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Paddling Historic Water Routes of the Adirondacks

Program Number: 18951RJ
Start and End Dates:
8/18/2013 - 8/23/2013; 9/15/2013 - 9/20/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Lake Placid, New York
Price starting at: $650.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Water Sports Activity Level: n (see description)
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; Low Fat; Low Salt    

Paddle along the historic waterways of the Adirondacks and learn how these mountain lakes and rivers contributed to the exploration and settlement of this beautiful region. Expert group leaders lend informal paddling instruction as you explore a unique natural area each day: the St. Regis Canoe Area, where the tranquil ponds are specially designated for non-motorized recreation; the Saranac Lakes; up the Raquette River to Raquette Falls; and Osgood Pond, home to Calvin Coolidge’s White Pine Camp.




Highlights

• Learn about design and modern canoe-building methods at Placid Boatworks, and visit Woodward’s Boat Shop for a look at the construction of Adirondack Guideboats.
• Find out how the idea of watershed preservation led to the formation of what is today the Adirondack Park.
• Join an expert for an exploration of White Pine Camp, the Adirondack great camp that served as Calvin Coolidge’s summer home.



Activity Particulars

Four full-day canoe expeditions. Some uneven terrain and hills. Some paddling experience required.



Coordinated by The Adirondack Mountain Club.




Lake Placid (New York)

Known famously as a two-time site of the Winter Olympics and the setting of the 1980 U.S. vs. U.S.S.R. “Miracle on Ice,” this village in northeastern New York remains a haven for winter sports enthusiasts. As a gateway to Adirondack State Park, Lake Placid also serves as a base for climbers hoping to scale any of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks.
Accommodations
The Loj, circa 1927, overlooks Heart Lake. Private rooms, home-cooked meals.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Ryan Doyle
Ryan Doyle is the Adirondack Mountain Club’s outdoor leadership coordinator. Happiest when he is hiking, paddling, mountain biking or skiing, Ryan draws rave reviews from participants for his expert outdoor skills, knowledge of the Adirondacks’ natural and cultural history, and his easygoing demeanor. A favorite personal trip was teaching environmental education programs to elementary students during an 18-day, 400-mile canoe journey from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Adirondak Loj
  Lake Placid, New York 5 nights
 Adirondak Loj
Type: Lodge
  Description: The current Adirondak Loj, built in 1927, has space for forty guests in a combination of private rooms, family bunk rooms, and a co-ed loft. Delicious home-cooked meals, with homemade breads and soups, are served in our rustic dining room. The comfortable living room with its stone fireplace is perfect for recounting the day's adventures or just relaxing with a book from our Adirondack library.
  Contact info: Adirondak Loj Road
Lake Placid, NY 12946 USA
phone: 518-523-3441
web: www.adk.org
  Room amenities: Dresser, mirrors, lamp, and chair. We provide all linens including a blanket, pillow, and towel.
  Facility amenities: - Telephones and televisions are not provided in the Loj. However, for the convenience of our guests there is a pay phone located at the front entrance of the Loj. - Hot drinks are complimentary for Loj guests, and are available in the living room. - Linens and towels are provided for all of our rooms. - Bathrooms and showers are shared for all of our rooms. - Vegetarian Meals and some special meals can be served. To prepare them, we do need to know at least 24 hours in advance. We also need to know what can be eaten as well as what is to be avoided. e.g. yes dairy and eggs, no poultry or fish. - Soda may be purchased anytime. Beer/Wine is served from a half hour before dinner to 8:00 p.m. only. Selections and prices are listed on each dining room table. You are allowed to bring your own alcohol to the Loj. However due to state law you cannot bring your own alcohol into our dining room. - Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. - A Loj Sitter (ADK staff member) is on property each night from 8:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., and is available in case of an emergency or serious problem. A property map with directions is posted nightly at the front desk. - The High Peaks Information Center (HPIC), operated by the ADK, is located at the head of the parking lot. The building is open year-round from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There are two showers and restrooms, information panels on the walls and maps. There is a small store which has ski and snowshoe rentals, snacks, books, maps and assorted hiking gear. The ADK staff person operating the store is also there to advise you about hiking and skiing, and help you with most of your questions. Please ask a staff person for the store hours.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: The bathrooms are shared in the Loj. There is a men's room with showers and a ladies room with showers.
  Check in time: 1:00 PM
  Check out time: 10:30 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:00pm Lodge Check-In Time. 5:00pm Meet in Adirondak Loj Dining Room for Road Scholar registration. You will be staying at Adirondak Loj that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after lunch at 12:30pm. Room checkout is 11:00am. You will be staying at Adirondak Loj the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Participants must sign waiver/release form required by Adirondack Mountain Club in order to participate in paddling program. This will be sent to you 6 weeks prior to the beginning of the program
  Parking availability:
Parking is free for the length of the program.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Lake Placid, New York
  Nearest city or town:  Saranac Lake
  Nearest highway: Interstate 87
  Nearest airport:  Burlington International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Lake Placid, New York
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Albany

