Remote Paddling Suggestions

[Dayjon]

Hi Everyone,

I rarely post, but my brother and I are looking for recommendations on some remote canoeing, away from crowds and motor boats in early June. We are planning 2 or 3 nights and are looking for lakes that are sizable enough to spend some time exploring. St. Regis area and West Canada Lake Wilderness have peaked our interest. What are your thoughts on these two general areas and does anyone have other recommendations? We truly appreciate it!

[Connecticut Yankee]

You won't go wrong with either area, and in early June the Black Flies should keep the crowds at bay.

[DSettahr]

Unless you're into the idea of some lengthy carries, most of the West Canada Lakes area is not really all that accessible for paddling. It's been done before, but you'd want to have ultralight pack canoes for sure.

The St. Regis Canoe Area is definitely the better bet. There's a lot of portaging here but most of the portages tend to be relatively short and easy. Once you get more than 1 or 2 portages in from any access point, the overall use levels tend to stay pretty low.

For other destination suggestions, you might appreciate this post on the subject I recently made in response to a similar request on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Adirondacks...tions/fnt521z/

FWIW, June really is not all that busy a month in the backcountry of the Adirondacks in a normal season. Memorial Day Weekend will see crowds eager to get into the backcountry, but then things quiet down again until July 4th. Even areas that regularly fill to brim with hikers and campers on weekends in July and August can be practically deserted on weekends in June.

Almost certainly much of this pattern in use can be attributed to the bugs- which can be downright vicious in some areas in June. You'll want to go prepared with full body coverings to be sure- bug net for your head (make sure it's no-see-um proof, not all bug nets are), long sleeve shirts, and possibly even gloves for your hands.

The one saving grace to black flies is that they go away at night. By late June, however, black fly season very well could be over, and the mosquitoes and no-see-ums could be out... they just get worse once the sun sets.

[2505]

Maybe Essex Chain?

[stripperguy]

Questions:
Can you carry? If so, would you have a limit on distance?
Corpus Christi, TX? Do you have your own canoe and method of transport?
Do you need marked and maintained trails for carrying?
Midweek trip or weekend?

[Dayjon]

We are definitely willing to carry, but probably not more than a mile or two. I'm from Binghamton originally, but now live in CC, Texas. Still have family upstate so I try to come home every summer for at least a month. My brother lives in Oneonta and has a canoe, and though marked and maintained trails would be nice, if it's a short distance I think we could manage without. We're looking at a Friday through Sunday sort of deal.

[stripperguy]

OK, do you prefer small water? Nevermind, who doesn't?
Early June is generally not so crowded...be prepared for black flies.

Lake Lila to Bog River via Harrington is a cool trip, but requires a car shuttle.
Or just Lows Lake via the Bog and Hitchins Pond.

Little Tupper to Lake Lila can be done with a bike shuttle, but carries are a bit over your preferred limit.

Anywhere in the St Regis area is nice, carries are mostly short. Long Pond is a relaxed trip, with a side trip up Long Pond Mt.

Essex Chain Lakes and a trip down the Chain Drain, while campfires are still banned at lakeside sites, there are other spots to camp. You can also spend some time on the Rock and Cedar rivers.

Cedar River Flow, although small motors are allowed, it's generally quiet once you're away from the put in sites. There's the added bonus of a resident moose, maybe you'll get lucky.

More details about any of these can be had for the asking.

[TrailBlaser]

How about a paddle up the Oswegatchie with the destination being to get above High Falls. I camp at one of the sites near the Robinson River and fish both rivers. You can also get some solitude on Lows Lake if you pick a site on the south shore or paddle into Bog Lake.

[Dayjon]

Thanks for the recommendation Trailblaser. That is a new one to me. When you do that trip, do you put in at Wanakena? How long is the paddle to get to High Falls from where you put in? What kind of fish do you mostly target there?

[TrailBlaser]

Most people go the upstream route - put in at Inlet. Depending on the water levels, I have made it above High Falls to my favorite spots in one day, but I prefer to break it up and camp the first night at one of my preferred spots below the falls. There are some great hikes that are accessible from the river. My favorite is to take the trail to the Five Ponds as a day hike to fish a couple of the ponds or, if time allows, an overnight at one of them. Then back to the river the next day for a paddle to a site above the falls. I tend to make slow progress, as I find it hard to resist putting a line in here and there. That also gives me time to observe, take photos and contemplate the serenity of the area. It is brook trout in the Robinson and the upper Oswegatchie. I like to leave my canoe at the confluence of the Oswegatchie and the Robinson, walk up the Robinson and fish the pools with my Tenkara rod. Doing the trip in reverse from Lows would be tough (and very rushed) with the 2-3 nights you said you have for the trip. The bugs are definitely a consideration on the Oswegatchie; I agree with Wldrns, you just deal with them. My favorite time is late September/early October.

[bigkevkayaker]

The Oswegatchie trip to High Falls is a classic, but the trip from Bog River to Headwaters Carry is an amazing trip. Long carry from Lows to Oswegatchie, but certainly a trip to remember. Long Lake to Raquette Lake is another amazing trip, lake and river paddling with 1 mile carry around the falls

[Wldrns]

The Oswegatchie trip to High Falls is a classic, but the trip from Bog River to Headwaters Carry is an amazing trip. Long carry from Lows to Oswegatchie, but certainly a trip to remember. Long Lake to Raquette Lake is another amazing trip, lake and river paddling with 1 mile carry around the falls

Lows Lake to the O headwaters is a great trip, with only a 3 mile carry.
If you mean the carry around Raquette Falls from Long Lake you are a bit confused. That would be Long Lake to the Raquette River, eventually flowing into Tupper Lake with the 1.1 mile falls carry along the way. If you mean Buttermilk falls, that is between Long Long Lake and Forked Lake before you do another carry to Raquette Lake from Forked. Most will paddle that in the direction from Raquette to Long Lake. The road carry around Buttrmilk Falls is about 3.75 miles. It is possible to hop in and out of the river along the way, but is mostly not worth the trouble.

[Nehasane]

The Oswegatchie is a great trip but I would stay away from it & other streams in black fly season - more likely to get a nice breeze on lakes & ponds to keep them at bay.

[Wldrns]

For solitude, go during black fly season. Long sleeves, a headset and deal with it.

[bigkevkayaker]

Lows Lake to the O headwaters is a great trip, with only a 3 mile carry.
If you mean the carry around Raquette Falls from Long Lake you are a bit confused. That would be Long Lake to the Raquette River, eventually flowing into Tupper Lake with the 1.1 mile falls carry along the way. If you mean Buttermilk falls, that is between Long Long Lake and Forked Lake before you do another carry to Raquette Lake from Forked. Most will paddle that in the direction from Raquette to Long Lake. The road carry around Buttrmilk Falls is about 3.75 miles. It is possible to hop in and out of the river along the way, but is mostly not worth the trouble.

Confused is a state of mind...thanks for catching that. I did mean the Raquette River
Never been to Raquette Lake, will have to put it on my list
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