Kayaking trip

[TheBackpacker]

My friends and I would like to take a nice long trip in the Adirondacks this summer, and ive kind of been designated as the navigator. We want the trip to be 3 to 4 days long, and ive been looking at the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, specifically section 2 which goes from Long Lake to Saranac Lake. This alone is about 42 miles (according to the website... http://www.northernforestcanoetrail....CTsection2.pdf) but we would also like to go to Keene valley. That would be at the end of the trip, since its close to Saranac.. though im not quite sure how close.

Can someone give me suggestions as to what route(s) to take, what gear to bring, where we can stay (hopefully we could just find a spot and set up camp, though i dont know if thats possible), and anything else that I/we might need to know about this trip. If anyone has completed this section of the NFCT that would also be helpful.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and help me!

-TheBackpacker

[johnstp]

Not sure about Long Lake to Saranac Lake, but Keene Valley is about 45 minutes from SL by car. I don't think there is a navigable water route between the two.

[redhawk]

You can get from Long Lake to Saranac lake by paddling down the Raquette River from Long Lake, and upstream to the Stony Creek Ponds You will have two carries to get to Saranac. You will have a little under a one mile carry around raquette, upper and lower falls on the raquette. Then you need to look for the outlet of the Stony Creek ponds coming in from the East and then paddle upstream into the first pond, then across and under the highway bridge into the second pond. There is a carry on the Western shore of the pond to Lake Saranac. I think it's about a mile, but I'm not positive.
Hawk

[stripperguy]

Backpacker,
I'm not sure what type of experience you are hoping to have on this trip. There are some sections that are sort of remote, but you will encounter a fair amount of motor boat traffic, worse near the weekends and towns.
If all you are looking for is miles, then this trip could be great, particularly if you plan it for an off season or midweek. But, if you might want a wilderness type of experience, you might want to consider a loop trip in the St. Regis Pond area or a through trip near Little Tupper Lake. What these areas lack in mileage they more than make up for in solitude and tranquility. And the total miles of carries could be the same. There is a 1.5 mile carry around Raquette Falls on the NFCT trip.

[Wldrns]

My friends and I would like to take a nice long trip in the Adirondacks this summer, and ive kind of been designated as the navigator. We want the trip to be 3 to 4 days long, and ive been looking at the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, specifically section 2 which goes from Long Lake to Saranac Lake. This alone is about 42 miles (according to the website... http://www.northernforestcanoetrail....CTsection2.pdf) but we would also like to go to Keene valley. That would be at the end of the trip, since its close to Saranac.. though im not quite sure how close.

Can someone give me suggestions as to what route(s) to take, what gear to bring, where we can stay (hopefully we could just find a spot and set up camp, though i dont know if thats possible), and anything else that I/we might need to know about this trip. If anyone has completed this section of the NFCT that would also be helpful.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and help me!

-TheBackpacker

The NFCT has excellent an guide to the route. Also get yourself a copy of the Adirondack Canoe Map. Either the older edition or the more durable (more expensive) newer one will tell what you need to know.

I've done this route many times, as it is part of the 90 Miler Adirondack Canoe Classic race. There is a mile carry around Raquette Falls on the Raquette River. It is up and down, the first part over boulders. You will have a long carry leading into Upper Saranac Lake from Stony Creek, another at Bartlett Carry into Middle Saranac Lake. From there you can take the lock or short carry around it into Lower Saranac. Finally you have a short but muddy steep carry around the lower lock into Oseetah Lake on your way to SL village.

Unless you have some experience and an efficient method of carrying your kayak, you may have some trouble on these portages. Wheels would be useful, but not everywhere. It can be and is done with kayaks, but canoes will pass you by on the carries.

This is a fantastic and extremely varied trip, including both big and small water. But you will not be alone for much of the way as it covers popular water for paddle and motor alike. There are numerous shoreline campsites all along the way. Only on Middle and Lower Saranac Lake will you need to reserve (or take your chances upon arrival), and there is a charge for those sites.

[TheBackpacker]

thanks

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and information. Yes, I am looking for a more serene and less trafficked trip. I had no idea that this was a popular route for motorboats and the like. The guide made it sound like it was the least travelled area of the trail. How long would the trip(s) around Little Tupper Lake be? Thats pretty close, the house that my friend owns is right on Mt. Arab Lake. Really what were looking for is anything that is like 3 days long that isnt overcrowded with other boaters.. especially motorboats! And we will be going in the last couple weeks of June at some point.

[stripperguy]

This area is a designated wilderness, so there will not be so much as an electric trolling motor in sight. Great natural beaches and some very nice primitive campsites. Little Tupper Lake is practically made for kayaks, 6 miles of varied water with several side excursions directly from a single put in. Also, the prevailing winds and shallow water can make for some big rollers, not so much fun in an open canoe, but no problem in your kayak.
My son and I did a nearly 30 mile loop, starting at LTL and ending at Lake Lila, with a 7 mile mountain bike commute between the put in and take out. We did this in 2 days, but 3 would have been more enjoyable. We saw a boat or two on LTL, but once we traversed the interior ponds, we didn't see another person until Lake Lila. Most of the carries are on old logging roads, so you could use a set of wheels, except for the last carry to Shingle Shanty Brook, which is (or was) barely traveled. This last carry is likely more defined now. I'm sure some of the others here have more current info. I have few pictures someplace, if you care to see them I can dig them up and post.

[TheBackpacker]

hmm

that does sound great.. but is there anything longer around? we'd like to do like 40 to 50 miles.. in like 3 to 4 days. And maybe a river would be best.. i like the idea of going on a river as opposed to lakes. is there a nice remote route along the raquette?

[Wldrns]

that does sound great.. but is there anything longer around? we'd like to do like 40 to 50 miles.. in like 3 to 4 days. And maybe a river would be best.. i like the idea of going on a river as opposed to lakes. is there a nice remote route along the raquette?

It depends on how much you want or are able to carry your boat on portages. For such a long trip you will not be able to avoid motorboats totally where you can easily carry a kayak. Take the trip from Long Lake to Tupper Lake and you will not see any motors from the end of the lake where you enter the river until you get below Raquette Falls. From there on to Tupper there will be a few mostly of the small fishing boat variety. They shouldn't be too bothersome for most of the way. Avoid weekends and the boat traffic will be much less.