Pharaoh Lake 6/28-29

[doug]

My 86-year-old dad, 9-year-old daughter and I are planning a hike in to Pharaoh Lake next week and I'm wondering which is the most scenic lean-to, which I guess will determine our point of entry. We did a day hike in from the south last year. Any thoughts?

[lumberzac]

IMO, the most scenic of all the lean-tos on the lake is the one on the Northeast shore before you get to the inlet if you are coming in from Pharaoh Road. It sits up on a steep bank above the lake and looks out toward Pharaoh Mountain.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18...83&layer=DRG25

[Gray Ghost]

I would say Watch Rock lean-to on the point is the most scenic, especially if you walk out onto the point. Just take a look at my avatar. The pic was taken in early may on that same point. Personally, my favorite is lean-to #1, due to the awesome view of the first island. I got an amazing picture from that location last August at sunrise. The split rock lean-to looks as if it would have its charm as well, though, as does the lean-to near the lake's major inlet. I have only seen these two lean-tos from my canoe, though. I have never stayed in either of them. You really can't go wrong in my opinion. That whole lake is one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. You might not have a choice, either. Lean-tos are hard to come by in Pharaoh sometimes. It pays to pack along a light weight tent or a tarp and some rope. If you enter from the south, be prepared to walk the exta mile over the mill brook road. I am heading in there myself around the same time, and I'm planning on the extra hike because of the major wash out in the region. Anyway, I hope you have a great time! -GG

[doug]

Thanks, guys. I was planning on the extra mile from the South as I just drive a Honda Civic (though I saw someone drive in there in a Toyota Echo last August). We were planning on an early start. I have a light two-man tent and will bring it. Is there a lot of traffic in there on the weekdays too in-season?

Gray Ghost, was it your sunrise photo that Gary put up on the Forum? If so, it's my wallpaper on my office computer.

[Boreal Chickadee]

Weekdays are pretty quiet. I rarely meet anyone during the week at Pharoah Lake. Even though the maps don't show it there is an easy herd path that encircles the lake. Don't miss making this loop. The lake has all sorts of surprises to explore. The peninsula, the waterfall, the cove, the sndy beach the granite rocks, blueberries in August, islands and views of the mountains..

[doug]

Doh! It was 'zac's photo of sunrise at Pharaoh. Great photo! Thanks for the tip about the circuit trail PB!

[Gray Ghost]

Doug, it's usually really busy in-season, but you never know. I have always lucked out and got a lean-to. In early may, my brother and I had the lake totally to ourselves. There were no other vehicles in the Mill Brook parking area. However, last year in mid September, there were eighteen cars in the same parking area. We still lucked out and got a lean-to though. I wish you luck and have a great time.

Peanut Butter - Where exactly is the sandy beach? That is one that I have missed. -GG

[Boreal Chickadee]

The sand was up by lean-to #4.

[Gray Ghost]

Number four is on the north side of lake, by split rock bay, right?

[doug]

Sorry, one last question. With how heavily used the area is, is it picked clean of firewood?

[lumberzac]

The last time I had a fire there, we were able to find wood, but we had to search away from the lean-to.

[Boreal Chickadee]

GG- correct on the lean-to location

[doug]

Trip Complete

We made the decision just before the junction of 74 and 9 in Ti that we'd go in from Mill Brook and head for lean-to #5 on the point. Thinking being that the peninsula campsite would have the best chance of a breeze and therefore fewer bugs. Thought it was a good idea until we parked the car and a huge swarm of deer flies enveloped it. I jumped out to access the DEET in my pack in the trunk, jumped back in and, poof!.... 30 seconds later the flies had disappeared! We got out, strapped out our packs and didn't see another deer flie all day. Unfortunately, we were not so lucky with mosquitoes, made even worse by the fact that it was exceptionally hot and humid. Even with Bye-Bye Black Fly and Deet, they were making my daughter miserable, biting her eyelids. Luckily, I brought mosquito-hoods. She found some relief, but was still suspicious of the entire endeavor. We broke for water at the bridge over the outlet, no bugs in the sun and then had a nice lunch at lean-to 6.

Lean-to #5 has to be the largest I've seen, enough room for 12 in a pinch. and we had it to ourselves. As I'd hoped, there was a nice breeze, few bugs and a fantastic panorama from the point, and great swimming from the rocky shore. The weather has been so warm this June that we were actually looking for COLD spots in the water to cool off I never thought I'd be saying that in June! We swam for hours, relishing the absence of motor boats, but had to be careful of the Pharaoh Lake Piranhas (There are ferocious schools of sunfish that come to the shore when you put your toes in and nip you. I think they're trained by hikers to expect treats and if you don't give it to them they get annoyed Other notable neighbors were: some of the loudest bullfrogs in the world, a leftover-tortellini-eating red squirrel and chipmunk, and the cutest little deermouse that had a burrow in the rafter of the lean-to. After she showed her face we set up a mouse-line between two trees out back as a pack hanging from the beam would have been easy pickings. Barred Owls added to the night-time chorus and my dad heard the bellow of a moose from the far shore in the early morning. The trip out was significantly less buggy (cooler too.)

One pleasant surprise....Crocs. We bought them for canoeing, but brought them along for the wading at the beginning of this hike. What I wasn't prepared for was what a pleasure they are to have in-camp. Sooo comfortable after a day in boots, great on the rocks when going down to swim and perfect to slip on for those night-time "visits."

Eva thought it would be a great place to camp for a few days. I know we'll be back, so tranquill. Thanks to everyone that helped out with info! I have a few pics to post when I get back to my home PC.

[Boreal Chickadee]

Glad to hear everyone had a good time and Eva is excited about going back. I do remember those sunfish! They nibbled our toes last year and must have gotten pretty hungry since then

I'll be looking for those pictures Doug.

[fvrwld]

Doug, glad you had fun. Pharaoh Lake is a great place. Unfortunately I have yet to make it in there this year.

The sunfish there are a trip. I remember once sitting up on a rock and they sunnies were actually jumping out of the water and onto the rock to get food.