Cooper Kiln Pond Trail.
The 873-foot climb over 2.5 miles makes this a legitimate workout, not a pond stroll. The trail gets steep enough to earn its mountain hiking rating, and the dirt surface stays rideable for mountain bikers willing to grind uphill. Budget close to 2 hours round trip. It's one of the few Adirondack pond trails where you'll actually feel the elevation gain.
- Good for snowshoeingNon-technical grade that carries a snowshoe track
Seasonal pattern for this trail · tops out ~3,258 ft · live closures appear above
- GroundSurface
Read the line before you walk it.
What the trailhead is doing today.
Where the hike begins.
What the route itself carries.
Summits reached, waters touched, and the lean-tos along the way — read it like a cue sheet, mile posts ascending.
Guides, outfitters & shuttles.
If you’re already out here.
Lake Placid.
The corner of the Park this trail calls home — its hamlets, waters, lodging, and the rest of its field record.
Read the Region→
Make a weekend of it.
Closest editorial picks for a meal, a scoop, a pint, a bed, and a sight worth your time.
Eat.
4- The Hungry Trout3.5 mi
Situated on the West Branch of the Ausable River, the Hungry Trout offers two distinct dining experiences, from an upscale restaurant to a lively tavern.
- Monday Tuesday Grill8.2 mi
Monday Tuesday Grill in Upper Jay offers fresh, friendly, and affordable comfort meals for indoor, outdoor, and takeout dining, including grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, and Swedish meatballs.
- Artisans at the Lake Placid Lodge8.8 mi
The restaurant at the Lake Placid Lodge, a Relais and Chateaux property, serving a seasonal farm-to-fork menu in a fire-lit dining room with a three-season terrace over the lake. Breakfast and dinner daily.
- The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn9.2 mi
The Cottage Restaurant and Cafe is located directly on the shore of Mirror Lake, offering spectacular views of the Adirondack High Peaks. It features food and drink options sourced from the Lake Placid region and operates on a first-come,…
Sip.
4- Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe7.3 mi
Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe is a coffee shop in Upper Jay, NY, serving fresh, slow-roasted coffee, breakfast, and lunch daily. Located near Whiteface Mountain and the Adirondack State Park, it also offers local beer and cocktails, with…
- Simply Gourmet9.4 mi
Simply Gourmet in Lake Placid offers daily breakfast and lunch with a focus on clean food, using fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients free of additives or preservatives. They also provide comprehensive catering services for various ev…
- The Coffee Bar9.6 mi
A small coffee bar on Main Street in Lake Placid with Mirror Lake and Whiteface Mountain views, pulling shots from Tug Hill Artisan Roasters beans.
- Saranac Juice9.6 mi
Cold-pressed juices, cleanses, protein elixirs, and nut mylks from Saranac River Ranch in Bloomingdale, made from organic produce grown on the farm or sourced from local Adirondack growers.
Sweet.
4- Whitebrook Dairy Bar3.0 mi
A classic roadside drive-in on Route 86 in Wilmington, five minutes from Whiteface — creamy soft serve (try the peanut-butter dip) plus footlongs and the Wilmington burger. Opening day is a local rite of spring.
- Sugar House Creamery7.0 mi
Sugar House Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the Adirondacks, producing artisanal cheeses from the milk of their own cows. They offer a variety of cheeses, showcasing the quality of their local dairy.
- Ben & Jerry's10.0 mi
The Ben & Jerry's scoop shop on Lake Placid's Main Street above Mirror Lake — the Vermont brand's pints and cones in the heart of the village.
- Emma's Lake Placid Creamery10.0 mi
A 1950s-themed creamery in the heart of walkable Lake Placid, famous for its Maple Creme soft serve alongside 16 hard flavors, gelato, sorbet, and old-fashioned malts. The reliable apres-hike treat.
Drink.
4- R.F. McDougall's Pub3.5 mi
The casual sibling of the Hungry Trout Restaurant, sharing the same Adirondack riverside property next to Whiteface. Pub food, regional beers, and the same view of the West Branch Ausable at a more relaxed price point.
- Top of the Park9.3 mi
A Lake Placid bar on Main Street offering a curated selection of wine, scotch, bourbon, craft beer, and top-shelf liquors, complemented by small plates and signature cocktails. Enjoy 'Spirits with a View' from its large deck overlooking Mi…
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery9.7 mi
A brewpub on Mirror Lake Drive in Lake Placid since 1996, with 12 house beers on tap including the original Ubu Ale, a downstairs Irish pub, and a deck over Mirror Lake.
- Hex and Hop Brewing9.9 mi
Hex and Hop Brewing is a craft brewery and meadery in Bloomingdale, New York, making full-flavored, locally sourced beer and mead. They prioritize community and craft, using fresh, local ingredients.
Stay.
4- Wolfjaw Lodge3.2 mi
Welcome to the totally transformed Wolfjaw Lodge, located at the base of Whiteface Mountain, just a 2-minute drive from both Whiteface and Wilmington beach. Each of our 2 private houses and 11 lodge rooms and suites has been recently…
- Adirondack Spruce Lodge3.2 mi
Twenty-seven-room independent lodge in Wilmington village, minutes from Whiteface Mountain and walking distance from the Ausable River. Complimentary breakfast, fire pit, and Adirondack-character rooms.
- Cadence Lodge at Whiteface3.3 mi
Cadence Lodge in Wilmington, NY, offers an ideal base camp for outdoor adventurers. The property features recently updated guest rooms with amenities to enhance your stay, including a restaurant onsite, weekend breakfast options, and…
- Whiteface Farm Bed and Breakfast3.4 mi
Wilmington bed-and-breakfast with three deluxe rooms (king/queen feather beds, in-room fireplaces, jacuzzis), plus a suite and a one-bedroom apartment. Sauna, outdoor hot tub, full local-ingredient breakfast. Bike- and ski-friendly.
See.
4- Summit Weather Observatory2.9 mi
The Summit Weather Observatory, part of the University at Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC), provides real-time weather conditions and data from its observatory at the summit of Whiteface Mountain and a field station at…
- High Falls Gorge4.0 mi
A 22-acre privately owned nature park on Route 86 in Wilmington with rim trails, glass-floor walkways over Ausable River waterfalls, a cafe, and gift shop. Open year-round, weather permitting.
- Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge7.2 mi
The Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge is a vibrant venue dedicated to presenting music, theater, and visual arts in Upper Jay, NY. It serves as a community hub for various cultural events.
- Captain Marney's Boat Rental8.7 mi
Captain Marney's Boat Rental offers boat and water sports rentals in the Lake Placid, NY area. They provide reasonably priced options for various water enthusiasts, including discounts for multi-day, multi-boat, and group rentals.
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Frequently asked.
- How long is the Cooper Kiln Pond Trail?The Cooper Kiln Pond Trail is approximately 2.54 miles (4.1 kilometers) — a short out-and-back suitable for most fitness levels.
- How long does it take to hike the Cooper Kiln Pond Trail?Most hikers complete the Cooper Kiln Pond Trail in about 1 hour 45 minutes at a steady pace with roughly 873 feet of elevation gain. Allow extra time for rest stops, photos, weather, and trail conditions.
- How difficult is the Cooper Kiln Pond Trail?The Cooper Kiln Pond Trail is rated mountain hiking (SAC T2) — partly steep, with sections that benefit from hiking boots and a confident step. Check current DEC advisories for closures, washouts, or seasonal restrictions before heading out.