Hays Brook truck trail XC skiing

Our "go to" spot to ski nearby the Lake Clear Lodge is the Hays Brook truck trail.  

Clearly Bob post - #18    FollowBob

It is only about 10 miles north on route 30 and, significantly, it tends to have the best conditions around. It is popular, meaning you may see 10 other people skiing, so most of the time the trail is broken. Obviously that depends on when it snowed last and if it is the weekend or a weekday.   

It seems that often there is an inch or two of new light powder overnight so, if you get there before anyone else,  the skiing is a magical combination of virgin snow and the ease of a tracked trail.  Heaven !  

  There are 2 options here - 

a trail to Grass Pond (3.8 mile round trip) and 

one to the "Sheep Meadow" (7.8 miles RT). 

The latter is definitely the more interesting route. Mostly these trails are novice to intermediate with a few short intermediate pitches to make things interesting. 

To get there drive north on route 30 from the Lodge. 3.8 miles north of Paul Smiths College there is a large DEC sign on the right marking the access road. You can usually drive into the parking lot a couple of tenths of a mile in.  

Ski down the continuation of the road a minute or two to the gate and register up the small hill to the left. 

       From the gate, following the truck trail north, you cross the Osgood River in 1/2 mile. This is the outlet of Osgood Pond and flows into Meacham Lake to the north. Just beyond, the trail to Grass Pond forks right. It climbs a moderate hill and then, mostly on the level, leads to the leanto above the pond. You can poke around the small pond on some short roads but it is not particularly noteworthy. 

        If you are going to the Sheep Meadow, just past the fork to Grass there is a choice. The marked route veers left following what is more of a trail whereas the wider road continues straight. The former has more ups and downs, is narrower, definitely not novice but certainly not difficult, shorter by 3/10th mile, much more interesting, and meets the other route at a "T" intersection. The latter is wider, easier, climbs a long hill and then is essentially flat to a junction (1.2 miles from the gate) where you turn left and eventually descend slightly to meet the other trail coming in from the left. Essentially the first option is the interesting hypotenuse and the second the 2 boring legs of a triangle. 

Let's see - can you guess which one I choose ? My wife likes the other. I still love her. 

       After the two options join up the trail descends in a couple of tenths of a mile to a crossing of Hays Brook, climbs a short steeper pitch and is then mostly level to the 2 leantos and horse barn 2.1 miles from the brook.   (When you return, if you bomb down the hill to Hays Brook, make sure you don't miss the bridge. The water, I can assure you, will be cold.)   The trail does not actually go through the Sheep Meadow.  But it is just a few feet away at one point.  

Before you get to the leantos, just before a long very gradual climb, look to the right through a few evergreens to the beginning of a clearing about 20 feet off the trail. This is the start of a series of interconnected but separate clearings that eventually will bring you to the back of the leantos. 

But it's also easy to fumble around and not find the leantos so if there aren't tracks to follow or if you're not willing to backtrack following your own tracks just look around the unusual open expanse and then get back on the marked trail. 

Alternatively you can poke around the same group of  meadows behind the leantos.

      Once when we were sitting in the leanto enjoying our lunch a couple skied up and we struck up a conversation. I asked where else they liked to ski around the area since I'm always looking for new recommendations. The man said I should really read a particular magazine that has lots of articles about day trips. Turns he was Dick Beamish the founder of the Adirondack Explorer which I already subscribed to and would highly recommend. It is an excellent publication. We all enjoyed the conversation. I didn't ask which legs of the triangle they chose but they seemed to be happily married so I presume they worked it out one way or the other.  

Walking on water - Fun on the Lake Clear ice

Walking on water - fun on the Lake Clear ice 

Clearly Bob post - #17 - Follow Bob

Staying at the Lodge and want to just get out for an uncomplicated quick ski jaunt? 

Just pop out onto the lake and cruise around for a while. 

It's always kind of fun to be out on the ice. (Try it on a cold, windless night when the stars are out. Sometimes you hear the ice cracking with a low other worldly rumble because as it freezes it expands.) 

There are usually some people ice fishing who are more than happy to show you what they caught - or tell you about the big one that got away. 

One beautiful, cold, windless, sunny day we were out on the lake walking with 2 of the grand kids and talked to a 10 year old who had caught a 15 inch trout. I was impressed. This was just after we had fun writing out our names on the surface by shuffling our feet as we walked around in the snow. (I have yet to improve my jumping ability enough to write in anything other than cursive.) 

The other, just out the door, option is skiing or snowshoeing along the railroad tracks. You can go forever. Just be aware that snowmobiles can, and do, go forever too and they go a lot faster.   They are not very good at sneaking up on you however.  

You can do a combo of lake and tracks since there are some places to easily connect the two. 

One nice thing about these two options is you don't have to get into the car. 

And a hot chocolate, or cold beer, will be waiting for you as soon as you step out of your skis.

Lake Clear Lodge FAQ sheet

* One of the last original Adirondack lodges still open to the public

* Rooms, Lake side suites and private chalets

* Ideal for romantic getaways and small conference/retreats

* Lodge, private cabins/chalets, conference center, free trails  on 25 acres

* Just 20 minutes from Lake Placid, 10 minutes from Saranac Lake, 20 minutes from Tupper Lake

* Unlimited year round outdoor activities

* Walk in wine and beer cellar with workshops and tastings

* Adirondack Cooking School - featuring Old World Foods with New Age Flair

website:   www.lodgeonlakeclear.com   info and book online
phone  (518) 891-1489
address:  6319 State Rt 30, Lake Clear, NY  12945

Cross Country Skiing near Lake Clear and Paul Smiths, NY

Cross Country Skiing near Lake Clear and Paul Smiths, NY
Clearly Bob, post #16, Follow Bob

Now that we are into November and all the boats are snug in their winter locations gathering dust I tell myself that this is the time to actually get some things done that I have put off all summer because, as we all know, summer, no matter what the calendar says, is the shortest season. 

