Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness

I recently found myself in the area of the Putnam Pond Campground with a bit of extra time on my hands, and so, I quickly devised a little loop past a pond, over a ridge, and down to a hidden swamp - it resembles a backwoods trifecta.

I made the turn down Putts Pond Road and parked at the hiker parking lot at the top of hill. From here I started my approach to the trailhead on the other side of the campground. Walking through the beach area and into the forest of the campground, I quickly found myself at the trailhead ready to start my short adventure.

After signing into the trail register I started to jog my way back deeper into the Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness. Passing by a massive burl I comment to myself how that would make a wonderful table in my dining room. The rocks were a bit slippery as a light rain overnight had left them slightly glazed beneath me. But that didn’t really slow my pace - my trekking poles were the perfect companion for this hike. I quickly came to the intersection at Heart Pond and continued without losing a step up the Bear Pond Trail.

Getting to Echo Pond and Sharps Ridge - a walk in the park

Before I advanced too far up the trail, I made a short side trip to the Shore of Heart Pond just to take in its wonderful setting. The trail was gaining elevation before me, but it wasn’t too much of a change. I continued on and as I drew closer to where I felt I needed to be, I confided in my GPS for the perfect jump off point for Sharps Ridge. The trail I was on is literally on the side of Sharps Ridge leaving the actual summit not all that far away. Looking deep into the leafless hardwood forest it appeared that the going wouldn’t be all that demanding, but as I like to think about it, a walk in the woods is like a prescription to all that ails you.

The ridge came quickly and aside from a few small boneyards of dead trees I had no resistance in making the summit. The ridge as I approached it brought me over a small knoll, not seen on the topographic map. In one of the shallow valleys of the knobs I came upon a vernal pool, the perfect home for area reptiles and even some wetland species of plants. The mushrooms flourished on the decaying matter as the varnish shelves made a home on a fallen hemlock nearby.

It wouldn’t be long now; I could see the summit ahead on the horizon through the naked tops of the maples and beeches. Once I arrived, as presumed, it was a wooded top, flat and featureless in structure, but soothing and welcoming in spirit.

Off to take a mud bath

I was now off to Peshette Swamp, a bit further north from the present location. The woods remained the same and without hesitation I made quick work of the first area of descent. Arriving at what I assumed was another vernal pool, I moved closer to take some pictures. A family of pileated woodpeckers made their presence known as I was intruding on their living space. The heavy leaf cover around the water masked the soup. I quickly found one leg buried up to my knee and the other stranded on dry land in some new form of a warrior pose.

I brushed off the water and muck and emptied my boot and finished off the descent into what looked like an active logging area. The only loggers allowed in a wilderness area are... You guessed it, beavers. Stumps and stems protruded from the ground in a chewed-off fashion, some still bleeding sap.

Dead snags lined and dotted the swamp - evidence that beavers have called this their home for decades. Beaver canals from the water led to advanced trails that led deep into the forest. Detailing where these creatures had looked for trees to build and improve homes, reconstruct dams, and feed the young. They were very active now, getting ready for the winter freeze and their long respite in the family hut. They would live there for many cold months with other creatures of the wild - much like a family of field mice.

I relaxed upon the open shore for quite some time until the chill in the air rose me to my feet to get the blood flowing again. Up and over a rise, along a faint herdpath, and in prime fashion I was back upon the trail. It sure was a short day, but in short there was a lot experienced and enjoyed. I could only wish that all my days were as filled as this one.

Grab your cold weather gear and get ready to take a hike in the Schroon Lake Region - the trails are waiting!