Mud Pond/Trout Pond Loop

Catskill Park

Trout Pond - Photo by Daniel Chazin Trout Pond - Photo by Daniel Chazin

This loop hike in the western Catskills climbs through a ravine to reach Mud Pond, with interesting stone foundations from former settlements, and continues to scenic Trout Pond, with opportunities for fishing and swimming.

41.994457, -74.940834

From the parking area, follow a short path downhill and turn right onto a woods road that descends parallel to Russell Brook, on the left. At the base of the descent, the road turns left and crosses the brook on a wooden bridge (to the right, a short distance upstream, are the stone abutments of the original bridge over the brook). Just ahead, you’ll pass a trail register on the left and reach...

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Trip Reports

rate experience
September 16, 2015
0
Described loop hike also has good workout
<p>If you look at the contours on the Trail Conference map, you'll see that the loop hike I describe has an elevation gain of about 750 feet from Russell Brook to the top of the ridge. &nbsp;So you get a nice workout with this hike, too. &nbsp;Moreover, this is a loop hike which also visits the intersting Mud Pond.</p>
Daniel Chazin
September 15, 2015
0
Hike South For More Exercise
<p>My wife and daughter visited Trout Pond yesterday. It being a damp, post-Labor Day Monday, the trail was deserted, and the leaves were just starting to turn.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Instead of taking the route described here, we parked at the (empty) lot on Campbell Brook Road and took the trail south.&nbsp; We had to cut the hike short when one of our party became sick, but the out-and-back to Trout Pond had, as best as I can read on the NYNJTC map, a roughly 900' - 1000' total climb over 3.4 miles.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>If you're looking to give your legs a bit more of a workout, that's the route to take.</p>
mikej165
May 22, 2014
0
Trout Pond
<p>Yes, the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. &nbsp;My experience is that Trout Pond is very popular on weekends but less so on weekdays. &nbsp;As to getting there, there is a parking area on Russell Brook Road (it must be approached from the north, as most of the road along the brook was washed out a number of years ago), and you hike in from there on a trail that follows a woods road. &nbsp;The woods road leads around the northern side of the pond to the lean-tos, which are at the western end. &nbsp;There are several designated campsites near the western end of the pond, and there is also a designated campsite at the southeastern corner of the pond, across the pond's outlet. &nbsp;There is no formal trail along the southern side of the pond.</p>
Daniel Chazin
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