Drakes Mill Trail

Blue Mountain Wild Forest · near Polaris Bridge

0.4 mi

This trail, one way. Your whole hike may be longer.

Polaris Bridge Parking Area

Closest parking

Closures and warnings

No alerts

DEC hasn't posted anything about this trail.

6 more alerts for Blue Mountain Wild ForestCaution

Caution
The Tirrell Pond lean-to will be closed starting September 25, 2026 to facilitate lean-to repairs.
Repairs are expected to be completed by October 12, 2026. Please do not tamper with staged construction materials or lean-to pieces.
Read on DEC's site
Caution
Parking at the NPT Lake Durant / Tirrell Pond trailhead on NY Routes 30 and 28 will be limited due to a Department of Transportation brid…
Parking at the NPT Lake Durant / Tirrell Pond trailhead on NY Routes 30 and 28 will be limited due to a Department of Transportation bridge construction project.
Read on DEC's site
Caution
Reminder that Blue Mountain Road up to the summit is closed to all the public motor vehicles.
If the gate is open, it is only because contractors are working in the area. Follow all signs and do not attempt to drive up this road.
Read on DEC's site
Caution
Township 20 Conservation Easement - Minerva Club Road is open.
Pickwickett Pond Road is closed but the public may carry into the Fishing Brook canoe launch.
Read on DEC's site
Notice
Township 19 Conservation Easement - O'Neil Flow Road including the Barker Pond access is open.
High clearance vehicles are recommended to access Barker Pond.
Read on DEC's site
Notice
The access road to the radio towers on Blue Mountain is a private road.
The use of the road by people other than authorized personnel with administrative duties is prohibited and is considered trespassing.
Read on DEC's site

7 more alerts for the West Central regionCaution

Caution
French Louie Trail - This trail holds water.
Hikers should be prepared to encounter segments of flooded and muddy trail conditions after periods of significant rain.
Read on DEC's site
Caution
Parking at the Lake Durant / Tirrell Pond trailhead on NY Routes 30 and 28 will be limited due to a Department of Transportation bridge construction project.
Read on DEC's site
Caution
The ford over the West Stony Creek in Shaker Mountain Wild Forest may be difficult to cross after periods of significant rain fall.
Read on DEC's site

Updated from DEC at Oct 16, 5:30 PM ET · DEC's page

Not affiliated with NYS DEC. Conditions change — verify with DEC before you go. Emergencies: 911 or 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

Where to park

Polaris Bridge Parking Area
At the trail · DEC parking
2-3 Spaces
Essex Chain Equestrian Staging Area
1.2 mi from the trail · DEC parking
Includes Accessible Mounting Platform & Kiosk
Parking Area
1.5 mi from the trail · DEC parking

Distances are as the crow flies.

Trail map from NY State DEC. DEC's page for Blue Mountain Wild Forest.

Spot a mistake or missing trail? Tell us

← All trails in Blue Mountain Wild Forest

Drakes Mill Trail

Blue Mountain Wild Forest · near Polaris Bridge

0.4 mi

This trail, one way. Your whole hike may be longer.

Polaris Bridge Parking Area

Closest parking

Closures and warnings

No alerts

DEC hasn't posted anything about this trail.

6 more alerts for Blue Mountain Wild ForestCaution

Caution
The Tirrell Pond lean-to will be closed starting September 25, 2026 to facilitate lean-to repairs.
Repairs are expected to be completed by October 12, 2026. Please do not tamper with staged construction materials or lean-to pieces.
Read on DEC's site
Caution
Parking at the NPT Lake Durant / Tirrell Pond trailhead on NY Routes 30 and 28 will be limited due to a Department of Transportation brid…
Parking at the NPT Lake Durant / Tirrell Pond trailhead on NY Routes 30 and 28 will be limited due to a Department of Transportation bridge construction project.
Read on DEC's site
Caution
Reminder that Blue Mountain Road up to the summit is closed to all the public motor vehicles.
If the gate is open, it is only because contractors are working in the area. Follow all signs and do not attempt to drive up this road.
Read on DEC's site
Caution
Township 20 Conservation Easement - Minerva Club Road is open.
Pickwickett Pond Road is closed but the public may carry into the Fishing Brook canoe launch.
Read on DEC's site
Notice
Township 19 Conservation Easement - O'Neil Flow Road including the Barker Pond access is open.
High clearance vehicles are recommended to access Barker Pond.
Read on DEC's site
Notice
The access road to the radio towers on Blue Mountain is a private road.
The use of the road by people other than authorized personnel with administrative duties is prohibited and is considered trespassing.
Read on DEC's site

