LAKE PLACID paddling

 


Sep 23, 2002 - Lake Placid kayaking. 7th largest Adirondack lake. Put-in at the state launch off Mirror Lake Dr. Much cooler today, the first day of fall - wear the Stohlquist Splashdown top most of the time. Maples well on their way, beeches & birches just starting to turn yellow - peak color should be in about a week. Headed up along the E shore about 3.5 mi. to Whiteface Landing in Barrel Bay. Can hike the trail up Whiteface Mt. (in constant view from the water) from here. A picnic spot with fireplace (no camping) is littered with Bud cans (you never see cans of Young's Double Chocolate Stout or the like littering the wilds - Bud & Coors drinkers are the biggest offenders). A duck keeps popping up near me - I suspect it's looking for handouts. Continued counterclockwise staying close to shore. Many fancy summer homes of the rich & famous (N end of lake is least developed). From the SW corner I turn back NE & explore the 2 major islands: Moose & Hawk. Stop at the N end of Moose Is. where there are 2 adjacent leantos facing Whiteface Mt. Circle back around island & return. Some motorboats but PWCs are banned. Campfire ban still on. ~14 mi., 5.2 hrs. Dagger Sitka , a fast 17'11" fiberglass tourer, cruises almost effortlessly. I like the fact that its day hatch is a large bag & does not interfere greatly with rear hatch storage space - have seen others that add a 3rd bulkhead (the wall that normally separates the storage area from the cockpit area). Finish on all Dagger composite kayaks is impeccable. Still plenty of daylight so take a walk around the John Brown Farm & learn something about abolitionists. Still need some exercise so hike Little Crow Mt. from East Hill Rd in Keene. Follow orange ADK markers climbing gradually then moderately over exposed rock. Trail splits & I veer L & soon have super views S & W - many High Peaks in sight. Many lookouts along the way. After climbing 960' in over a mile the summit of Little Crow is reached - in the woods. A little beyond is an up close view of Big Crow & nearby Hurricane Mt. Behind Big Crow, the Nun-da-ga-o Ridge stretches out to Weston Mt. & I am reminded of a couple of memorable hikes along it - lots of views - last time I was there was on the day of the BIG storm of '95 which decimated forests in other parts of the Adirondacks (like around the Oswegatchie River).



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