Adirondack Wildflowers: Goldthread along the Woods and Waters Trail (19 May 2012)

Hiking Trails in the Adirondacks:
Woods and Waters Trail

This page is no longer being updated.  For an updated and expanded version of this material, see: Adirondack Nature Trails: Woods and Waters Trail

Adirondack Wetlands: Heron Marsh north from the floating bridge (10 August 2013) Adirondack Wetlands: Heron Marsh from the floating bridge (17 September 2004) Adirondack Wetlands: Heron Marsh south from the floating bridge (17 June 2013) Birds of the Adirondacks: Male Mallard from the floating bridge (27 April 2013) Adirondack Wetlands: Floating Bridge over Heron Marsh (25 August 2012) Adirondack Wetlands: Floating Bridge over Heron Marsh (29 September 2012) Birds of the Adirondacks:  Ring-necked Duck on Heron Marsh (7 May 2013) Birds of the Adirondacks:  Great Blue Heron on Heron Marsh (1 July 2011) Adirondack Wildflowers:  Goldthread on the Woods and Waters Trail (19 May 2012) Adirondack Habitats: On the connector to Little Black Pond (23 August 2013) Adirondack Habitats:  Little Black Pond from the Woods and Waters Trail Adirondack Habitats:  Brook along the Woods and Waters Trail Adirondack Wetlands: Floating Bridge over Heron Marsh. Photo courtesy of Nancie Battaglia. Used by permission.
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The Woods and Waters Trail is three-mile long trail through varied Adirondack habitats, including conifer forest, mixed deciduous-conifer forest, and wetland. The trail offers scenic views of Heron Marsh and two Adirondack ponds: Black Pond and Little Black Pond 

The trail begins near the VIC building back entrance, meandering through mixed forest.  Wildflowers which thrive in this section of the trail include Canada Mayflower and Helleborine Orchid. Blue-headed Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee, and Hairy Woodpecker may be observed here.  The habitat shifts gradually to a mostly coniferous forest, mainly Eastern White Pine and Red Spruce.  Wildflowers along the path include Wintergreen, Pipsissewa, and Bunchberry

The trail leads downward and to the right intersecting with the Heron Marsh Trail at the floating bridge.  This section provides excellent views of Heron MarshSteeplebush, Pickerelweed, White Water-lily, and Yellow Pond Lily grow on and near the edges of the marsh.  Tamarack and Black Spruce thrive on the marsh edges.  American Black Duck, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Great Blue Heron, and North American River Otter can be observed from the bridge. 

The trail then shifts to the right, up from the marsh, sharing the same corridor with the Heron Marsh TrailGoldthread, Dewdrop, and Hobblebush thrive along the path.  Take the left hand intersection, turning west.  You will pass two well-marked intersections with the Easy Street Trail, then two intersections with the Silvi Trail

The Woods and Waters Trail then connects with the Logger’s Loop Trail and briefly follows the same wide gravel logging road, home to several sun-loving plants such as Flat-Topped White Aster and Queen Anne's Lace.  You then take a left at a well-marked intersection.  The trail weaves through mixed forest, then mostly hardwood forest, before nearing Little Black Pond on your right.  A short connecting path on your right leads to the shores of Little Black Pond. 

The next connector path brings you to a lean-to and a bridge between Black Pond and Little Black Pond.  Black Pond is a 72-acre pond favored by paddlers and those fishing for brook trout. Little Black Pond is a small pond to the east. The lean-to is for day use only. Look for Great Blue Heron and Common Loon on both of these ponds.  You can take a left here onto the Black Pond Trail or continue on the Woods and Waters Trail another half-mile to Keese Mill Road

The walking is easy, with a few small hills.  In winter, the Woods and Waters Trail becomes a classic cross-country ski trailFollow the red trail markers.

 

Explore the VIC

The Paul Smiths VIC offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year to educate and inform Adirondack Park residents and visitors about the natural wonders of the Adirondack Mountains. You can help support these programs by joining the Friends of the VIC. More information on Friends of the VIC memberships

Explore the Trails

The VIC trails are free and open to the public, from dawn to dusk, spring through fall. In winter, the trails are open to cross-country skiers and snowshoers for a fee. Day or season passes may be purchased.