Northeast Wild

SPRING PADDLING GUIDE 2015 Spring has arrived on the calendar but as I write this in late March most bodies of water in upstate New York are still topped with ice and snow. Although I enjoy spring skiing my thoughts often drift toward the upcoming paddling season and I start planning some early season trips. First of all one must consider the fact that once the ice is out the water temperature is still only just above the freezing mark. A dry suit or a wet suit should be worn whenever there is a probability of a capsize – most experts agree that would be the case in most any paddling situation. At a minimum, one should avoid cotton clothing and wear a life jacket (aka PFD – personal flotation device). In New York State the law says you must wear a PFD when paddling from November 1 through May 1. Personally, I think the State should extend this to June 1. On May 1 this year some lakes in the Adirondacks might still have ice on them – the way this spring is going my bet is tha

Nov 30, 2015 - PUTNAM POND canoeing. Got well below freezing overnight. 1.5-hour morning paddle around the perimeter, some ice around the edges & coves. Lots of ducks, some C geese. Drove up the road a bit & hiked to nearby LOST POND. Interesting loop around the rock-lined pond, water level low exposing some beaches. Temp did not get much above freezing today. 4.3 miles, 2.3 hours. Nov 29 - Drove over to PUTNAM POND & paddled to a campsite in the dark with snow flurries, set up camp. Apr 28, 2015 - PUTNAM POND. Paddled around the perimeter of the pond with shores of red & white pine, hemlock & some birch. Hike to TREADWAY MTN (5.2 miles round-trip, 900' net el gain). Varied woods on the way, an area of leafless hardwoods allowed the sun in, much of the last mile over open rock incl. rose quartz. Far-ranging views to Green Mts, snowy Mt Marcy & Great Range, Crane Mtn, Pharoah Lake, Crab Pond, Glidden Marsh (spent 2 hours enjoying the summit area).