This rugged 37,800-acre parcel is located in western Essex County in the town of Minerva. A big portion of the forest is also located in the Hamilton County towns of Indian Lake and Long Lake.

Hunting

Big-game species like white-tailed deer and black bear can be found here, although you’ll most likely find deer in the southern portion of the forest, since that is where habitat is most favorable. Bears can be found anywhere. As with the other large tracts of state land beaver, fisher, coyote, fox, snowshoe hare, and raccoons also make their homes here in the wide variety of habitats.

Just over a dozen miles of public roads adjacent to the wild forest make much of Blue Mountain Wild Forest fairly accessible. Many are in the Indian Lake/Long Lake area, the closest to Essex County being the unmaintained parking area access along Chain Lakes Road. This is primarily for waterway access.

Per the NYSDEC, Township 19 Tract Public Use Areas and Forest Preserve lands can be accessed from the parking area at the end of the Barker Pond Road, which is accessed from State Route 28/30 via the O'Neil Flow Road. Parking is allowed along the O'Neill Flow Road and Barker Pond Road - do not block gates. Two campsites near Barker Pond are available to hunters. Township 20 Tract Public Use Areas and Forest Preserve lands can be accessed from the Minerva Club Road off of State Route 28N. One campsite is available 0.6 mile down the Minerva Club Road.

The 46,283-acre Pharaoh Lake Wilderness is an outstanding part of the Adirondacks! The wilderness contains an abundance of lakes and ponds, the largest being Pharaoh Lake, at 441 acres. There are nearly 70 miles of trails within the Wilderness Area and no shortage of campsites. Come for a day hike or spend a weekend!

How to get there

There are 11+ trailheads/access points to the Wilderness Area. Your destination will determine which one to use. Information found on the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website will help you locate each starting point. 

Hiking

This Wilderness Area, located in the towns of Schroon and Ticonderoga, has nearly 70 miles of trails and more than a dozen lean-tos should you be inclined to make this an overnight trip. With so many miles of trails, hiking is the most popular use of this area. Pharaoh Mountain is one of the most popular destinations, along with Treadway Mountain and other hikes that lead to small, scenic ponds. The terrain varies from steep to gentle, depending on your route.

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing

All trails are open for snowshoeing and skiing. Be sure to plan ahead and see how parking may be. Plowing at specific trailheads can vary, notably the Putnam Pond Campground. Be prepared for some extra road walking.

Camping

The lean-tos on Pharaoh Lake are popular enough that campers should be prepared to hike on to the next empty, and consider a designated tent site. There are 38 designated primitive tent sites and 14 lean-tos in the wilderness available on a first come, first served basis. Look for a yellow "Camp Here" disc at designated tent sites, which are for tents only.

Hunting

All lands within the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area are open to hunting and trapping in season. There is snowshoe hare, woodcock, ruffed grouse, and wild turkey. Waterfowl are found on the many ponds, and white-tailed deer and black bear in the forests.

The Hudson Gorge Wilderness Area totals 24,477 acres of State Forest Preserve, and is located in the town of Minerva, Newcomb, and Indian Lake. While the main attraction is the Hudson River Gorge for its famous whitewater, and for its hiking trails, hunters will also find a variety of terrain and wildlife if they are willing to bushwhack a bit. 

Hiking

There are a handful of trails leading to views of the Hudson River, tall waterfalls, and backcountry ponds in the Wilderness Area.

• OK Slip Falls - One of the tallest waterfalls in the Adirondacks
• Ross, Whortleberry, and Big Bad Luck ponds - Same trailhead as OK Slip Falls
• Blue Ledges - Scenic rock ledges on the edge of the Hudson River

Whitewater rafting

The Hudson River has the longest stretch of whitewater in New York, and the Hudson Gorge Wilderness Area and Indian Lake are at the epicenter of whitewater rafting in the Adirondacks. 

Hunting

All lands designated as Wilderness are open to hunting. The Chain Lakes Road South seasonal access parking area is located north of the Old Gooley Club parking area. This can be driven to during the big game season. Also during big game season, there is motorized access to three designated primitive tent sites along the Chain Lakes Road South and four sites along the Camp 6 Road.

The High Peaks Wilderness Area is the largest Wilderness Area in the Adirondack Mountains and New York state. At 275,460 acres, the High Peaks Wilderness Complex includes Eastern (Central) and Western (Outer) zones, as well as the former Dix Mountain Wilderness Area, 11,411 of the Boreas Pond Tract, 4,418 acres of the MacIntyre East Tract, and 1,490 acres of the former Casey Brook Tract.

Hiking and camping in the High Peaks

From the highest peaks in New York state to extensive wetlands and river systems, the High Peaks has a diversity of landscapes to get out and enjoy. Much of the hikers and campers going to this Wilderness Area are hiking the Adirondack 46 High Peaks, part of a popular hiking challenge. Amongst those High Peaks are hundreds of others smaller mountains, trails that carve through their valleys, and campsites on bodies of water big and small. Whether you come to challenge yourself on a High Peak, or simply go on a short hike or scenic drive, you'll experience one of the most unique areas in the state. 

With the increasing number of people recreating in the High Peaks, it's important to follow Leave No Trace principles, follow all guidelines for this specific Wilderness Area, and be prepared for whatever you decide to do in the Forest Preserve. Listed below are some important rules to remember.

• No campfires in the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness Area
• Maximum of 15 people in a group for a day trip, and 8 people for an overnight
• No camping on summits or above 3,500 feet (except at lean-to)
• If necessary, at-large camping is allowed as long as sites are at least 150 feet from all roads, trails, bodies or bodies of water. Place your tent on a durable surface (hardened soil, leaf litter, pine duff). Do not place your tent on vegetation. Only at-large camp when no other designated site is available
• Bear canisters are required for all overnight campers in the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness Area
• Carry out what you carry in. Properly dispose of waste and pack out all gear and garbage. Do not leave waste at trailheads.
• Dogs must be leashed at all times in the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness and at trailheads, campsites, and above 4,000 feet everywhere else
• If accessing the High Peaks from the AMR trailhead, dogs are not allowed on AMR property.
• Bikes, drones, and ATVs are prohibited
• Skis and Snowshoes required when snow depths are at least 8 inches
• Reservations are required for parking, daily access, and overnight access at the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) between May 1 and October 31. Reservations can be made as early as two weeks in advance at hikeamr.org. Walk-ins are not permitted.

Popular trailheads to access the High Peaks:

• The Adirondack Loj and High Peaks Information Center at Heart Lake
• The Garden in Keene Valley
• Upper Works Trailhead in Newcomb
• Corey's Road between Tupper lake and Saranac Lake
• Northville-Placid Trail parking areas are located on Averyville Road and in Long Lake

Hunting in the High Peaks

The High Peaks might be best known for Mount Marcy, New York state’s highest peak, but hunting opportunities abound here, whether they be small or big game. Be aware this is true big woods hunting, and it’s best to be well-prepared before striking out.

This large, 40,000-acre tract covers portions of two towns – North Hudson and Schroon. While the wild forest designation allows this area a higher degree of human interaction, the trails in Hammond Pond are not as heavily traveled as nearby wilderness areas and you can find some solitude here.

Hiking in the Hammond Pond Wild Forest

Here are a few hikes you can do in the Hammond Pond Wild Forest! 

• Belfry Mountain firetower
• Crowfoot Pond
• Courtney and Shingletree Ponds
• Baxter Mountain - This hike close to the High Peaks is surprisingly located on a section of the Hammond Pond Wild Forest!