Combination Treks: Canoeing & Hiking

Trek 1: Wanakena Ranger School, Janacks Landing and Cat Mountain

Trek 2: Bog River, Lows Lake and Five Ponds Wilderness Area

Trek 3: Hoel Pond to Lake Flower

Backpack Treks

Trek 4:  High Peaks and Passes

Trek 5: Northville-Placid Trail from Long Lake to Averyville

Trek 6: Long Lake to ADK Loj

Trek 7: Skirt the High Peaks

Trek 8: High Peaks and a Ridge Walk

Canoe Treks

Trek 9:  Long Lake to Bog River Falls

Trek 10: Blue Mountain Lake to Stony Creek Ponds

Trek 11: Old Forge to Tupper Lake

Trek 12: Lower Dam on Bog River to Cranberry Lake

Trek 13: Long Lake to Paul Smith’s

Trek 14: Old Forge to Paul Smith’s

Trek 15: Long Lake to Saranac Lake

Trek 16: Old Forge to Saranac Lake – The 90 Miler "Adirondack Canoe Classic"

Trek 17: Kushaqua to Saranac Lake

Fishing Treks

Trek 18 - Fishing Trek #1 – Little Clear Pond to Follensby Clear Pond

Combination Treks: Canoeing and Hiking

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Trek 1: Wanakena Ranger School, Janacks Landing and Cat Mountain

Canoeing & Hiking, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers

Easy; the majority of the cleanup from the 1995 microburst/blow down has been done on this, the north side of Cat Mountain nearest the Ranger School.

Features:

Excellent Fishing (Cranberry Lake)

Scenic View (Cat Mountain)

Ranger Tour of Forest

Water Slide

Lean-to Camping

Day Hike

Trek 2: Bog River, Lows Lake and Five Ponds Wilderness Area

Canoeing, Hiking: 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers (No more than 9 at a campsite however, so plan adult leadership accordingly.)

Easy to Moderate. The bushwhacking and trail climbing can be strenuous if additional cleanup has not been done.

Lows Lake is known for its population of loons. Its remote location and relatively undeveloped shoreline, along with the many islands and coves, make it ideal habitat for these birds. Golden eagles once nested along the ledges along the northern shoreline and bald eagles have been seen in the area. Keep your eyes open for these birds and other wildlife.

The Five Ponds Wilderness Area was hard hit by a “micro-burst” that swept through the region on July 15, 1995 leaving many downed trees.

Groups of less than 10 are okay for one camp site. If you have 10 to 12, you have to split up. Hiking and paddling in one group is okay for groups up to 12…camping is the only problem. No permit is needed from the ranger, but check anyway since rules change. Contact in 2001 was Bernie Siskavich stationed at Wanakena: 315-848-3370

Features:

Lake canoeing

Wilderness hiking *

Good fishing

Scenic Views

Trek 3: Hoel Pond to Lake Flower

Canoeing and Hiking, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers (State campground limit is 6 people per site so plan your adult leadership accordingly.)

Easy to moderate. The climb up Ampersand Mountain is moderate to hard. The lake paddling can be a challenge if the weather (wind) doesn’t cooperate. If the winds on Upper Saranac are really bad, a portage of about a mile from Saginaw Bay to Weller Pond may be necessary to avoid the worst.

Features:

Island camping*

State Canal Locks (Middle/Lower Saranac Lakes)

Scenic view of whole Trek (Ampersand Mountain)

House-size Boulder Field (Second Pond Area)

Lake Canoeing and canoe carries

Fishing

• Reservations need to be made by the scoutmaster or adult leader for campsites in Middle Saranac Lake and the Second Pond area. There is a fee for these sites and you are limited to 6 people each if no larger group sites are available. Therefore, if you have over 6 in your group (including a Voyageur) you will need two sites for each of the three nights you spend on Middle Saranac and in the Second Pond area. The sites on Middle Saranac will be used consecutive nights—your second and third night out—while you day hike up Ampersand Mountain. The sites on Second Pond will be used upon your fourth night out. (Second Pond would be best but if these sites are full, Lower Saranac sites near the First Pond entrance would give you a good start on your fifth day. Sites can be reserved 11 MONTHS in advance of your visit by calling 1-800-456-CAMP or visiting http://www.reserveamerica.com/usa/ny/sara/

(which also has campsite maps) for most of Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes and for the Second Pond Area. To reserve Shaw Island (a large group site) and/or group site 65 call 518-891-4590.

