Treadway Mountain is a 7.6 mile round trip hike to a rocky, marble summit with view of Pharaoh Lake and the High Peaks.
Treadway Mountain
3.8 miles (7.6 miles round-trip)
Ticonderoga, Essex County
Central Adirondacks
Hiking, snowshoeing
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Treadway Mountain
Treadway Mountain is a 3.8-mile hike that starts in the Putnam Pond State Campground, outside of Ticonderoga in Essex County. The trail is entirely on public Forest Preserve in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. Its access point and parking area are in the Putnam Pond Campground, so at times in May-September, when the campground is open, there is a $6 fee. The entrance to the campground is on Putnam Campsite Road, which is off of County Route 39.
Treadway Mountain is a moderate difficulty trail, approximately 7.6 miles round trip with around 1,300 feet of elevation gain, making much of it relatively flat with steep stretches in the last mile. The parking lot for the trailhead is at the south end of the campground.
From the parking lot, the trailhead is at the rear. It is 3.8 miles to the summit of Treadway Mountain, following three different trails to get there. The three trails are all marked, though the colors of trail markers change – the first is marked yellow trail, then blue, then red.
The trail immediately crosses over a small boardwalk bridge and then leads quickly to the trail register around a corner. Soon afterward, bear left at a small junction. To the right are a couple of lakeside campsites. Bear left as the trail continues along the lakeside, in some places close enough to see the water through the trees. The forest varies between mixed and heavily pine and hemlock for the first couple of miles, and is mostly gentle, with small inclines and declines over short ridges.
After about a mile and a quarter, and a couple of small bridges over streams that run into the Putnam Pond, the trail reaches another junction. Take a right here toward the Treadway Mountain Trail, which begins 0.4 miles from this point. This section continues around Putnam Pond, towards Clear Pond Lean-to, and soon meets another junction. At this junction, take a left turn away from the pond. After this turn, the trail remains relatively flat for a bit longer, passing through wetlands, before beginning the ascent of Treadway in earnest.
Soon after the steep part begins, the trail opens up onto large swaths of bedrock, much of it marble, with patches of lichen, moss, and blueberries. This part of the trail can be challenging because there are not many trees for trail markers, and the trail is marked by rock cairns, which can be hard to spot. The trail generally follows worn areas on open bedrock. The trail goes up and down over a couple of small summits that provide great views before reaching the summit.
The Summit of Treadway Mountain
The summit is tree covered with areas of large open rock, great for sitting and resting, and enjoying the views. In the landscape below, the forests and mountain ridges spread out. Pharaoh Mountain and Pharaoh Lake are visible and a number of High Peaks stand in the distance. The summit of Treadway Mountain is beautiful with the great views, open rock, flowers, shrubs and trees.
The return trip is easy and follows the same route as the hike to the summit. Overall, this hike is of moderate difficulty and appropriate for anyone who is up for hiking the full 7.6 miles, as the elevation for the most part does not present a barrier.
Click here to download a map and trail directions for Treadway Mountain.
When You Hike Make Sure to Practice “Leave No Trace” to be Prepared and to Protect the Forest Preserve
Please follow “carry in, carry out” rules for all trash and follow other Leave No Trace principles when hiking in the public Forest Preserve and other wild areas. The seven Leave No Trace principles are: 1) Plan ahead and prepare; 2) Stay on hiking trails and camp at designated areas; 3) Dispose of human waste and trash properly; 4) Leave what you find; 5) Minimize campfires; 6) Respect wildlife; 7) Respect other hikers.
Educated hikers do not damage the environment.
Prepared hikers do not need search and rescue unless injured.
Winter Use: Treadway Mountain is a popular mountain for snowshoeing in the winter, though access is challenging as some local roads are not plowed.
