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