Canoe routes

[Wildernessphoto]

Let's talk Canoeing too! What's your favorite place to paddle, and
What's your favorite boat?

The Photography of Gary F. Dean

[VTskier]

Not sure I've found/have a favorite canoe. I have a Wenonah Prism (kelvar), I have a wooden solo canoe, 11 ft, for use with a double paddle, and I'm working on a cedar strip solo canoe, 15.5 ft.

I love to paddle the Adk, from day paddles to overnights. Little Tupper, Lake Lila, the St Regis area, the Ossweegoche (sp), the area around Lake Clear/Follensby Clear/Fish Creek, love them all. I also do the Adk 90 miler race each Sept, so I get to paddle from Old Forge to Saranac Lake and see all the beautiful Adk lakes/rivers.

[morrell12]

Wenonah Adirondack

I have the Wenonah Adirondack canoe. IT weighs only 54 pounds! I love to canoe up on Saranac Lake, Long Lake, and in the Rollins Pond area where there are ponds and ponds connecting ponds to canoe. I think my next canoe trip is going to be at Algonquin in Quebec!

[DLHiker]

I have an Apple kevlar.

Also, I have a restored canvas-covered canoe--took me two years to restore. Actually, i shouldn't say I restored it B/ I don't even know the original manufacturer. But it was on a burn pile, and I rebuilt it.

As for canoeing in the 'daks, I love the narrow meandering rivers and streams. A personal favorite is the Kunjamuk in Speculator.

[DLHiker]

great pictures!

Wilderness, or Gary, I was just checking out your web site. You have some great shots and many from one of my favorite areas: Hamilton County. You might have gained a customer here!

[Wildernessphoto]

Re: great pictures!

Originally posted by DLHiker
Wilderness, or Gary, I was just checking out your web site. You have some great shots and many from one of my favorite areas: Hamilton County. You might have gained a customer here!

DLHiker,
GREAT! I always can use more customers! I'm glad you like my work.
I've never tried the Kunjamuk in Speculator. I'll have to check that out.

VTSkier, and Morrell12,
Sounds like we travel a lot in the same areas! I call Rollins pond my second home! I've covered a lot of the lakes in the tri-lakes (Saranac's) area, and work on trails, and lean-to's on the Raquette River. I 'm planning on doing Little Tupper, and lake Lila this next year. I did the Bog River flow and Portaged to the Oswegatchi this past summer. That was a good trip. lot's of fun!

My favorite canoe is my Hornbeck Lost Pond Canoe I LOVE IT! I highly recommend 'em!

[VTskier]

Algonquin Park

Algonquin Park is a great area also, but I believe it is in Ontario. There is another canoe area/park in Quebec, but I forget its name. Only been to Algonquin once, about 2 years ago in late Sept. It was beautiful. Much more remote that the Adk. We sent 4 days paddling the Eastern area, but I forget (seems to be a trend) the names without a map handy.

I've also paddled the Bog River in the Adk. We won't to do the Bog River to Osswegotchi River. Is the trail fairly defined now? I had heard that at first (2 years ago) there was not much in the way of marked trails between those areas.

[Wildernessphoto]

Re: Algonquin Park

Originally posted by VTskier
I've also paddled the Bog River in the Adk. We won't to do the Bog River to Osswegotchi River. Is the trail fairly defined now? I had heard that at first (2 years ago) there was not much in the way of marked trails between those areas.

