The Dam Hill and Number 8 Hill - Pharaoh Lake Wilderness - 3/12/16

I had just gone to Number 8 Hill in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness on 2/14/16, but it impressed me so much take I went back there today with Leesa to show it to her.  On the first trip, I did a six pack of hills, finishing with Number 8 hill from the west.

This time, we started from the south and climbed the shoulder of Number 8 Mountain, then " The Dam Hill" (1324'), then climbed Number 8 Hill (1877') via the beautiful open rock SW ridge.  I can't imagine a more beautiful approach; especially considering that this peak is less than 2000' high.

Brant Lake from the shoulder of Number 8 Mountain

Rev, crossing Mill Brook 

The summit of "The Dam Hill"

Climbing the SW ridge of Number 8 Hill

Looking down the SW ridge of Number 8 Hill 

Nearing the top

The summit of Number 8 Hill.  Looking north to Pharaoh Mountain.

Pharaoh Mountain from Number 8 Hill

Looking south to Brant Lake.

A memorial on the summit of Number 8 Hill.

A closer look at the memorial.

Zoom view of Gore Mountain

Zoom view of Crane Mountain

Leesa giving Rev a reward on top of Number 8 Hill.

Looking NW to Hoffman Mountain and some of the high peaks in the distance.

We enjoyed the summit for quite a while, basking in the perfect 55 degree weather and bluebird skies.  Eventually we continued on by dropping down to the eastern sub-summit where there is quite a cliff and continued views east and north.

 

Pharaoh from the cliff at the eastern sub-summit of Number 8 Hill.

We went SW from the cliff and headed down on a parallel path tto our ascent route; just slightly more to the east.  We bypassed The Dam Hill on the way out and crossed Desolate Brook on the log we usd on the way in.

 

This log was our means of crossing the high flowing Desolate Brook

I'll probably be back to Number 8 Hill again at some point.  It is a fabulous place.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  8.75 miles

Hike Time:  5.5 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  ~2300'

The Route (click image to enlarge)