• Be sure to have your confirmation number with you. With this you can report to the Upper Locks and they will send some one to you for final registration. Otherwise, you might have to paddle all the way through Lower Saranac Lake to the Second Pond Boat Launch to sign in even if your reserved site is in Middle Saranac Lake.

Backpacking Treks:

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Trek 4:  High Peaks and Passes

Backpacking, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 7 campers (State limit is 8 people and 3 tents in the High Peaks Areas.)

Very strenuous climbs up Algonquin Peak, Mount Marcy and Haystack—but carrying only day packs.

Features:

This short but challenging backpacking trek will take you to the heart of the High Peaks.

Lean-to Camping (perhaps—but bring your tents)

Adirondack LOJ

3 highest NY peaks

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Trek 5: Northville-Placid Trail from Long Lake to Averyville

Backpacking, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 7 campers (State limit is 8 people and 3 tents in the High Peaks Area through which a portion of this trail passes.)

Moderate; no major climbs

Features:

Great views along Long Lake

Some areas damaged by the 1950 hurricane and others more wilderness-like

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Trek 6: Long Lake to ADK Loj

Backpacking, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 7 campers (State limit is 8 people and 3 tents in the High Peaks Area through which a portion of this trail passes.)

Moderate; no major climbs

Features:

Relatively level hike skirting the western flank of the High Peaks

Indian Pass (Day 4) has been called one of the wildest passes in the east

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 Trek 7: Skirt the High Peaks

Backpacking: 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 7 campers (State limit of 8 people and 3 tents in the High Peaks Area.)

Moderate; as you hike through the valleys and passes that separate the tallest peaks in New York.

Features:

Relatively level hike skirting the flanks of the High Peaks

Indian Pass (look for the ice between boulders) and Avalanche Pass are spectacular

Trek 8: High Peaks and a Ridge Walk

Backpacking, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 7 campers (State limit is 8 people and 3 tents in the High Peaks Area.)

Very, very strenuous. You better be in good shape before you start this trek. Daily HORIZONTAL distances may be short, but the elevation changes will get you.

Features:

Climb the summits of a dozen High Peaks and some that aren’t quite so high.

Indian Pass (look for the ice between boulders) and Avalanche Pass are spectacular

Canoeing Treks:

Trek 9: Long Lake to Bog River Falls

Canoeing, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers. (State Limit along the Canoe Route is 12 people.)

Easy to Moderate; one long carry of about a mile around Raquette Falls

Features:

River and Lake Canoeing

Raquette Falls

Lean-to and Tent camping

Fishing

Natural Water Slide (Bog River Falls)

Canoe Carries

Trek 10: Blue Mountain Lake to Stony Creek Ponds

Canoeing, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers. (State Limit along the Canoe Route is 12 people.)

Moderate; several shorter carries with two long carries of about a mile around Raquette Falls

Features:

Lake and river canoeing

Waterfalls (Buttermilk Falls and Raquette Falls)

Lean-to Camping                                                                                                                                                                              

Fishing

Canoe Carries

A stop in Long Lake for lunch/dinner if wanted

Several variations of this trek can be followed. The end can easily be changed to Tupper Lake’s Public Boat Launch adding several miles to the total.

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Trek 11: Old Forge to Tupper Lake

Canoeing, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers. (State Limit along the Canoe Route is 12 people.)

Moderate; several shorter carries with one long carry of about a mile around Raquette Falls. You need good canoeing skills because of the distance involved.

Features:

Light weight Kevlar Canoes

Paddle through the historic Fulton Chain of Lakes

Lake and River Canoeing

Lean-to camping a possibility

Canoe carries

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Trek 12: Lower Dam on Bog River to Cranberry Lake

Canoeing: 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers (No more than 9 at a campsite however, so plan adult leadership accordingly.)

