Northeast Wild

July 16, 2022 (Sat) - CHUBB RIVER paddling.  Most of the route is in the High Peaks Wilderness.    120-yard carry from Averyville Rd to the put-in.  The log "dock" was under water.  At first, dead trees line the stream - I dubbed this "Death Row".  1.5 miles to the carry - the old camp on private land is now a big fancy house - 2 beaver dams have been breached (humans suspected - it is not very nice to mess with nature).  Very muddy landing at the carry.  The trail is very rough with roots, rocks & mud.  Upstream there were some shallow sections that could use some beaver dams to raise the water level.  Superb views of Street & Nye Mtns to the S, & the Sawtooth Range to the SW.  Stopped for lunch near the end of a straight section, "Rocky Road", that was lined with rocks on its N side - I could not find the campsite that I had stopped at the last time I was here.  Continued further upstream to a beaver dam which d...

Sep 6, 2014 - MOOSEHEAD LAKE & PRONG POND. Showers & storms predicted, am was nice. ML is only slightly longer than NY's Lake George but its surface area of 120 sq. miles is about 3 times that of LG making it New England's largest lake; less developed, too. Paddled the Prospector from Rowell Cove at LBSP N & E past Twomile Island with view of Mt Kineo (on an island!? joined to the E shore by a narrow isthmus) & its 900' cliffs, exploring Tussle Lagoon & the islands? of Mathews Cove, tough finding a way between with low water & rocks. 2 hours. Weather still looked ok so drove to nearby PP - interesting but 30 mph headwind gusts as we returned to the put-in. Sep 1-5 - LOBSTER LAKE in central Maine. From Lily Bay drove 45 miles to LL, 30 miles on dirt roads. The dirt started at Kakadjo, a bit on the rough side but close to 2-lane (30-40mph), no signs telling us we were on the Sias Hill Rd, then L on the smoother & wider Golden Rd (40mph+...

Jun 6, 2010 - GREAT ISLAND, Old Lyme, CT from boat launch at end of Smith Neck Rd. Connecticut River Estuary Canoe/Kayak Trail. Started ~3 hours before low tide. Great Island undeveloped, mainland lightly developed. After exploring the shallow bay behind Griswold Point went around the point & into Long Island Sound, played in moderate 1'+ waves. S wind was picking up so back (small standing waves created by wind opposing the current were interesting) & up a creek into the heart of Great Island. Back out & N up Judges Creek to Watch Rock, landing a bit rough but nice spot for a break. Poked into Duck River before heading back S. Just had to go back & look at Griswold Point at low tide - Sound now white-capped. Up the Black Hall River before calling it a day. Mute swans, lots of osprey, great & snowy egrets, gulls, terns, sandpipers, plovers, willet, crabs. My favorite place to paddle in CT - great variety, wildlife. 4 hours. WS Zephyr 160 Pro. ...

Saranac Lakes Wild Forest. MAP . August 13, 2025 - ROLLINS POND paddle. Showers forecasted, mainly in the afternoon, so we got out early. Went to the end of the secluded SW bay where you could see the new rail trail fencing (bikers must have a tendency to tip over into bodies of water). Kingfisher, sandpiper, gb heron. Back out to the main lake and N to big bay - more rail trail fencing. Headed over to the rocky island - could see the High Peaks from the top. Rain drops, soon hard rain, and we paddled hard back to camp. Black duck, mergansers. 1.5 hours. Radar looked clear after lunch so we drove to the Paul Smiths VIC and went for a walk to Barnum Pond and experienced the big megaphone. August 12, 2025 - Paddling FISH CREEK & adjacent ponds from Fish Creek Pond Campground. Paddled upstream past varied shoreline, some boggy, some topped with white & red pines. 2.6 miles to Floodwood Pond where we checked out the NE corner then stopped for lunch at a nice campsite with a fai...