But while I'm raking leaves, cleaning windows, or winterizing the lawn mower there are definitely enticing thoughts creeping into my consciousness of the coming winter snow and all the fun opportunities that come with it. Don't you love the change of seasons? Why would anyone move to Florida?

       I primarily like to cross country ski in the back country meaning not at a ski area where you have groomed trails and pay for a ticket. This does not require you being an expert skier at all - pick an easy trail and even a beginner can be comfortable. 

Most of the time the more popular ski routes will already have broken trails. If snow shoeing is your thing you can certainly do that on any of the summer hiking trails I've written about or any of the ski routes in upcoming blogs. My own preference is to snow shoe only if it involves climbing a mountain where skiing, at least for my level of ability, is not a good idea if you want your body to stay in one piece. 

       I've cross country skied in the Lake Clear area for 20 years (and elsewhere for more than I'm willing to quantitate) and here are a few observations. 

Just like with paddling, hiking and climbing, there are many, many nearby choices spanning all levels of difficulty. I haven't run out of new places to experience.  

Snow conditions are usually better than you would think. There have been numerous times we've driven up to Lake Clear expecting conditions to be terrible and, while they certainly were not great, the skiing was actually pretty good. 

There can be no snow at all on the ground around Keene and Keene Valley and we're fine. 

This is especially true if you head just north of the Lodge to the Paul Smiths College area, just 6 miles up route 30. 

The Hays Brook truck trail just north of Paul Smiths seems to have its own stealth snow making machines. The other favorable factor is that there are many trails that have a fairly smooth surface. So if there is not much snow depth skiing will still be fine on these trails because there aren't rocks that need coverage. One example of this would be skiing the ponds and canoe carry trails but, if pond ice is of questionable thickness (and this is something that very important to question), there are other choices. 

There is a very good non commercial, unbiased web site for checking cross country trail conditions in the Lake Placid area - both at commercial ski areas and back country: 

http://www.jackrabbittrail.org/conditions.html       The site almost always mentions the Hays Brook and Fish Pond trails - the latter is located in the St Regis canoe area just south on route 30 from The Lake Clear Lodge.

      Now that you are no doubt incredibly psyched to get up to Lake Clear and start skiing check out the upcoming posts where I'll get more specific about routes. 

Get your kids to rake the leaves - yeah, right !

Bob

Adirondack Winter 2014 Holiday Christmas New Years Getaway Vacation Pack...

Winter in the Adirondack Alps

Send a Friend a Sunset Thought....Compliments of Lake Clear Lodge

Come stay on the lake, near the woods.... the way the Adirondacks used to be

Paddle Floodwood 2

Paddling Floodwood - Post #2    Clearly Bob

There is a group of beautiful ponds just west of the northern end of Upper Saranac Lake that offer many options for an enjoyable day's paddle. This area is just south of the St Regis Canoe Area. Some of the ponds are rather large and some are small. Some interconnect by a navigable creek but most require portaging. The ability to portage opens up more options including traversing a loop. But if carrying a boat is not your definition of fun don't despair, there are good out and back choices. In any case, you really need a map.

 The best one is the Adirondack Paddlers Map available at St Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake or at their pond side site on Floodwood Pond. (All the paddling trips I describe will be on this map.) I'll split trips in this area up into two posts - one describing non-portage out and back trips and the other loops with portages. This is the second post - got your light weight canoe ready ?

     Paddling a series of ponds in a loop is my favorite way to go. You get to see a variety of waters, you only need one car and you get out of the canoe and walk between the ponds so your legs get some exercise too. The start of every portage is marked with a white rectangular sign on a tree - "canoe carry to ...." whatever the next pond is. 

The whiteness of the signs stand out so they are pretty easy to spot from a distance as long as you know more or less where to look from your map. Here are a few loops you can paddle. Get out the map and follow along.    #1 - Start on Floodwood Pond by the canoe outfitters shop (previous blog has info on how to get there as well as other access points), paddle down Fish Creek to Little Square Pond, continue down the creek and find the 1/4 mile portage to Follensby Clear Pond, continue north on Follensby Clear and after going through the narrow gap go around the point on the left keeping the island (with the only leanto around) to your right and you'll see the start of the 100 foot portage to Horseshoe Pond, follow the shore to your right to the next short portage to Little Polliwog Pond, then portage to Polliwog Pond, paddle north and then around the point on your left and through the small passage to Polliwog's western appendage at the far end of which is the 4/10th mile carry to Middle Pond, continue 3/4 of the way down Middle and find the 1/2 mile portage back to Floodwood Pond where you started. You can also do this loop in the other direction and you can start and end your trip at Follensby, Middle or Polliwog Ponds. #2 - 

The start is the same as loop #1: Floodwood to Fish Creek to Little Square then continue on Fish Creek out of Little Square. But instead of going all the way to the portage to Follensby Clear, look for the small passage into Copperas Pond on the right about 10 minutes from Little Square. Paddle the length of Copperas to the 1/3 mile portage to Whey. The next portage, 200 yards to Rollins Pond, is at the far end of Whey. Now you are in the huge state campground with lots and lots of sites along Rollins's shoreline. Motor boats (with a horsepower limit) are allowed on Rollins. The bottom line is that I would not go here when the campground is open if you are looking for a quiet, uncrowded experience. I was there in late September this year and saw no one at all. The fall colors on this sunny day were beautiful. On the other hand, you could possibly score a cold beer if you struck up a conversation with one of the campers. Paddle the long length of Rollins and head into the small bay in the northeast corner. As you go along look to your left and you'll see the railroad track grade on and off.   It's the same line that goes past the Lodge.  There is a movement to turn this unused asset into a bike/walking/snowmobile trail. There is a narrow, rocky, water connection from Rollins to Floodwood and it may be navigable if the water level is high enough otherwise be safer and use the 2/10 mile portage back to Floodwood Pond and your starting point. #3 - Combine these two loops into one larger loop leaving out Little Square Pond and part of Fish Creek or make a figure 8 paddling some parts twice. Just look at the map and figure it out.

