Carbon County High Point Trip Report

Lake Mtn (2,180+ ft)

Date: May 23, 2001
Author: Scott Surgent

Lake Mountain is an active ski resort known as Big Boulder, just a few miles off of Interstate-80 in eastern Pennsylvania. The map appeared to show two options to the summit: a road up the east side and a trail up the north side from the ski area. I scouted both options and decided to hike the road up the east side. From I-80, take the exit at PA-115 near the Pocono Raceway, and proceed south about two miles. Turn right (west) onto PA-903, and hit the Carbon county line about a mile later. A mile further west of the county line, PA-903 passes the main entrance to the ski area, then swings south. At this point, a dirt pull-out area is on the right. The road leads in from here but is normally gated. Signs explicitly ban unauthorized motorized travel on these roads but don't ban foot traffic.

The road dips slightly, crosses a rock reservoir, then makes a hard left at a junction (staying straight would take you to the ski area). Head up this road about a mile to the summit towers. The highpoint appears to be a bunch of rocks a few hundred feet west of the first towers. Some very old rusted steps allow access to the very top, but I'd just as soon suggest to avoid these steps altogether and make your own way up the rocks, about a 10-foot gain. From the highway to the rocks is about a shade over a mile one-way with about 400 feet of gain. The road is well maintained and appears to have been paved at one time. My round-trip time was about 40 minutes, with a nice jog down on the return.