Northeast Wild

  May 2022 - Although I have paddled in upstate New York every month of the year, I can't say that I look forward to dipping my blades in the water in winter, or the fringe weeks before and after winter, when I can otherwise opt to hike or cross country ski, snow conditions permitting; plus I don't think it is a really good idea to sit on one's butt for all twelve months of the year. Low-elevation ponds and lakes that are located south of the Adirondack Park are usually ice-free by early April, whereas those within the Adirondacks tend to lose their cover of ice by mid to late April. Streams and rivers generally open up a bit sooner. This year seems to be progressing normally – in early April, there was open water but still a fair amount of ice on Lake George (elevation 315 feet), and most Adirondack lakes above 1,000 feet elevation were still locked in. There are several good reasons to get out for an early-season paddle, and one very good reason not to. The Go...

  ARE YOU PREPARED FOR LATE-FALL ADVENTURES? The fall foliage season has ended and we are now in the fall it's-beginning-to-feel-a-lot-like-winter season, but there is no reason we have to curtail our outdoor activities as long as we prepare ourselves accordingly. Weather-wise, November can be all over the place, with the possibility of some warm sunny days but some brisk and breezy days are also highly likely. December weather, especially in the Adirondacks, takes a big step toward winter. So, whether you plan to hike, paddle, or ski, now is the time to plan and prepare for the possibilities. In Albany last year, 45% (27.9”) of the seasonal snowfall fell in December, most of it at the beginning of the month. Whereas, in the central Adirondacks, Indian Lake received close to average snowfalls, with 22.4” in December, 30.1” in January, and 28.5” in February. This year, winter has already fired off some early warning shots with a coating of snow in late October, which quickl...

  Wed Sep 16, 2020 - WAKELY MOUNTAIN hike. The first 2 miles were on an old road with easy grades, then the trail turns R (at this junction, if you follow the unmarked path straight you soon reach a beautiful meadow with a view of the mountain & fire tower) & climbs very steeply, there are some plank handrails at some spots & a ladder. Just before the top, there is a wooden helipad with a good view to the E. The fire tower is one of the tallest in the Adks (http://nnyara.net/FireTowerRadio/Fire_Tower_List_3-14-11.pdf ), a short ladder gets you up into the cab but views are still great below the cab. To the W, I could see Lake Kora, Sagamore Lake & Raquette Lake (the only signs of civilization were some houses on RL). To the E were Cedar River Flow & Snowy Mtn. To the N, the High Peaks were clearly in view. There is a repeater antenna on the cab & a solar panel just below - I am assuming the helipad is there for maintenance purposes. 5-10% color chang...

We are lucky to have many scenic lakes, ponds and other waterways in the Adirondacks that are available for us to paddle. However, it is not so easy for the tripper to find a true wilderness route in the Adirondacks of over 50 miles – one that is essentially motorless, does not cross any paved roads, and has minimal sights and sounds of civilization. Paddlers have traveled far and wide to places like Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park and Minnesota's Boundary Waters to get that wilderness tripping experience. The Adirondack Park does not have the quantity of routes that those places offer but it does offer areas of superior scenic quality, especially when it comes to mountain views. The trip from Little Tupper Lake to the Oswegatchie River via Lake Lila and Lows Lake qualifies as the Adirondacks' best paddling route. Paddlers with less time or energy can sample parts of this route. For day-trippers and weekenders, Little Tupper Lake, Lake Lila, Lows Lake and the Osw...

New York offers the paddler a mindboggling variety and quantity of paddling destinations, from small streams to big rivers, diminutive ponds to expansive lakes, and whitewater as well as flatwater. Fortunately for us, these destinations are well-documented in the plethora of guidebooks available today. At the cost of a movie ticket or dinner at a restaurant, a one-time purchase of a guidebook can bring you many years of pleasure, whereas the movie or dinner offer just an hour or two of satisfaction. If you can’t be out there paddling, you can at least spend time with some of the following guidebooks and start planning that day paddle or weeklong camping trip. In my comments I will try to give you an overview of the content as well as my thoughts on each book’s strengths and weaknesses. *Recommended for paddling in the Adirondacks. Quiet Water New York by John Hayes and Alex Wilson – This is perhaps the best flatwater guide to the whole state with 200 trips listed in an informative,...