The impressive scenery along the route continues into the pond.
Hitchins Pond is an excellent paddling and camping trek.
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Hitchins Pond and Upper Dam
Location:
Route 421, Tupper Lake
Additional Info:
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The gently-hilled road to Lows Upper Dam and Hitchins Pond is a nice summer hike and winter cross-country ski in the Five Ponds Wilderness. Options to reach this spot also include via paddle from Lows Lower Dam. Both of these options are how you access Lows Ridge (Lows Overlook).

Key takeaways

  • Distance: 4.75 miles round trip
  • Elevation gain: 150 feet
  • Hike includes a road walk and trail junctions
  • Based on a hike from the summer trailhead to the dam

Hiking to Hitchins Pond

This is a popular multi-use destination in the summer, with access to other trails with scenic overlooks, and a spur trail for easy shoreside access.

From the gate, the hike is straightforward and along an old woods road. You'll pass by Hitchins Pond Bog, a massive peatland that is one of the largest in the state. At the dam, you can take an optional 1.7 mile round trip hike up Lows Ridge (aka Lows Overlook) where there are spectacular views of the Bog River Valley and High Peaks. 

Hitchins Pond in the winter

In the winter it gets much less use due to closed access roads. You will need to start further away at the snowmobile trailhead. The road is very flat and used as a snowmobile trail so it will be hard packed and easy to kick and glide upon. Along the 2.3 miles on Horseshoe Lake Road there are nice views over Horseshoe Lake and some wetland areas. If you carry in snowshoes with you, Lows Overlook is an excellent winter hike. Even with regular snowmobile usage, this is still deep in the woods. In the winter, be prepared for all conditions, and take care around frozen bodies of water. Do not attempt this trip if you a beginner cross-country skier or winter hiker.

Discover more trails near Tupper Lake

Do Lows Upper Dam and Hitchins Pond sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? No need to stress, with endless mountains, lakes, and waterfalls to visit in the Adirondacks, we are sure we can help you discover a trail that’s just right!

Paddling

While you can carry a lightweight boat on this route, most people use Lows Lower Dam to access Hitchins Pond. There are 5 designated camping sites on the shore of Hitchins Pond. This is also a good way to get to the Lows Overlook hike. Hitchins Pond has plentiful loons, along with osprey, ravens, spruce grouse, and bald eagles for people who want to bird.

How to get there

From Tupper Lake, head southwest on Park St toward High St for 0.2 miles. Turn left onto NY-30 S/Wawbeek Ave, and continue for 8.7 miles. Take a left on CR 421 heading west. Follow the road (CR 421) for 6.5 miles. Cross the railroad tracks and continue for 1 mile to a fork in the road, with a yellow gate across the left road. Park at this point. The road to Hitchins Pond/Upper Dam is the one on the left, past the gate.

Waterfront Sites, Wooded Sites
The impressive scenery along the route continues into the pond.
Hitchins Pond is an excellent paddling and camping trek.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/27/2025 - 11:01