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 it is over 6 miles long and has a few uphill sections along the way The reward is 1.7 miles of downhill at the end of the hike!. There may be muddy areas along the way. There are a series of wooden boardwalks that can be slippery when wet.
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 Section from Iron Wheel Junction to Junkyard Junction can be very eroded and have some gullies and large stones. The Flynn Trail is mostly grass and dirt along its entire length from Junkyard Junction back to the parking area.
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. Bear left at the next trail junction to stay of red-blazed Quick Lake Trail. The hike here is slightly uphill. You will walk through a beautiful “spuce tunnel” and cross a small stream. Continuing uphill you will reach Iron Wheel Junction at 1.5 miles which is marked by a set of iron wagon wheels. Turn left to stay on the red-blazed Quick Lake Trail. At the next trail junction stay right on the Quick Lake Trail and continue to walk uphill to Junkyard Junction at 3.1 miles. Turn right here to get on the blue-blazed Flynn Trail. Walk another .5 miles passing through a gate and down to a trail that circles Hodge Pond. Turn right to stay on the Flynn Trail and walk to 3.9 miles where you will cross the outlet to Hodge Pond. Turn left and take a few minutes to walk over to the shores of Hodge Pond. This is a great place to take a break and take some pictures. Return to the trail by turning around and walking straight toward an opening in the trees. Walk uphill on the Flynn Trail passing another woods road that goes off to the left at 4.4 miles. Continue to walk to 4.7 miles where there is a four-way intersection with a snowmobile trail on the left and the Big Rock Trail on the right. Continue straight ahead on the Flynn Trail and walk 1.7 miles DOWNHILL to get back to your car. 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.