Canoes in West Lake/Cedar Lakes?

[Tom Church]

2 Questions...

I have heard that there are conoes along the shore of Cedar Lakes. Is this true? Debating if I should bring my paddles.

Also Is it possible to go up the West Canada Creek to Mud Lake/South Lake/West Lake?

Thanks
Tom

[ADKHUNTER]

I've heard about canoes on the cedars myself but never found any. The West Canada Creek passes through Adirondack League Club lands which are posted. Don't want to get caught up there.

[Wldrns]

You would be surprised at the number of canoes/rowboats that can be found hidden on the shores of many, I dare say most of even the most remote lakes and ponds. Sometimes at the end of a trail, more often at some other unspecified out of the way place under brush. Few are chained to trees, most that are not are in very poor shape. Virtually none have functional paddles/oars within view, although they may be in a nearby well hidden location. So when you hear there may be a boat at such a lake, don't expect it to be useable without having recent good information. If you ever decide to venture out in these craft, replace where and as they were found.

As ADKHunter says, don't get caught on ALC land. They are very agressive about trespassers and they do patrol their wildland boundaries. Considering a rash of high profile arsons over the past couple of years they are especially vigilant and suspicious.

[Harvey44]

It's a little OT, but I carried a Hornbeck into the West Canadas - I think it was about 5 miles. Spent about 10 days in there. Had the time of my life. Well worth the effort.

Harv

[wbwells]

It's a little OT, but I carried a Hornbeck into the West Canadas - I think it was about 5 miles. Spent about 10 days in there. Had the time of my life. Well worth the effort.

Harv

You Mean Like This??? I just got back from There Last Week
What a Hike, very pretty area, Cedar Lakes LT #2 has Shingles and Boards staged up in it so I think it will be getting some restoration soon...

The loons are amazing on that Lake...Had 7 of them in front of the LT one morning.

WBW

[fvrwld]

I've heard about canoes on the cedars myself but never found any. The West Canada Creek passes through Adirondack League Club lands which are posted. Don't want to get caught up there.

As ADKHunter says, don't get caught on ALC land. They are very agressive about trespassers and they do patrol their wildland boundaries. Considering a rash of high profile arsons over the past couple of years they are especially vigilant and suspicious.

If in fact the West Canada Creek is navigable it is a public right of way and the ALC can not stop a paddler from traveling. This right of way also includes the creek bottom and bank if they are needed in a portage.

http://www.protectadks.org/programs/commcons/navigation-rights.pdf

http://www.eany.org/pressreleases/2000/06262000.html

http://www.adirondack-park.net/issues/river.rights-moose.html

They tricky part is figuring if it is naviagable.

Tom, I'm not suggesting you go and do this. Whoever does might end up in a 10 year court battle with a very wealthy club.

[Bill I.]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but ALC no longer owns all of that section of the West Canada Creek anymore. I think it's also shared by Miller Park, which as I understand it is a collection of property owners of more modest means.

If someone was determined to approach the West Canada Lakes from this direction, it might be feasible to secure permission to use their access road around West Canada Mountain to the northeast corner of Miller Park. You would need to have connections.

[pondhopper]

The bulk of ALC's Township #7 parcel:

[St.Regis]

People absolutely can go through the river on ALC land or any other navigable waterbody (the state's definition of navigability). Portage is an act of navigation, so you can do that too.

When you get away from navigation is when they can get you - no streamside lunches, or swimming, or anchoring/mooring the canoe to do some fishing. They own the bottom...if you are touching the bottom, you are trespassing.

[pondhopper]

As an FYI: I will add that West Can. Cr. has very few places to paddle, between the Second Stillwater & Mud Lake. It's nearly, all a portage, while on wet & slippery rocks.

According to some friends, whom did a big loop w/canoe from Brooktrout- West- South- WCC- Beaver Pond- Poor L.- Nortrup L- outlet- Brooktrout - back to Otter B. Parking. In 3 days. Kenton said- he was glad the alders were so thick along Northrup's outlet, cuz he got so pooped- he was stumbling all the time & the alders held him up and kept him from completely, falling all the way over & going to sleep.

ps- it was an old Gruman aluminum canoe, 'bout 60 lbs. Ol' "limber" Jimbo carried it, mostly.

[Tom Church]

Thanks for the info! This will be our first trip to this area and we are pretty excited!! We don't own light canoes yet and renting is out fo the price range for this trip...so we'll see what we can find!

Thanks
Tom