Every named pond in the Adirondack Park — quiet waters, lean-to destinations, swimming holes. Browse by region or jump to a name.
Giant's Washbowl is a five-acre cirque pond perched high on the southern flank of Giant Mountain — a tarn in the literal sense, scooped out by glacial action and fed by runoff from the summit ridge above. The hike in is steep and sustained, gaining roughly 1,500 vertical feet from the trailhead, and the pond itself sits in a dramatic alpine bowl with cliffs rising on three sides. No fish on record, and the water stays cold well into July. This is a destination hike, not a pass-through — most parties turn around at the Washbowl or continue the push to Giant's summit if they're already committed to the elevation.