Moderate to difficult—don’t be fooled by the shorter time involved. The several short carries and the one long carry of about 3.5 miles from Lows Lake to Oswegatchie River make this a trek for the experienced. You need good canoeing skills because of the distance involved. Winds on Lows Lake and Cranberry Lake can create rough conditions.

Features:

Excellent Fishing (Lows Lake & Cranberry Lake)

Lake and River Canoeing

Canoe Carries

Old Growth Forest

Wilderness travel

Trek 13: Long Lake to Paul Smith’s

Canoeing, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers. (State Limit along the Canoe Route is 12 people.)

Difficult; because of the carries and the distance involved.

Features:

Light weight Kevlar Canoes

Lean-to camping

Lake and River Canoeing

Canoe carries

Visit the Fish Hatchery

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Trek 14: Old Forge to Paul Smith’s

Canoeing, 6 days, 5 nights

Limited to 11 campers. (State Limit along the Canoe Route is 12 people.)

Difficult to Strenuous; many short carries and a few longer ones and lots of distance will challenge your canoeing skills.

Features:

Light weight Kevlar Canoes

Paddle through the historic Fulton Chain of Lakes and portions of the St. Regis Canoe Area

Long distance challenge

Lake and River Canoeing

Canoe carries

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 Trek 15: Long Lake to Saranac Lake

Canoeing, 5 days, 3 nights (with modifications)

Limited to 11 campers. (State Limit along the Canoe Route is 12 people.)

Difficult to Strenuous; canoe carries and some long days will challenge your canoeing skills.

Modifications:

1. Camp on Middle Saranac at end of Day 3, hike Ampersand on Day 3 or 4, camp on Middle Saranac, finish in Lake Flower.

2. Spend two nights on Lower Saranac and spend a day enjoying the relaxing scenery of the area.

Features:

Variety of water features

Challenging days lead to relaxing days

Bluff Island

Canoe carries

State Canal Locks (Middle/Lower Saranac Lakes)

Lean-to camping

• Reservations need to be made by the scoutmaster or adult leader for campsites in Middle Saranac Lake and the Second Pond area. There is a fee for these sites and you are limited to 6 people each if no larger group sites are available. Therefore, if you have over 6 in your group (including a Voyageur) you will need two sites for each of the three nights you spend on Middle Saranac and in the Second Pond area. The sites on Middle Saranac will be used consecutive nights—your second and third night out—while you day hike up Ampersand Mountain. The sites on Second Pond will be used upon your fourth night out. (Second Pond would be best but if these sites are full, Lower Saranac sites near the First Pond entrance would give you a good start on your fifth day. Sites can be reserved 11 MONTHS in advance of your visit by calling 1-800-456-CAMP or visiting http://www.reserveamerica.com/usa/ny/sara/ (which also has campsite maps) for most of Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes and for the Second Pond Area. To reserve Shaw Island (a large group site) and/or group site 65 call 518-891-4590.

• Be sure to have your confirmation number with you. With this you can report to the Upper Locks and they will send some one to you for final registration. Otherwise, you might have to paddle all the way through Lower Saranac Lake to the Second Pond Boat Launch to sign in even if your reserved site is in Middle Saranac Lake.

 Trek 16: Old Forge to Saranac Lake – The 90 Miler "Adirondack Canoe Classic"

Canoeing: 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers  (State Limit along the Canoe Route is 12 people.)

Difficult and strenuous – This route was a fairly common route linking the two towns back in the 1890’s when the only way to get around the Adirondacks was by guide boat or canoe. This is virtually the same route used today for the Adirondack Canoe Classic, commonly known as “The 90 Miler” canoe race. Your crew will need excellent canoeing skills because of the distance involved.

Prerequisite: Participants must be 14 years of age or older with previous trek experience. Canoeing merit badge recommended.

Features:

Light weight Kevlar Canoes

Distance Challenge

Canoe Carries

Travel through five water-based towns (Old Forge, Inlet, Raquette Lake, Long Lake, Saranac Lake)

Day-hike opportunity up Ampersand Mtn.

State Canal Locks (Middle/Lower Saranac Lakes)

        Modifications:

Old Forge to Bloomingdale – add 9 miles for an even 100!

