Back from first trip to ADK!

PA Kayaker · 08-07-2020, 04:13 PM

My wife and I got home this week from a trip in the Whitney Wilderness (followed by a few days with family at Canandaigua Lake). Lots of highlights/events and I plan to post a trip report with a more details. Also have a few topics that I plan to share in separate posts, since I think they would be better in specific discussions.

In summary, my original plan was do a loop, starting in Wanakena, two days on Cranberry Lake, then portage down to Grass Pond/Low's Lake, portage over to Big Deer Pond and the Oswegatchie headwaters, and end at Inlet (where I had left our car). That plan was scrapped once I "pre-hiked" the Chair Rock Creek trail and opted to stay on Cranberry Lake for an extra day, returned back to Wanakena, then paddled up the Oswegatchie a bit before heading back to the car. Then we drove over to Little Tupper Lake and spent two days there. More to come on our thoughts behind these decisions in my trip report and other posts.

This was our first trip to the ADKs, and I did most of my planning with the help of this forum. Can't thank you guys enough. We are kayakers originally from the Midwest, so most of our paddling has been done throughout the Great Lakes, but we had a great time overall and will go back -- I feel like we have barely scratched the surface of what this park has to offer.

A few quick pics:

Woodly · 08-07-2020, 04:18 PM

Pics ain't showing here.

rickhart · 08-07-2020, 04:24 PM

If I can ask, what days of the week were you at Little Tupper, and how crowded was it? Were there some open campsites? I've been thinking of going next week, but everything on social media is talk about all the popular paddling locations being jam packed, cars parked up & down roads because the parking areas are filled, paddlers unable to find campsites. I'll be solo and am seriously social-distancing, so staying at a large campground or a motel are not options. Anyone else have data on Little Tupper/Rock/Round?

PA Kayaker · 08-07-2020, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodly

Pics ain't showing here.

Thanks -- guess I can't link to Amazon Photos. Should be fixed now.

PA Kayaker · 08-07-2020, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickhart

If I can ask, what days of the week were you at Little Tupper, and how crowded was it? Were there some open campsites? I've been thinking of going next week, but everything on social media is talk about all the popular paddling locations being jam packed, cars parked up & down roads because the parking areas are filled, paddlers unable to find campsites. I'll be solo and am seriously social-distancing, so staying at a large campground or a motel are not options. Anyone else have data on Little Tupper/Rock/Round?

Oh man, it was actually surprisingly crowded. Not necessarily on the water, but we worked our way around the lake from site to site to site and all were occupied. We eventually landed at site #13 around 3:00 PM. We were there on the night of July 31, which was a Friday, so we expected a few more people, but based on how many we saw during the week (almost none on Cranberry), it was surprising.

Rich Lockwood · 08-07-2020, 05:53 PM

I have done that loop with a lightweight canoe and can't imagine doing it with heavy kayaks. you made a good choice not doing it. I found the chair rock carry harder than the headwaters.
Turtle

Rich Lockwood · 08-07-2020, 05:58 PM

For those concerned about leaving your car at the inlet launch, Pack Basket lodge in wannakina will shuttle your car back to their lodge and bring it back to the launch on the day you plan to return. They also will do the same if you are launching at lows lower dam to do the traverse.
.
Turtle

rickhart · 08-07-2020, 06:10 PM

Ditto both Rich's comments. The Chair Rock/Grass Pond carry is much longer & harder than the Big Deer to Oz one (or even Lows to Oz); and I was carrying a Hornbeck. Besides the carry, the upper Oswegatchie usually has gazillions of beaver dams & deadfalls. And I did the loop starting with an overnight at the Packbasket: great place, plus I got a super good breakfast.

Woodly · 08-07-2020, 06:13 PM

Good clear pics now-thanks. That one with the mist looks like it was taken with an old Kodak box camera-really nice.

chairrock · 08-08-2020, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Lockwood

For those concerned about leaving your car at the inlet launch, Pack Basket lodge in wannakina will shuttle your car back to their lodge and bring it back to the launch on the day you plan to return. They also will do the same if you are launching at lows lower dam to do the traverse.
.
Turtle

Sadly, Packbasket is for sale ,again. Good luck Rick and Angie.

chairrock · 08-08-2020, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chairrock

Sadly, Packbasket is for sale ,again. Good luck Rick and Angie.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-13156?view=qv

08-07-2020, 05:53 PM	#6
Rich Lockwood Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Springville,NY Posts: 482	loop I have done that loop with a lightweight canoe and can't imagine doing it with heavy kayaks. you made a good choice not doing it. I found the chair rock carry harder than the headwaters. Turtle

08-07-2020, 05:58 PM	#7
Rich Lockwood Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Springville,NY Posts: 482	a safer option For those concerned about leaving your car at the inlet launch, Pack Basket lodge in wannakina will shuttle your car back to their lodge and bring it back to the launch on the day you plan to return. They also will do the same if you are launching at lows lower dam to do the traverse. . Turtle

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08-07-2020, 04:13 PM	#1
PA Kayaker Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Paoli, PA Posts: 19	Back from first trip to ADK! My wife and I got home this week from a trip in the Whitney Wilderness (followed by a few days with family at Canandaigua Lake). Lots of highlights/events and I plan to post a trip report with a more details. Also have a few topics that I plan to share in separate posts, since I think they would be better in specific discussions. In summary, my original plan was do a loop, starting in Wanakena, two days on Cranberry Lake, then portage down to Grass Pond/Low's Lake, portage over to Big Deer Pond and the Oswegatchie headwaters, and end at Inlet (where I had left our car). That plan was scrapped once I "pre-hiked" the Chair Rock Creek trail and opted to stay on Cranberry Lake for an extra day, returned back to Wanakena, then paddled up the Oswegatchie a bit before heading back to the car. Then we drove over to Little Tupper Lake and spent two days there. More to come on our thoughts behind these decisions in my trip report and other posts. This was our first trip to the ADKs, and I did most of my planning with the help of this forum. Can't thank you guys enough. We are kayakers originally from the Midwest, so most of our paddling has been done throughout the Great Lakes, but we had a great time overall and will go back -- I feel like we have barely scratched the surface of what this park has to offer. A few quick pics: Last edited by PA Kayaker; 08-07-2020 at 04:47 PM.. Reason: pic links

08-07-2020, 04:18 PM	#2
Woodly Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: SNY Posts: 638	Pics ain't showing here.

08-07-2020, 04:24 PM	#3
rickhart Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 373	If I can ask, what days of the week were you at Little Tupper, and how crowded was it? Were there some open campsites? I've been thinking of going next week, but everything on social media is talk about all the popular paddling locations being jam packed, cars parked up & down roads because the parking areas are filled, paddlers unable to find campsites. I'll be solo and am seriously social-distancing, so staying at a large campground or a motel are not options. Anyone else have data on Little Tupper/Rock/Round?

08-07-2020, 06:10 PM	#8
rickhart Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 373	Ditto both Rich's comments. The Chair Rock/Grass Pond carry is much longer & harder than the Big Deer to Oz one (or even Lows to Oz); and I was carrying a Hornbeck. Besides the carry, the upper Oswegatchie usually has gazillions of beaver dams & deadfalls. And I did the loop starting with an overnight at the Packbasket: great place, plus I got a super good breakfast.

08-07-2020, 06:13 PM	#9
Woodly Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: SNY Posts: 638	Good clear pics now-thanks. That one with the mist looks like it was taken with an old Kodak box camera-really nice.

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