Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 2,000 feet
Round-Trip Distance: 6.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
Waterfall Height: Varying, multiple cascades are found along this trail.
Description: Gill Brook has numerous cascades, falls, and flumes along it that make this a great area to explore for those that enjoy waterfalls. You can continue up the trail to Fish Hawk Cliffs and Indian Head if you are looking for a longer hike and wish to get a view of the beautiful Lower Ausable Lake and surrounding mountains.
This hike is entirely on the private land of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR)/Ausable Club. An easement held by the State of New York permits the public to hike on the trails, but all users must obey the following restrictions:
• Dogs are prohibited in this game preserve.
• Hikers must remain on the marked trails.
• No camping, hunting, or fishing
Trailhead: The trailhead for the AMR is located directly across Rt. 73 from the Roaring Brook Falls Trail to Giant Mountain. This is 3 miles from the High Peaks sign in Keene Valley or 6 miles from the junction of Routes 73 and 9. This parking area often fills up very early, particularly on weekends. Parking is not permitted on Ausable Road past the designated parking area, and parking is now prohibited on the shoulders of Rt. 73. If the parking area is full, the closest legal parking is at the turnouts up toward Chapel Pond.
From the parking lot, you will initially follow a dirt road to a paved road next to a golf course. At 0.5 miles from the parking area, turn left and down between two tennis courts on Lake Road Way to get to the gatehouse and trail register.
Photo: Ray Palmer