     These are just suggestions. There are other possible trips you can put together. Your best resource is frequently lauded paddler's map. Add a sense of adventure, some prudent precautions and have yourself some fun !

Paddle Floodwood 1

Paddle Floodwood - Post #1
Clearly Bob

There is a group of beautiful ponds just west of the northern end of Upper Saranac Lake that offer many options for an enjoyable day's paddle.

This area is just south of the St Regis Canoe Area. 

Some of the ponds are rather large and some are small. Some interconnect by a navigable creek but most require portaging. The ability to portage opens up more options including traversing a loop. But if carrying a boat is not your definition of fun don't despair, there are good out and back choices. 

In any case, you really need a map. 

The best one is the Adirondack Paddlers Map available at St Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake, at their pond side site on Floodwood Pond or at Macs Canoe Outfitters just 2 miles south of The Lodge. (All the paddling trips I describe will be on this map.)

I'll split trips in this area up into two posts - one describing non-portage out and back trips and the other loops with portages. This is the first one..

     There are a four ponds where you can put in right next to a road but, of those, two of them are big enough that you can spend some time exploring. 

My first choice by far would be Floodwood Pond. You put in adjacent to and just before the St Regis Canoe Outfitters shop (got your map?). To get there drive south on route 30 from the Lodge, pass through the golf course and take the first right onto Floodwood Road. It's about 4 miles off route 30 on the left. 

The last time I drove down this road in September, 2013 it had been recently graded and reinforced with a layer of large stones. The potholes were gone but the stones made it feel like every nut on my tightly sprung little car was going to loosen. Once on Floodwood Pond eventually make you way to the southeastern corner and look for the small opening to Fish Creek. This is a very gently flowing gem which brings you down to Little Square Pond. We once drifted silently past a deer on the bank getting a drink. There are a few campsites (marked on your map) on Little Square for a lunch stop or swim. Continue down the now wider Fish Creek. You can poke into  little Copperas Pond on the right about 10 minutes after leaving Little Square. Fish Creek connects to Fish Creek Ponds where there is a large state campsite. 

Unless you are fond of motorboats and a shoreline chock full of vehicle accessible sites turn around before you get there and retrace your steps (or, more accurately, strokes) back to the put in. I know I advertised this as a no portage trip but if you can handle a short 1/4 mile carry to Follensby Clear Pond you can change this into an "A" to "B" trip and take out at a route 30 access to Follensby Clear (see below).   You would need two vehicles.

     The other pond,  good to explore without any portages, is the aforementioned Follensby Clear Pond. There are motorboats allowed but the only ones I've even seen are of the rowboat and small motor variety and they are fairly rare. Two access points along route 30 are about 2 and 3 miles past Floodwood Road on the right. Look for the brown DEC signs denoting the parking areas amongst the trees. 

The second put in is adjacent to Spider Creek, the small passage that goes under route 30 to Fish Creek Ponds if you want to explore. The pond has a few islands in the large southern basin, some nice beaches for a swim, and a very narrow gap to paddle through to get to the smaller northern part of the pond. We've camped on this pond many times. Once again, if you want to make it a bit more interesting, a short 250 yard portage to Polliwog Pond at the far northern end of Follensby Clear will convert this into an "A" to "B' outing. Floodwood Road goes right next to Polliwog for a few feet - it's the first pond on the left after you leave route 30.

     Two other ponds are accessible off Floodwood Road - Polliwog (obviously) and Middle. 

Polliwog is OK for a short outing - it has some peninsulas  and bays to poke around in and a narrow passage to it's small western appendage. 

Middle, however, has nothing to recommend it. The road parallels most of it's shore and there are fairly long portages to the adjacent ponds. I'd only paddle it as part of a loop (which is covered in post Floodwood Paddle

2)

Sailing on Lake Clear, NY

Sailing Lake Clear
Clearly Bob

All my posts thus far have been about hiking, climbing mountains, canoeing and kayaking in the Lake Clear area.  

But I'm leaving out one of my other outdoor activity loves - sailing.  

And Lake Clear is a excellent little sailing lake.    

Once, when we took one of our short  road walks over to the public beach  we talked to a guy who was rigging his windsurfer on the beach.  It was a nice breezy day.   He lived in Lake Placid and told us that when he wants a real good day of sailing he either heads for Lake Champlain or Lake Clear.   The two lakes could not be more different in  terms of size but, to him,  they were of comparable appeal for windsurfing.  Other nearby lakes are larger than Lake Clear but they have narrow  sections, islands, and/or bays that, although such features make for an interesting paddle,  are not very conducive to good sailing.   

Lake Clear is like a inflated "L" shaped balloon with no islands.  The  wind is typically  onshore at the Lodge beach so you are off and running (well, actually beating or reaching) right off the bat.   There is no bay to beat out of or windward shore to get away from to get the best breeze.  

 On top of all these attributes, none other than Albert Einstein is known to have sailed on Lake Clear.  And, relatively speaking (sorry), he was a pretty smart guy.  There is a basic boat launch at The Lodge for small sailboats. 

