NY -> Adirondacks -> Late July

[g2outdoors]

Hammockers - I hit the holy grail and I need your help.

I used to live in upstate NY, now we have relocated to GA. However, my wife and I are dropping off our children at summer camp in the Adirondacks in late July and we're making the trip a little vacation for us as well. She was griping to me that I was going to ruin all of her fun time with her friends. I suggested, half joking, that I'll bring my kayak and hammock and spend the week in the wilderness...and SHE AGREED!!!!

So I have a week in lake July that I can spend on a lake with my hammock. Where should I go? I was thinking Cranberry or Tupper lake. I want to circumnavigate the lake in my kayak and fish everyday. Fishing is very important. Company is always welcome.

Suggestions?

[stowe18]

Lake George is hard to beat.. Lots of island camping- fishing is superb- water clarity is 15ft or so and surrounded by mountains. We go there every year for a week and camp on one of the islands. Roughly 30 miles long and varies in width.

BUT if you want wilderness, and not a lot of people-- you may want to look elsewhere.. it can get crowded in the summertime.
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[g2outdoors]

Excellent Suggestion. I'll be there during the week, so maybe the crowds won't be too bad?

[stowe18]

During the week should definitely be better than on weekends. I usually try to get there on a Friday, and then will check out the following Saturday. Ramps can get crowded for sure. I always use Norowal Marina in Bolton Landing because it's the closest launch to the main island groups.


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[g2outdoors]

I plan on launching with my pack/food/hammock in my kayak, paddling around the lake for 4 days, sleeping wherever I can hang my hammock, then returning to my truck/trailer 4 or 5 days later.

[stowe18]

Sounds like a ton of fun!

IF you do choose lake George, you have to reserve the sites online or by calling. There's a ranger station at the glen island group where everyone checks in. Every year we see kayakers do what your talking about doing..


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[GreatBigDave]

Saranac Lakes look pretty nice on the maps. Not completely developed.

[g2outdoors]

Looks like Lake George might be a little further than I want to drive. I'd like to keep it to 1-2 hours from Lowville, NY.

I'm zeroing in on Cranberry Lake, Stillwater Reservoir, or Raquette Lake. Any experience with those areas?

[Futhark]

I'm down by the Finger Lakes, but head north whenever we get a chance. We try to find​ a new spot each time, so I can't help you there. But! I highly recommend these guides: https://scmaps.com/fishing-map-guides/

Being a non-native New Yorker, it's helped me countless times with season/size/daily limits along with waterfalls, hiking trails and water access points and portages.

When you buy the physical book, it comes with a free downloadable e-book copy! That was my pleasant surprise last year, and it looks like they still do it.

Hope that helps you with your Wilderness Week!

~Jess

[SilvrSurfr]

I often go to Lake Lila - very remote and peaceful. I took my sons there for six years straight. It can get a bit crowded on weekends, which I avoid.

Back in 2014, we paddled the Little Tupper-to-Lake Lila traverse, which was quite an adventure.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ight=lake+lila

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ight=lake+lila

I'm not sure the legal status of crossing the private Brandreth land - it was legal when we went but may be in limbo right now.

https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/s...shingle-shanty

All I know is that I have had several phone calls and even a videoconference with the NY State Attorney General's office, who may ask me to testify in court about the traverse (they're trying to win a court case to open up the Brandreth land permanently).