STILLWATER RESERVOIR & RED HORSE TRAIL paddling
July 2023 - DEC Region 6 Operations staff in Lowville recently rehabilitated the Stillwater Reservoir docks in Herkimer County. The existing docks had deteriorated with age and significant use and needed to be repaired to ensure public safety and access as the boat ramp is the only location for launching of trailered boats on the reservoir.
The Stillwater Reservoir is a 6,700-acre waterbody located in the western Adirondacks and is a popular destination for motorboating, paddling, and fishing. Forty-six first-come, first-served primitive campsites are located on islands and along the reservoir shoreline, including two accessible sites. The Peaked Mountain Pond Trail, Red Horse Trail, and Wilderness Lakes Canoe Carry Trailheads can all be accessed by boat from the reservoir.
Aug 30-Sep 1, 2003 - STILLWATER RESERVOIR & RED HORSE TRAIL, western Adirondacks canoeing. 5.5 mile paddle across Stillwater to trailhead on Trout Pond. Some motor traffic which will generally keep to the deep water route on S side of lake so we paddled the N shore. The Red Horse Trail is the only trail from the S into the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. Single carried the portages with a 95 lb. load (canoe + pack) - trail does not have much elevation change. Would not recommend use of wheels on this narrow & rough trail but I know it has been done. In a tandem situation it is best for one person to carry the canoe & a smaller, lighter pack while the other person carries a larger, heavier pack + pfd's & paddles. Carry (under 1 mile, 20 min.) from Trout Pond to mile-long Salmon Lake, which had 2 adult loons & 2 juveniles. Carry (1 mile, 25 min.) to Witchhopple. Camped at E end of mile-long Witchhopple Lake - up to 5 loons seen. Paddle over 7 beaverdams to Beaverdam Pond - hawk (white underside, makes a psheeeee sound). Crescent moon, starry night; owl & loon calls. Hike 2 miles to Clear Lake - clearest blue-green lake water you ever did see. Bushwhacked to Little Rock Pond. Small (2" body) vole in trail on the carry out seemed lost - even the white-toed black-bellied fly-catcher went right by it & didn't notice. Did not see any other people for over 51 hours after leaving Stillwater Res. Stillwater is a large lake (9 miles long) & can have big waves if winds are from the W or SW (a seaworthy canoe or kayak with skirt is recommended) but it was relatively calm on the way out. Bell Northwind, a 17'6" tandem composite canoe, is a very seaworthy craft with very good speed & maneuverabilty, good primary & excellent secondary stability, a canoe a paddler can trust - quiet as it glides thru the water, too. While playing with it solo, noticed some stern drag when turning sharply which I attribute to the differential rocker (more rocker in the bow for easy turning, less in the stern for better tracking) - a great concept for overall performance but not the best for executing freestyle moves (i.e. canoe ballet) - a symmetrical hull with equal rocker fore & aft would make for easier freestyle moves (the Baboosic, Prospector or Legend 15 come to mind). SealLine Grand Portage drypack was easier to use than the Pro Pack on a single carry - pack has pads for the yoke, wider shoulder straps & sits low so as not to interfere with the canoe above - some people may wish for a hip belt but I didn't miss one - the flap over the top allows placing wet items outside the main pack.
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