Trail Connects Essex County Hamlet’s Business District with Cooper Kiln Pond
A new snowmobile trail segment has been completed connecting the hamlet of Wilmington’s business district with a snowmobile trail that leads to the remote and scenic Cooper Kiln Pond, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC ) Regional Director Robert Stegemann announced today.

“DEC is pleased to provide this improved snowmobiling opportunity for Wilmington’s visitors and residents,” said Director Stegemann. “DEC continues to work with local communities to increase tourism and economic activity by providing and improving recreational opportunities in the Adirondacks.”

“The Town of Wilmington is looking forward to some snow to try out and promote our recently finished snowmobile trail,” said Randy Preston, Supervisor of the Town of Wilmington Supervisor. “This trail will become an economic boon for the Town of Wilmington, now and for years to come. DEC Forester Rob Daley has been hard at work all summer to make this a reality. We are very fortunate to have him working with us.”

The new three-mile trail segment will allow snowmobilers to travel from the Essex County hamlet, connect with the previously existing Cooper Kiln Pond Trail and travel another three miles to the pond. It creates a 12.6-mile round trip snowmobiling opportunity.

Cooper Kiln Pond is located below the summit of Stephenson Mountain in the Wilmington Wild Forest. Situated at an altitude of more than 3,000 feet the pond sits in a pass surrounded by the peaks of Stephenson Mountain. A lean-to next to the pond makes a great place to have a meal and enjoy the serenity of the mountains.

The new trail segment is part of DEC’s effort to develop a connector trail from the hamlet of Wilmington to the snowmobile trail system to the north. Once the connector trail is completed snowmobilers will be able to travel from Wilmington to Plattsburgh, Malone and throughout the Adirondacks.

DEC constructed the new trail segment with significant help from the Student Conservation Association Adirondack Program, the Department of Corrections Moriah Shock Camp inmate crews, and staff and volunteers from the town of Wilmington.

The hamlet of Wilmington, 12 miles north of Lake Placid, NY, is located in the Town of Wilmington – the home of the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area.

Download: Wilmington Snowmobile Trails Map (PDF)