This can only be accessed from September 1st to June 14th when the Boy Scout camp is not in session. On all other dates the roads are closed to the public. The final 0.3 miles to the pond is very obscure. GPS, map and compass, and navigation experience is a must.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 5.0 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 280 feet

Hiking

This trail is an easement trail, but it does come very close to private property, please respect private property and stay on the trail.

From the gate follow the woods road for 0.5 miles and take a right and then an immediate right again to stay on the snowmobile trail. You will have to cross Burntbridge Outlet which can be tough during high water. When the snowmobile trail comes to a hard right and there is a huge log landing field in front of you this is the spot to access the pond. 

This is the old trail to Burntbridge Pond. The trail/woods road is to the back and is quite overgrown with saplings and berry bushes, but fairly easy to follow. Once you hit the yellow marked state property boundary you will be on Cranberry Lake Wild Forest and the trail is gone. It is only about 0.1 miles to the pond, but it is a bushwhack now; game trails will lead you closer. The vistas out over the pond are very unique and at this time rarely seen, enjoy them.   

How to get there

From the intersection of Route 3 and Route 30 in the Village of Tupper Lake follow Route 3 toward Piercefield. Continue through Piercefield and locate the Massawepie Road on the left in the small Hamlet of Gale. Follow this road for just under five miles to a crossroads. Take a right here and then in a short distance a left. Park about 0.3 miles down the road at the gate. There is ample parking near the gate.

If the gate is open do not proceed through, it could get locked behind you.