Looking for leanto on a small island that is an easy paddle to get to...

[allygatt]

My 9 year old niece just got her first kayak (arcadia scout) and we are looking for a really easy paddle for our first camping trip.

My sister has a siberian husky and would really like an island where she could let her off leash (we are very responsbile dog owners and pick up always after them) as that's the only time she can go off leash and not run away.

We don't really need or want to cover a lot of distance, but would go on short trips from the campsite once we got there. Maybe a paddle of 30 minutes or less from put in to campsite would be best this first time around.

Total of 3 adults, 1 child and 3 dogs in the party and we are looking to go sometime in September, early October.

They live near Utica, and I live near Albany, so somewhere in between driving distance wise would be great, but it's not the most important thing.

thanks for any suggestions... I know it's not really the normal trip I see on here, but we gotta start somewhere
Alison

[stripperguy]

Follensby Clear Pond has a lean to on an island and is a very easy paddle. Whether or not it's available when and if you go, who knows? But that site fits your description and there are lots of short, pleasant paddling opportunities from there as well.

[lanceman]

Eighth Lake has an island with a lean-to. Although closer to Utica, it is not a stretch to reach from Albany.

[allygatt]

anyone familiar with Big I. on Raquette Lake

My sister has been looking at the Adirondack Canoe Map and wondered if Big I. on Raquette Lake still has the leanto and if that would be a good spot.

Also, having a leanto would be great, but we can also camp w/tents instead, the main thing is having a somewhat small island for the dog.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm looking them up on the map after I post!

Alison

[stripperguy]

Big Island on Raquette has 2 leantos, IIRC, but it's a large island and you may need to share it with others. The state recently acquired a few islands on Blue Mt Lake, they might suit you. And the islands on Indian Lake are really nice, and free after the state campsite closes on Oct 13. Forked Lake also has an island site or too, and has already closed. Then there's Jabe Pond. And South Pond has a couple of island sites too, but may be tricky to get down the hill to the water. Saranac Lake Islands closes on Oct. 13 also, and you would have a wide choice of island sites there.
You can even go to Little Tupper Lake, there are at least 2 island sites that I know of, maybe more.
I'm guessing then, that almost any primitive site could work for you, with a preference for an island site.
But what about any carries? Probably too much for your niece, huh? Does she get to be in on the decision?

[allygatt]

Carries are out for this particular trip. In fact, the main focus is the camping part, the canoes/kayaks are a means to get the gear over to an island. Little paddling side trips will be the main paddling we do. I know it's not type of trip I'd actually like to do, but it is what it is....



A bit of background on my sister's family-I mentioned to them while car camping last weekend that I wanted to check out kayaks at Mountainman in Old Forge and THEY ended up buying two!! Prior to that, they canoed in an Old Town, 2 adults, niece in lawn chair, and a Samoyed and a Siberian. Quite a sight!



Can people camp in the state campgrounds when they are closed for the season?

P.S. Sorry for all the smilies, I get a kick outta them though

[Battenkiller]

Can people camp in the state campgrounds when they are closed for the season?

Generally, no. They are usually gated shut. The exceptions I know of are the Saranac Islands and Eighth Lake Campground (which for reasons I can't fathom leaves the gate open and allows camping on all but the lakeside loop). I had thought I might give the Golden Beach primitive sites a try in the off season but was warned I would be booted out by a ranger. There may be others that I'm not aware of.

[richard p]

Lean To's always go quick - especially on islands. There are island sites (without them) on Follensbr Clear, and Floodwood. There is also an island site on Rollins. None require a portage. Keep this in mind in case the Lean To on Follensby Clear is occupied. Have a great time.

[Bob K]

Camping on lakes after campgrounds close

My numerous experiences are that even after a NY State campground closes, if you can launch, have to take a boat to a site, you are fine. No fee, no reservation, no services.

The Islands on Little Tupper Lake are too far to go for the folks & likely type of boats you have. This place gets rough with wind. Follensby Clear, Jabe, Forked Islands all OK and not too far/exposed paddling, (but no lean to at the last 2 that I know of). Forked does have a lean to perhaps 1.5 miles from East end boat launch, but on S shore. After closing on Forked, not many people there. Bring the dogs and pick a site away from others. I was there last fall.

[Connecticut Yankee]

Follenby Clear Pond would be perfect for you, short paddle to the islands and more than one site available. My son had an Acadia Scout when he was younger, great choice. Not just a little kids play thing, a true kayak for those under 120 lbs, better actually up to about 100 pounds. I had a pair of Huskies for years, good canoe dogs, hate the water so sit still in the boat. I was on Middle Saranac once camping on one of those Islands and it got really windy and rough, Skol pinned himself flat on the botton of the canoe and wouldn't budge, made it easy to paddle back out. Labs, now they think a canoe to just jump in and out of.
John M.

[Dr Dean]

Big Island on Raquette has 3 leantos and there are some at Clark's point and Tioga point as well.

Wanakena to deadcreek flow is an easy paddle with a leanto and an easy climb up Cat mtn.

Anyone ever stay at the one on Lower St. Regis just off Keese Mill Rd?

The one at site 62 on Second Pond just S. of Lower Saranac is gone, but there is one farther down stream toward Oseetah Lake and it's a nice easy paddle with options down throught the lock to Oseetah or up into Lower Saranac.

[allygatt]

I had a pair of Huskies for years, good canoe dogs, hate the water so sit still in the boat. I was on Middle Saranac once camping on one of those Islands and it got really windy and rough, Skol pinned himself flat on the botton of the canoe and wouldn't budge, made it easy to paddle back out. Labs, now they think a canoe to just jump in and out of.
John M.

Ha ha, We are the opposite. My lab will sit and lay completely still, even when ducks are swimming alongside us. My sister's Huskie went head first in the water twice when canoeing last weekend, but she won't go in the water from land, and mine will, wierd, eh?

[allygatt]

We'll be doing Follensby Clear Pond next year, my sister doesn't want to drive 3 hours for a one night overnight:-(

It looks like Big I might be the one, thank you everyone for the suggestions! I've taken notes and intend to go to all suggested:-)

[yellowcanoe]

Big Island on Raquette has 3 leantos and there are some at Clark's point and Tioga point as well.

Wanakena to deadcreek flow is an easy paddle with a leanto and an easy climb up Cat mtn.

Anyone ever stay at the one on Lower St. Regis just off Keese Mill Rd?

The one at site 62 on Second Pond just S. of Lower Saranac is gone, but there is one farther down stream toward Oseetah Lake and it's a nice easy paddle with options down throught the lock to Oseetah or up into Lower Saranac.

Its(lower St Regis) not on an island and we have used it for PSC events.


There is one on Church Pond in the narrow part

Personally I would always take a tent even if you plan to use the lean to.

Rodents like leantos also and I dont like the patter of mousefeet across my face.

[allygatt]

How about Buck Pond?

My sister reserved one of the two island sites at Buck Pond SP for the last weekend in July. It'll be the first time any of us have canoe camped, and I'm pretty psyched!

It's hard to tell from google maps, but are there little creeks that go into the bigger lake and Buck pond?