Adirondack Park in New York

by  Jimmini

A self-supported trip created by Jimmini

Trip Overview


My wife and I were joined by another couple for our first weekend of paddling with our kayaks that we acquired this summer. We planned this weekend in August hoping the weather would favor us for a late season paddle and we were pleasantly surprised with wonderfully warm weather and magnificent fall colors ranging from peak to just past peak in the areas we visited.

We arrived in Old Forge mid morning and proceeded to Moss Lake for a 2 hour paddle before lunch. This completely rustic setting is void of cottages and features rustic campsites accessible only by boat. After this adventure we returned to Old Forge for a late lunch after which we returned to the waters launching in town onto First Lake and explored the inlet areas out to the lake and returned to Old Forge at sunset enjoying the variety of cottages and camps that populate the water ways.

The following morning (Sunday) we awoke to light fog and chilly temps. We headed north on Route 28 to Blue Mountain Lake where we put in at the public launch point at the south east end of the lake near the Fire Station that features public rest rooms. At launch we were all bundled up with three layers, but as we headed west along the south edge of the lake the fog began turn burn off and we began to lose layers as the sky turned bright cloudless blue and the sun lit up the fabulous fall foliage.

We continued to the west end of the lake and followed the channel that connects to Eagle Lake staying to the right channel and passing under the rustic Thomas Durant Bridge and out into Eagle Lake. At this point we were experiencing summer-like conditions and the lake was just like glass, a more peaceful and relaxing paddle cannot possibly exist. We witnessed deer walking through the woods on shore and encountered no other paddlers and boats. We put the boats together at this point out in the lake and had picnic enjoying nearly one half hour of calm waters before a breeze came up and broke up the party.

We proceeded back to Blue Mountain Lake and paddled back to our launch point through the center of the lake stopping to explore one of the many islands in the lake.

We finished off the day with a visit to the Adirondack Museum just a little further up Route 28N.

Outfitting:

Preception Prodigy 12, Wilderness Systems Tusnami 12, Pungo 12 and Pungo 14

Fees:

No

Resources:

"Quiet Water Canoe Guide: New York"

Trip Details

  • Sport/Activity: Kayaking
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Water Type: Flat/Sheltered Water

Trip Location