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Trailways Bus
phone: 800-776-7548
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$33.75 bus ticket
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

4 hours by bus / 2 hours 30 minutes by car 
 

Distance:

 

130 miles
   

Bus will transport from station in Albany to Lake Placid. Runs once per day leaving Albany at 1:30pm and arriving in Lake Placid at 5:30 pm. Automobile rentals also available at Albany Airport.
 
Driving Directions
  From Points North Take the Northway (Rt. 87) to Exit 34, Keeseville. Follow 9N to Jay and Rt. 86 to Lake Placid. Turn left on Rt. 73 before going through Lake Placid. In three miles look for High Peaks Trailhead sign and turn right on Adirondak Loj Road, five miles to the Loj.
  From Points South Take the Northway (Rt. 87) to Exit 30, Turn left on Rt. 73 toward Keene and Lake Placid, continue on Rt. 73 for 26.5 miles. Turn left on Adirondak Loj Road (High Peaks Trailhead), five miles to the Loj.
  From Points West Take Rt. 3 or 86 into Saranac Lake. Continue on Rt. 86 through Lake Placid. At the third traffic light, turn right on to Rt. 73 towards Keene. In three miles look for High Peaks Trailhead sign and turn right on Adirondak Loj Road, five miles to the Loj.
Elevation Note: Highest elevation reached will be approx. 2,200 feet.

Equipment Requirements: Outerwear should be synthetic or wool for your comfort (nylon, polypro, fleece, etc). Avoid cotton, if possible. REQUIRED ITEMS: __ Paddling shoes (closed-toe shoes that will get wet) __ Rain gear (jacket & pants) __ Day pack w/ shoulder straps (or a small dry bag) __ Water bottle(s) __ Sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen) SUGGESTED ITEMS: __ Socks (spare pair) __ Nylon shorts __ Lightweight long pants __ T-Shirt (short or long sleeve) __ Sweater (insulating layer) __ Head net (for bug protection) __ Bug repellent __ Lip balm __ Bandana __ Swimsuit __ Towel __ Camera/batteries __ Binoculars __ Field journal (for sketching in the field) __ Pencil & notepad __ Field guides Select clothing items based on expected weather conditions but be prepared to spend time outdoors in any weather. ADK has day packs available for loan. If you have your own boat, paddle(s) or life-jacket, you may bring them.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Welcome and Orientation. Tour Adirondack Mountain Club's Adirondak Loj and the Heart Lake Program Center property, and get an overview of the week's activities.
(Sunday, August 18)
   
 Arrive To: Check-in between 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
 Afternoon: Welcome and Orientation. Tour Adirondack Mountain Club’s Adirondak Loj and the Heart Lake Program Center property, and get an overview of the week's activities.
 Dinner: Dinner at 6:15 p.m. in Adirondack Mountain Club’s Adirondak Loj.
   
Accommodations: Adirondak Loj
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: We'll begin our week with a visit to the St. Regis Canoe Area, the only designated canoe area in New York State. We'll pond-hop through several small bodies of water interconnected by short carries and meandering streams.
(Monday, August 19)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served from 7:15 - 8:15 a.m.
 Morning: We'll begin our week with a visit to the St. Regis Canoe Area, the only designated canoe area in New York State. Managed as a wilderness with a focus on non-motorized water recreation and the protection of water quality and fisheries resources, these 18,000-acres and 58 clear, spring fed ponds are noted for their tranquil beauty and wild character. We'll put-in at about 9:30am at Follensby Clear Pond and begin our 8-mile paddle. Our pace throughout the day will be moderate with plenty of time for stops and picture taking.
 Lunch: Pack-out bag lunch along our route.
 Afternoon: We'll continue to pond-hop through several small bodies of water interconnected by short carries and meandering streams. We'll finish our trip at about 4:00 pm. On the way home, we'll stop at Donnelly's for some delicious homemade ice cream and enjoy some of the best roadside views in the Adirondacks.
 Dinner: Dinner at 6:15 p.m. at Adirondak Loj
 Evening: 8:00 p.m. "The History of Heart Lake" slideshow presentation.
   
