Lost Ponds Trail

The main Lost Ponds Trail travels 1.1 miles to the northern outlet dam to Lost Ponds. The outlet feeds into Pine Grove Creek. The main trail follows an old woods road. There are some views of Lost Ponds from this trail, however the best access to the pond is from the access trail to the old campsite, which is on your left soon after crossing the wooden bridge over a swift moving Sumner Stream.

Both trails are marked with red plastic discs. There is also an unmarked but well defined path that leads to the remains of an old dam as well as the Stillwater of Sumner Stream. All side trails are off the main Lost Ponds Trail, which is accessed off the main Moose River Plains Road via a spur road that is currently marked with a "Lost Ponds" sign. The spur road leads 0.3 miles to an old yellow gate for the old road and two campsites (#44 & #45) at the end of the road as well as a shared privy.

These two campsites are very popular, especially #44 because it sits close to Sumner Stream. You can also check out campsite #63 that is located just off Sumner Stream near the main Moose River Plains Road bridge over the stream. Although not as private, it does have a nice scenic location.

There is parking along the side of the spur road at the end of the road, which shouldn't interfere with any of the campers. The main Lost Ponds Trail starts by passing the old yellow gate with the stop sign that has been used for target practice. A sign states there is a dangerous bridge ahead. We didn't feel the bridge over Sumner Stream poised any danger for those who are careful. A well worn side trail on the left near the yellow gate leads a few feet to an overlook of Sumner Stream and is probably used by anglers, but is worth checking out for the view.

The trail is very sandy and easy to follow as your walking on an old road that was once opened further up from where the gate is now. At 0.1 miles cross over large logs that is actually a bridge over a small stream. If you look close you'll see the water moving below. From here the trail ascends ever so gently until you reach an unmarked herd path on your right at 0.4 miles just before reaching a clearing also on the right which was for campsite #46. If you look in the back trees you can still see the campsite number in the tree.

The herd path before campsite #46 is the Stillwater Trail. Unmarked, but fairly easy to follow, it leads 0.1 miles to a spot overlooking the remains of an old dam and the Stillwater of Sumner Stream. Side trails on the left lead to vantage points to the rapids below the old dam. A popular fishing spot is reached on the main herd path at 0.1 miles with a real nice view of the Stillwater. The herd path continues along the Stillwater until it becomes fainter and fainter to follow as it heads toward Bear Paw Creek.

A few hundred feet from old campsite #46 you'll cross the swift moving Sumner Stream on a wooden bridge. You should've heard the roar of the stream by the time you reached campsite #46. After crossing the stream you'll come to a fork in the trail. The well worn trail on the left leads 0.2 miles to an old campsite with a picnic table overlooking Lost Ponds and then continues on a few hundred feet to a side trail that leads to the rough shore of the pond.

The trail seems to continue on and although we did not explore further, we've read that the trail continues on and becomes fainter and fainter the further you go. It is used mainly by hunters. Back to the main Lost Ponds Trail that goes straight at the fork. Although your still following an old woods road, you can see that this part of the trail isn't as well traveled and is beginning to get closed in from the forest. The trail gently climbs again.

At 0.8 miles there is a muddy access toward the pond on the left through blow down. Soon on your right you may notice the trace of another old road. This blow down choked, no longer maintained trail is the old Pine Grove Creek Trail. The old road once lead to the headwaters of Pine Grove Creek. There is also an old side trail that lead to another vantage point of the Stillwater of Sumner Stream. We are unsure of the challenges that lie ahead for anyone wishing to bushwhack the old road. It is just over two miles to reach the headwaters.

Back on the main Lost Ponds Trail that is again becoming closed in by the surrounding forest, but still somewhat easy to follow. At 1.0 miles begin a descent toward the outlet dam. At 1.1 miles, just prior to reaching the outlet, there should be another old trail on your right. We did not notice this old trail when we're exploring the area. According to some old maps, this trail crosses Pine Creek Grove, heads up a hill to a remote but small boggy pond.

When you reach the boggy outlet dam, this ends the main Lost Ponds Trail. It almost feels like there should be a loop trail that goes around this remote pond. Currently there isn't and to cross the outlet dam looks to be a wet undertaking. To return simply retrace your steps. If you were to hike to the outlet dam, the picnic table/shore access and to the scenic spot overlooking the Stillwater and back to the parking area, this would be a round trip hike of three miles.