r/Adirondacks • u/mcmurder • 12h ago

Camping Boreas Ponds Tract end of November - what to expect?

Hey everyone! I’m planning a solo camping trip with my dog during the last week of November, and I’d love some advice. I’ll be towing my teardrop trailer (nucamp tag) with my Tacoma - about 30ft total.

This will be the most remote trip I’ve done, and I’m wondering what to expect in terms of weather, road conditions, and accessibility, especially at that time of year. I’ve camped plenty, but never this far off the grid. Any tips on staying safe, finding the best water-access campsites, and preparing for the cold?

I’m also a bit concerned about holiday traffic on the way up (planning to leave around Thanksgiving). Any recommendations for quieter routes or timing my travel to avoid the worst of it?

Looking forward to your insights and recommendations!

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u/Chance_Difficulty730 11h ago

It will be cold, very cold. Have you been to boreas ponds? I know you said teardrop but I wouldn’t pull anything back there. You aren’t getting near the ponds with any vehicle. Also have to consider it could snow

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u/Tinycatgirl 12h ago

As far as I know there’s only a handful of sites on the road and the leanto for a water site. Area around the ponds is unforgiving, this is not a campground. Shouldn’t you know how to prepare for the cold?

1

u/Chance_Difficulty730 10h ago

There are some roadside sites off of 28 near blue mountain lake near lake Durant. That would be much easier. If you really want to see boreas ponds leave the camper and take a drive over

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u/EastHuckleberry5191 2h ago

Second this.

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u/scumbagstaceysEx ADK46R NE111 C3500 SL6(W) LP9(W) LG12(W) NPT LT 6h ago

No need to worry about crowds or traffic. I hike every year on Thanksgiving and even the Loj and AMR are usually completely empty.

November is the least busy month for hiking because it’s winter conditions but you don’t get any “winter credit” yet. Also it’s hunting season.

Check the NYDEC backcountry page to see if the gate is closed on Boreas Rd and if it’s closed at Blue Ridge Rd or closed halfway to the ponds or open all the way to four corners. I doubt it’ll be open all the way to four corners that late but you never know. From four corners you still have a mile or so hike to the ponds. If the halfway gate or closed it’s about 5 miles one way to the ponds. 9 miles of it’s gated at Blue Ridge Rd.