Bog River June 14-15

[Dick]

On Tuesday-Wednesday, Redhawk, Doug, and I canoed a small stretch of the Bog River. I picked up Redhawk and his Hornbeck at his place around 8:00, and drove to the Lower Dam, just off Rt. 421 near Horseshoe Lake (which just off of Rt. 30, south of Tupper Lake). Not a single car in the lot – a far cry from my first trip in the area, with a filled lot and cars parked down the road. We quickly got our gear in order and put in around 11:00. I had forgotten how beautiful the area is! The narrow channel contained a rich assortment of wildflowers, mosses, and rocks. As the route opened up, more wildflowers and wildlife greeted us almost at every turn: loons, mergansers (one with babies on back), hawk, blue heron, otter, bats, turkeys (right at campsite!), snake (seen only by Dick), bear cub (seen only by Doug while driving out). Did I forget any? On the first day it was raining off and on though it did clear up nicely by late afternoon, and we were treated to a beautiful sunset. After setting up camp (#6?) we paddled the short distance to the portage, and ran into two men, the only other people we encountered on the trip. After the very easy portage, we paddled on and explored several of the camp sites for future reference. Most appear to have a thick pine duff, with considerable number of roots, though enough space for a small group. After doug's delicious dinner, we found a walking path that leads to the portage, and we spent some time exploring the old stone ruins and the surrounding area. Taking the gated road back (also a bike path) in the direction of our site, we bushwacked back to the river. Bugs were getting rather annoying at that point, and we eventually turned in. Mostly dry night, save for a brief thunder storm that rolled in around 3 or 4 in the morning. Slept in, had a delicious breakfast, compliments of Redhawk, and headed for home.

This was my second canoe trip into the Bog River, and I'm anxious to go back. We only got a small taste of this region. I'm sure Redhawk and Doug will chime in about whatever I forgot (in addition to the jerky!).

Dick

P.S. I can't think of nicer companions to be with!

[Wildernessphoto]

On Tuesday-Wednesday, Redhawk, Doug, and I canoed a small stretch of the Bog River. I picked up Redhawk and his Hornbeck at his place around 8:00, and drove to the Lower Dam, just off Rt. 421 near Horseshoe Lake (which just off of Rt. 30, south of Tupper Lake). Not a single car in the lot – a far cry from my first trip in the area, with a filled lot and cars parked down the road. We quickly got our gear in order and put in around 11:00. I had forgotten how beautiful the area is! The narrow channel contained a rich assortment of wildflowers, mosses, and rocks. As the route opened up, more wildflowers and wildlife greeted us almost at every turn: loons, mergansers (one with babies on back), hawk, blue heron, otter, bats, turkeys (right at campsite!), snake (seen only by Dick), bear cub (seen only by Doug while driving out). Did I forget any? On the first day it was raining off and on though it did clear up nicely by late afternoon, and we were treated to a beautiful sunset. After setting up camp (#6?) we paddled the short distance to the portage, and ran into two men, the only other people we encountered on the trip. After the very easy portage, we paddled on and explored several of the camp sites for future reference. Most appear to have a thick pine duff, with considerable number of roots, though enough space for a small group. After doug's delicious dinner, we found a walking path that leads to the portage, and we spent some time exploring the old stone ruins and the surrounding area. Taking the gated road back (also a bike path) in the direction of our site, we bushwacked back to the river. Bugs were getting rather annoying at that point, and we eventually turned in. Mostly dry night, save for a brief thunder storm that rolled in around 3 or 4 in the morning. Slept in, had a delicious breakfast, compliments of Redhawk, and headed for home.

This was my second canoe trip into the Bog River, and I'm anxious to go back. We only got a small taste of this region. I'm sure Redhawk and Doug will chime in about whatever I forgot (in addition to the jerky!).

Dick

P.S. I can't think of nicer companions to be with!

Sounds like a good time Dick!
I whole heartily agree! it is a beautiful place. We stayed in campsite 10 when we went last time. It's like stepping back in time when you paddle deeper and deeper in. The ruins and history board at the second dam give you a feel of what it was like over 100 years ago. Very nice place, and I've had both of these guys cooking, and you were definitely in good company! Those guys can COOK!

