Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

East Pond–West Pond, 4 lakes

2.6 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 52 min

East Pond–West Pond, 4 lakes is a 2.6-mile out-and-back in Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge near Hamilton Beach, NY. The route passes Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Beach and West Pond before reaching East Pond at the turnaround, 1.2 miles in. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi7 – 23 ft2.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: North Spur 40.63530, -73.83073
Nearest town Hamilton Beach, NY

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

East Pond–West Pond, 4 lakes

2.6 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 52 min

Elevation 6–22 ft

Out & Back · Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Trailhead: North Spur · 40.63530, -73.83073

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:27 AM · sunset 7:23 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on North Spur, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftPass Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Beach.
  3. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge - West Pond, heading S.
  4. 0.2 miPass West Pond.
  5. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
  6. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  7. 150 ftBear left, heading S.
  8. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  9. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  10. 50 ftReach East Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  12. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  13. 100 ftBear right, heading S.
  14. 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
  15. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  16. 0.4 miContinue straight onto North Spur, heading N.
  17. 0.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

49% sand51% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:27 AMSunset 7:23 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~23 min). Leave by 6:40 PM for the 7:23 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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