7 more alerts for the West Central regionCaution

Caution
French Louie Trail - This trail holds water.
Hikers should be prepared to encounter segments of flooded and muddy trail conditions after periods of significant rain.
Read on DEC's site
Caution
Parking at the Lake Durant / Tirrell Pond trailhead on NY Routes 30 and 28 will be limited due to a Department of Transportation bridge construction project.
Read on DEC's site
Caution
The ford over the West Stony Creek in Shaker Mountain Wild Forest may be difficult to cross after periods of significant rain fall.
Read on DEC's site

Updated from DEC at Oct 16, 5:30 PM ET · DEC's page

Not affiliated with NYS DEC. Conditions change — verify with DEC before you go. Emergencies: 911 or 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

Where to park

Polaris Bridge Parking Area
At the trail · DEC parking
2-3 Spaces
Essex Chain Equestrian Staging Area
1.2 mi from the trail · DEC parking
Includes Accessible Mounting Platform & Kiosk
Parking Area
1.5 mi from the trail · DEC parking

Distances are as the crow flies.

Trail map from NY State DEC. DEC's page for Blue Mountain Wild Forest.

Spot a mistake or missing trail? Tell us

← All trails in Blue Mountain Wild Forest

Drakes Mill Trail

Closures and warnings

The Tirrell Pond lean-to will be closed starting September 25, 2026 to facilitate lean-to repairs.

Parking at the NPT Lake Durant / Tirrell Pond trailhead on NY Routes 30 and 28 will be limited due to a Department of Transportation brid…

Reminder that Blue Mountain Road up to the summit is closed to all the public motor vehicles.

Township 20 Conservation Easement - Minerva Club Road is open.

Township 19 Conservation Easement - O'Neil Flow Road including the Barker Pond access is open.

The access road to the radio towers on Blue Mountain is a private road.

French Louie Trail - This trail holds water.

Parking at the Lake Durant / Tirrell Pond trailhead on NY Routes 30 and 28 will be limited due to a Department of Transportation bridge construction project.

The ford over the West Stony Creek in Shaker Mountain Wild Forest may be difficult to cross after periods of significant rain fall.

Where to park

Drakes Mill Trail

Closures and warnings

The Tirrell Pond lean-to will be closed starting September 25, 2026 to facilitate lean-to repairs.

Parking at the NPT Lake Durant / Tirrell Pond trailhead on NY Routes 30 and 28 will be limited due to a Department of Transportation brid…

Reminder that Blue Mountain Road up to the summit is closed to all the public motor vehicles.

Township 20 Conservation Easement - Minerva Club Road is open.

Township 19 Conservation Easement - O'Neil Flow Road including the Barker Pond access is open.

The access road to the radio towers on Blue Mountain is a private road.

French Louie Trail - This trail holds water.

Parking at the Lake Durant / Tirrell Pond trailhead on NY Routes 30 and 28 will be limited due to a Department of Transportation bridge construction project.

The ford over the West Stony Creek in Shaker Mountain Wild Forest may be difficult to cross after periods of significant rain fall.

Where to park

Beaver activity has contributed to wet and muddy trail conditions on the following trail sections:North of the Carry lean-to in West Cana…

The Tirrell Pond lean-to will be closed starting September 25, 2026 to facilitate lean-to repairs.

Access to many popular destinations in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness from the Jessup River Road (Perkins Clearing) and Limekiln Lake-C…

Cedarlands Conservation Easement Tract

Other trailheads nearby

Past alerts