Ice out Saratoga lake/Round Lake

[Tman]

My friends and I do a few paddling trips per year in the northern Adirondacks and stay at primitive campsites. Usually in the Summer and Fall. This year we’re looking to do a Spring trip the first weekend of April. I know up north the lakes are still frozen solid but how about how Saratoga and Round lake region? which is like 2 hours south of where we usually go. I see weather wise is supposed to be in the high 50’s all week. Would a overnight paddling trip to Round Lake be possible first weekend of April? Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[stripperguy]

Not sure where you might camp on or around Round Lake...it's pretty suburban there. Much of the shores are privately property with many homes, and most of the unoccupied shores are pretty marshy.
And Round Lake is roughly the size of a pin head, not too desirable.
Some ponds and lakes might thaw by the second week of April, but many of the southern ADK waters that might thaw are accessed via seasonal roads that won't open until the end of May.
Best bet for early season paddling and camping would be through Puntnam Pond, but 1st weekend in April is pretty iffy.

Here's a look at a buddy of mine on Putnam Pond, on the way to Grizzle Ocean, April 16, 2016

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[Tman]

Thanks so much for the info! I’m not familiar with that area as we typically camp much farther up north in the summer and fall months. Figured our best shot this early in the season would be farther south in the lower elevations. I did see that Saratoga Lake does have some primitive campsites. I’ll definitely check out your recommendation. Hoping some warmer weather moving through the next week might speed things along a bit. We’re pretty hardcore so as long as there’s enough open water to navigate to a campsite we can work with that!

[Buckladd]

If this is accurate, those lakes are currently open:

https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/?v=-75.24982451642606,42.21140510409074,-72.36319946822269,43.68621203240533&e=EONET_5357,2023-03-17&efs=true&efa=false&efd=2022-11-21,2023-03-21&efc=dustHaze,manmade,seaLakeIce,severeStorms,snow,volcanoes,waterColor,wildfires&l=Reference_Labels_15m,Reference_Features_15m,Coastlines_15m(hidden),MODIS_Aqua_Sea_Ice(hidden),MODIS_Terra_Sea_Ice(hidden),VIIRS_SNPP_Brightness_Temp_BandI5_Night(hidden),VIIRS_SNPP_Brightness_Temp_BandI5_Day(hidden),VIIRS_NOAA20_Brightness_Temp_BandI5_Night(hidden),VIIRS_NOAA20_Brightness_Temp_BandI5_Day(hidden),MODIS_Aqua_Brightness_Temp_Band31_Night(hidden),MODIS_Aqua_Brightness_Temp_Band31_Day(hidden),MODIS_Terra_Brightness_Temp_Band31_Night(hidden),MODIS_Terra_Brightness_Temp_Band31_Day(hidden),VIIRS_SNPP_DayNightBand_ENCC(hidden),VIIRS_SNPP_DayNightBand_At_Sensor_Radiance(hidden),VIIRS_SNPP_DayNightBand_AtSensor_M15(hidden),VIIRS_SNPP_CorrectedReflectance_TrueColor(hidden),VIIRS_NOAA20_CorrectedReflectance_TrueColor(hidden),BlueMarble_NextGeneration(hidden),MODIS_Aqua_CorrectedReflectance_TrueColor(hidden),MODIS_Terra_CorrectedReflectance_TrueColor&lg=false&t=2023-03-21-T04%3A00%3A00Z

[Curlymoe]

WOW, that is a cool site. Thanks for posting.

[klinkhamer]

Round Lake is good for just a quick paddle around in summer and fall, do some fishing, bird watching, etc. It's a pothole lake and not very deep at that. The winds can kick up fast on a warm afternoon though. Not a lot to look at until you get near the Anthony Kill on other side, and no place to camp. The ice is already gone from Round Lake, but that water is still very cold.