 I have a 470 and a Sunfish that I sail off a mooring standing in the sandy bottomed shallow water to raise the sails etc.   

The 470, in case you are not familiar with it,  is a 15 foot sloop rigged Olympic class with lots of strings to pull, a trapeze and a spinnaker.   It's fast and a lot of fun -just as long as you don't  get tangled up in the spaghetti of lines that fill the cockpit.  

The Sunfish is great for taking the younger grand kids sailing or  blasting off on a screaming reach when it is so insanely windy that most sane people would not be out sailing.  

And when there is no wind there are plenty of other things to do around Lake Clear.   Maybe even just sitting by the lake and relaxing.  It's been known to happen.

Paddle Jones Pond to Church Pond

Paddle Jones Pond to Church Pond – Clearly Bob

     Here's a half day canoe/kayak trip that includes a variety of water bodies – very small ponds, very large (why is this not a lake?) pond, small stream, and tiny historic man made canals.  There is a beach to stop at for a swim.  You can check out an historic camp.  On top of all of these irresistible features, it is about a 10 minute drive from the Lodge to the take out.  There are no portages however,  this is an “A” to “B” trip so you will need two cars or a bicycle to set up a shuttle.   A map (the Adirondack Paddler's Map mentioned in a previous blog is the best) is a good idea but you can probably find your way with my rough guide below. 

     The put in is on Jones Pond.  But first leave a car or bicycle at the take out on Church Pond.  Get there by driving north on route 30 to the Paul Smiths College entrance where you turn right onto route 86.  You'll see the church and the parking area next to the pond on the left very soon.   Continue on 86 and take the 2nd left onto Jones Pond Road (local route 31) and follow it about 2 ½ miles and look for the Jones Pond access sign on your right.  The paddling route follows the shoreline of Jones Pond, which parallels the road,  to the outlet at the western end.   You aren't on Jones for very long unless you want to cruise around and explore it.   The outlet is about 2 miles long and dumps you into the very large Osgood Pond.  Here there is a sandy area where you can stretch and go for a swim.  The direct route across Osgood is basically straight down the pond's length heading west but an interesting little side trip into the beginning of the outlet (Osgood River) will let you check out White Pine Camp which was the summer white house of President Calvin Coolidge.  There is an oh so cute little glass enclosed retreat on its own small island reached by an arched bridge that you've got to see.   If you're up for a much longer paddle you can continue down the river about 3 miles before you reach the end of navigable water and need to return.  Back on the main lake, oops,  I mean pond, go about ½ way down its length from the inlet, go around a long point on the left (going between the point and an island) and paddle south into a large bay.  At the deepest point of the bay, to the right of an obvious sandy boat launch spot (public), is the entrance to the first of two very narrow man made canals.  Assume an air of Sunday-going-to-church reverence as you imagine long ago summer residents, attired more appropriately than you are right now,  rowing their guide boats to the house of worship that marks the end of your trip.  Just follow the small ponds and one more canal until you find your car.  Or God.   

Long Pond and Long Pond Mt

Another post ….  Clearly Bob

     So a friend of mine some time ago, after hearing me go on incessantly about camping trips, decided he wanted to get into it.  Being somewhat excessive – compulsive he dived into extensive research to gear up for his first trip. Before he knew it he had become one with his pieces of possible equipment.  He was having illusions  that he had actually become the MSR Whisperlight stove, or whatever.  Finally, he decided to consult a psychiatrist.  “Doc”, he told the doc, “It's gotten really bad.  Why just recently I truly felt I was a light weight backpacking dome tent and then a couple of minutes later I was a large family tent.  I'd go back and forth – dome tent, family tent.  It was awful.”   “Well”, said the psychiatrist, “your problem is obvious.  You're too tense”. 

     Sometimes you can't decide whether to go paddling or hiking.  Paddling, hiking.  Hiking, paddling. Don't have a breakdown.    Here's a day trip sure to be a tension tamer.  Long Pond and Long Pond Mountain are a nearby, complete backcountry experience.  But, you do have to portage about ¼ mile from the parking lot to the pond.  Which brings me, brace yourself, to my short rant about kayaks vs canoes.  I can appreciate that kayaks are probably very comfortable, the longer length models are fast, they don't have a lot of surface area (“windage” in nautical terminology) that can cause them to be pushed around by a cross wind, and are very good in those 3 to 5 foot breaking seas that are so common on small Adirondack ponds.  But there are many, very enticing trips around here that include portages between a literal stones throw  to over a mile in length.   (I can only think of one of the latter.)    A kayak, especially a common Tupperware type material one, is a huge pain to carry because of its weight.  There are certainly many routes that require either no portage or only a very short one or two.  But you're going to miss out many others.  That said,  you can still lug your kayak over the portage trail (almost all are in very good shape so using wheels may mitigate the pain) or, for a better option,  rent a light weight canoe for the day from a local outfitter. (St Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake and on Floodwood Road at Floodwood Pond or Mac's right in Lake Clear.)

