LOCALadk Magazine

Summer 2015 LOCALadk Magazine 31 LOCALadk 518-523-0125 AdirondackRugs.com 2077 Saranac Ave Lake Placid, NY 12946 LAKE PLACID RUG & HOME TRIBAL TO TRADITIONAL Specializing in Great Camp Rustic elegance and "Arts & Crafts" Decor www.mylonglake.com 518-624-3077 for more information Visit us this Summer - towns built for family fun, great activities and events for all. • Guided Hikng • Guided Hikng Trips • Outdoor Rec. • Paddling • Fishing Anne Fleck along with her partner Robbie Frenette own Raquette River Outfitters located on State Route 30 in Tupper Lake. They have owned and operated the business for over 30 years and have helped thousands of people plan and execute amaz- ing paddling adventures in the Adirondacks. www.ra- quetteriveroutfitters.com The Bog River Flow, Tupper Lake, NY "Following the Bog River into Hitchens Pond up to Lows Lake and beyond is one of several spectacular wilderness canoe routes. It must also be considered as a destination in itself. Whether you have only a few hours to paddle, time for a day trip or 10 days to canoe or kayak camp, you will never grow weary exploring this beautiful waterway, surrounding forests and wil- derness area. The waterways include intimate passageways, stream and river travel, a large lake and several small ponds. All these are connected with one short carry located at the Lows Upper Dam. There are islands, bays, float- ing bogs and many nooks and crannies to keep you wondering. The view sheds include expanses of bogs, dense hardwood and softwood forests, steep crags of stone mountains and soft forest hills. Wildlife sightings can be numerous if you are quiet and observant. You may see or hear deer, bear, moose, beaver, muskrat, turtles and otter. Redwing black- birds sing along the bog edges and the woods are filled with grouse and all the resident and migratory songbirds. Loons, hawks, bald eagles, ravens, crows, waterfowl and herons all have homes along the way. If you tire of paddling and need to stretch your legs, there are great trails where you can climb to summits or ridges for wide and long views of the region or take long hikes into the Five Ponds or Cranberry Lake wil- derness areas. These take you past forested brooks, beaver meadows, rock outcroppings, ponds and wa- terfalls." Getting there: The primary automobile access point is at the Lows Lower Dam. If coming to the area from the South, travel 13 miles from Long Lake north on Route 30. Take a left hand turn onto Route 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. If coming to the area from the North, travel 8 miles from Tupper Lake village south on Route 30. Take a right hand turn on Route 421. Proceed as above. Note: The 3⁄4mile access road may be gated in the spring to protect the dirt road during frost-out. Caitlin Stewart is a conservation educator with the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation Dis- trict. They work to manage and promote the wise use of natural resources. She lives in Lake Pleasant. Sacandaga Lake, Speculator, NY "Memories overflow with days I've spent paddling on Sacandaga Lake. From ice out in April to snowy May expeditions, from sweltering July excursions to crisp November trips, I have watched seasons change on Sacandaga Lake in my canoe and kayak since I was a little girl. I love this lake because of its irregular shoreline, and a little island adds intrigue. A good portion of the lake is State Forest Preserve with sandy beaches and swim- ming coves. I often stretch my legs and enjoy a picnic lunch on a beach. Hatchery Brook meanders at the lake's northern end where I frequently spot beaver, kingfisher, blue heron and painted box turtles. Fish Mountain rises above the western shoreline. I've watched a dilapidated boat house on state land near the boat launch deteriorate since childhood. Be pre- pared if you paddle near as swallows are at the ready to dive bomb intruders. An outlet leads from Sacandaga Lake to Lake Pleas- ant that makes for a gorgeous extended trip. Pick- erel weed and white fragrant lilies thrive during the summer, dotting the outlet with bursts of purple and white." Getting there: To paddle Sacandaga Lake, head to the Department of Environmental Conservation's Moffitt Beach Camp- ground off Page Street in Speculator. The GPS coor- Anne Brewer Saranac River

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