Paddling & Camping Location Recommendations

[Zimbo]

Here's my story...
For the past 10 years a group of friends gather for an extended weekend of canoe/kayak paddling and camping. The group usually runs from 6 to 10 people depending on schedules. The only place we've ever gone is to Forked Lake. We love the camping and paddling there but I'd like to explore someplace new. Someplace without motorized boats would be welcome!

A bit about the group's dynamics:
We're in the 40 - 50 age range
Probably pack a bit heavy -- we like to make good meals.
Not the most physically fit group but we do okay.
Like to socialize around the campfire with a bit of libation
You probably get the picture...
Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[madison]

Try Little Tupper Lake. No motorboats, lots of campsites. The only drawback is the water can get pretty choppy in rough weather and make it hard to reach the sites or get out on schedule. Just bring enough booze in case you have to stay an extra day.

[beaverPond]

long lake lean to's sound like a good choice. there aren't a ton of motorized boats, and the lean to's can be somewhat off the beaten path. but it's a long paddle up the lake to the lean to's.

[oldsmores]

Fish Creek/Rollins Pond/St. Regis Canoe Wilderness Area

[Grey-Jay]

No to Little Tupper

I'd actually like to discourage you from Little Tupper!

First, for many, including me, Little Tupper Lake is treasured as one of those peaceful places to listen to the loons at night, and not the large campground crowds that get lively after drinking and having the boom box cranked up. No disrespect, but there is so much of that type of atmosphere at the state campgrounds and many popular lakes, that it is hard to find a place to go to enjoy quiet and solitude. If I am going to paddle out 6 miles in a headwind to set up camp on an island at the end of Little Tupper, i surely would like it to be a wilderness experience and not an atmosphere as if my neighborhood is having a block party. This is a personal peave of mine that is no different than jet skiis-when people's activity impacts many others around them negatively.

Second, you say you pack heavy. Well, the forest rangers at the Little tupper launch try to discourage the camping where people load up their canoes with lawn chairs, coolers, and portable gas grills, four feet high. Take note: Little Tupper can be a very dangerous lake to paddle on when wind and waves get whipped up. Which is often. This is a lake where proper loading of your boat so you can control it if weather worsens is a requirement. Little Tupper demands respect for possible severe conditions whcih means packing any boat proeprly without stuff hanging off it or piled up high. The rangers communicate this for your safety and theirs if they have to rescue you.

This post may seem harsh, but the reality is that is almost impossible to go camping on water in the Adirondacks these days without having to listen to loud music and voices all evening long. My suburban backyard is often quieter than an Adirondack wilderness lake, leave alone a public campground. Unlike the Saranacs, St. Regis Area, Forked lake, and more, Little Tupper has remained relatively quiet.

Actually, please do go and enjoy it if you just use good judgement and respect on not making a racket.

[southernadkhiker]

My suburban backyard is often quieter than an Adirondack wilderness lake

You can't be serious with this statement. I find more solitude at an adirondack lake, especially at one in a designated wilderness area, than anywhere else in the world.

[Wldrns]

Actually, please do go and enjoy it if you just use good judgement and respect on not making a racket.

Amen to that, I too was wondering about getting "the picture" of your group. Areas where motorboats are absent tend to be quieter places on the whole, not someplace to go to libate. Please note also that if you go to a wilderness area, you are restricted to a group size of 8 or fewer persons. So... if you would like to enjoy someplace a little more wild, try packing lighter, take just the essentials, and enjoy the natural surroundings without drowning it out with heavy drink, noise, and bright lights. You might get a few more suggestions of where to go in the trade.

[Zimbo]

Thanks for the advice adkayaker, we're not the loud boom-box extreme you describe. On the contrary we're very quiet and respect the quiet.

As I mentioned we do tend to pack heavily so I will heed your advice about Little Tupper.

I'm starting to see a trend...
Okay, we're not the noise-makers that may be frustrating YOU when you're camping. Normally we're in bed shortly after sunset. For us as a group we really only see each other once a year – we used to all work together in some capacity. Our day normally ends with a few beers around the campfire reminiscing and catching up.

Thanks Wldrns, I was wondering if the size of our group might be an issue.

[Adk Keith]

Rock Lake near Indian Lake.

Pack heavy? Not a problem. The group that took our place at the main campsite this year had their stuff brought in with two, count them, TWO float planes.

Not my cup of tea but it was impressive.

[stripperguy]

If you have an aversion to carrying, then Little Tupper may suit you well, or maybe the connected Round Lake, which can be less threatening when the winds are harsh.
There is Hoel pond for another non-carry quiet water, with plenty of nearby waters for day trips and such.
If your group can handle a short carry, there is Long Pond in SRCWA, or Lake Lila, right near Little Tupper. If your group likes the Forked Lake area, you probably drive right by South Pond, most people do. It has a very short carry and, once you get away from Rt 30, some very inviting and quiet campsites.
If you like, take a look at this short trip report and use the link to the photos I took last weekend on Lake Lila.

http://www.adkforum.com/showthread.php?t=6877

Any of these places won't disappoint you...

[Grey-Jay]

You can't be serious with this statement. I find more solitude at an adirondack lake, especially at one in a designated wilderness area, than anywhere else in the world.

When it comes to numerous summer weekends, I am serious. I have had many noisy evenings til 2AM on Forked Lake, Follensby Clear Pond, Long Pond, the Saranacs, etc. Spring and fall and summer mid-week is a nicer story.

[Justin]

Cedar River Flow, Crane Pd, Cheney Pd, Indian Lake, The Saranacs, Rollins Pd and area are a few that are pretty cool canoe camping places.

Just 'cause you pack alot, and like to make good meals, and socialize by the fire with a bit of libation , dosen't make you a bad guy.

[Wildernessphoto]

Another option would be the Raquette river between Tupper and the Falls. There are motor boats allowed on that stretch, but you don't have to worry about wind, and there are lean-tos, and campsites right on the water. You can put in at the 3/30 boat launch, or Axton's landing, and paddle up stream to the falls. It's a beautiful area. Enjoy!