Calling an Adirondack hiking route a "hidden gem" is more than a little cliched. There are so many gems to choose from. That said, Hitchen's Pond Overlook --and the trail that gets you there-- is a hidden gem. You reach the trail by following Route 412 to Horseshoe Lake (from Rte. 30, south of Tupper Lake). Drive all the way around Horseshoe Lake and eventually the (now gravel) road turns sharply to the left and crosses railroad tracks. From there it's just under a mile to an intersection where a gated side road appears on the left. There are no signs or trail register to indicate that it's the right spot but there's plenty of room to park.
Hitchen's Pond Bog
Another bog passed on the way to Lows Upper Dam and the overlook.
Pass the gate and you will soon see small signs indicating that you are in the forest preserve. Within a short distance you'll catch glimpses of Hitchen's Pond Bog, one of the largest in the Adirondacks. After roughly half a mile the route crosses a corner of the bog with extensive views. The road makes for easy walking and you'll pass several other places where bogs and swamps add interest to the 2.4 mile walk to Low's Upper Dam. The large concrete dam impounds the Bog River thereby turning what was once a 15 mile long series of lakes, ponds, bogs and swamps into the large body of water now known as Low's Lake.
Low's Upper Dam
The trail to the overlook leaves the dam site and ascends the obvious ridge to the north. It's a little over a mile to the open rock where the trail ends with spectacular views of the lake and bog dotted country around Hitchen's Pond. On a clear day several Adirondack ranges, including portions of the high peaks, can also be seen. I was lucky enough to visit the overlook at around 5:00 pm on a gorgeous late October day. While there the cold front that had been threatening all afternoon arrived from the west and the light breezes because a steady 25 mile per hour wind. Take a look at the video to see what I mean.
Looking southeast from the overlook
Looking east from the overlook. The center peak of the ridge of three distant summits is Kempshall Mountain near Long Lake.
