Tirrell Pond is a beautiful gem hidden in the backcountry of the Blue Mountain Wild Forest. Despite sharing a trailhead with Blue, Tirrell Pond sees less use, making it the perfect choice for a relaxing stroll in the woods. It is hiked by when thru-hiking the Northville-Placid Trail, which also offers an alternative approach to the shorter one from the Blue Mountain trailhead.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 6.4 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: 700 feet
• Hike includes trail junctions

Hiking to Tirrell Pond

This description is based on a hike from the Blue Mountain trailhead. An alternate approach is done from the south via Lake Durant Campground. Consider doing a point to point hike, leaving a car at the opposite trailhead, and hiking from the Blue Mountain trailhead to the Lake Durant trailhead.

Tirrell Pond Trail extends 2.9 miles to the Northville-Placid Trail, then turns right and traverses another 0.3 mile to the shore of Tirrell Pond. The trail ascends 200 feet in the first 1.75 miles before dropping 450 feet over the last 1.5 miles to the pond. At the northern end, the Tirrell Pond lean-to and a designated primitive tent site offer overnight camping options. A sandy beach at the end of the trail provides a view of Tirrell Mountain to the east. This is a great backcountry swimming spot. Further south, there's a designated primitive tent site about 0.7 miles from the sandy beach on the north side. Continuing to the very southern shore, O'Neill Flow lean-to sits a little to the east of the outlet of Tirrell Pond.

Tirrell Pond in the winter

Tirrell Pond can be cross-country skied and snowshoed, though it would be a difficult cross-country ski for beginner and intermediate skiers. This is a remote trail in the winter, and you should be prepared for all winter conditions. Take care around frozen bodies of water, particularly near inlets and outlets where ice is thinner.

Experience more trails in Hamilton County

Does Tirrell Pond sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? With hundreds of miles of trails, we can help you find the right hike in the big outdoors.

How to get there

From the intersection of Route 30 and 28 in Blue Mountain Lake, follow Route 30 toward Long Lake for around 1.5 miles to the trailhead parking on the right. The trailhead is at the top of the long hill past the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake. There is ample parking.