The Big Pine Trail

a "Top 10 Area Favorite Hiking Destination"

 

 

"Five Ponds Wilderness Area"

Wanakena

Trailhead Location:

 

 

From the intersection of Route 3 and CR61 (Wanakena Road) follow CR61 and stay straight on the main road to South Shore Road. Follow South Shore Road for around 2-miles to the unmarked trailhead on the right.

 

 

 

 

Additional Important Information:

The trailhead is a bit tough to locate, but used frequently. This frequent use can help you find the trailhead in the winter by locating tracks in the snow. South Shore Road is a dead end just past the trailhead, which is unmarked. A small pull-off on the right for about 1-car gives it away.

 

 

In Winter:

Skiing over a frozen body of water is a cross-country skiing past time; it can access you to areas not seen by most in the summer. With that being said it is a dangerous activity to cross frozen water bodies and should be done with care and respect for your environment. Know the ice conditions and be prepared for anything including heavy winds, snow drifts, whiteouts, slushy conditions, and thin ice. 

 

Trail uses: Hiking, Snowshoeing, XC ski

At 4.5+ feet in diameter, and 140+ feet tall, the "BIG PINE" is one of the largest virgin white pine trees in the Adirondack park.

Along this trail are other smaller virgin timber, both dead and alive, that also managed to escape the loggers in the early 1900's.

 

With a roundtrip of only 2.5 miles you can enjoy this east hike with the entire family. From the trailhead you will be on a very flat trail, which is quite narrow in spots and marked with a trail marker shaped like a “big pine.”

 

There are only a couple very small changes in elevation. A short downhill will bring you to a small brook crossing which you will have to hop over. Past here the trail climbs a bit through some impressively tall pines. The Big Pine will be at the base of a very short spur trail on your right.

The trail then continues at the spur and eventually brings you to a small floating bog on your left, which is a neat place to visit if you want the extra distance, it lies only about a tenth mile away.
 

 

**Please view the big pine from a distance as to not damage the roots, or bark of this magnificent beauty, which is estimated to be over 300 years old.**

Click an image for an expanded view