Moss Ponds — a pair of small, shallow basins tucked into the woods northeast of Keene — sit well off the typical High Peaks circuit and see almost no traffic beyond locals who know the access. The water warms early in the season, which can mean decent early-June fishing if the ponds hold any population at all, though DEC records show no stocking and no recent surveys. The surrounding forest is second-growth mixed hardwood; the kind of wet, buggy terrain that keeps most hikers pointed toward higher ground. If you're looking for solitude within ten miles of Keene Valley, this is where you find it.
Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data; surface and capacity from OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.
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Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
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What to do, where to stay, and what's reopening across the Park as the snow melts and the calendar fills.
A complete planning guide: difficulty by peak, common combo days, seasonal realities, and a sortable, filterable table of every summit.
Overnight, day, and trip camps in the Park — the camp belt, choosing the right fit, costs and financial aid, ACA accreditation, and the questions every parent should ask before they commit.