Hi VT..
The Portage between the Bog river flow,(Low's Lake) and the Oswegatchi is about 3.5 miles, It's rough going in spots. The DEC cleared the trail from all the blowdown in '95 and it looks like a war zone in spots with all the trees broken off about 20' up. This has left the berry bushes to grow fast, and furious, so plan on pushing through the thorns! The portage really needs to be done in 3 parts. You portage about 1 mile to Big Deer Pond, then you cross the pond and go another mile to a pond made by the beaver (they flooded the basin) and cross that with your canoe, then you do the 1.5 to the Oswegatchi. At that point you have many obstacles on the Oswegatchi above the falls. We went at high water and encountered many large white pines across the river that we had to lift our boats over, or lay flat in the boat to get under. There are many small falls, rapids, and log jams that actually make the trip fun as you shoot down the flumes, and run these mild rapids. You need a sturdy boat, and a lot of endurance. The trip is challenging and isn't for the weak, or anyone who has a problem with leaches. We had quite a few leaches we had to pick off as we had to get into the water to get our boats over the obstacles. The water looks like strong tea, so I would recommend a good filter for drinking water. I would also recommend a good bug spray since many miles of the Oswegatchi is through swamp. It will challenge anyone who does it! Pack light, and lace everything in the boat, you will have a real sense of accomplishment when your done!

[redhawk]

Raquette River/Falls

I currently have a kayak. I am hoping to get a canoe this spring.

If I don't then I will rent one and put in at the north end long Lake and paddle up the raquette river. There is a takeout above the upper falls and a trail that is about a mile long that has two lean-to's and plenty of camping area near the caretakers cabin.
You can camp there and view raquette falls and the lower falls nd if you wish, use it as a base to do two or three peaks in the area (In the Seward range I think)

Then you can put back in past the lower falls and continue North to Tupper Lake. There are other carry's also.

I hiked the trail that come down into this area and I spent a night there before packing back out. It was rainy and I just went to raquette and the lower falls.

[rondak100]

Floatables

I have an aluminum Grumman conoe, a Dagger Savannah touring Kayak with a rudder and two dry compartments and a Perception Whitewater Kayak. I love them all. WW kayaking is a tremendous rush, but I largely abstained last year due to lack of health insurance. I really like to paddle the small rivulets and Vlys. The West Branch Of the Sacandaga, in Arietta is my favorite place to take people conoeing. I want to do Algonquin this year but I cannnot plan that trip right now.

Tha Savannah with a spray skirt and rudder blasts through wind, waves and rain ( one of my favorite times to take it out). It tracks a straight line while paddling one-for-one, left side, right side. I love it. The Grumman is great but noisy when you hit the aluminum with a paddle.

Oh yeah, I set up a Yahoo group for paddlers. Please join. It is found at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Paddling_Partners/

It is quiet right now and you will need a Yahoo ID.

Happy Paddling, Mike



Mike

[redhawk]

Re: Floatables

Originally posted by rondak100
I really like to paddle the small rivulets and Vlys. The West Branch Of the Sacandaga, in Arietta is my favorite place to take people conoeing. I want to do Algonquin this year but I cannnot plan that trip right now.

Mike

Let me know when you're ready to do the West Branch. I have been contemplating doing a backpack/paddle of the WB from it's Source (Meco Lake) to where it's confluence with the main branch.
There certainly would be a few carries, the fifth falls, the 3rd and forth falls, and the 1st and 2nd falls and depending on the time of year, anywhere from a class II to class VI rapids between the first falls and the confluence. Or one could just pull out and pack up at Whitehouse.

[morrell12]

VT Skier

I would be interested in doing the 90 mile canoe race. Can you give me more details? Shoot me an e-mail or PM as you have your options shut off. Thanks.......

[Glen L]

90 miler

Try this link but be sure to register early. It's always a sell-out

https://www.macscanoe.com/races.htm

[morrell12]

Thanks Glen! So do you do the race?

[pondhopper]

Like out of the way ones

The "Red Horse Chain" off of Stillwater reservoir is a good one. It links Salmon, Withhopple and Clear Lakes with side excursions to Summit Pond and Crooked lake possible. Summit Mt. overlooking Clear Lake has a nice view.

The "North Creek Chain" (very little used name) is also off of Stillwater Res. and links Washbowl pond and Shallow, Raven, Lyon and Bear Lakes. There is a designated campsite located between Bear & Diana ponds. The trail is getting hard to follow now because its used so little. Theres a bare-rocked hill next to Raven with a pretty nice view.

I usually 'splunk' down on single or small clusters of ponds with my canoe. Lucky enough to see a moose wade out on West Lake of the 'West Canadas' last year.