The Siamese Ponds Wilderness is one of the larger Wilderness designated areas in the Adirondack Park. It extends some 24 miles north and south and 18 miles east and west and contains approximately 114,010 acres of Forest Preserve lands. Associated with Siamese Ponds Wilderness are the Dug Mountain, Forks Mountain and Chatiemac Primitive Areas.

During the early part of the nineteenth century, logging became an important industry in the region, and most of the Wilderness was heavily cut over. Devastating fires at the turn of the century continued to significantly impact this natural resource.

Today, however, the area shows little evidence of these past impacts and has become known for its natural beauty. Popular points of interest include the Siamese Ponds that gave the area its name, Puffer Pond, Puffer Mountain, Chimney Mountain, Auger Falls, Peaked Mountain, John Pond and Thirteenth Lake.  Chimney Mountain reportedly has ice caves that usually retain snow and ice through the summer months. 

Thirteenth Lake has a small sand beach at the northern end that makes a very desirable spot for picnics, swimming and camping. There are also other nice camping spots on this lake.

Thirteenth Lake

The topography consists of relatively low rolling hills with a few mountain summits like Bullhead, Eleventh, Puffer and South Pond Mountains above the 3,000 foot level. In addition, the area contains a large number of beaver meadows and swamps. On most of the higher elevations, except those in severely burned spots, spruce and hemlock predominate, while mixed hardwoods and softwoods cover the remainder of the area.

Nearly 24 miles of the future North Country National Scenic Trail will pass through this wilderness.  The highest point along the whole 4000+ mile length of the trail will be on the summit of Peaked Mountain.  The future North Country Trail is scheduled to enter the wilderness following the Cisco Creek Trail.  The crossing of the Kunjamuk River can be tricky at times, which future NCT thru hikers will have to be prepared for.

 

Cisco Creek Bridge and a beaver dam

contact CNY HIKING by email at contact@cnyhiking.com

(c) 2006-today CNY Hiking - All rights reserved.  Any use of information from this site without permission is strictly forbidden.