Taylor Pond is surrounded by over 8,000 acres of Wild Forest state land, and is the namesake for a much larger complex of state land (Taylor Pond Wild Forest). It also has a trail completely surrounding it, and a state campground. Watch for loons and osprey, both are known to nest near the pond.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 11.4 miles round trip (entire loop)
• Elevation gain: 860 feet
• Hike includes trail junctions

Hiking around Taylor Pond

There's an all-season trail around Taylor Pond that makes for a full-day hike. It is a flat trail, but since this is primarily used in the winter, it can be rugged in spots.

Start this long loop along an old road on mostly flat terrain; you will quickly arrive at the intersection with the Taylor Pond State Campground on the right, continue straight. Soon you can see the pond through the trees, but you never really approach its shores until, at 2.6 miles, there is a lean-to on the shore. This lean-to sits in an amazing position, giving a view of the entire pond and Douglas Mountain to the north, which separates this pond from Silver Lake to the north. This spot is also a good place to turn around for the hike back.

Continuing, you'll soon come to the western end of the pond, where bald eagles are known to nest. This section tends to be a little rougher and rockier. Another lean-to sits off the trail on the west side of the pond (about 4 miles into the hike). A faint herd path leads to it.

At certain points you might see more trails, but by always keeping the pond's location in mind you can stay on the trail. You'll come across a couple more lean-tos on the northern portion of this hike. Keep in mind that it can be easy to lose the trail here, with others intersected this one. If you are hiking clockwise on this loop, bear right at intersections, and keep the lake to your right.

Taylor Pond in the winter

On the shore of the pond sits the Taylor Pond State Campground which is an excellent location to access this trail as well. Along this ski tour (most common way of doing the loop in the winter) you have a good possibility to see winter wildlife so keep a keen eye and ear. This is a long loop that will take most of the day even for a good skier, but the nice thing about a loop around a pond is that the destination is the pond and you can make it an out-and-back trip if you'd like.

Along the pond's southern shore you will have easy conditions with very little change in elevation. Once across the inlet, you will find yourself skiing into a western bay of the pond and then around yet another point of Taylor Pond.

As you round the west side of the pond to the north side, you will be led away from the water and start skiing uphill quite a bit. Soon you will pass by the height of land and start a slow descent which will approach a bit more of a moderate descent down to the northeast bay. As Carmel Mountain comes in on your left you will climb again over the shoulder to a decent hill that will bring you quickly back close to shore, then into the state campground.  

You will have to ski on the roads of the state campground, back to the caretaker’s cabin, to reach the cutover trail back to Nelson Road. The cutover trail is a simple 0.2 miles and will connect you back to the trail 0.4 miles from your car.

Parking is tough in the winter, do the best you can to get safely off the road.

Get close to more trails in the Whiteface Region

Looking for another incredible trail in the Whiteface Region? With everything from High Peaks to backcountry ponds, there are more hikes waiting for you!

Paddling

Taylor Pond is 4 miles long and covers 813 acres, providing plenty of scenic water for paddling. Spend a few hours, a day, or a few days exploring the pond's scenic waters. Keep in mind that this pond can get rough due to the winds.

The boat launch is located just past the campground entrance booth and provides the only public access to Taylor Pond. Motorboats, rowboats, canoes, and kayaks allowed. Rowboat and canoe rentals available when the campground is open.

Fishing

Taylor Pond has a population of lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon. Rumor has it that this pond (more of a lake) could have a record lake trout.

How to get there

Located on Silver Lake Road, 9 miles northwest of Ausable Falls, at Taylor Pond State Campground.

From the four corners in the town of Wilmington head northeast on Bonnieview Road (keep going straight from Route 86N) toward Mountain View Lane for 6 miles. Turn left onto Silver Lake Road and go 3.7 miles. There is a small trailhead on the left. In season, there is a small day use fee for accessing the campground.