Little Clear Pond to Grass Pond

Little Clear Pond is a fairly large pond with numerous points to explore. It is a great pond to take your time on to explore the shorelines. A sandy beach can be found on the eastern shore of a prominent rock, a popular place to picnic and swim from. Little Clear Pond is used by the fish hatchery, so the water is highly protected from motorboats. No fishing or camping is allowed. 

Common loons and bald eagles are drawn to the pond by the hatchery’s fish, and there are said to be more loons on Little Clear Pond than the average Adirondack water body. The walk or portage into Grass Pond gives you an opportunity to see moose tracks, tree frogs, and other wildlife. Grass Pond is a very small and secluded area with a campsite.

Fact check

• Total distance: Approximately 2.5 miles round trip
• Length of time: 2-3 hours
• Portage: 0.1 miles one way
• Flatwater
• Round trip
• No motorboat access allowed

Logistics

• Public parking is available at the Little Clear Pond parking area
• Put in/take out at Little Clear Pond

The paddle

Launch your canoe or kayak from Little Clear Pond Access. This is a great pond to explore wildlife, so take your time. Explore the shoreline or stop at the island on the northeastern shore to jump off the rock for a swim. 

To reach Grass Pond, follow the pond north as it bears to the left. As you come to the northwest end of the pond you will see a white portage sign on the right shore that marks the carry to Grass Pond. You can leave your boat on the shore or carry it into Grass Pond for a short paddle. The portage is 0.1 mile each way.

Recommended resource: Adirondack Paddler’s Map North. Part of the Saint Regis Canoe Area, which is the largest wilderness canoe area in the Northeastern United States. It is also the only designated canoe area in New York state. Among the 58 ponds and lakes are Upper Saint Regis Lake, part of the Seven Carries route, and Saint Regis Pond.

Read our blog post about this route: 
One Magic Canoe: The Seven Carries.