Crane Pond is a beautiful gem in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 3.8 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 340 feet
• Based on an out-and-back to the western shore of Crane Pond
• Hike includes trail junctions, bridges, and a road walk

Hiking to Crane Pond

This dirt road is one of the major northern access points for the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. The road is becoming very rough since it is NOT maintained. The road travels 2 miles to Crane Pond. Hiking is the best option for travelers to the area, since the road often becomes impassable due to mud. Crane Pond Road travels 1.7 miles from the Crane Pond Trailhead to the western shore of Crane Pond. The trail gains around 160 feet in the first 1.2 miles to the high point on the trail, then descends 60 feet to the end of the trail. The last 0.7 miles of trail follows the north shore of Alder Pond. DEC discourages the use of the trail by motor vehicles, however, hikers should be alert for motor vehicles on the trail.

Hikers can then choose to explore many other trails found around this area. A map, compass, and GPS are recommended because of the density of trails found here.

Crane Pond in the winter

A not-oft used road in the winter, but people do use it for a cross-country skiing. The Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area is a vast wilderness, be prepared for all winter conditions.

Find more legendary trails in the Lake Champlain Region

Does Crane Pond sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? With the Lake Champlain Region’s extensive trail network, we can easily help you find a hike that fits!

Fishing

Crane Pond is 167 acres. There is plenty of shoreline fishing available. This pond is great for bass and panfish. Consider this a pond you need to portage to. The portage is the same as the hike above, and a cart could easily be used. No motors are allowed in this Wilderness Area. Insider tips: troll the deep portions of the lake on the west end for lake trout, use the shallows for panfish and perch, and the south side of the pond and a northwest peninsula are decent for smallmouth bass. Cast out and reel back slow to bring them out from the steep slopes. Fish species types: bullhead, lake trout, bass, perch, and panfish.

Ice fishing

Look for lake trout, northern pike, and yellow perch. The lake trout are open season all year, with a minimum length of 15 inches and daily limit of three. Use or possession of baitfish prohibited.

Paddling

Crane Pond is the most popular paddling location within the wilderness because it is the most easily accessed and has shoreline tent sites.

Camping

There are nine designated tent sites on the shore of Crane Pond, which can only be accessed by water.

How to get there

Take Route 74 from Ticonderoga to Route 9. Follow Route 9 south, toward Schroon Lake. In just over a half mile, take a left onto Alder Meadow Road, follow it for about 2.2 miles, then turn onto Crane Pond Road. Follow that for 1.5 miles to the large parking area at the end of the road. Crane Pond Road is typically not in very good condition so be prepared for a longer walk or ski if it is not drivable.