More Information
Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N42.04339 W74.72780
Getting There: From the east exit State Route 17 at Exit 96W and turn right on DeBruce Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17 toward Roscoe. Drive 1.3 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96E and turn right on White Roe Lake Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17. Drive 1.2 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Turn right on Beaverkill Road and drive 10.8 miles to Barkaboom Road on the left. Turn left on Barkaboon Road and drive .8 miles to Big Pond. There is room to park near the pond but there is also a parking area up and access road on the right just before the pond.
Difficulty: This hike is rated STRENUOUS because there are two significant climbs with a total elevation gain of over 1600 feet. The trail is rough in places and there are even a few moderate rock scrambles.
Trail Surface: The trail surface consists rocks and roots in most places although parts of the trail are grass and dirt. The walk around Little Pond is flat and mostly dirt and gravel.
Hike Description: Walk across the road from Big Pond and find the red-blazed Touch-Me-Not Trail which is part of the Finger Lakes Trail System. The trail heads northwest through hardwood forest with a continuous climb for the first mile gaining 775 feet. Some parts are rather steep. The trail descends just slightly to a junction with the Campground Trail. Turn right at the junction to stay on the Touch-Me-Not Trail. The trail starts to descend now so follow the red blazes to 1.6 miles to a junction with the yellow blazed Little Pond Trail. Turn left on the Little Pond Trail and start heading southwest and then south. This part of the trail is level and leads to a nice vista at 1.9 miles. There is an old house foundation in this clearing and a small pond. Continue on the yellow trail as is descends and becomes rougher and more rutted. Just passed the clearing watch for the blazes as they turn left off a woods road and through a pine forest. The trail begins to parallel a seasonal stream and at 2.5 miles there is a nice beaver meadow-beaver pond on the left side of the trail. Continue on the trail to 2.7 miles where the trail comes to a T and goes in both directions. Turn right and walk around Little Pond on a gravel path with several bridges. Keep walking around the pond and across the bridge over the outlet stream. Watch for signs and blue blazes behind the bathrooms which mark the Campground Trail. This trail is steep in places with a few scrambles through the rocks. The trail continues for just less than a mile and at 4.1 miles reaches the top of Touch-Me-Not Mountain. A short distance beyond the summit you will be at the junction with the red-blazed Touch-Me-Not Trail. Turn right and walk downhill for 1.1 miles to your car.