Adirondack Sports & Fitness - Paddling on the Adirondack Waters

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Paddling on the Adirondack Waters

Interested in getting on the water this summer? The Adirondack region has more than 3,000 lakes and ponds and 6,000 miles of rivers and streams. Canoeing and kayaking opportunities range from a short loop around a scenic lake to a multi-day river and lake trip, or from challenging whitewater to mirrored ponds.

But first of all, what’s so special about paddling? There’s the physicality of the sport: the choreography between paddle and the water, the wondrous feel of motion under your own power, the challenge to improve your stroke, the meandering around lakes or streams, and the people you meet of all ages and walks of life. And there’s the opportunity to see, feel, and experience wild country, which has probably fueled the passion for paddling more than anything else.

Canoes and kayaks can take you to remote and exciting places to make you feel like you’re way out there. Although many places are accessible to beginning paddlers, acquiring the necessary skills to venture out on one’s own takes time. The mechanics of paddling may seem easy to the casual observer but there is much to learn. It’s important to start slowly, then work your way up to longer, more challenging routes.

Fortunately, there are many Adirondack outfitters that will teach you the basics and beyond. The clinics they offer help you develop a solid foundation of skills, as well as meet like-minded individuals who enjoy the sport as much as you do. Consider joining a local paddling club where beginners are always welcome.

Adirondack Mountain Club (many chapters) - Headquarters: (800) 395-8080
Adirondack Paddlers (Saranac Lake) - Chip Bryant: (518) 327-322
Appalachian Mountain Club (Mohawk Hudson) - Bob Luther: (518) 456-1499
Hudson River Watertrail Assn. (Hudson Valley) - Craig Poole: (201) 333-5857
Ka-Na-Wa-Ke Canoe Club (Syracuse) - Jeffrey Smith: (315) 478-5697
St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers (Canton) - www.northnet.org/slvpaddlers/

Once you develop the foundation skills, you’ll want to use them on longer and more challenging trips. But you may not be comfortable leaving familiar ground and paddling off into the unknown. Professional outfitters and guides offer options for novices, singles, and even veterans lacking the time, or expertise, to put together their own journeys. Licensed guides offer coaching and assistance, and group equipment, food, and boats.

If the paddling bug has bitten you, it’s recommended that you rent before you buy. Try the boats out on the water to choose what’s right for you.

In the Adirondacks, there are great places to paddle that express every disposition imaginable, so identify routes or destinations that match your interest, ability, and available time. The nature of these waterways requires that you obtain a good topographic map and guidebook before setting out (see Resources). These publications will make your trip safer and will enhance your visit by providing interesting background information on the area.

Flatwater

If you are just learning to paddle, search out small easy lakes and ponds that have little wind and quiet waves. Many of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) campgrounds have good boat launch sites; you can either use them as base camps or pay the day-use fee. Pick up or order a copy of the DEC’s Camping brochure for more information.

Flatwater paddling is safe if you paddle with others, know how to swim, wear an approved life jacket or personal floatation device, and have practiced swimming with your life jacket. Always be sure someone knows where you are going, when you are expected back, and avoid stretches of rapids.

Here are some suggested paddling routes to get you started on smaller Adirondack lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. These excerpts are from Fun on Flatwater: An Introduction to Adirondack Canoeing by Barbara McMartin (North Country Books). Reference the guidebook for detailed descriptions and simple maps. The selected routes offer a sample of the kinds of places you can visit with longer paddling trips. These scenic adventures are almost entirely surrounded by state lands and have easy access from good roads.

In the southeast, Garnet Lake is a beautiful place to paddle that is dominated by surrounding mountain peaks. South of Johnsburg on Route 8 to Garnet Lake Road, the launch is on a small patch of state land. Another choice is Mason Lake, which has beautiful evergreen shores, islands, and tiny bays. It is very small, but a wonderful and very accessible place to explore. Mason Lake is on the west side of Route 30, 8 miles north of Speculator and south of Lewey Lake Campground. Jessup River Road forks southeast from Route 30 and follows the western shore of the lake where there are several campsites and put-ins.

In the central region, Lake Abanakee is a widening of the Indian River just below the outlet dam of Indian Lake. Launch just south of Indian Lake on Route 28. South Pond is fairly large and very popular with many islands, beaches and bays to explore. You can launch north of Blue Mountain Lake on Route 30.

In the west, Moss Lake is irregularly shaped and is good for swimming. Launch on Big Moose Road off of Route 28, north of Eagle Bay. In the northwest, Piercefield Flow is a widening of the Raquette River with good bird watching and fishing. The launch is south of bridge on Route 30, west of Tupper Lake village.

In the northeast, Franklin Falls Pond is a quiet narrow lake created by a dam on the Saranac River. It has three islands, several bays, views of Whiteface and Moose mountains, and a wooded shoreline with very little development. A 7-mile circuit of the pond, its inlet and bays takes a half-day or so. The Niagara Mohawk launch site is next to the bridge where County Route 48 crosses the outlet near the power dam, west of Franklin Falls.