[doug]

It's a testament to the beauty of the area and the great company that so much enjoyment was experienced in what actually was some pretty unpleasant weather and swarms of mosquitoes by evening. Luckily, we got a pass from the blackflies and deer flies. Wasn't until I got home that I read the hand-out map closely enough to see that only some of the sites are equipped with privies (ours was). I had been expecting there to be a picnic table at the site, but luckily Redhawk had the idea to use the overturned canoe as a surface for the Coleman stove. Had a nice little kicthen going without having to squat on the ground. Dick, if you hadn't reminded me, I'd have forgotten about the jerkey! Redhawk got some photos of loons and mergansers from what must have been only 4-6 feet away. I guess the Hornbeck made him invisible. Speaking of Hawk's Hornbeck, I took it for a spin to get away from the bugs and it is so much fun to paddle (and so light to carry) that it should be illegal! Can't wait to crash Gary's trip in October.

[Wildernessphoto]

Can't wait to crash Gary's trip in October.

You my friend are always welcome! Just bring your world famous cooking, and don't crash my hornbeck! it's a long walk out of there!

[redhawk]

Redhawk got some photos of loons and mergansers from what must have been only 4-6 feet away. I guess the Hornbeck made him invisible.

It's not the Hornbeck, it's an Indian thing.

Animals let me walk right up to them when I solo backpack too....

I think they sense that I will do them no harm.......

Humans on the other hand...............................

[redhawk]

It was a great trip.......

Dick and the "Grimey Gourmet" (Doug) have pretty much covered everything.

Only thing I can really add is that I liked campsite #9, one of the ones we examined. It was in an area that had interesting terrain and we heard activity that might have been a moose. A lone loon was in the river right by there too.

Dick forgot to mention the muskrat that we saw swimming near our campsite in the evening.

We had intermittent rain, but the timing was good. It wasn't enough to take away from paddling when we were on the river and we werew able to eat and spend the evening quite dry.

Only complaint one might have would be the scarcity (absence actually) of firewood. But we were all tired and did not stay up late and a "cold camp" was fine.

I think that I might like to spend a few days in there and do a loop on the whole river, camping at different sites each night.

[Kevin]

It's not the Hornbeck, it's an Indian thing.

Animals let me walk right up to them when I solo backpack too....

I think they sense that I will do them no harm.......

Humans on the other hand...............................

So Indians aren't human??

I missed ya redhawk, no one to bust on when you're gone.

[Dick]

You my friend are always welcome! Just bring your world famous cooking, and don't crash my hornbeck! it's a long walk out of there!

I'd (we'd) also like to make that trip. Problem is, there's NO way at that time of year I would be able to take a week off. Maybe I could go in for three days or so?

Dick

[Dick]

Dick forgot to mention the muskrat that we saw swimming near our campsite in the evening.

I mentioned a otter. Was it a muskrat? Could it possibly have been a mink? We didn't really get a good look.

Dick

[redhawk]

I mentioned a otter. Was it a muskrat? Could it possibly have been a mink? We didn't really get a good look.

Dick

It was a muskrat. It wasn't "long" enough in proportion to be an otter or a mink. It was either a muskrat or a real small beaver. They swim different then otters or minks as well.

[Hakuna Matada]

We were in there a month ago (the middle of May) and I can't wait to go back. We paddled all the way in to Low's Lake and stayed at campsite #26 (I think) and the rest of our group stayed at site #27. There were 10 of us so we split. We also saw plenty of wildlife. As we were unloading our gear a loon came to investigate and stayed right off shore watching. I felt like we were the wildlife and the locals were watching us. Our first night there the loons yelled all night long. It was wonderful! We saw 2 eagles on the way out, about a mile from the upper dam. It also rained on and off the weekend we were there but no-one really noticed. Most of the rain came at night and between the loons calling out and the rain I couldn't have slept better. Our campsite also had a privy ( a box with a seat cover). Being early in the spring there were no leaves on the trees which provided quite a view from the seat. I don't think I have ever been in a bathroom with such pretty wallpaper. On the way out before we reached upper dam I distinctly heard a train whistle. The others in my group didn't think the Adirondack railway run by there anymore. Was it a sound from the past?
Sounds like you guys had a similar experience. It must be a magical place

[Rookie]

Did anyone try fishing ?

[redhawk]

Did anyone try fishing ?

Dick forgot to tell me to remember my pole.

[Dick]

Dick forgot to tell me to remember my pole.

Redhawk forgot to tell me to remember to tell him to remember his pole. All I forgot was the beef jerky!

[redhawk]

Redhawk forgot to tell me to remember to tell him to remember his pole. All I forgot was the beef jerky!

And the Bear canister!! So we had nothing to sit on.......