·          Reservations need to be made by the scoutmaster or adult leader for campsites in Middle Saranac Lake and the Second Pond area. There is a fee for these sites and you are limited to 6 people each if no larger group sites are available. Therefore, if you have over 6 in your group (including a Voyageur) you will need two sites for each of the three nights you spend on Middle Saranac and in the Second Pond area. The sites on Middle Saranac will be used consecutive nights—your second and third night out—while you day hike up Ampersand Mountain. The sites on Second Pond will be used upon your fourth night out. (Second Pond would be best but if these sites are full, Lower Saranac sites near the First Pond entrance would give you a good start on your fifth day. Sites can be reserved 11 MONTHS in advance of your visit by calling 1-800-456-CAMP or visiting http://www.reserveamerica.com/usa/ny/sara/ (which also has campsite maps) for most of Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes and for the Second Pond Area. To reserve Shaw Island (a large group site) and/or group site 65 call 518-891-4590.

·          Be sure to have your confirmation number with you. With this you can report to the Upper Locks and they will send some one to you for final registration. Otherwise, you might have to paddle all the way through Lower Saranac Lake to the Second Pond Boat Launch to sign in even if your reserved site is in Middle Saranac Lake.

Trek 17: Kushaqua to Saranac Lake

Canoeing: 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers (State campground limit is 6 people per site so plan your adult leadership accordingly.)

Easy to moderate. Any excellent choice for any group!

Features:

Rope Swings

Lean-To camping

Short Carries

Remote Ponds

Fish Hatchery Tour

Bluff Island

Modifications available for Ampersand or St. Regis day hikes

State Canal Locks (Middle/Lower Saranac Lakes)

        Modifications:

        Paul Smith’s to Tupper Lake

        Paul Smith’s to Bloomingdale (via Saranac River – add 9 miles)

• Reservations need to be made by the scoutmaster or adult leader for campsites in Middle Saranac Lake and the Second Pond area. There is a fee for these sites and you are limited to 6 people each if no larger group sites are available. Therefore, if you have over 6 in your group (including a Voyageur) you will need two sites for each of the three nights you spend on Middle Saranac and in the Second Pond area. The sites on Middle Saranac will be used consecutive nights—your second and third night out—while you day hike up Ampersand Mountain. The sites on Second Pond will be used upon your fourth night out. (Second Pond would be best but if these sites are full, Lower Saranac sites near the First Pond entrance would give you a good start on your fifth day. Sites can be reserved 11 MONTHS in advance of your visit by calling 1-800-456-CAMP or visiting http://www.reserveamerica.com/usa/ny/sara/ (which also has campsite maps) for most of Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes and for the Second Pond Area. To reserve Shaw Island (a large group site) and/or group site 65 call 518-891-4590.

• Be sure to have your confirmation number with you. With this you can report to the Upper Locks and they will send some one to you for final registration. Otherwise, you might have to paddle all the way through Lower Saranac Lake to the Second Pond Boat Launch to sign in even if your reserved site is in Middle Saranac Lake.

Trek 18 - Fishing Trek #1 – Little Clear Pond to Follensby Clear Pond

Canoeing, 5 days, 4 nights

Limited to 11 campers. (State Limit along the Canoe Route is 12 people.)

This trek is geared towards troops that want to spend a few days relaxing and enjoying the best fishing the area has to offer. This style of treks is designed with shorter travel distances and multiple nights spent in the same site to allow for more freedom to go after “the big one”. This trek is easily modified. 

Prerequisites: All participants age 16 or older must have a NY State Fishing License.  A week-long permit can be obtained at pretty much any outfitter located in NY for about $35. It is recommended that you acquire your permit prior to coming to camp, but it is possible to run into town to pick one up after you arrive in camp. Participants must provide their own fishing gear (rod, reel, artificial lures, pliers, knife, hooks, line, and net).  You might consider bringing your favorite fish seasonings.

Features:

New York State Fish Hatchery tour

Pristine ADK waters – chock full of fish!

Short and easy carries – don’t be intimidated by the quantity

St. Regis Canoe Area

Lean-To camping

Ponds known for:

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Brown Trout

Lake Trout

Northern Pike (Follensby Clear)

Land-Locked Salmon (Follensby Clear)