     To get to the parking lot drive south on route 30 from the Lodge.  The road goes  though a golf course and, shortly thereafter, make a right turn onto Floodwood Road.  There is a St Regis Canoe Outfitters sign there also.  (I'm told by my golfing couple friends that the Saranac Inn golf course is a very good one.  To me it looks -  well, simply very green.)  Stay on Floodwood Road for quite a while.  You'll pass several ponds along the way which will be mentioned in a future blog post.  Just past the railroad tracks (the same tracks that go past the Lodge) is the Outfitters shop – get your map!  About 1 mile past SRCO look for a turn off to the right and a NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) sign for Long Pond.  The good portage trail heads down to the pond.  Long Pond has a lot of  good, well spaced campsites.  We've camped there many times.   I remember on one trip watching a loon take off from the water.  It is the one and only time I've seen one in flight.  It took a very long runway for the loon to finally get in the air.  I've read that what makes the loon a good diver makes it  not such a good flier.   There are some sandy beaches for a post climb swim if you want.   Paddle down the length of the pond and pass through a narrower section after which the water is much wider.  Turn left and continue to a very narrow gap.  After passing through the gap turn to the right, paddle toward the far shore and look for the rectangular white “portage to Mountain Pond” on a tree.  Don't worry, you don't have to portage again. 

    This marks the beginning of the trail up Long Pond Mountain.  Stash your canoe away from where others may need to get off or on the water.  In 0.6 miles the trail brings you to Mountain Pond where you can be thankful you didn't have to carry even your light weight canoe this far.  The top is about a mile further and, since after all it is a mountain, there are some steep sections to the trail.  There is a rock with good views of Long Pond and many others.  Enjoy your lunch.   I'd recommend the free range, organic, natural chicken sandwich on wholegrain brick oven baked homemade with love bread.    Imported from China.  

Climbing St Regis Mountain, NY

 My name is Bob and  I am a neighbor of  the Lodge on Lake Clear.  

 I'm very enthusiastic about the multitude of outdoor opportunities available in the Lake Clear area.  

 I want to enlighten potential visitors to hiking, climbing, canoeing/kayaking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing day trips that are easily accessed from here.

For my first trip I'll pick the most obvious -  St Regis Mt.   I say most obvious because St Regis is the mountain that dominates the view from The Lodge beach.

I've climbed St Regis more than any other mountain - probably around 60 times including in the winter. ( Actually a favorite little cross country  ski jaunt is skiing up the St Regis trail until the steeper section starts.  But that's for another post.)   

         There is a great view from the top of St Regis Mountain - of the numerous lakes that start right at the mountain's base and extend far off into the distance.   Lake Clear is right there front and center.    The high peaks are visible too but they are pretty far away.   One year we climbed St Regis, pitched a small tent on the one flat grassy spot,  and stayed up there overnight so we could stay up late and watch the Perseid meteor shower.  Then we woke up early and watched the sun rise over the lakes.  Pretty cool !   So far we've gotten 3 of the 7 grand children to the top using their own leg power. 

       To get to the trail head : take a left out of the Lake Clear Lodge main driveway, then take the next left up Route 30 North.  Drive north on route 30 to Paul Smiths College,  about 5-6 miles.  You'll see the main college entrance on your left (you would turn right to go to Saranac Lake from here).   Immediately  past the entrance turn left on Keeses Mills Road.  Go about 2.5 miles and you'll see a small parking lot on the right with a Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) sign.  About another 100 yards down the road is a large gravel parking lot on the left which is where you park.  Walk down  the dirt road by the parking lot about 1/10th mile to where the actual trail begins.  

Distance is 3.4 miles each way with a 1266 foot climb.  It's certainly not easy but not too difficult a climb either.   

Of course all such pronouncements are highly subjective !   Have fun!

Kid friendly hikes and climbs near Lake Clear in the Adirondacks

Kid friendly hikes and climbs near Lake Clear in the Adirondacks

    OK, I did mention grand kid friendly places above so here a few easy mountain climbs for the young ones.  I think you'll enjoy them too and it's certainly better than trying to cajole a reluctant budding hiker up too challenging a peak.  It is so much fun to be part of a child's first climbing experiences, even if he or she needs a little help from a grown up.

     Right in the village of Saranac Lake is Baker Mountain.  It's a short (0.9 mile), in places a bit steep, climb to the summit where there are good views of Mc Kenzie Pond and Mc Kenzie, Haystack and Moose Mountains one way and, if you stop on one of the several rocky ledges off to the right before the actual summit, views of the village and lakes.  To get to the trail head turn left at the second traffic light coming into town from Lake Clear onto route 3, then right onto Pine Street just past the Belvedere Restaurant, then left onto East Pine St (the 2nd left).  Follow the road around to the far end of Moody Pond.  Park on the right next to the pond.  The trail starts on the left side of the road.

    A longer drive (about 40 minutes) brings you to Coney Mountain south of Tupper Lake.  It has a somewhat better 360 degree view from the treeless summit compared to Baker with Tupper Lake prominently featured.  The kids will enjoy picking blueberries at the top. (OK,  admittedly I do too.)   It's about 1 mile up an easy trail.  Bring lunch and enjoy a picnic with a view.   Get there by following route 30 south through the village of Tupper Lake – 30 makes a left turn in the heart of downtown TL.  About 5 miles south of town there is a parking turn off on the right just past the Hamilton county boundary sign.  The trail head is on the opposite side of the road about 200 feet closer to Tupper.  There is an Dept of Environmental Conservation trail sign in the grass back from the road marking it. 

     Panther Mountain rounds out this trio of family climbs.   It offers a 0.7 mile climb to a partially bare summit with views of far off Tupper Lake and some closer  high peaks.  The views from Baker and Coney are better in my opinion.  To get there drive south on route 30 to the “T” intersection with route 3.  Turn left on 3 heading toward Saranac Lake, go 1.6 miles and look for the parking lot on the right.  The trail head is on the opposite side of the road . 

    These 3 are the easiest mountains in the area.   We've climbed them all numerous times with grand children of all ages admittedly including some carrying of the youngest ones at times.  Eventually I suppose the appeal will be they are easy enough for my old, aching body to summit !  But not too soon for that scenario – I'm 2 climbs away from finishing my 2nd round of climbing the 46 Adirondack high peaks.  

