New York · Hiking

Preston Ponds Trail

Preston Ponds TrailPhoto: ke9tv — CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
4.6 mi
one way
756 ft
climb
2,427 ft
high point
Point to point
route

Preston Ponds Trail is a 4.6-mile moderate hike in New York's High Peaks Wilderness, managed by the State Department of Conservation. The route rises from about 2,233 feet to a high point of 2,427 feet, with a total elevation gain of 756 feet. The climb is front-loaded, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.8 miles in, where the grade reaches 16 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Lake Placid show July highs around 74°F with lows near 54°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. The trail is a point-to-point route, and the trip is estimated to take about two hours. Bikes and horses are not allowed. Bradley Pond Trail lies just 0.4 miles away, and Ward Brook Truck Trail is about 1.8 miles off. Indian Pass Trail, a cross-country ski route, and the Wallface climbing area are both about 3.4 miles away.

Local outfitters

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  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Preston Ponds Trail

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. 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

      23° / 6°

      18 wet

    2. Feb

      27° / 8°

      14 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 16°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 29°

      14 wet

    5. May

      62° / 40°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 49°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 54°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 52°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 45°

      13 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 35°

      15 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 25°

      16 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 14°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Placid 2 S, NY, 12.4 mi away at 1,888 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors