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.