Hike the Quick Lake Trail |
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| View of Frick Pond from the Quick Lake Trail in the Willowemoc Wild Forest |
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Maps for the Quick Lake Trail |
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| NY State Mongaup Campground Map ( $ Reservations Required - see link at bottom of page )
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| | Notes About Hiking the Quick Lake Trail |
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| | TRAIL |
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The Quick Lake Trail is one of the longest hikes in the Catskill Mountains. While trails like the Devil's Path and Escarpment Trail are longer, you can do them in sections. You cannot do that with the Quick Lake Trail. The Quick Lake Trail is 7.28 miles one-way, or 14.56 miles round-trip. While the terrain is not steep or difficult, the mileage is memorable. The mileage can be cut back by about a 1/2 mile by taking alternative trails. Most hikers stay overnight at the Quick Pond Lean-to.
Some hikers think that they can hike in from Rt 152 near Lewbeach. The problem with this plan is that you need to cross a large section of private property with NO TRESPASSING signs. Expect to be arrested.
Others consider hiking in from Shin Creek Road. The problem with this approach is that it does not reduced the mileage.
Some consider hiking in on the Old Hunter Road from Orchard Lake. There are two problems with this approach: (1) The Boy Scouts of America own much of this land, and you are prevented from accessing it from the Old Hunter Road; (2) The Old Hunter Road from the Quick Lake to Orchard Lake is overgrown, and difficult or impossible to follow.
The best way to get there is to hike it from the Frick Pond Parking Area.
While almost all of the trail is a Double-Track Trail, it tends to get overgrown in the summer. Most like to hike it in the Fall. In the Winter it is mainly used by snowmobile. Most of the old roads are in good shape, but there are spots where the water sits, and those spots can be muddy. All the trails in this region are designed as Mountain Bike Trails. But, due to muddy spots and long uphill climbs, it is not preferred by Mountain Bikers.
There are NO mountain view points along the Quick Lake Trail. But, there are nice views of Frick Pond and Quick Lake. The trail is enjoyable due to it's mild incline.
On the return trip, some hikers like to take the Snowmobile Trail at the Coyote Junction. The snowmobile trail is just over 2-1/2 miles long. It is 400-500 feet less then the Quick Lake Trail.
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| | CAMPSITES & LEAN-TO |
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There is only one DEC primitive DEC campsite on the western side of Mongaup Pond. It is located near Frick Pond on the Loggers Loop Trail. You can camp anywhere in the forest as long as you are 150 feet away from a road, stream, or trail.
You can also camp at Mongaup Pond Campgrounds, which requires reservations. Campsites in the Mongaup Pond Campgrounds are not free.
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| | PARKING |
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The Frick Pond Parking Area has two places to park. The larger parking area on the LEFT of the DEC Kiosk holds 10-12 cars. The smaller parking area on the RIGHT of the DEC Kiosk holds 3-5 cars.
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| | OTHER INFORMATION |
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There is limited cell phone service at the Frick Pond Parking Area and at certain locations on the trail.
