Description

From the trailhead, proceed uphill on the blue-blazed Mud Pond Trail, which follows a woods road. You'll soon cross beneath overhead power lines. In about a quarter of a mile, the trail narrows to a footpath and levels off. Soon, you'll pass an interesting beaver pond, with many dead trees, to the left of the trail. Then, about half a mile from the start, you will reach the outlet stream of Mud Pond. Here, the trail bears left and begins to follow a woods road that runs just left of the stream. The trail now climbs through a ravine, passing attractive cascades in the stream.

After climbing about 700 vertical feet from Russell Brook Road, the trail levels off. Soon, you'll catch some glimpses of Mud Pond through the trees to your right. About 50 minutes from the start of the hike, you'll reach a T-junction with a snowmobile trail. Here, you should turn right and follow this wide trail, which is marked with red snowmobile trail blazes, yellow-on-brown snowmobile corridor markings, and the blue plastic blazes of the Mud Pond Trail.

Soon, you'll notice a number of bluestone foundations to the right of the trail - remnants of old settlements in the area. You may wish to explore these interesting ruins, but use caution, as there are some steep drop-offs. Just beyond, turn right onto a path that leads down to Mud Pond. Despite its name, Mud Pond is a very attractive body of water, and both fishing and swimming (at your own risk) are permitted. You'll want to spend a few minutes at the shore of this pond.

Now retrace your steps to the main trail and turn right. In about 500 feet, you'll reach a trail junction, marked by a sign. Turn left here, continuing to follow the Mud Pond Trail along a grassy woods road which is also marked as a snowmobile trail. After a short climb, the trail crosses an old stone wall and levels off, passing through abandoned fields that are now overgrown with young maple saplings. The trail descends slightly, crosses a branch of Russell Brook, then starts a gradual climb to a spur of Cherry Ridge. Unfortunately, there are no views from the crest of the rise.

The trail now descends rather steeply, reaching Trout Pond at the base of the descent. The largest wilderness lake in this area of the Catskills, Trout Pond offers opportunities for fishing and swimming (again, at your own risk). The trail bears left and crosses the pond's inlet stream. Just beyond, a short side trail to the left leads to a newly-built lean-to. This is a good place to stop for lunch.

When you're ready to continue, return to the main trail and bear left. Almost immediately, you'll reach a junction with the Trout Pond Trail. The Mud Pond Trail ends here, but you should continue heading south along the eastern side of the pond, following the Trout Pond Trail (also blazed blue). In about half a mile, you'll reach the southern end of the pond, where there are views over the pond from the dam just to the right of the trail. The trail now descends on a woods road through a mixed deciduous and evergreen forest, with the pond's outlet stream to the right.

In about 20 minutes, you'll reach an open area and cross Russell Brook on a wooden bridge. To the left, a little upstream, are the stone abutments of the original bridge over the brook. On the east side of the brook, the woods road you've been following curves right, then heads slightly uphill. Just beyond a fork in the road (where you should bear left), you'll come to a gate. Walk around the gate and continue ahead to unpaved Russell Brook Road.

To return to your car, you should follow Russell Brook Road ahead (south) for 1.4 miles. Although this road is open to traffic, it is very lightly used, and for most of the way, it follows a shaded path parallel to the brook, which runs immediately to the right in an attractive ravine. This downhill walk is very pleasant, and you should reach the parking area where the hike began in about half an hour.