Crane Mountain – A Steep Trail to a Picturesque Area

Crane mountain in the southern Adirondacks looks like a mountain that should have a castle on its summit.   All the sides you can conveniently see or get to are very steep.   Sadly, it is not very easy to find the trailhead without a good map, and good directions.   It is located off of a side road from the Garnet Lake road (county road 72), which in turn is a side road from the South Johnsburg road (county route 57) which you take south out of Johnsburg.   Johnsburg is located on NY route 8 near Wevertown.  
Not only is there a fine view of the area from the summit, but there is also a very lovely pond on its shoulder.   You may encounter fishermen at the pond, and if it is very warm, you may wish to take a short swim off of the rocky section of the shore.   There are two trails to the summit (both having very steep sections) which makes a loop trip possible.   The shortest route to the summit is about 1.4 miles with an ascent of about 1150 feet.   Occasionally there are nice views as you ascend either trail.   The less direct trail to the summit is the more direct trail to the pond. This direct trail to the pond crosses its outlet stream near to the pond.  
In the vicinity of the outlet (top picture) is a faint herd path going north (and a little west) out onto a shoulder of the mountain (ridge beyond pond in picture to the right).   If you can find your way out there, you can sit on the edge of a cliff and let the breezes from the west cool you while you rest from your climb.   There is also a second loop possible from the pond to the summit and back to the pond.   The more direct route to the summit has a ladder near the top which avoids a short scramble on a rocky pitch.   Some with an adventurous spirit will climb the rocks and skip the ladder (not for me any longer).    Be advised that in the spring, portions of the trail around the pond, and especially on the trail going up to the summit from the pond, will be covered with ice even while the trail in the valley is totally clear.

NOTE: For a more complete description of the trails, please see ADK's ADK's GUIDE to ADIRONDACK TRAILS - Southern Region, pp 38-46.

Bob Goodwin