climbing Pharaoh Mountain

[pmagistro]

Thinking about hiking in and climbing Pharaoh Mountain this weekend, but I know nothing about it. All my Daks experience is High Peaks....what can y'all tell me about this apparent gem of an ice route? Where is the trailhead, how far is the hike, would it by formed and in good conditions this early? Any info will be appreciated!

Thanks all,
Phil

[redhawk]

Hang in there. I'm sure you'll get some answers soon. In fact if you do a search, I think you may find some info that was posted back a while.

[Kevin]

I think the eastern adk club guide book has all the info you need. They're not available online yet so you'll need to order it from their site or visit EMS/local gear shop that may have it.

http://www.adk.org/new_store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=GER

I haven't climbed Pharoah mountain yet but have hiked in that region, it's generally flat but at this time of year it could be rather icy as we still get a lot of thaw/freeze during the days/nights.

[redhawk]

http://adkforum.com/showthread.php?t=1313&highlight=Pharaoh+Mountain

[Judgeh]

I backpacked Pharaoh Mt. in the summer of 2002, starting at the end of the dirt road, hiking to Crane Pond, climbing Pharaoh and camping at a great lean-to at the south end of Pharaoh Lake. The next day we returned on the opposite side of the pond and completed the circle.

The book "50 hikes in the Adirondacks" says it's close to a five mile hike to the top of Pharaoh Mountain. That will depend upon how far up the dirt road you can go. Driving gets pretty dicey at points. My recollection is that the climb was pretty uneventful. 1474 feet to the top according to the book. It was fogbound and raining so no views.

I had a full knee replacement seven months before and Pharaoh was my first rehab. mountain, so if you're in good shape you should have no problem. I think it took us three hours+...in large measure because of my knee. The campsite was the best I had ever seen. Wonderful views of the pond. You could do the entire loop of approx 15 miles in a long day, but you would miss the thrill of camping lakeside.

I can't tell you about winter conditions, but I would love to go back in the summer.

[Rivet]

As mentioned above you can legally drive all the way to the parking area/canoe launch on crane pond.
There is a lot two miles before it, where the road makes a right turn and heads south. This was intentioned to be the original trailhead, or farthest that you could drive, but local opposition dictated otherwise.
Anyway, as mentioned above, past this point the road is rough. At one point there is a stretch that crosses a swampy area north of Alder (?) pond. When I was there the water level was an inch or two and could be crossed by SUV or pickup truck. I had netiher so walked the road. In winter, I would imagine this two mile section of road would be unplowed.
There is also a trailhead on Rte 74 north of crane pond. A trail leads south from this point to the dirt road, about a 1/4 mile before crane pond parking area. It would be longer than the other two options. Maybe 12 miles roundtrip?

[lumberzac]

Anyway, as mentioned above, past this point the road is rough. At one point there is a stretch that crosses a swampy area north of Alder (?) pond. When I was there the water level was an inch or two and could be crossed by SUV or pickup truck.

When I went in to Crane Pond last spring there was some beaver activity on Alder Pond. As a result the water crossing was up over my bumper on my Subaru.

I believe the ice route is on the South side of the mountain, which will require some bushwhacking to get to. I've never climbed Pharaoh from that route, so I'm not exactly sure where the route is.

I did find a site, which might be helpful.

http://www.mirolka.com/pharaoh.htm

[percious]

I have hiked Pharoah many times. (once with a bike!)

There is a parking area before the swampy area and a trail around the swamp if it is not iced over. The trail is on the left if you are heading towards crane pond. I believe it is indicated by Yellow markers. It is likely to be icey this time of year, and you will probably be able to hike/drive right across.

If you have time, take a side trip to Oxshoe pond. If you go here in the summer, you won't be dissapointed.

The view from Pharoah is stellar. Schroon lake and surrounding mountains are beautiful. Be sure to fully explore the summit, as there are multiple look-outs. One time we were there we got to see a fire-helicopter working. It was pretty neat.

-percious

[redhawk]

I just picked up the 7.5 quad for Pharoah. Think I might get in there a few times. Only question I haveis that it seems as if it gets a lot of traffic?

[Gray Ghost]

Pharaoh

I plan to hike up Pharaoh Mountain this winter as well, just as soon as I get my snowshoes. I have been to the lake a few times, but this will be my first time up the mountain. The lake is a pretty busy place in season, and I assume the mountain is as well. I've always marveled at the mountain when you look at it from the Northway near Schroon Lake. I just hope the flooded portion of the road is accessible. I was on the road over the summer, and though my SUV probably could have made it through, it looked a little too deep for me. I assume this was caused by the same beaver activity mentioned earlier. I believe it is 2.9 miles to the summit from the trailhead near Crane Pond.

[percious]

I may have mentioned this before, but there is a trail around the flooded part. It is on left at the top of the hill before you get to the flooded section. It is marked with Yellow NEC markers.

-percious

[Gray Ghost]

Trail

So you would have to park your vehicle near the trailhead for Goose Pond? How far is the walk from there to the trailhead at Pharaoh Mountain?

[percious]

Um, probably less than 1/4 of a mile. The is a place to park your car at the top of the hill *right* before you get to the big puddly thing. The puddle is only like 1/10th of a mile from the trailhead if I remember correctly.

Hawk-
I don't know how much traffic there is in the winter, but in the summer there are TONS of people there. The whole area is insect infested in the summer though, so look out. Bugs don't really eat me for some reason (prolly cause I stink) but my friends always look like a dinner plate to them. I recommend *not* wearing deoderant/perfume/etc...

-percious

[lumberzac]

I believe where the cross is on this map is where the road stops being plowed in winter. This adds about 2 miles one way to get to Crain Pond.

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18...83&layer=DRG25

[chili willie]

Don't know if you went up already. But here goes.
I have hiked Pharoh many times, different seasons. The best route in is from Crane Pond as already noted. Plan on NOT being able to drive into Crane Pond during the winter. The road in is not plowed past Alder Meadow Road. Your best bet is to ski or snowshoe in and then use crampons near the top. If you ski well, you can cover almost half the distance by skis. Eventually, the trail becomes too steep even with skins.

Be prepared. You may be the first people up Pharoh in weeks...or there can be multiple parties up there the same day as you. Over the years I have experienced solitude and the crowds of the High Peaks. It is unpredictable. Chances are very good that trail will be broken to the Crane Pond parking lot. After that, who knows.

The views from Pharoh are spectacular. Hear's hoping you have/had a clear day!