Swimming in Crane Pond in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness?

Bunchberry · 07-15-2022, 09:20 AM

I might hike Pharaoh Mountain this weekend and was thinking of swimming in Crane Pond or Pharaoh Lake on the way out. What's the 411 on leaches? How do you get leaches off you? Any swimming thoughts would be appreciated.

Zach · 07-15-2022, 09:30 AM

I've never been to Crane Pond, but I have only gotten leeches on me once or twice in the Adirondacks, though I have a few times in other places. What works for me to remove leeches is to grab them in the middle and pull straight away from the surface of my leg, then throw them away on land so they die. That last part gives some feeling of equity to the transaction, though it probably makes no difference in the big picture.

Crash · 07-15-2022, 04:11 PM

I've swam at hundreds (yes hundreds!) of locations throughout the Adirondacks and I've never gotten a leach (knocking on wood as I write this), including Crane Pond. I tend to stick to sandy/gravelly areas or in deep water off rock ledges. And I keep moving while I am in the water.

I've seen leaches several times. My boys have gotten a couple attached to them. The boys tend to wade in muddier areas and also stand still for longer periods of time than I. One of my sons once caught a leach and kept it as a pet in a Snapple bottle for a few days - his name was Slinky.

I've heard that you can put salt on the leach and they will pull out - but I think they may regurgitate when they do this so maybe salt is not advisable. So you are probably better off doing what Zach says - except you may instead want to put him in a bottle if you are open to having another pet.

Justin · 07-16-2022, 07:47 AM

I have been swimming in Crane Pond and Pharaoh Lake since early childhood and have never seen a leach in either. Large water snakes and snapping turtles however

mike7575 · 07-16-2022, 11:58 AM

In Viet Nam we used bug juice to remove leeches. I always carried spare bottles if I could get them.

Bunchberry · 07-16-2022, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike7575

In Viet Nam we used bug juice to remove leeches. I always carried spare bottles if I could get them.

Thank you for your service. Do you remember what kind of bug juice it was?

Klinkhamer · 07-18-2022, 08:00 AM

Was in Essex Chain Lakes on Sunday. Swam for a bit in 3rd lake after paddling all day and saw some 4+ inch leeches swimming around just under the surface. Was kind of freaky seeing them turn toward you like they were coming in for the kill. :-) The others in my party decided they did not want to swim any more...

mike7575 · 07-18-2022, 10:39 AM

Sorry but no idea but I"m pretty sure sure it was supplied by the lowest bidder

BillyGr · 07-18-2022, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike7575

Sorry but no idea but I"m pretty sure sure it was supplied by the lowest bidder

Given some of the other things that were used at that time, I'm not sure people really want to find it anyway - it might be worse for you than the problem that you are trying to solve

DSettahr · 07-18-2022, 12:14 PM

I've swum in Crane a few times over the years. If you pick the right spot on the shore you shouldn't have to worry too much about leaches. The shoreline near Site #2 is pretty rocky and probably a good bet. If that campsite is occupied you can walk a bit further east along the shoreline and find other spots to jump in without disturbing the campsite occupants.

Justin is 100% correct about the large snapping turtles and water snakes, though.

chairrock · 07-19-2022, 02:23 PM

Gordons Gin

joeDacks · 08-03-2022, 05:40 PM

Does anyone know if the mud hole is passable? I know it's been extremely dry this summer and would want to get all the way in with boats and gear.

DSettahr · 08-04-2022, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeDacks

Does anyone know if the mud hole is passable? I know it's been extremely dry this summer and would want to get all the way in with boats and gear.

Assuming you mean for a trip in this weekend.... with the rain in the forecast, I wouldn't just worry about the trip in... But also the trip out.

richard1726 · 08-04-2022, 10:35 PM

On Isle Royal (Lake Superior) I must have stepped into a nest? and had literally 100s on my lower legs. My Dad said "oh , no big deal,"sprinkled salt on them and they quickly fell off. I did not feel a thing!

