On a rainy, dreary Saturday morning we departed from the NYS DEC boat launch on the east shore of Long Lake. We began paddling- warm coffee from Stewart's still in the cup holders- for the beautiful open waters of Tupper Lake. Our goal was to paddle from Long Lake to Tupper Lake on a 2 day- one night trip. We had predetermined the trip was around 26 miles and would be an achievable classic trip(we later properly calculated that the trip was approx 45 miles).
The start of the paddle up Long Lake is littered with houses, motor boats and even sea planes. The cross-wind provided a nice morning shower on your lap and gear, but at about 1/2 way up the lake, the camps died out and the lean-to's began to appear. The view opens up to the east providing great shots and views of the high peaks. It is here the Northville-Placid trail begins to follow the lake for a short while.
As you approach the end of Long Lake, you'll have an easy navigation around shallow water eventually entering the Raquette River (where you will be spending most of your remaining time paddling). The paddle of the Raquette is very calm and surreal. It's easy flowing current and very quiet surroundings provides one of the best rivers in the ADKs to paddle.
A little after midday, we arrived at the Raquette falls carry. No matter what you read, no matter where you read, please do not take this lightly, this carry is not easy. It looks much shorter on the map, a piece of cake some may say. It didn't help that I was carrying two kayaks that weighed around 55 lbs each...empty. Throw all the gear and water in there, you have quite a load on your hands. A cart may not be the answer to all your prayers with all the rocks en route, but will provide much needed relief.
By the end of the carry, my hands were exhausted to a point where I could barely hold the paddle let alone the handle of the kayak. My shoulders and neck muscles didnt want to carry anything besides my head, and even that they struggled with. Let it be clear, if you have a light weight canoe with minimal gear, I would classify this as easy. But anything beyond that, its an uphill battle for most of the way. At the end of the carry there are there 2 Lean-to's that were conveniently taken. Although exhausted from the day of paddling and 1.5 mile carry, the trip had to go on.
That evening we ended up paddling past 3 or 4 lean-to's that had already been taken. We eventually had to get off the water due to the diminishing daylight. We set up the tent we carried along and stayed at a lean-to with two other guys that had paddled down from Corey's. They provided great company and an already lit fire.
The next morning we continued our paddle to Tupper Lake. Paddling past Corey's and the Indian Carry--the route to Saranac Lake -- as well as the Crusher boat launch. These three spots are perfect alternate endings or even a great way to prolong your trip (Indian Carry 90 miler route).
Shortly before the end of the Raquette River, there is a loop in the river that you can avoid -- but you can also mistakenly take it like we did. It takes you around to the nature trail look out of the Wild Center museum. It was here we were asked brilliant questions from awed on-lookers. The best question being-- is the river one way or are you allowed to paddle the other way too? Regardless, it provided much entertainment to our exhausted bodies.
After 45 miles it was an even more pleasant site to see the open waters of Tupper Lake. Our support group provided a warm welcoming from the bridge as we passed the home stretch. The overall trip was a success, succeeding in making it to Tupper Lake.
It provided a great learning experience that we would take with us from this point further. Immediately after we bought a water pump to avoid lugging water. We purchased kayak wheels to ease the future carries we would endure. As well as buying warm compact sleeping bags. In a desperate effort to cut down on what to bring, we packed light fleece sleeping bags that fit nice in our kayaks. That evening out in the woods, it dropped to around 40 degrees, and to this day is one of the worse nights of sleep I have ever gotten in the woods. I'm still working on the most important purchase, a light weight pack canoe.
In the end what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger. Paddle on
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