More Information
Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.99486 W74.94065
Getting There: Exit State Route 17 at Exit 94W and turn left on Route 206. Exit State Route 17 at Exit 94E and turn left on Stewart Ave. At the end of Stewart Ave. turn left on Route 206. From the traffic light drive north on Route 206 for 2.4 miles. Turn left on Morton Hill Road and bear left at the next intersection to stay on Morton Hill Road. Continue on this road for 3.1miles to Russell Brook Road on the left. Turn left on Russell Brook Road and drive.5 miles to park in the lower parking area. CAUTION: Russell Brook Road is NOT always well maintained. Drive slowly and watch for rocks and branches in the road.
Difficulty: This hike is rated STRENUOUS because it is over 4 miles long and has some significant uphill sections to hike. here may be wet or muddy areas along the way. Be careful if you chose to walk down to the stream bed as it the “path” is steep and it is easy to slip
Trail Surface: The trail surface has sections that are free of large stones and tree trunks with mostly of small stones and dirt at the beginning and end. The trail is often wet and muddy. The middle section of the hike is the hilliest with larger rocks on the trail. There may be some tree trunks to walk under or step over.
Hike Description: Walk passed down the road and turn right just passed the kiosk. Walk down the wide woods road to the bridge over Russell Brook. Cross the bridge and continue to the rail register at .2 miles. Just after the trail register is a trail junction. Bear left on the blue-blazed Mud Pond Trail. The trail ascends a hill which may seem steep at times but the reward is a return trip that is flat or downhill. You will crest the top of the hill and then start a short decent to a trail junction at 1.0 mile. Turn right at the trail junction and continue to follow the blue blazes. Over the next 1.1 miles you will gain about 400 feet in elevation and reach the highest point on the hike on the shoulder of Cherry Ridge at 2.15 miles. Continue on the blue-blazed trail as it begins a descent to the inlet end of Trout Pond. Over the next .7 miles you will lose 450 feet in elevation and will arrive at the bridge over the inlet to Trout Pond at 2.9 miles. Cross the bridge and bear to the right on the blue-blazed Trout Pond Trail. The trail will be almost flat now as it parallels the shore of the lake to the outlet at 3.4 miles. You may want to walk to the right of the trail and visit the “beach” and the dam at the outlet end. There is a nice view of the entire pond from this location. Continue on the main trail for .75 miles until you are back at the register box and trail junction. Continue to follow the main trail watching for a path to the left. Follow the paths as they parallel the stream and walk toward the sound of the waterfall. The path continues until it ends at a viewpoint over the falls. You may also work your way down the bank of the stream to the bed to get a head-on view on the falls. When you are done, turn around and retrace your steps back to the car. On the way back you might want to watch for a path on the right which ascends a short hill to a viewpoint over the upper falls. Once you get back to the main trail turn left and retrace your route back to the parking area.