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| | DIRECTIONS to Frick Pond Parking Area from Exit 19 (Kingston) |
| | Frick Pond Parking Area WGS84 (DEC): 41.951, -74.707183 - Elevation is approximately 2,173 feet |
| | Frick Pond Parking Area Deg/Min/Sec: N41 57 03, W74 42 25 - Elevation is approximately 2,173 feet |
| | Frick Pond Parking Area GPS: N 41 57.060, W 74 42.431- Elevation is approximately 2,173 feet |
| | Frick Pond Parking Area UTM: 18N 524269 4644377 - Elevation is approximately 2,173 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 30.4 miles on Rt 28 West |
| | Take a LEFT onto Rt 47 in Big Indian |
| | Go approximately 19.3 miles on Rt 47 |
| | Take a (180 degree) RIGHT onto Pond Road |
| | Go approximately 9.4 miles on Pond Road (turns into Willowemoc Road) |
| | When Willowemoc Road splits - Go RIGHT |
| | Take a RIGHT onto Mongaup Road |
| | Go approximately 3.0 miles on Mongaup Road |
| | Take a LEFT into one of two Frick Pond Parking Areas |
| | NOTE: There is parking on both side of the Frick Pond Kiosk |
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MILEAGE CHART for the Quick Lake Trail |
| | Miles | Total | Altitude | Notes |
| | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,173' | Frick Pond Trailhead for the Quick Lake Trail |
| | 0.39 | 0.39 | 2,155' | Frick Pond Cemetery - Lobdell Childreen Gravestone (on left) |
| | 0.02 | 0.41 | 2,165' | Graveyard Junction - Loggers Loop (on right) |
| | 0.23 | 0.64 | 2,155' | Trail Junction - Big Rock Trail (on right) |
| | 0.83 | 1.47 | 2,314' | Ironwheel Junction (Go LEFT - right is Loggers Loop) |
| | 0.21 | 1.68 | 2,409' | Snowmobile Trail Junction (go Straight - SMT on left) |
| | 1.44 | 3.12 | 2,467' | Junkyard Junction (Go LEFT - Right is Flynn Trail) |
| | 1.21 | 4.33 | 2,719' | Coyote Junction (Go RIGHT - left is SMT) |
| | 0.65 | 4.98 | 2,694' | Bobcat Junction (Left is Trail - Right is SMT (1.07 miles)) |
| | 0.95 | 5.93 | 2,453' | Flatrock Junction (Straight is Trail - Left is SMT (0.57 miles)) |
| | 0.95 | 6.88 | 2,179' | Quick Lake / SMT Junction |
| | 0.36 | 7.24 | 2,023' | Quick Lake Lean-to Trail |
| | 0.04 | 7.28 | 2,015' | Quick Lake Lean-to |
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Hike the Quick Lake Trail |
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You want to go to the Frick Pond Parking Area and Trailhead. This trail has two different trailheads less then 50 feet apart.
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This is the Frick Pond Parking Area. There is a smaller parking area on the other side of the kiosk. Between the two Frick Pond parking areas, they can handle up to 15 vehicles.
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This is the Frick Pond Kiosk. There are two parking areas and trailheads. Additionally, there is the Flynn Trailhead across the street from the Kiosk.
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This is the Frick Pond Trailhead in the larger parking area. It is located in the northwest side of the parking area. There is a short trail that takes you down the DEC Registration box and main part of the Quick Lake Trail.
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These are some of the mileages to particular locations along the trail. Most of the mileages are reasonable accurate. There are a couple ways to reduce the total mileage by one mile. Most hikers make this a 2-day hike. Strong hikers can do the total hike in one day.
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This is the DEC Registration Box. It is important to register for your hike. If you are injured or lost it helps the Rangers find you faster. Your life may depend upon it. The amount of money spent on the trails for maintenance depends upon how many hikers are using the trails.
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This is the beginning of the Quick Lake Trail from the Frick Pond Parking Area to Gravestone Junction. Most of the trail has an easy grade and is a double-track trail.
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After about 4/10 of a mile, you will see the Lobdell Gravestone on the left side of the trail. Just before you get to Gravestone Junction.
In the middle of the night, on February 27, 1933, a faulty stove pipe caused the 2-story home to catch fire. The parents along with their son Cleo, and a baby slept on the first floor. Two other children, Lyle Sherman Lobdell (age 12) and his sister, Marjorie Berdessa Lobdell (age 11), were trapped by flames on the second floor. Due to high winds, the fire spread rapidly. Their father Elwin K Lobdell tried in vain to rescue the two children by using a ladder, but the flames had already consumed the entire second floor. Both children on the second floor died in the fire. Everyone else in the home survived.
Their home was located on the top of a mountain above Frick Pond. One of the children was severely burned, and the other child was consumed to ashes. The funeral was held in the Debruce Church, and plans were to bury both children at the Henry Family Cemetery in Debruce, NY. The Henry Family Cemetery is located on Old Hunter Road. At some point, a decision was made to bury both children at the Frick Pond Cemetery. The two children, are the only people buried at the Frick Pond Cemetery. The Frick Pond Cemetery is an official cemetery.
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Less then 100 feet past the Frick Pond Cemetery is the GRAVESTONE JUNCTION. You want to go LEFT on the Quick Pond Trail.
Right would put you on the Loggers Loop Trail. There is a DEC primitive campsite about 500 feet up the Loggers Loop Trail. It is the only primitive campsite in this region.
