incline will level out. The trail will make a small number of turns that are fairly easy to follow.
    trail junction on the Mud Pond Trail near Mud Pond
    After almost 1.2 miles from the plateau on the side of Cherry Ridge, you will come to a Trail Junction for the Mud Pond Trail. We are going to take a small side trip to Mud Pond (600-1,200 feet).

    You want to take a RIGHT onto Mud Pond Trail to view Mud Pond & see the old homestead ruins (600-1,200 feet away).
    Southern end of Trout Pond
    After going RIGHT after the Trail Junction, the trail will continue on the Mud Pond Trail. In less then 600 feet, you will start to see Mud Pond.

    As of 2023 there are 6 primitive campsites around Mud Pond. There are a number of foundations for old homes and a barn.
    approaching Mud Pond and home foundations
    After hiking about 600 feet, you will start to see Mud Pond. The side trail goes left and right. Left takes you to a campsite. Right will take you down to the shore of Mud Pond.

    As of 2023 there are 6 primitive campsites around Mud Pond. More campsites will be added in the future as needed.
    approaching Mud Pond and home foundations
    This is a panoramic image of Mud Pond. This image was taken from the shoreline at the head of Mud Pond. Mud Pond is a 26 acres water body with a stone dam at the foot of the pond.

    When you get done hike back up to the Mud Pond Trail. Continue west until you see the old homestead ruins. There are three major foundations along with a water well. The home still existed as late as 1965.
    house ruins on the north side of Mud Pond
    This is one of the foundations, and it has a good view of Mud Pond. And, this foundation is concrete (with steel anchors on top), and is fairly new compared to other stone foundations we often see in the Catskill Mountains.
    home ruins on the north side of Mud Pond
    This is believed to be the foundation for the home. As you can see, it also had a good view of Mud Pond.

    Once you are done, turn around on the Mud Pond Trail and hike back on the Mud Pond Trail. Do NOT take the Trail Junction you came down Cherry Ridge on.
    RETURN via   MIDDLE MUD POND TRAIL
    Mud Pond Trail will start to descend once you leave Mud Pond the Mud Pond Trail will descend about 400 vertical feet
    Hike back up the Mud Pond Trail. Continue STRAIGHT past the trail junction you came down from Cherry Ridge Plateau.
    You will also hike through this conifer forest near the top of the hill.
    Trail makes a sharp right turn when trail levels off Trail makes a sharp right turn when you come to a stream
    The Middle Mud Pond Trail will start to descend off the plateau where Mud Pond is located.
    The trail will descend unto you are almost to Trout Pond Creek. After the trail turns to the east, there will be a campsite on the left.
    Swamp near the southern Mud Pond Trailhead by Russell Brook Road
    About 100 feet past the primitive campsite on your left, you will cross this bridge of Trout Pond Creek. Then in about 200 feet, you will come to the trail junction to Trout Pond Trail. At that point, the Trout Pond Loop has been completed. You want to go RIGHT at the trail junction to Trout Pond Trail.
    Swamp near the southern Mud Pond Trailhead by Russell Brook Road
    After you take a RIGHT at the Trail Junction of Trout Pond Trail, you will hike another 350 feet to cross this bridge.
    DEC registration box at the Southern Mud Pond Trailhead
    You will then hike up the hill 450 feet to the Trailhead of the Trout Pond Trail. What you see in the picture is the Gate and Trailhead to the Trout Pond Trail.
    Southern Trailhead for the Mud Pond Trail
    Go past the yellow gate and then take a LEFT into the Russell Brook Road Parking Area. Your hike is over. Hope you enjoyed this short hike.

    Links and References:


    DEC Information on the Delaware Wild Forest

    NY DEC map of the Delaware Wild Forest (free)

    USGS Topo Map of the Downsville Quad

    USGS Topo Map of the Roscoe Quad



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