Stay near us and book a room at The Lake Clear Lodge where they offer a main Lodge plus suites and chalets on 25 acres

Gentle hikes near and around Lake Clear, NY

 

     Sometimes you just want to go for a nice walk in the woods - not  a commando assault on Mt Huge.

There are lots of options in this category.  I'll start by describing a trio of nearby routes we frequent off route 30 heading  north from the Lodge.  (Obviously you can just stroll on the considerable acres of the Lodge property or walk forever on the railroad tracks.   With regard to the latter, watch out for the passing train engine.   It goes by twice a year at the blazing speed of about 3 MPH accompanied by a loud clanging bell !) 

     The most popular place to walk around is the nearby Visitor Interpretive Center run by Paul Smiths   College.   There is good reason for its popularity.   The many trails are well maintained, foot friendly smooth, and offer a variety of ecosystem experiences.  Some of the trails feature long boardwalks across boggy areas.   There is a very large blown down tree at the end of one of these boardwalks where the pulled up root system impressively towers over your head.   It's probably 20 feet tall.    Next to the VIC building  is a small playground for the kids and a butterfly house with a helpful staff person to answer your questions.  The VIC is not exactly a wilderness experience but, if it is the goal, you can hike for a long time on the numerous trails.   And you may learn something.  Plus, it's free.   It is located about a mile past the Paul Smiths entrance, which itself is about 6 miles north on route 30 from the Lodge. 

     Black and Long Ponds offer nice water side walks.  Naturally,  Black Pond is longer than Long Pond.   I haven't yet done an analysis of their relative blackness.  (You have to wonder about the naming of ponds around here.  Within 4 miles there are 3 Green Ponds.  Well, actually one is Little Green Pond which, of course, is larger than one of the Greens and of similar size to the other.)  The trails mostly course along side the water with mild ups and downs.  At the end of Black Pond you can turn right, cross the fish barrier dam and do a circumnavigation of the pond.  There is a bridge over the short connection between Black and it's smaller polyp like bay to the east which is a nice place to sit and enjoy a snack in the sunshine.  If you go straight instead of crossing the dam the trail goes to a leanto near the far end of Long Pond.  Go out on the dock in front of the leanto.  The trail continues past the leanto and connects to the Jenkins Mountain trail, but that's another story.   You have to backtrack along Long  to the junction by the fish barrier dam.  If you walk around Black there is a steep 1 to 2 minute climb near the end.  After this short pitch look for a long sloping rock on the right which looks down on  the smaller channel before it opens up to the pond.  We once saw a loon swimming  rapidly  underwater here from our high up vantage point.  It was quite a memorable experience.  Access  the ponds by turning left on Keese Mills Road immediately past the Paul Smith entrance.  Drive about 2 ½  miles to a small, wood rail enclosed, dirt parking area on the right with a VIC sign.   There is a map at the trail sign in kiosk.   Though this area is part of the VIC it is far away from the main VIC trails. 

     Another Paul Smiths group of trails is called the Red Dot Trails.  It's a bit of a maze so I can't describe any specific routes.  Just bring a sense of adventure and you'll eventually end up someplace familiar since the trails loop around.    In the process of exploration the trails you walk along Church, Little  Church  and Osgood Ponds and cross a couple of man made canals  that connect the  ponds.  These water passages were dug so people could get to church without portaging their guideboats.  Find the Red Dot Trails by turning right into the roadside parking area opposite Keese Mills Road and then continue slightly  further away from the road  though the woods to the white church.  The trail starts on the left side (as you drive in) of the parking area in front of the church.  Park by the church.

Paddling in the St Regis Canoe Area of NYS

     Pond paddling in the St. Regis wilderness canoe area is an unrivaled experience.  Imagine gliding along on a series of ripples under cloudless skies.  A rare pleasure awaits as you meander from pond to pond in the silence only a true wilderness can provide.

     Motorized boats are not permitted in the St. Regis wilderness canoe area.  Just you and the paddle with maybe a pole or a cooler, don't forget the boat.  Supervising the progression of the sun, the flight of the bird or crackle of the fire warming the afternoon tea.

     Many ponds and lakes that border the wilderness area have limited motorized access such as Lake Clear in Lake Clear New York.  This large lake connects to Mill Pond through a short river named the Lake Clear outlet.  Many mountain tops may be spotted from these waters such as Whiteface, Mckenzie, Moose, Ampersand, St. Regis, Floodwood, and Long Pond Mountains. 

Access to this wonderful body of water include a beach and bridges off of State Route 30 as well as a small launch off Forest home Rd. into Mill Pond.

 The Hohmeyers Lodge on Lake Clear also offers canoes and kayaks to all guests free of charge.  A wonderful put in with great sunset views in or out of the water awaits you in Lake Clear.  The Lake Clear Lodge offers a specialty foods store, unique restaurant and upscale Adirondack lodgings.  Book a package here

For Information from the Franklin County Site Click here

DEC NY Says "The 18,400-acre St. Regis Canoe Area is located in the Towns of Brighton, Harrietstown, and Santa Clara in Franklin County. It is the only designated Canoe Area in New York State, the number and proximity of lakes and ponds make possible a remote and unconfined type of water-oriented recreation in an essentially wilderness setting. The St. Regis Canoe Area includes St. Regis Mountain, St. Regis Pond, Long Pond, sections of the east and west branches of the St. Regis River, and 56 other water bodies." For more  from the NYS DEC Site Click Here

Learn to Scuba Dive in the Adirondacks!

WE DID!
and it was one of the best family experiences we ever had!

The five of us learned to scuba right here on Lake Clear!  Shallow clear water and very experienced teachers from A+ Pro Divers put us at ease.

