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Treadway Mountain

"The Summit of Treadway Mountain"
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The Summit of Treadway

I often say that the size of the mountain does not necessarily equate to the quality of the views or the reward of the hike. At an elevation of 2248 feet (685m), little Treadway Mountain stands as a shining example of just how rewarding a "low" peak can be.

Treadway stands in the Pharoah Lakes Wilderness area, just north of Schroon Lake, which is north of Lake George. This area of the Adirondacks is characterized by rolling terrain spotted with a huge collection of inviting lakes and ponds. The hiking and paddling opportunities in this area are nothing short of spectacular in any season.

If you're looking for a place to stay that has a little less of the wilderness experience (ie. showers and bathrooms) the NYSDEC operates two excellent campgrounds in this area: Pharoah Lake and Putnam Pond. More the size of a lake than a pond, Putnam Pond can be seen in my photo of Treadway.

On the occasion that I made this photo, I was staying at Putnam Pond Campground. It's great being able to walk out of your campsite, right to the trailhead. There are several different options for getting to Treadway, including canoeing across the lake (pond) to the trail. Nice! I walked the entire route which starts on the Rock Pond - Clear Pond Trail. Don't miss the side trip to the peculiarly named Grizzle Ocean on the way!

Treadway itself is unlike any mountain I've climbed in the Adirondacks; the slopes are dry, rocky, and very similar to western mountains. An abundance of drought tolerant trees like Pitch Pine, Ponderosa Pine and Mountain Ash will have you thinking you've suddenly been transported to Colorado. Terrific views abound on most of the climb, so be sure to turn around and look every few minutes. The summit itself is dominated by an awesome view of Putnam Pond and a commanding view of nearby Pharoah Mountain. If you're lucky enough to have good weather, spend some time enjoying this fantastic summit, and planning other trips in the Pharoah Lakes Wilderness area.


For the Shutterbugs:

"The Summit of Treadway Mountain" was created with my Hasselblad 500CM camera, 80mm lens, polarizer, and Bogen 444 tripod. Film - Kodak E100VS, ISO 100. Exposure: f22 at 1/15th of a second.



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