New York · Hiking

Pole Line Trail

Pole Line TrailPhoto: andyarthur, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.5 mi
round trip
24 ft
climb
1,243 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Pole Line Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Tug Hill State Forest in New York, managed by the State Department of Conservation. The trail is about 0.9 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 24 feet, so it's a gentle walk that can be done in about half an hour. The route starts at a low point of about 1,202 feet and reaches a high of about 1,243 feet. The steepest part comes early, around 0.23 miles in, with a grade of about 2 percent. The trail is short enough to fit into a longer day on the forest's other trails. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Watertown show July highs around 80°F with lows near 62°F, while winter brings frequent snow days and highs in the 20s. Several other trails and a mountain biking area sit within about half a mile, including Explorer, Oak Rim and the John Young mountain biking trail. South Sandy Creek, a paddling spot, is about 4.8 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Pole Line Trail

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      29° / 11°

      18 wet · 12 snow

    2. Feb

      31° / 12°

      15 wet · 10 snow

    3. Mar

      40° / 22°

      14 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      53° / 35°

      13 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      67° / 47°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 57°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 62°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 60°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 52°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 41°

      16 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 30°

      15 wet · 4 snow

    12. Dec

      35° / 20°

      17 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Watertown, NY, 9.3 mi away at 497 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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