We've read the history of this area that includes the early hunters who had an ice house close by to the pond to store venison before sending the meat to the market.  Deer was plentiful in the open plains.  Hence the name of this secluded pond, Icehouse Pond.  I couldn't imagine living in such a rugged, remote place.

The Icehouse Pond Trail is now an accessible trail that travels 0.45 miles from Otter Brook Road to an accessible fishing spot next to the pond.  There are two campsites along the trail near the pond, one is an accessible camping site.  There is also an open air privy that is also accessible.  Someone who camped here told us that they went to sleep to an owl and awoke to the loons in this beautiful place.

This hike is very easy and can be enjoyed by all members of your family.  The toughest part of this hike is making it to the small parking area off Otter Brook Road in the remote Moose River Plains Wild Forest.  The parking area is marked as campsite 81, which is 0.4 miles north of the South Branch of the Moose River and 0.8 miles south on Otter Brook Road from Moose River Plains Road.  The junction of Otter Brook Road is 8.3 miles from the western entrance and 12.9 miles from the eastern entrance to the Moose River Plains Road.

The trail is an easy and pleasant walk to the pond with a minimal elevation change.  The only down side on the trail that we see is the vegetation may over take the trail quickly if it's not cut back on a regular basis.  When you reach the first campsite, which is the accessible site, turn left to reach other campsite within a few feet and then descend to the pond.  To the right is the trail that leads to the open air privy.

Look below for a few pictures, a video and a map of this hike.  You can find more information on this trail and others in this area from the book Adirondack Trails: West-Central Region.  This hike is more of a short leg stretcher.  Try camping in the area at one of the numerous primitive sites and explore the numerous hiking trails in the area.

Pictures from the hike to Icehouse Pond

Icehouse Pond	The accessible fishing spot	Accessible picnic table at the campsite	Accessible open air privy	Accessible trail

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