Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest

Located in the southwest corner of the Catskill Park, Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest contains more than 13,500 acres of “forever wild” Forest Preserve. With an extensive trail network to several ponds, this wild forest is ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, backpacking, canoeing and cross-country skiing.

The Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest is located 8 miles south of Margaretville (Route 28) and 18 miles north of Livingston Manor (Route 17). It lies mainly within the western Ulster County town of Hardenburgh, with small appendages in the towns of Middletown and Andes in Delaware County.

The terrain is a combination of high mountain ridges, steep sided valleys, numerous brooks and ponds, with elevations ranging from a low of 1,740 feet along Mill Brook to a high of 3,723 feet at the summit of Balsam Lake Mountain.

Paddling Gear Back

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With all the camping gear in the kayak, or most of it, including the stove and pot top on the deck. The kayak rode well with all the gear.

Taken on Sunday August 29, 2010 at Big Pond.

Inholding

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While most of Big Pond is part of the Middle Mountain Wild Forest, about 200 feet of shore line is privately owned. The folks in the cabin where really friendly when they stopped by in their electric pontoon boat, but it did kind of wreck the scenic view especially from where I was camping.

Taken on Sunday August 29, 2010 at Big Pond.

Dry Brook Range

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The hills around here are much different from the Catskills up North and East from here, they remind me a lot of the Palisade Mountains north of New York City.

Taken on Sunday August 29, 2010 at Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest.