More Information
Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.95114 W74.70693
Getting There: Exit State Route 17 at exit 96W and turn left on DeBruce Road. Exit State Route 17 at exit 96E and turn right at the end of the exit. Turn left at the end of the road and then take the next left onto DeBruce Rd. From the “caboose” drive 5.6 miles on DeBruce Road to Mongaup Road. Turn left and drive 2.7 miles to where the road splits. Stay left on Beech Mountain Road and drive .3 miles to the parking areas on the left. Park in the large lot.
Difficulty: This hike is rated STRENUOUS because of the 600 foot ascent over 1 mile from Times Square to the Flynn Trail. There may be muddy areas along the way especially at Times Square.
Trail Surface: The trail surface has a few large stones but consists mostly of small stones and dirt. The trail is often wet and muddy. The area around the back of the pond has wooden walkways that can be slippery when wet.
Hike Description: Find the red-blazed Quick Lake Trail which starts at the back right corner of the larger parking lot. Follow it for .2 miles to the trail register and then turn left to stay on the Quick Lake Trail which follows a wide woods road. This area can be wet at times. At Gravestone Junction bear to the left on the Quick Lake Trail and walk down a hill to the bridge at the outlet end of Frick Pond. Take a moment to enjoy this beautiful view. The mountain to the right is Beech Mountain. Cross over the bridge at the outlet to Frick Pond and continue around the pond on the trail. At .7 miles there will be a trail junction where you should bear right to get on the yellow-blazed Big Rock Trail. Walk around the “back” of the pond. You will cross over several wooden “bridges” or “causeways” over running water and marshy areas. BE CAREFUL as these wooden bridges are usually in the shade, grow moss readily and can be VERY SLIPPERY. After another .5 miles of walking you will be at Times Square, a four way trail junction. Continue straight ahead on the big Rock Trail and be ready for a 1 mile ascent that gains almost 600 feet to the junction with the Flynn Trail. There are several places where the trail levels off and then ascends again. Continue hiking uphill until you reach the blue-blazed Flynn Trail at 2.3 miles. Turn right and get ready for your reward. The walk down the Flynn Trail is 1.7 miles of gentle descent. Near the end of the woods road that makes up much of the Flynn Trail there is a gate. Turn left at the gate to stay on the trail and avoid the cabin which is private property. The trail will pass a register near the end and will take you back to the parking area.