It truly was an unforgettable expereince.  We had lots of fun together in spite of ourselves - and helped each other along the way.

Spurred on by our 12 year old - we learned the paper skills and details as well as the underwater skills and safety drills.

We even took the underwater photography class and even used the underwater scooter.

Check out the photo album at https://plus.google.com/photos/107380820019600788289/albums/5763674286109342913

A great place to train - Now we are ready for a salt water adventure ....

www.lodgeonlakeclear.com

Book online HERE!

Hiking the St Regis wilderness in the Adirondacks

     Saint Regis mountain is nestled in New York states only wilderness canoe area.  Named for the patron saint of lace the mountain was once home to a functioning fire tower.  The mountain maybe approached by land or sea.  My favorite path starts as a boat launch at St Regis landing, don't forget to sign in at the brown box.
     The paddle portion of the trip is fairly short so you may want to explore a little either before or after the hike.  St Regis lake leads to Spitfire lake through a small channel on the northside of the lake.  Making your way through Spitfire lake, again to the north, leads to Upper St Regis Lake at Paul Smiths College.  If you continue on this path you will arrive at the other St Regis mountain trailhead on Keesemill Rd.
     The waterborne Lower St Regis trailhead is located on Spring bay.  Simply follow the south shore of the lake past several old great camps.  After about half an hour you'll come to Ward island, a large island with several great camps.  The small channel to the left of the island will take you to spring bay.  On the far side of the bay you'll see a dock along a fairly steep hillside.  This is the path that will lead you up the mountain.
     The trail from the water starts off steeper than the road trail but both come together about mid hike. 

Stay with us. We are just 7 miles from the trail head of St. Regis Mountain, and you can see St. Regis from our beach. 

Lake Clear - one gateway to dozens of hiking and biking options!

www.lodgeonlakeclear.com

Book online HERE!

more info see dec.ny.gov/lands/70572.html

Places to Stay Near St. Regis Mountain for Saranac Lake 6ers

So you are climbing St. Regis Mountain?  There she is - from our beach at The Lake Clear Lodge - one of the last original Adirondack Lodges still open to the public.  And hey - I was just thinking - maybe the only place with the sunset view over St. Regis Mountain.

And now there is the Saranac Lake 6er   ( http://saranaclake6er.com )  "Celebrate the outdoors in the Saranac Lake region of the Adirondacks by climbing the six peaks that surround Saranac Lake: McKenzie, Ampersand, Scarface, Haystack, St. Regis, and Baker. Hike all six peaks to become a '6er'!"

Stay with us. We are just 7 miles from the trail head of St. Regis Mountain, and you can see St. Regis from our beach. 

Lake Clear - one gateway to dozens of hiking and biking options!

www.lodgeonlakeclear.com

Book online HERE!

more info see dec.ny.gov/lands/70572.html

A Paddle for the Day - Follensby Pond NY

Just down route 30  south from the Lake Clear Lodge are amultitude of paddling adventures.  If you don’t have your own canoe or kayak and are staying at The Lodge, we can help you rent a boat for your paddling fun.

You can choose between exploring one large lake or many small ponds all over  the course of an afternoon. 

Today I’d like to focus on the latter. 

Traveling from pond to pond via a carry allows you to experience more than one pond and many views.  Just before the Fish Creek campground at Follensby pond are two access points.  Between these two access points lies Spyder Creek which leads to the Upper Saranac Lake.  Which ever way you choose to access Follensby will not affect the trip because you will end up where you started.

Follensby is the largest of the ponds we’ll be traveling today. 

You will be passing many islands and campsites.  Traveling the length of Follensby will bring us to the longest carry of the trip at Polliwog Pond.  Following the south shore will bring us to the second carry over to Little Polliwog Pond.  A short paddle brings us to the carry for Horseshoe Pond.  Paddling along the rounded part of the horseshoe will bring you back around to Follensby Pond and a short paddle home or on through Spyder Creek to Fish Creek and on to the Upper Saranac Lake. 

Be sure to have a map and note paper – and a camera of course. It’s fun to follow the map, write down where and what you have seen – wildlife and fauna etc, and to have picture proof that you saw it!

www.lodgeonlakeclear.com

Book online HERE!

Canoe and hike in the St Regis wilderness

    

Saint Regis mountain is nestled in New York states only wilderness canoe area.  Named for the patron saint of lace, the mountain was once home to a functioning fire tower.  (with the tower still visible from a distance) The mountain maybe approached by land or sea.  My favorite path starts as a boat launch at St Regis landing, don't forget to sign in at the brown box.

     The paddle portion of the trip is fairly short so you may want to explore a little either before or after the hike.  Lower St. Regis lake leads to Spitfire lake through a small channel on the northside of the lake.  Making your way through Spitfire lake, again to the north, leads to Upper St. Regis Lake at Paul Smiths College.  If you continue on this path you will arrive at the other St. Regis mountain trailhead on Keesemill Rd.

     The waterborne Lower St. Regis trailhead is located on Spring bay.  Simply follow the south shore of the lake past several old great camps.  After about half an hour you'll come to Ward island, a large island with several great camps.  The small channel to the left of the island will take you to spring bay.  On the far side of the bay you'll see a dock along a fairly steep hillside.  This is the path that will lead you up the mountain.

     The trail from the water starts off steeper than the road trail but both come together about mid hike.  Before the trails merge you may spot an old fifties Nash rotting in the woods, with chrome bumpers shining and all.  As you approach the top the trail steepens almost to a climb.  All this effort is quickly rewarded as you round the summit and witness the expansive views of the St. Regis ponds. 

