An easy trail leads back to the beautiful Goose Pond in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. At 66-acres, Goose Pond isn't large, but it's deep waters offer anglers a chance to catch some fish.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 3 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 290 feet
• Hike includes trail junctions and a road walk

Hiking Goose Pond

Start walking along Crane Pond Road, which is not drivable past the parking area. After 0.9 miles you will come to the Goose Pond Trail on the right. Now, it's a 0.6 mile hike along a foot trail, with minimal elevation change.

Goose Pond in the winter

This section of trail is often cross-country skied in the winter. The Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area is a vast wilderness, be prepared for all winter conditions, even if the hike may not seem difficult or long.

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Looking for another hike? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find another adventurous hike for you!

Fishing

There are paths around part of the pond that can be used to access different fishing locations. The pond is around 100 feet deep in the middle and the best way to reach those depths, other than by canoe, is to cast from a southern peninsula, where the shelf drops off dramatically. It is possible to carry a canoe or kayak back to the pond, but no motors are allowed. Anglers will be pleased to find brook trout and rainbow trout here.

Insider tips

• The bays seem to produce and hold the best trout. The western bay in particular is fairly wide but very deep.
• There is also a deep rock shelf on the south side of the pond at the end of a wide peninsula, which is great for reaching deep waters with minimal cast.

How to get there

To get there from Schroon Lake's downtown, take U.S. 9 north for 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Alder Meadow Road for 2.1 miles. Continue straight onto Crane Pond Road for 1.4 miles, to the large parking area at the end of the road.

Explore hiking and fishing in the beautiful, quiet woods and waters of the Adirondack Hub.

Getting there

From Exit 29 on Interstate 87, follow Blue Ridge Road toward North Hudson and take a left onto state Route 9 and follow it north. Continue for 2.5 miles and turn right onto Caza Turn Road, then take the next right onto Ensign Pond Road. Follow Ensign Pond Road for just under 3 miles to the trailhead on the right.

Hiking

At the trailhead there is an immediate split; right heads toward Bass Lake, left goes toward Hammond Pond. Signs will point the correct way. This nice hike will bring you along a well-used trail and quickly passes by a snowmobile access point, which is used mainly as a handicap access. Continue straight ahead from Berrymill Brook. There will be an obvious split, but it's not marked. Heading right and slightly uphill brings you above the pond for a view of it through the trees, and eventually leads to Black Brook Pond. Turn left to descend slightly to the shore of the pond for the best views.

For a longer trip, continue along the shore to the western portion of the lake, where additional views await.

• Elevation Gain: 250 feet
• Distance Round Trip: 2.0 to 6.0 miles, depending on route

Fishing

There is a 1-mile hike along a foot trail to access this pond. The shore fishing is decent with options. Paths lead around parts of the shore to add other access locations

Gull Pond is a beautiful destination for someone looking for a quick hike to stretch their legs or for families. It is less than half a mile to the pond.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 1 mile round trip
• Elevation gain: 65 feet

Hiking

This marked foot trail might have some wet spots in low areas, but is otherwise on the easier side. (But don't worry, there are bridges.) Stick to the trail to avoid causing trail erosion. 

Camping

A side trail on the left a short distance from the pond leads to a designated tent site. There is no camping allowed at the rock outcrop overlooking the pond.

Fishing

It's well worth the added effort to have a pond all to yourself. Most of the shore can be used for fishing. Since there is a 0.5 mile hike to the pond, there is no boat access without a portage. That said, a canoe or kayak would be ideal to fish the deeper waters where trout tend to hang out during warmer months. A herd path may be visible around the pond, and that can be used to find different locations.

Fish species found here include: brook trout and bullhead.

How to get there

From Exit 28 on Interstate 87, take Route 9 toward Schroon Lake. In 0.6 miles, take a left onto Alder Meadow Road. Follow this for 3.8 miles to the Gull Pond Trail on the left. Park here.

Twentyninth Pond is a beautiful Adirondack pond just a short distance from the road.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 0.7 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 125 feet
• Hike includes unmarked trail and trail junctions

Hiking to Twentyninth Pond

The trail climbs slightly from the trailhead to a high point and soon comes to a short, unmarked path on the right. There is a designated primitive tent site near the shore of the pond. Continuing straight will keep you on the Stony Pond trail.

Twentyninth Pond in the winter

This is a designated snowmobile trail in the winter, but does see much use by snowmobilers. The trail is accessible in the winter by skiers and snowshoers, but don't expect the spur trail to Twentyninth Pond to be broken out. While a shorter hike, it's important to be prepared for all winter conditions. Be especially careful around frozen bodies of water, and don't go out on ice without knowing its thickness.

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Looking for another hike? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find another adventurous hike for you!

Fishing

Twentyninth Pond contains brook trout and there are faint fisherman paths along the shore to explore. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.

How to get there

Take Exit 29 off of Interstate 87 and follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue to Route 28N, take a left and head toward Minerva. Continue for just under 10.5 miles to the Stony Pond trailhead on the left.

Alder Pond may not be very deep but it's a beautiful spot in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. Alder Pond is an easy hike for kids who want to shore fish, too.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 3.7 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 330 feet
• Hike includes a road walk and trail junctions

Hiking to Alder Pond

The pond is accessed by a hike along Crane Pond Road. The hike is on the easy side, with minimal elevation change. You'll hike along Crane Pond Road (rutted and washed out) for 0.85 miles, then continue left (east), paralleling Alder Pond until you get to the old trailhead for Crane Pond at 1.85 miles.

Alder Pond in the winter

This section of trail is often cross-country skied in the winter. The Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area is a vast wilderness, be prepared for all winter conditions, even if the snowshoe/ski may not seem difficult or long. There is a sizable hill that starts at around 1 mile in.

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Looking for another hike? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find another adventurous hike for you!

Fishing

The shore fishing is okay, but the pond is super shallow and the fish are not all that big. This could be a fun fishing area for the kids to toss out a bobber and let it float. The west end of the trail is the deepest part of the lake. There is a short access trail leading to the west end of the long finger pond. Use weedless hooks or float a bobber. There is no boat access without a long portage.

Fish species: Bullhead, panfish, rock bass

How to get there

To get here from Schroon Lake's downtown, take U.S. 9 north for 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Alder Meadow Road for 2.1 miles. Continue straight onto Crane Pond Road for 1.4 miles, to the large parking area at the end of the road.