LEWEY LAKE & MIAMI RIVER paddling

Lewey Lake is on NY Route 30 between Speculator and the hamlet of Indian Lake. You can pay a day-use fee at the state campground and use the boat launch next to the swimming beach or put in on the lake’s outlet where it goes under Route 30. A long ridge of mountains is immediately across the lake; Lewey and Snowy mountains rise over 2,000 feet above the water. I like to cross over to the undeveloped west shore then head south. The campground and several houses and cabins occupy the east shore. Loons are usually seen (five on a recent trip in 2011 including at least one juvenile) and sometimes heard.

The mouth of the Miami River is small but not too hard to find. Swamp maples growing in this wide wetland valley turn bright red and contrast with the green marsh grass. The river (actually more stream than river) twists and turns with very few straight sections of any length – I hope you have been practicing your maneuvering strokes. I’ve seen four otters here as well as bear scat and tracks (bears might like the elderberries you see at streamside). Wood ducks are common and if you are lucky you might spot a northern harrier (marsh hawk) flying low over the wetland looking for a delectable morsel.

Eventually, you will arrive at a beaver dam – you can turn around here for a short trip or continue on with the adventure. On my most recent visit, we hopped over a dozen beaver dams and a couple of small log jams, a round-trip of about seven hours. There are not too many good dry places to land en route so if you see a fair lunch spot take it. As you paddle away from civilization the upland forest slowly draws closer on both sides. A path comes in from Mason Lake and crosses a beaver dam and continues west – as hard as I looked on this last trip I could only see the continuation west. We paddled a bit further but the stream became very narrow and the alders hung tightly over it.

A light current helped a little on the return and the view of Snowy Mountain resplendent in its fall attire offered a distraction from tiring arms. A quick swim at the beach can be a great way to end the day.

July 9-11, 2023 (Sun-Tue) - Camped at Lewey Lake State Campground. Dry as we got the tents & tarp set up but a storm soon came through - rained heavily for an hour followed by light to moderate rain overnight. No cell service.

Mon - Rain showers, mostly light - I was the only one wanting to paddle. SUCKER BROOK was near to our campsite &, figuring it emptied into the lake, I put in & headed downstream. Soon reached a beaver dam & pulled over it. The brook got tighter & there was another beaver dam so I pulled to shore & carried 100 yards to the empty campsite #159 (not much good to say about this site) which had a muddy access to the river between Lewey & Indian Lakes. Paddled along the E shore of LEWEY LAKE passing campsites & then cottages. Paddled up the MIAMI RIVER, saw duck families, a brownish heron flying, beaver. After ~1 mile I reached a foot-high beaver dam with lots of water going over it - tried several times to see if I could paddle up it & was unsuccessful so I turned back. Paddled along the undeveloped W shore of the lake. An osprey with a fish in its talons did not seem too happy with my presence. Paddled the outlet to Rt. 30 & viewed the rapid under the bridge. Back to site 159 & carried 200 yards back to camp. Biting bugs not an issue. 3.2 hours.

July 11 (Tue) - Rained hard much of the night but it was clear by daybreak. Broke camp, drove over to Fall Stream & it was running high & relatively fast, plus the put-in was poor. So we drove back to LEWEY LAKE & put in at the beach & nearby boat ramp. Crossed over to the W side & saw a loon. S then over to the MIAMI RIVER. Got to that first beaver dam & it was shorter & easy to paddle up over it - I would guess the water level was ~8" higher than the day before. Spotted that brown-colored heron again. Slid over a couple more beaver dams & the 4th was a bit higher but not too difficult to get past. The river is fairly wide for an Adk stream. Lots of meandering & several backwaters that can steer you the wrong way. Much of the shores had flowering Queen Anne's Lace. Finally, saw some upland on the E shore - the only place to get out if you need a break. Then a bigger beaver dam which was a challenge - I played in some standing waves below it. We stopped near Freemont Brook after 2 hours on the river (2 miles as the crow flies from Lewey Lake & much further as the river meanders) - with the current & a little tailwind we were back at the lake in 1 hour - the view of Snowy Mtn is always enjoyable. 4.5 hours. No biting bugs while on the water.

  

Sep 25, 2011 - LEWEY LAKE & MIAMI RIVER.  Leaf peeping - very good color.  5 loons (at least 1 juvenile), a small snake swimming across the stream, wood ducks, gb herons, a northern harrier (marsh hawk).  Great views of Snowy Mtn which rises 2,000' above the lake.  Had to get out over 12 beaver dams & 2 log obstructions.  Road noise intrudes occasionally, quieter as one gets further from Lewey Lake.  MR winds thru a wide wetland valley with mountain ridges to the W but after paddling upstream for a couple of hours trees & upland eventually close in for a while.  Got to the area of Callahan Brook, looked for signs of the trail from Mason Lake but did not see; did see the path (marked with pink ribbon) to the W.  Unusually warm for this time of year.  Mosquitoes not an issue, some biting flies in late afternoon.  Soloed the MRC Reflection 15, a 15'4" canoe.  7 hours.

Oct 1, 2006 - LEWEY LAKE & MIAMI RIVER from the beach at the state campground.  Stunning peak fall foliage - swamp maples ablaze with color.  4 otters in the river; 3 loons (1 a juvenile), wood ducks.  One beaver dam ~1 mile up the river (runnable downstream); turned around at another 1' beaver dam ~ 3 miles up the river which I was able to run upstream due to good water level & hard paddling.  Very scenic with cloud-topped, misty mountains incl. Lewey & Snowy (the latter is the tallest Adk mountain outside of the High Peaks).  Rainbows on return.  8 miles, 3.8 hours.  Dagger Catalyst 13.0, a 13' lite touring kayak.  Temp in 50s & a couple of showers - I remain comfortable in non-cotton clothing, sprayskirt, paddling jacket with latex wrist gaskets (so no cold water goes up my arms), OR Seattle Sombrero waterproof/breathable wide-brimmed hat - brought along 2 prs. gloves & chemical hand warmer packets but did not need.

Sep. 19, 2000 - Lewey Lake & Miami River. In search of moose - only heard something large in woods - feel it was more likely a bear, did not get a visual - saw bear scat with elderberries & footprints. Miami River was a joy with varied shoreline (lots of elderberries), went over many beaverdams, views of mountains (Snowy, Lewey, etc.). Ate wood sorrel for first time - worked well in swiss cheese sandwich. Trip took close to 9 hours; total distance was in 10-12 mile range; turned around where informal trail from Mason Lake meets the Miami. Soloed the Dagger Legend 15 (works tandem or solo) - great canoe for this trip: faster than expected on open lake, excellent primary (good for going over beaver dams) & secondary stability (paddle it heeled over), 15' length made it quite maneuverable on the twisty parts.

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