Champlain Area Trails Celebrates Grand Opening of Long Pond Trail

For Immediate Release

June 28, 2023

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) and its Long Pond Conservancy Program (CATS - LPC) will host the Long Pond Trail Grand Opening north of Willsboro on July 8^th at 9:30 am. This relatively easy 4.5-mile hiking trail leads to and then along the forested western shore of Long Pond.

“We are thrilled to open this new trail at Long Pond,” said Chris Maron, Executive Director of CATS. “The trail development took us three years. First, we had to determine a route that would provide hikers with scenic views of the lake while minimizing the impact on homeowners. We also had to navigate around the wetlands while including unique natural features like old-growth forests and a "drowned forest" wetland. After that, we organized several volunteer days to clear the trail and make it accessible for hikers to enjoy the great outdoors.”

CATS is an accredited land trust founded in 2009, with a mission to make trails, protect land, connect people with nature, and promote economic vitality in New York’s Champlain Valley. CATS has developed 77 miles of trails in fourteen years, protected 983 acres, and hosted hundreds of hikes, outdoor education events, and volunteer workdays, attracting thousands of visitors annually to the Lake Champlain Region.

CATS’ Long Pond Conservancy Program began in 2013 when Long Pond residents became concerned about a 49-acre parcel on the pristine western shore that was marketed for residential development. They came together to conserve the ecological features, scenic vistas, and clean water of Long Pond. They joined with CATS, and after a 7-year fundraising effort, CATS – LPC purchased and permanently protected the 49 acres. Now it will be forever wild and, along with the adjoining land owned by the 1812 Homestead, will feature this attractive new hiking trail. 

Sharp Swan, a founder of Long Pond Conservancy whose family established Pok-O-MacCready Camps, said, “Long Pond is one of those rare gems in the Adirondacks that private individuals entirely own and yet has a pristine shoreline with views of mountains and forest. The Long Pond Trail allows people to experience the pond and its beauty in an unobtrusive manner that respects nature, wildlife, and the Long Pond homeowners.”

The Long Pond Trail grand opening hike will occur on July 8th from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. It will begin at the trailhead parking area on Carver Road, about 0.7 miles west of Rte. 22.  The 4.5-mile loop trail is rated as “easy” but does have some rough and rocky areas along the lake.

To learn more about the hike, please visit the events page on CATS' website at www.champlainareatrails.com. While you're there, feel free to check out CATS' website to discover more about how you can donate, volunteer, and enjoy their scenic trails.