Dexter Lake & Waters Millpond Loop Hike

Let's spend a day exploring a portion of the southern Adirondacks. Waters Millpond is one of the North Creek Lakes north of NY 29A, and it was the site of a small nineteenth-century sawmill. Dexter Lake is a small pond close to the Fulton-Hamilton county line. A network of snowmobile trails links these destinations to the Potters Homestead trailhead near Stratford, and it will form the basis of our hike.

There is much to see. The trail to Dexter Lake might have been the route of a wooden tram railway in the 1840s. We will step off the trail a short distance to view the attractive waterfall on North Creek, pass several open wetlands, and take a break at the large rock ledge at Waters Millpond. We will also pass several foundations of long-gone buildings. This is not a popular area, partly because it is not in a well known area, but it is one that deserves more attention.

This will be a comparatively easy hike, to counter some of the tougher hikes I've been offering. Parts of the trail can be muddy, and there are several moderate hills. We will target a mid-morning start time at the trailhead.

Approximate Hiking Distance: 8.3 miles round-trip.

Carpooling: We typically arrange carpools when possible from the Barneveld area. The nitty-gritty details of who rides with who can be worked out when we assemble at the meeting place.

Meeting Time & Place: This information will be communicated by email to those who RSVP "yes." Be sure that your Meetup email settings are set to receive messages from trip organizers.

What to Bring:

• Backpack

• Lunch, snacks, & water

• Hiking boots & gaiters--the trail is muddy in places

Weather Forecast (as of 9/6/2014):

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69. West wind 6 to 11 mph.