Ice out trip to Bog River Flow

[Rich Lockwood]

I am considering a trip before bug season to the bog flow and pick up my Hornbeck at the same time.I have never paddled in the ADKs at that time.I know the water will be cold and plan on paddleing my Osprey so I have room for extra clothes and I'm sure to stay as dry as possible.Will the road to the lower dam be open?How late would I dare go?Any other suggestions?
Thanks,Rich

[Wldrns]

I am considering a trip before bug season to the bog flow and pick up my Hornbeck at the same time.I have never paddled in the ADKs at that time.I know the water will be cold and plan on paddleing my Osprey so I have room for extra clothes and I'm sure to stay as dry as possible.Will the road to the lower dam be open?How late would I dare go?Any other suggestions?
Thanks,Rich

When are you going? The lower dam access road is shaded, so ice could last on it for a while yet, but I wouldn't worry as you get into mid-late April and beyond. It's all highly weather dependent once we get to April. But hey, you have a portable boat and it's only 3/4 mile from the main road so anytime after lake ice-out you have no worries.

[Rich Lockwood]

Mid May?

I thought I would go as late as I could and still avoid the bugs (mid May?).I didn't know If their were barriers on the acess road till frost out.I was going to paddle my Swift osprey because I'm not familiar with my new Hornbeck in that cold water and I could take more warm stuff and travel heaver just in case also.I would pick up my new boat on the way home.
Rich

[Old Rivers]

It's been up to the local Dec officer as to when to unlock the gate depending on how soft the road is. (Ruts).

[Wldrns]

I thought I would go as late as I could and still avoid the bugs (mid May?).

On similar roads elsewhere, I know the ranger unlocks the gate around May 15, earlier if the weather is good. Unless we have an unusual cold/snow spell in early May you should be ok. Count on the black flies first appearing between the second and third week of May in normal years. The first batch is just bothersome and don't seem to know how to bite. By Memorial Day the second batch is out in full hungry battle gear.... but that date still could be highly variable. I've had the rare year of perfect warm weather on Memorial day with not a bug in sight.

[Wildernessphoto]

I am considering a trip before bug season to the bog flow and pick up my Hornbeck at the same time.I have never paddled in the ADKs at that time.I know the water will be cold and plan on paddleing my Osprey so I have room for extra clothes and I'm sure to stay as dry as possible.Will the road to the lower dam be open?How late would I dare go?Any other suggestions?
Thanks,Rich

Hi Rich,
You may want to consider going in from the horseshoe lake outlet. If the water is high, and the road is locked, it's another option.

['Dack Paddler]

Bog River Flow

I am considering a trip before bug season to the bog flow and pick up my Hornbeck at the same time.I have never paddled in the ADKs at that time.I know the water will be cold and plan on paddleing my Osprey so I have room for extra clothes and I'm sure to stay as dry as possible.Will the road to the lower dam be open?How late would I dare go?Any other suggestions?
Thanks,Rich

I take an Adirondack Canoe trip every year at the end of April with high school buddies, chance to leave the rat race behind for a weekend. We did the Bog River Flow last year and put in at the dam on April 21st. The road was open all the way in. We saw a little snow in the woods on our way in, but all water was ice free. I know it varies year to year, but for an FYI, we did it third week in April. Have fun and good luck!