Hike the Beech Lake/ Six Ponds Loop- SGL 57

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Hike the Beech Lake/ Six Ponds Loop- SGL 57

A pond in SGL 57

Length: Loop is 4-5 miles. Optional side hike to the views is a total of 6-7 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate. Terrain is level and hilly in places.

Highlights: Isolation, several ponds, Beech Lake, wildlife, birds, wildflowers, views, meadows.

Parking: pull off lot at 41.359602, -76.235280.

Issues: No trails have blazes or signs, but are generally well established. It can be tricky to see where a trail leaves a road. Navigation can be an issue for inexperienced hikers. This hike has no bushwhacking, it is all on trails or forest roads. The roads have sun exposure in hot weather. Wear orange in hunting season.

Description: A version of this loop is described in Hiking the Endless Mountains. It is a fairly easy walk and ideal for birdwatchers and those who love wildlife. I’ve also heard this area has an incredible diversity of dragonflies and damselflies. The highlights are all the ponds along this hike, with Beech Lake being the most beautiful.

From the parking area, walk to the right on the road (if facing the parking area from the road) and cross a creek. Turn left onto Beech Lake Road and then veer left onto an obvious, unblazed trail. The trail splits as you near the lake, take the left and cross a creek. See the end of Beech Lake. Follow a trail to the left, leaving the lake.

Hike through scenic forests with ferns. The trail follows an old grade. Reach a gravel forest road, turn right. Follow the road up a gradual hill, there has been logging in the forests. The road turns right and descends. Notice an old forest road to the right. Take it to see one of the ponds, return to the gravel forest road.

Reach a T intersection, if you want to see another pond, go left and turn left on a grassy forest road that goes down to a very scenic pond. Otherwise, turn right and soon another pond comes into view. An old forest road goes to that one as well. The views are beautiful.

The road enters the woods with views over a pond to the left. Cross a small stream and keep an eye out for a trail to the right. Take it. Reach a gorgeous view of Beech Lake, a highlight of this hike. The trail climbs away from the lake and then returns with excellent views from the other end of the lake. Complete the loop and return back to your car.

While here, you can also follow a trail to some great views from cliffs. I did not go there on this hike. It is part of the White Gold Loop.

Grey is gravel roads or old forest roads. Brown is trails. No trails are blazed. This map is for general directional purposes only and is not a GPS route.

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