LOCALadk Magazine

28 Summer 2015 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk High Falls, a great base for camping and for hiking to the Five Ponds area and Cat Mountain, for views over the entire valley. Then it is 14 miles of alder lined stream leading to the take-out at Inlet. High Rock, about an hour from the end of the trip is one of my favorite campsites as it offers a commanding view. I once sat here in early morning and watched a young fawn for over half hour grazing and wandering back and forth across the stream, oblivious to me sitting high above. Another day, in steady drizzle, I spotted four barred owls in one spruce tree. Athletic, seasoned paddlers have done this as a day trip—and it is a great challenge usually taking 8-12 hours. For us mortals with camping gear, it is more rewarding to run it as a camping trip, where you can really con- nect with the wild. Most people spend 20-24 hours paddling time over three to five days. Some spend over a week. Numerous side trips include hikes up Low's Ridge and Grass Pond Mountain and perhaps a paddle into Bog Lake, where a paddle and hike could be made to Mt Frederica, over- looking Lake Lila. There are designated campsites along the entire route, yet remoteness is the overwhelming feeling, especially on the upper part of the Oswegatchie River. A long shuttle, 3 plus hours and the long portage near the middle of the trip deter the truly faint of heart, but those who partake in this wilder- ness adventure will reward themselves many times over." Getting there: Drop a car for shuttle in Inlet. From Inlet, follow Rt. 28 East to Rt. 30 in Blue Mountain Lake. Follow Rt. 30/ Rt. 28N North to Long Lake. Turn left to continue following Rt. 30 for 13 miles. Turn left on Rt. 421. Travel 5.5 miles to where the paved road becomes dirt and take the first left on a dirt road and go 3⁄4 mile to the Lows Lower Dam parking. Doug Fitzgerald along with his business partner Jack Drury own Broadwing Adventures. Their goal is to share the joys of canoeing, kayak- ing, and hiking with others and provide safe, fun, environmentally friend- ly adventures. Doug believes that the best way to protect special places is for people to find value in those places through recreational activities. www.broadwingadventures.com Connie S. Prickett is director of communications for The Nature Conservancy's Adirondack Chapter and the Adirondack Land Trust. Connie chose Lake Lila as one of her favorite paddling destinations and shares why it's special to her: Lake Lila, William C. Whitney Wilderness, Long Lake, NY "Lake Lila is the largest lake in the Adirondack Park wholly surrounded by Forest Preserve. It came into the public domain in its entirety in 1979 after changing hands from descendants of the railroad baron Dr. William Seward Webb to The Nature Conservancy and then to New York State. To paddle this 1,461-acre lake today is to feel small. Not insignificant-small, but more like small in the midst of grandeur. It is speckled with islands, lined with long stretches of natural sandy beaches, and surrounded by rugged forest terrain. It is also motor-less and quiet, but not always calm as winds can cause big swells and whitecaps." Getting there: Lake Lila, within the William C. Whitney Wilderness, is in the Hamilton County Town of Long Lake. The parking area, 5.5 miles from the Sabattis Road, is reached via a seasonal dirt road. From there a 1/3-mile portage leads to the water's edge. Dave Cilley, owner of St Regis Outfitters and author of Adirondack Paddler's Guide and the Adirondack Paddler's Map. www.canoeoutfitters. com The Oswegatchie Traverse, Low's Lower Dam to Inlet, NY "This 30-35 mile trip typifies the allure of the Adirondacks: rugged, wild and remote. It lies in the area west of Tupper Lake and south of Cranber- ry Lake. The Traverse connects the Bog River Drainage with the Upper East Branch of the Oswegatchie River. The trip starts at Low's Lower Dam where one is immediately led into a beautiful passage up the Bog River between towering pines. Fourteen miles on the Bog River and Low's Lake lead to two portages, 0.8 miles and the 2.2 mile portage to the Oswe- gatchie River just below a spot called "Beaverdam" where the five or so small streams coalesce into the small Oswegatchie. The first section of the river involves tight maneuvers and up to 44 beaver dams leading to With over 2,000 lakes and ponds and 1,500 miles of rivers in the Adirondacks it should be pretty easy to find a great place to paddle. To launch a boat and dip a paddle blade is to discover the joy of the many waterways in the Adirondacks. Everyone has a unique and personal experience on the water, whether it's a clean ripple along a glassy surface in the morning, paddling into a firey sunset with friends or throwing the perfect cast. I asked a few locals to share with us where they like to paddle and why. Different Strokes: Where The Locals Paddle Anne Brewer Little Tupper Lake

• Cover