Appalachian Trail at Canopus Lake

Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Putnam Co.,New York

Hiking Trails:
3 Lakes Trail: Blue blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:50 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.4 Miles

Pros: Quiet and scenic area
Cons: No good mountain views
Hike Type: Up and Down Same Route
Level of Difficulty: Moderate, but difficult in snowy conditions

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/KLNM1ejxXNWBEwqU9

Continuing further on my northern fringe of the Appalachian Trail in my region, this hike involved this trail north of Canopus Lake. The weather was very cold for March, with full snow cover in the area and the lake fully frozen.

I parked on Route 301 at the parking area near the Canopus Lake Dam, at the 3 Lakes Trail trailhead. I took th3 3 Lakes Trail briefly to the connector trail to the Appalachian Trail. (This trail follows the old road prior to its rerouting.) I then took the Appalachian Trail, crossing the road to the southern side of the lake and climbing up the step to the ridge. The trail was well worn on the snow for the first part of the hike, but then became increasingly difficult as the trail became less used. I hiked up until the northern part of the lake past the divider, and at a small view with a large rockface I turned around at took the same route back.

Map of the Route

Frozen Canopus Lake

Canopus Lake Looking Across the Lake

Canopus Lake Looking to the Southern Part of the Lake

Three Lakes Trail Trailhead

Waterfalls at the Dam and Outlet of the Three Lakes Trail

Appalachian Trail Crossing Route 301 at Canopus Lake

Information Kiosk at the Appalachian Trail at Canopus Lake

Hiking along the Appalachian Trail

Looking Towards Canopus Lake from the Appalachian Trail

Ascending the Mountain on Snow Covered Steps on the AT

AT Through an Evergreen Mountain Laurel Forest

Small Frozen Pond on the Appalachian Trail

Canopus Lake from the AT on the Ridge

Looking Towards Canopus Lake

Intersection of the Fahnestock Trail on the Appalachian Trail

Frozen Canpus Lake at the Return

People Walking on the Frozen Lake in the Distance