Justin · 08-06-2022, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeDacks

Does anyone know if the mud hole is passable? I know it's been extremely dry this summer and would want to get all the way in with boats and gear.

I was there last weekend and the water was very low.

07-15-2022, 09:20 AM	#1
Bunchberry Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 91	Swimming in Crane Pond in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness? I might hike Pharaoh Mountain this weekend and was thinking of swimming in Crane Pond or Pharaoh Lake on the way out. What's the 411 on leaches? How do you get leaches off you? Any swimming thoughts would be appreciated.

07-15-2022, 04:11 PM	#3
Crash Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 156	I've swam at hundreds (yes hundreds!) of locations throughout the Adirondacks and I've never gotten a leach (knocking on wood as I write this), including Crane Pond. I tend to stick to sandy/gravelly areas or in deep water off rock ledges. And I keep moving while I am in the water. I've seen leaches several times. My boys have gotten a couple attached to them. The boys tend to wade in muddier areas and also stand still for longer periods of time than I. One of my sons once caught a leach and kept it as a pet in a Snapple bottle for a few days - his name was Slinky. I've heard that you can put salt on the leach and they will pull out - but I think they may regurgitate when they do this so maybe salt is not advisable. So you are probably better off doing what Zach says - except you may instead want to put him in a bottle if you are open to having another pet. Last edited by Crash; 07-15-2022 at 09:25 PM..

07-18-2022, 08:00 AM	#7
Klinkhamer Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Malta, NY Posts: 84	Was in Essex Chain Lakes on Sunday. Swam for a bit in 3rd lake after paddling all day and saw some 4+ inch leeches swimming around just under the surface. Was kind of freaky seeing them turn toward you like they were coming in for the kill. :-) The others in my party decided they did not want to swim any more... __________________ Rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy

07-19-2022, 02:23 PM	#11
chairrock Indian Mt.Club Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,708	Gordons Gin __________________ Be careful, don't spread invasive species!! When a dog runs at you,whistle for him. Henry David Thoreau CL50-#23

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07-15-2022, 09:30 AM	#2
Zach Last seen wandering vaguely Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orwell NY Posts: 1,017	I've never been to Crane Pond, but I have only gotten leeches on me once or twice in the Adirondacks, though I have a few times in other places. What works for me to remove leeches is to grab them in the middle and pull straight away from the surface of my leg, then throw them away on land so they die. That last part gives some feeling of equity to the transaction, though it probably makes no difference in the big picture.

07-16-2022, 07:47 AM	#4
Justin Moving along Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,829	I have been swimming in Crane Pond and Pharaoh Lake since early childhood and have never seen a leach in either. Large water snakes and snapping turtles however

07-16-2022, 11:58 AM	#5
mike7575 Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 56	In Viet Nam we used bug juice to remove leeches. I always carried spare bottles if I could get them.

07-18-2022, 10:39 AM	#8
mike7575 Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 56	Sorry but no idea but I"m pretty sure sure it was supplied by the lowest bidder

07-18-2022, 12:14 PM	#10
DSettahr ɹǝqɯǝɯ Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,468	I've swum in Crane a few times over the years. If you pick the right spot on the shore you shouldn't have to worry too much about leaches. The shoreline near Site #2 is pretty rocky and probably a good bet. If that campsite is occupied you can walk a bit further east along the shoreline and find other spots to jump in without disturbing the campsite occupants. Justin is 100% correct about the large snapping turtles and water snakes, though.

08-03-2022, 05:40 PM	#12
joeDacks Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 10	Does anyone know if the mud hole is passable? I know it's been extremely dry this summer and would want to get all the way in with boats and gear.

08-04-2022, 10:35 PM	#14
richard1726 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: 06333 & Pittsburg, Berlin GR, Edmonton Posts: 472	On Isle Royal (Lake Superior) I must have stepped into a nest? and had literally 100s on my lower legs. My Dad said "oh , no big deal,"sprinkled salt on them and they quickly fell off. I did not feel a thing!

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