Pharoah Lake


is a very special place. I consider it to be my spiritual home. Although some people claim that it was named so because the shape looks like a "pharoah's head" from the Northway, others say that 'pharoah' is a corruption of an amerinidian word meaning "Split Rock." That is what I believe.

Pharoah Lake is a three mile hike in, and then an eight mile hike around it. There are some lean-tos scattered around the lake. There used to be more of them but the cross-country ski-ers get cold and thus start fires inside the lean-tos for warmth. Several lean-tos have been lost that way!!! Pharoah Lake is also home to some Loons and a variety of fish, little green snakes, mosquitoes, black flies, punkies, deer, coy-dogs, the world's largest bull-frogs, and some bears. There are also pink ladies slippers, blueberries, and lots of other wildflowers.

The water in Pharoah Lake is spring-fed and so it is COLD!!! On a hot summer day, there is nothing better than cold water. A springpipe is located up the creek behind the rocks in the photograph. The rocks in the photograph is what we call "The Split-Rock." The Split Rock is located in the middle of Split Rock Bay. People go there to meditate. It is very pretty.

Anyone who enjoys solitute is better off visiting Pharoah Lake on weekdays rather than on a weekend. Various dogs and I have enjoyed many many backpacking and day trips to the Pharoah Lake Wilderness Area.


~sapphoq