Exploring the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness
5 Family-Friendly Hikes
The Pharaoh Lake Wilderness is located north of Schroon Lake with Route 74 bordering it to the north, East Shore Road to the west, and a small portion of Route 8 at the south end. The wilderness area is 1,100 acres in area, with around 70 miles of trails, and over three dozen bodies of water – not to mention the miles upon miles of streams, brooks and wetlands. With an area like this, and so much to offer it’s hard to imagine just reducing a blog to five go-to locations. I have to admit it was tough for me to decide, but you don’t have to, it’s all amazing and should be visited. These five I decided would be excellent locations for visitors of all ages and abilities, and would even be good for hiking with a baby carrier backpack if so desired.
Grizzle Ocean Loop – 5.0 miles, round trip
This is a lollipop loop by design that circles around the body of water, but starts and ends using the same trail. This trail can be located by following Route 74 out of Schroon Lake toward Ticonderoga. After about 13 miles you will come to Putts Pond Road on the right, turn here. Drive this to the end to Putnam Pond State Campground. There will be a small fee to use when the campground is open, but during the off-season it is closed and free to enter. Pass by the booth and take the left up a small hill and into a parking area on the left. Trail is located at the far end of the trailhead parking. From the trailhead you will follow along a nice flat trail that passes by Putnam Pond to your right. There is a short climb before a rather long descent leads to a major intersection: right leads toward Treadway Mountain, and left leads to Grizzle Ocean and beyond. Continue left on Grizzle Ocean trail, and after a short climb you will soon come to the split for the loop. The loop is a fantastic hike that approaches and leaves the shore of this small back-country Pond. Certain areas of the pond are known for their cranberry growth, if you look closely you might be able to locate a small patch. They are edible all year-round, but in the fall after a frost or two they are exceptionally sweet. Once you finish the loop, return using the trail you followed in.
Treadway Mountain – 7.8 miles round trip
This small peak has some very good reviews - as it should, it’s one of the best in the area with its rocky top and scenic vistas. It’s hard to match. To get to this trailhead follow the directions listed above and follow the Grizzle Ocean Trail to the split mentioned. From the intersection take a right and continue around Putnam Pond for a bit longer to where the trail for Treadway Mountain comes in on the left. From here you will start a moderate climb that will swing you through an attractive forest with mixed vegetation and rocky steps. As you approach the summit, many views will start to appear and the summit ridge is an exceptional location for near endless photography.
Berrymill Pond – 4.0 miles, round trip
As one of my favorite ponds to visit on a regular basis, I have to recommend this beauty. To get to the trailhead follow the above directions for Grizzle Ocean and Treadway Mountain. But the trailhead is out of the front side of the parking lot. This trail can be a bit wet and muddy at times and especially in the spring, but I guess you can say that about any Adirondack Trail. I hiked this trail one year when the red newts were in full swing. They were babies and covering the trail, basking in the warm sun on the rocks and cooling down by playing in the water around them. Playing I say lightly, they don’t move too fast in most cases. But it was a neat experience and very hard to hike with the fear of stepping on them.
The trail does climb around 350 feet in elevation, nothing too steep, but a consistent up. There is an excellent spot on the peninsula where lunch can be had looking out over the water’s edge. The trail does continue past the pond giving other looks at the water, but eventually you should turn around since the trail would bring you out many, many miles from your car.
Goose Pond – 3.0 miles, round trip
Goose Pond is a wonderful back-country pond with excellent vistas and a true back-country feel, with just a short hike. To reach the trailhead for Goose Pond follow Route 9, north out of Schroon Lake. Locate Alder Meadow Road on the right and follow here to Crane Pond Road on the left and turn here. Continue to the end where there is a large parking area. Crane Pond Road continues, but is technically closed to vehicular traffic, even though not enforced - it is a wilderness area. Please park at this location and don’t attempt to drive the road. You will have to hike the Crane Pond Road for about 1-mile to the Goose Pond Trail on the right. The trail is located behind a huge white pine. The road is an easy walk and scenic in its own way. Once on the Goose Pond Trail you will be able to enjoy the silence of a wilderness trail. It’s only 0.6 miles back to the Shore of Goose Pond and the route is very easy with little change in elevation.
Gull Pond – 1.0 mile, round trip
Another one of my favorite ponds in the park, it just has a nice feel of being in the forest - and the rock cliff on the eastern shore looks pretty cool too. To get there follow Route 9, north out of Schroon Lake. Locate Alder Meadow Road on the right. Follow Alder Meadow Road for 3.75 miles to the trailhead on the left. From the trailhead you will have only a half mile hike back to the pond, but it will be an enjoyable half mile. The trail has a slight climb to it as you approach the pond. The shore is lovely and open in many spots making for a perfect location to have a picnic, if the weather cooperates. Looking across the shore you can see the rocky cliff area of Smith and Leland Hill.
As I mentioned these are only five locations within the 1,100 acres that the wilderness compiles. You should also take time to explore Pharaoh Mountain, Rock Pond, Lost Pond, Pharaoh Lake, Crane Pond and so much more. Interested in seeing what else is out there in the Schroon Lake Region, see what you can find at our website.