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500 feet past Gravestone Junction is the foot of Frick Pond. There is a trail that goes all the way around the pond. This picture was taken from the bridge that goes over the outflow of Frick Pond. You will see this view on your hike.
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This is the BIG ROCK TRAIL JUNCTION for the Big Rock Trail. It is a little less then a 1/4 mile from the Graveyard Junction. You want to continue STRAIGHT.
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This is the view up the Big Rock Trail. The DEC sign gives you the mileage to future trail junctions on this hike.
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After the Big Rock Trail Junction, you will pass through a nice conifer forest. There is a stream near the end of the conifer forest that you will have to cross. In most cases, it is not difficult to get across. But, after a major rain storm, it may be difficult to get across.
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After almost 1-1/2 miles from the trailhead, you will come to IRONWHEEL JUNCTION. You want to take a LEFT.
Right will put you on the Loggers Loop Trail that comes out at Graveyard Junction
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This is the DEC trail sign at the Ironwheel Junction.
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About 2/10 of a mile from the Ironwheel Junction is the trail junction to the Snowmobile Trail. The snowmobile trail comes out at Coyote Junction. Most hikers like to take the Snowmobile Trail back from Quick Lake. You want to continue STRAIGHT to Junkyard Junction.
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After a little less then 1-1/2 miles from the Snowmobile Junction, you will come to JUNKYARD JUNCTION. You want to take a LEFT at Junkyard Junction. The trail will wrap around Hodge Pond Mountain and come out at Coyote Junction and the other end of the Snowmobile Trail.
Right would take you to Hodge Pond. The trail to Hodge Pond is typically very wet and muddy.
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This is the DEC Trail sign at Junkyard Junction on the Quick Lake Trail.
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After wrapping around Hodge Pond Mountain for about 1.2 miles, you will come to COYOTE JUNCTION. You want to go RIGHT.
The trail on the left is for the other side of the Snowmobile Trail.
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This is the DEC Trail sign at Coyote Junction on the Quick Lake Trail.
The trail from Coyote Junction to Bobcat Junction tends to be a little overgrown with vegetation then other parts of the Quick Lake Trail.
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After almost 6/10 of a mile, you will come to the BOBCAT JUNCTION. At this point, you can take either trail. Both trails will come back together at Flatrock Junction. We recommend that you go LEFT, and stay on the Quick Lake Trail.
Right will take you on another snowmobile trail. It tends to be steeper and more difficult, and is about 250 feet longer.
Odd Fact: Every time we have hiked this trail, we have seen coyote tracks near Coyote Junction, and Bobcat tracks near Bobcat Junction. So, if you wonder how these junctions got their names, this is why. And, Black bears can be found anywhere along this trail. And, Great Horned Owls are present in this region. Barred Owls tend to be in the valley.
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This is FLATROCK JUNCTION. If you want to follow the Quick Lake Trail, continue STRAIGHT. If you want to take the snowmobile trail, take a LEFT. The snowmobile trail is a little more then a 1/2 mile, where the Quick Lake Trail is a little less then a mile.
Flatrock Junction gets it's name from the flat rock under the soil. When it has rained, the soil tends to be muddy here.
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This is the DEC Trail sign at Flatrock Junction on the Quick Lake Trail. To stay on the Quick Lake Trail continue STRAIGHT.
Both trails tend to be interesting. Distance tends to be the main concern.
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This is the QUICK LAKE JUNCTION. You want to continue STRAIGHT. The trail to the Lean-to is around 1/3 of a mile away.
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You can see the Quick Lake Lean-to from the Quick Lake Trail. It sits 150 feet off the trail, and overlooks Quick Lake.
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This is Quick Lake. Years ago, Quick Lake had a water level that was much higher. The water chute eroded and caused the water level to drop. The dam also eroded below that level.
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If you walk a little further down the Quick Lake Trail, you will come to two gates. The second gate has a No Trespassing sign on it. From the Lean-to to these gates, and beyond, used to be Old Hunter Road. It is now a private road. There was a trail from the Lean-to that went down to the rest of Old Hunter Road. That part of Old Hunter Road is now overgrown, and is no longer used.
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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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Quick Lake Trail
Snowmobile Trails