     On your way back to the boat launch you may spy the access to the St. Regis ponds via the Bog  pond carries.  It is located on the south shore of Lower  St. Regis on your way back to the boat launch.  Don’t forget to sign out at the brown box.

     St. Regis is now a part of the Saranac Lake 6er Challenge! Climb the six different mountains around Saranac Lake to become a "6er!" For more information, see the Saranac Lake 6er Challenge website.

     The Hohmeyers Lake Clear Lodge is located a stones throw away from these and many other outdoor recreational opportunities. It's a hub for hiking, biking, paddling, fishing and even scuba diving!

The Lodge is situated on the lake with 25 acres to explore in addition to the surrounding  wilderness.  The Hohmeyers have rustic lodging options, canoe and kayak use, dinner by reservation, breakfast for guests and romance packages for that special someone.  

www.lodgeonlakeclear.com

Book online HERE!

Bring your group for outdoor and indoor fun

The Lodge on Lake Clear is now hosting specials for groups. Bring your group to a winter wonderland of fun and excitement. Cross country ski or snowshoe, try ice fishing and winter walks by day on our well maintained 25 acres of trails. We provide guides or lessons for new beginners have fun learning with your friends. At night a whole new adventure opens for you. Explore our beer and wine cellar and have a tasting and learn about all the beers (300 from all over the world each with a story) and wines ( over 350 ) we have. Sit by the fire in our Rathskellar and play games or have a learning  interactive cooking demo by our Chef Cathy. Learn how Adirondack chairs are made or enjoy a slide show about the life of the Black bear. We have a team of Belgiun draft horses that love to take you on a tour with their bell ringing, lit winter sleigh. They even let you use warm furry blankets and have drinks when you come back. Enjoy a warm homemade nourishing all farm fresh dinner in our Great Camp dining room. It is one of the last of its kind. Chef Cathy even caters to special diets and needs of our guests. Stay in one of our Adirondack lodgings, with fireplaces and jacuzzis all set apart for private settings. In summer we offer kayaks, canoes, bikes and scuba diving lessons. We have fly fishing instructions and hiking and mountain climbing  all near by. We are open to make your stay an experience of a lifetime. visit us on lodgeonlakeclear.com or call 518-891-1489. Our team awaits your arrival to pamper you and make your stay one of a kind.

Winter Destination Packages near Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

The Winter Carnival is coming to town! Saranac Lake 2013

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is coming up!  For me it brings back memories of frozen fingers when the high school band had to play in the parade, fun with friends, crazy events, great ice sculptures and even falling in love. 

photo by Mark Kurtz

Family history says that my great grandfather worked on the first Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Ice Palace. And if family history is true that would have been in 1898.  Oh they were bigger and grander then, but then they probably weren't so subject to the weather changes that we have now.  According to history 
they “...featured indoor rooms, staircases, towers, and battlements which soared to 60′.”

As a senior in high school I was lucky enough to be chosen as part of the Royalty Court. This could not have been more fun... nor.... more romantic.  I fell in love with my Court partner and we dated for the next four years!  The annual - now 10-day festival - includes performances, crazy sports like snowshoe baseball and the frying pan toss, dances, parades and more.  Fireworks above the world-famous Ice Palace designate Carnival start and Carnival finish - complete with a slide show of all the fun.  2013  marks the 116th anniversary making the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival the longest-running event of its kind in the eastern United States. 

take a lantern lit sleigh ride

The Lake Clear Lodge is just 8 miles from the festivities.  Close enough to "be there" to enjoy but just enough outside of town to be on the quieter side of Carnival.  The Lodge features wonderfully built and very cozy private chalets for 2-6, a couple of awesomely romantic cabins for two with fireplaces and jacuzzi or steamshower, or simpler rooms in the main Lodge complete with private bath.  On 25 acres, the Lodge has free cross country trails, offers authentic horse drawn sleigh rides and has a one of a kind walk-in wine and beer cellar.  The meals are "old world adirondack" brought into the new age.  In all, The Lodge is a unique place to be.  While it might not be for everyone, it is for sure for those that want to truly get to the Heart of what the Adirondacks are all about.

See more Lodge Photos           

See The Lake Clear Lodge website for more or to book online  www.LodgeOnLakeClear.com

See the Carnival website for a detail list of events, times, history, and more. http://www.saranaclakewintercarnival.com

Family Fun in the Adirondacks, near Lake Placid, NY Winter 2013

     Looking for a fun family fun weekend? Get away from the texting and enjoy our family themed activities, fit for all ages. Learn and make memories with your children. From learning the different signs and tracks of our Adirondack animals, sharing in an outdoor scavenger hunt or snowshoing or cross country skiing  on nature trails. Enjoy our family sleigh rides with beautiful Belgian draft horses. We take you on a magical ride thru our lantern lit trails - something you will all remember. Step outside your chalet door and remember the beauty of the outdoors. Warm up after by the private fireplace in your lodgings. You an have dinner in our Great Camp style dining room or order homemade chili and cornbread for the family in your private chalet.

See our informative website at www.lodgeonlakeclear.com

Cross Country Ski Lake Clear, NY

Imagine gliding across a frozen lake into a fiery sunset.  Adirondack cross country skiing at its finest on Lake Clear.  On occasion the frozen lake surface can be on par with the areas finest groomed trails.  In addition to providing a nice flat area for skiing Lake Clear also borders the Jack Rabbit Trail which leads to Paul Smith's VIC or even Lake Placid.  Ski or snowshoe rentals may be obtained at the VIC or Blueline in Saranac Lake.  The Hohmeyer's Lake Clear Lodge is nestled on Lake Clear next to the Jack Rabbit Trail.