Accommodations: Adirondak Loj
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Beginning at South Creek, we'll paddle through Middle Saranac Lake and Weller Pond, with a stop at a beautiful beach for lunch. We'll pass through an old set of hand-operated locks on the Saranac River which leads to island studded Lower Saranac Lake.
(Tuesday, August 20)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served from 7:15 - 8:15 a.m.
 Morning: Depart at 9:00 am. Today, we'll tour through a portion of the Saranac Lake river system, which is part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail - a resurrected 740-mile ancient route running from Old Forge, NY to Port Kent, Maine. Today's itinerary offers a variety of water bodies - creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes. On our way to the put-in, we'll visit the workshop of Chris Woodard, a local guide boat builder to learn about the history and construction of these unique, traditional craft. We'll begin at South Creek, and paddle through Middle Saranac Lake and Weller Pond. Again, the pace will be moderate with about 6-7 hours on the water, including breaks and lunch.
 Lunch: As we pass back through Middle Saranac Lake, we'll stop for a pack-out bag lunch at a beautiful natural beach accessible only by boat or on foot.
 Afternoon: Continuing on, we'll pass through a section of river and an old set of hand-operated locks, which then leads us to island studded Lower Saranac Lake. Today's distance will amount to about 10 miles.
 Dinner: Dinner at 6:15 p.m. at Adirondak Loj.
 Evening: 8:00 p.m. "The Northern Forest Canoe Trail" slideshow presentation.
   
Accommodations: Adirondak Loj
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Starting from an old logging camp known as Axton Landing, we'll travel up the winding, slow moving river. We'll reach the Falls in time for lunch, where we'll eat and explore the trails around the falls before we "float" back on the gentle current.
(Wednesday, August 21)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served from 7:15 - 8:15 a.m.
 Morning: Depart at 9:00 a.m. The paddle to Raquette Falls is a classic day trip. Also part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, this area is rich in Adirondack cultural history, which we'll discuss throughout the day. Starting at 9:30 am from an old logging camp known as Axton Landing, we'll travel up the winding, slow moving Raquette River through a floodplain dominated by silver maple forests and sandy shorelines.
 Lunch: After about 2 hours of moderate intensity paddling, we'll reach the Falls in time for a pack-out bag lunch.
 Afternoon: After we finish eating and exploring the trails around the Upper & Lower Falls we'll paddle back downriver with the gentle current. We will finish the day by about 3:00 pm and cover about 8 miles total.
 Dinner: Dinner at 6:15 p.m.
 Evening: 8:00pm "History of the Adirondack Park" slideshow presentation.
   
Accommodations: Adirondak Loj
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: At Osgood Pond, we'll take a tour of the White Pine Camp, Calvin Coolidge's Summer White House. Afterward, we'll paddle at a leisurely pace across the pond and travel down the Osgood River, a pristine stillwater outlet hemmed by thick, boreal forests.
(Thursday, August 22)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served from 7:15 - 8:15 a.m.
 Morning: Depart at 9:00 a.m. We'll begin our day with a short visit to Placid Boatworks, a local builder of high-quality lightweight canoes to learn about design and modern building methods. At Osgood Pond, we'll take a tour of the White Pine Camp, an Adirondack Great Camp that served as Calvin Coolidge's Summer White House in 1926. Afterward, we'll paddle at a leisurely pace across the pond and travel down the Osgood River, a pristine stillwater outlet hemmed by thick, boreal forests.
 Lunch: Pack-out bag lunch along the Osgood River.
 Afternoon: In the afternoon, we'll return via the same route. Today includes about 4-5 hours and 7 miles of paddling.
 Dinner: Dinner at 6:15 p.m.
 Evening: 8:00pm "Adirondack Flora & Fauna" slideshow.
   
Accommodations: Adirondak Loj
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: We'll conclude our week together with a question and answer review session, a short walk around the Heart Lake Program Center property trails, and a luncheon before departure.
(Friday, August 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served from 7:15 - 8:15 a.m.
 Morning: After a question and answer review session, we'll take a short walk around the Heart Lake Program Center property trails.
 Lunch: A sit-down luncheon is included at the Adirondack Loj. Program ends after lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


The Adirondacks: A History of America's First Wilderness


Author: Paul Schnieder


Description: His book is a romance, a story of first love between Americans and a thing they call "wilderness." For it was in the Adirondacks that masses of non-Native Americans first learned to cherish the wilderness as a place of recreation and solace. In this lyrical narrative history, the author reveals that the affair between Americans and the Adirondacks was by no means one of love at first sight. And even now, Schneider shows that Americans' relationship with the glorious mountains and rivers of the Adirondacks continues to change. As in every good romance, nothing is as simple as it appears.





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