Here are two relatively easy and not too crowded hikes in Blue Mountain Wild Forest. Both trailheads for these two hikes are located on NY 28/30 and each have a small parking area. The Rock Lake Trail is a very easy 0.8 mile hike to the scenic shore of Rock Lake. The Rock River Trail winds three miles to the banks of the Rock River and an old campsite. There are views of Rock Lake along the way.

The Sawyer Mountain Trail is located close to both of these trailheads on NY 28/30.  Located in the Blue Ridge Wilderness, this is a moderate one mile hike to nice views.  All three hikes would make for a full day adventure in the Blue Mountain Lake area.

Rock Lake Trail

This easy hike offers a short walk to a scenic lake with views of Blue Mountain and Dun Brook Mountain in the distance.  From the parking area the red marked trail goes through a forest of red and white pines.  Almost right away you reach a trail register.  At 0.3 mile the Johnny Mack Brook is on your left.

At 0.6 miles reach the junction of a snowmobile trail and turn right following the snowmobile trail over  Johnny Mack Brook on a bridge.  The trail turns left off the snowmobile trail briefly at 0.7 miles only to rejoin the snowmobile trail.  At 0.8 miles the trail turns left and heads to a campsite on Rock Lake.

The view is beautiful as you scan across this large lake toward the mountains in the distance.  To return, simply retrace your steps for a 1.6 mile round trip hike. Look below for a video featuring a hike to Rock Lake.

Rock River Trail

This three mile trail used by snowmobiles in the winter and anglers in the summer, brings you to the southern banks of the Rock River near an old campsite.  Hiking and snowshoeing is also popular on this trail. From the parking area, the red marked trail heads into the forest.  At 0.4 miles you'll start a gradual descent that ends at the junction of a snowmobile trail at 0.9 miles.  After crossing a stream on a bridge, you reach another junction in 200 feet.  Continue straight and soon enter a muddy stretch of trail.

Views of Rock Lake through the trees begin at 1.2 miles. Rock Lake comes back into view at 1.6 miles on your left.  A short bushwhack will bring you to the sandy shoreline of the lake.  This is the perfect spot if your planning a shorter hike. The remaining 1.4 miles of the trail runs along the edge of Stark Hill.  At 2.9 miles there is a moderate descent to the south bank of the Rock River reached at 3.0 miles.  There is an old campsite nearby. 

Some hikers that enjoy bushwhacking utilize the Rock River trailhead to bushwhack to the open views on Ledger Mountain. This should only be attempted by those who are properly equipped plus are good using a map and compass.

Directions:  From Lake Durant State Campground, head east on NY 28/NY 30. Both trailheads will be on your left (north) with the Rock Lake Trail parking area first. The GPS coordinates for the Rock Lake parking area is N43 49.264 W74 20.884 and N43 48.774 W74 19.403 for the Rock River parking area.