Most Adirondack river and stream routes are clustered in the south, west, and north regions because the rivers of the east, particularly the Hudson and its tributaries, are wild and tumbling with few flatwater stretches. These streams are so sluggish that they often have beaver dams, so you will get plenty of practice carrying your canoe or kayak over them.

In the south, Auger Flats on the Main Branch of the Sacandaga River may be one of the best short canoe trips in the Adirondacks. Depending on the beaver activity, there is a 2-mile stretch that can be paddled upstream. With the return, you’ll spend as little as two hours on the river. Do not canoe downstream from the put-in, it is very dangerous and quickly leads to Auger Falls. To find the launch site from Wells, drive north from the intersection of Routes 30 and 8 for 1.5 miles to a dirt road that heads right; follow 200 yards to a beach launch spot beside the river.

The West Branch Sacandaga River is north-flowing, winding along Route 10 in southern Hamilton County. It is perhaps the best flatwater canoe stretch in the Adirondacks. The suggested launch site is adjacent to the second bridge north of Pine Lake, 6 miles north of the intersection of Routes 29A and 10 on Route 10. Heading downstream (north), you approach Trout Lake Mountain, then continue north to the entrance to the Trout Lakes, 2 miles from the start. On the return, you can paddle upstream on the relatively quiet stream for 2 miles one way, or extend the trip by exploring Good Luck Lake to the west. Option to avoid paddling upstream: park a car near Shaker Place on Route 10, 6.5 miles north of the second bridge, launch at the second bridge, and do a one-way trip.

In the central region, South Inlet on Raquette Lake is a special place for birds and ducks. The inlet stretches from the shores of Raquette Lake for over 2 miles upstream to a waterfall on the stream that drains Sagamore Lake. Allow 2-3 hours to paddle and enjoy the surroundings. Launch access is easy on the south side of Route 28 just east of the bridge.

In the northeast, Ausable Marsh is a wonderful place to paddle with birds, wildflowers, and meandering watercourses. The marsh is 9 miles south of Plattsburgh, you can put-in at the beach in Ausable Campground and paddle upriver to Route 9. There are several ways to enjoy the marsh, if the wind and waves are calm enough you can take the south fork of the river and return along the shore of Lake Champlain. Suggestion: wind and waves are generally calmer in the morning. In between the two branches there is another channel through which to explore the marsh.

Whitewater

Whitewater trips require special skills and equipment. If you are lacking in either of these areas consider taking a trip with a full-service outfitter or guide service, which will make your outing safe and memorable.

Adequate water levels are essential to running many river and whitewater routes in the Adirondacks. Most river routes are best done in the spring or fall, however this year’s heavy rain has expanded the season into the summer.

Extreme water levels will change the difficulty classification of rivers; most guidebooks suggest minimum and maximum water levels for trips. Some rivers have gauging stations, which help determine how high the water is running. For daily gauge readings on many Adirondack rivers call the Waterline at 800-747-1667.

This article is a general overview of locations for paddling opportunities. Once you decide on a destination, pick up a good guidebook and/or a topographic map for detailed information. If you are inexperienced or lack the proper gear, contact a knowledgeable guide or full-service outfitter in the Adirondack region.

Many organizations offer canoe and kayak workshops and instructions at various times. They include the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), the Lake George Association, the American Canoe Association, chapters of the American Red Cross, and the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Centers (in Paul Smiths and Newcomb). See the Calendar of Events under Paddlesports for upcoming workshops.

Adirondack Paddling Resources

Fun on Flatwater: An Introduction to Adirondack Canoeing by Barbara McMartin, North Country Books, 1995.

Adirondack Canoe Waters — North Flow by Paul Jamieson & Donald Morris, Adirondack Mountain Club, 1994.

Adirondack Canoe Waters — South & West Flow by Alec Proskine, Adirondack Mountain Club, 1998.

Quiet Water Canoe Guide — New York by John Hayes & Alex Wilson, Appalachian Mountain Club, 1996.

Adirondack Canoe Map by Adirondack Maps, Keene Valley, NY.

Adirondack Map Series by Adirondack Maps, Keene Valley, NY. Series of five maps: Central Mountains, High Peaks Region, Lake George Region, Northwest Lakes, and West-Central Wilderness Area.

New York State Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLorme Mapping Co., Freeport, ME.

U.S. Geological Service Topographic Maps by USGS, Denver, CO.

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) publishes many free brochures, call 518-457-7433 or visit www.dec.state.ny.us.

Adirondack Waterways. Call the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council at 518-846-8016 or visit adk.com for this free booklet. It’s supported by advertisers including many outfitters, places to rent canoes/kayaks, and experienced guides.

Canoe Franklin County. Call Franklin County Tourism at 518-483-1704.

Whitewater Rafting. Call Warren County Tourism at 800-365-1050, x908.

Adirondack Reservoirs. Call 800-NIAGARA for information on reservoirs operated by Niagara Mohawk.