Five Select Trails in the Schroon Lake Region
Winter shouldn’t be a reason to not bring your four-legged buddy hiking with you, so why not bring them up with you next time you visit the Schroon Lake Region? There are tons of trails that are perfect for both of you, the only problem is choosing which one. Here are 5 short-and-sweet destinations that would make a good start.
Crane Pond
This hike can be found at the end of Crane Pond Road just north of the Hamlet of Schroon Lake. Located in the vast Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness you will have ample opportunities to venture down side trails to other beautiful locations such as Pharaoh Mountain and Goose Pond. From the trailhead you will need to snowshoe or ski the remaining portion of the road to its end at Crane Pond Road. This final portion of the road is closed to vehicular traffic. As for your pooch, this road hike is perfect. The footing is typically very solid which will help keep your dog’s paws on top of the majority of the snow.
Severance Hill
This short 2.5 mile roundtrip hike off Route 9 will bring you and your hiking partner a bit higher. Located just north of Schroon Lake it’s easy to access and fun to hike. Positioned on the east side of the Hoffman Notch Wilderness you can check out the landscape from a different point of view. This snowshoe will bring you under the Northway through a large hiker culvert to access the wilderness. On the other side you and your pet can enjoy a gentle to moderate hike up one of the more popular peaks in the area. With outstanding views you won’t want to turn around, but there’s so much more to see.
Lost Pond
Lost Pond is located in the Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness and you will be starting just east of the Putnam Pond State Campground off Putts Pond Road. This road can be found off Route 74 between Schroon Lake and Ticonderoga. This trail gets a decent amount of winter activity making the trail nice and solid for all users. Cross-country skiers use this trail quite often to access Lost Pond, but very few users actually go around the pond in winter. Whether the loop around Lost Pond is broken out or not, it is a very enjoyable trail to follow.
Spectacle Pond
Spectacle Pond is located on the western edge of the immense Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness and will give you a unique look at this side of the recreational area. This 3.5 mile round trip excursion brings you along a very mild trail and a sweet babbling brook, whose water runs clean and crisp. A typical hard-packed trail made popular in winter by cross-country skiers will bring you back to a hidden pond where brisk breezes and sparkling snow will make you feel relaxed and happy to be there.
Big Pond
Big Pond is just that, a big pond. Located at just over 1.5 miles from Hoffman Road you will have a short enjoyable ski or snowshoe through the Hoffman Notch Wilderness. Your dog will love this trail, at least mine did. With a flat course through the forest your dog can do the usual routine of run out and run back as much as they would like. Outstanding views await you and your pet from Big Pond as well as from Lower Big Pond on the way in.
Like the ideas of these five destinations? Check out what other snowshoe outings there are in the area. Then, once you’ve worked up an appetite be sure to stop by one of the local shops for a nice bite to eat. Staying in the area for a few days, see what Schroon Lake has to offer for lodging that’s pet friendly.
