Deer Pond hike

     If you want a nice half day walk to a pretty pond that is not a climb Deer Pond is a good option. It's a 2.4 mile one way trail with a few moderate ups and downs to the southern end of this pond. There is a rock to sit on overlooking the water and good swimming off the rocky shore. We were there recently (September, 2014) and the fall colors were not quite peak but still very beautiful. Drive south on route 30. About 3 miles past the very large Fish Creek Ponds campground look for a large parking turn out on the right and a DEC sign. If you reach the junction with route 3 you've gone 1.8 miles too far. The trail is totally level to an open wetland area and a substantial bridge over a beaver dammed small waterway. Shortly after the bridge there is a junction which is 0.8 miles from the start. Go straight, not left. At 2.3 miles there is another junction where, again, go straight. The trail drops down to the Deer Pond shore in 0.1 mile. Just after crossing a bridge go up very briefly and look for a clearing on the left and the rock. Someone placed a memorial plaque on a tree by the rock. I don't know the story behind it. Typically this is something DEC does not allow but, so far, it's still there.  I wouldn't be surprised if a ranger removes it.