The evening sun casts a soft glow on the waters of an Adirondack Lake marked only by the rising of fish, a couple of canoes of fishermen and families of ducks swimming along the shore. The smell of a campfire mingles with the scent of pine and balsam while the silence is broken by the plaintive call of the loon. Sitting by the lakeshore and watching a deer or an osprey, it is easy to forget about the outside world and the daily pressures and chores.
You can find this scene many places in the central Adirondacks. But the nice thing about this area is that it also offers much more and while you enjoy the solitude of the wild the services, fine restaurants, other accommodations or any of the other attractions can be just a few miles away.
Although fishing for brook trout in small streams or ponds and pursuing rainbow or lake trout in the larger lakes gets attention, the fishing for bass in lakes and ponds is often overlooked. A great thing is that you can hike or paddle to remote fishing areas that you will have virtually to yourself. Or if you prefer you can rent a boat or launch your own on the Fulton Chain of Lakes to fish for lake trout, landlocked salmon, northern pike, tiger muskie, largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Paddling opportunities abound from the Moose River to smaller bodies of water like Moss Lake. Pick up your free booklet “Adirondack Waterways” at either Old Forge or Inlet Visitor Centers. One of our favorite places is Limekiln Lake which is becoming a pilgrimage for fans of Mitch Lee’s writings just as “Black Bear Lake” is for fans of Ann LaBastille or Walden Pond for disciples of Henry David Thoreau.
There are countless miles of hiking trails that range from short and easy to longer and more challenging day hikes. Bald Mountain, Rocky Point and Black Bear Mountain are easy to moderate hikes that offer great views. But there are many miles of interesting trails such as Bubb and Sis Lakes or trails in the Moose River Plains.
The Moose River Plains is a unique area with dirt roads giving access to campsites, hiking trails, fishing in ponds or streams and viewing wildlife. Stop in at the Inlet Information Office for a map and some expert advice from Mitch Lee. Maybe you will get lucky and see a moose.
The Old Forge–Inlet area offers all the usual outdoor and water sports like boating or swimming, etc. in a beautiful setting. But there are many rainy day activities, including the “View” Arts Center in Old Forge which is continually changing its excellent exhibits. Other activities range from the concerts by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in Inlet, Arts in the Park festival at Inlet, horseback riding, seaplane rides, golf at Inlet or Thendara or the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. Space does not permit listing all the things to do or places to go, so check on the tourism centers in Inlet (www.inletny.com) 1-866-GO INLET or Old Forge (www.oldforgeny.com) 369-6983.
Looking for the longest water ride in the central Adirondacks? It’s the Moose River. For leisurely, gentle flowing and scenic paddling you cannot beat the North Branch or the Middle Branch just below Old Forge. A trip from North St. Bridge gives you an eight-mile trip back to Old Forge in about four hours. Add two hours to your trip by starting at Rondaxe Lake. Rent canoes or kayaks from Tickners on Riverside Drive or arrange their shuttle service for your own vessels.
You can go down the Middle Branch to Lock & Dam in about an hour’s leisurely paddle. Or take the River and Rail where you paddle down the Middle Branch for four hours and you and canoe or kayak ride the train back to Old Forge. This is a fabulous adventure that operates Thursday through Sunday. Contact Tickners Moose River Outfitters (369-6286) for reservations or more information. They don’t just rent you a boat; they help plan your adventure. Trust me – they are the best.
If you are looking to get off the beaten path or try something new this summer contact Scott Locorini of Adirondack Exposure. From day trips to longer adventures you can choose from rafting, kayaking or canoeing, hiking, woodcraft skills and fishing. Check out his line of canoes and kayaks, accessories and fishing gear at his headquarters near Okara Lake two miles south of Old Forge. Call 369-6699 for more information.
Accommodations range from motels, bed and breakfast inns, rental cottages or campgrounds. State campgrounds at Nicks Lake, Eighth Lake and Limekiln Lake offer nice facilities or you can opt for primitive camping at Moss Lake or the Moose River Plains as well as other locations. Check the web sites mentioned above for complete listings.
In the meantime be sure to include the central Adirondacks in your summer plans. Whether it’s a vacation, get-away weekend or several day trips, take advantage of this great area at our doorstep. As they say the good roads make it easy to get there; the mountains make it hard to leave.
SHORT CASTS
Dylan Clute’s big catch: Dylan Clute shares his family’s love of fishing and is already an accomplished fisherman but even he got a surprise on a family outing to North Carolina. The family was staying at the Outer Banks and fishing off Oceanic Pier when Dylan realized that he had a big fish on. He was using shrimp bait and weighted to get to the bottom when the big fish hit and started taking his line. Dylan tried to reel but could not budge the fish. He held on for 45 minutes and was getting pretty tired when he could finally get the fish close to the pier where his family could net it for him. To his, and everyone’s, surprise he had hooked a huge stingray. They weighed it in the net and it topped out at 52 pounds! The monster was carefully unhooked and released but it is an experience that Dylan will probably never forget.
Adirondack Railroad UMP: The state recently announced that it was opening the Unit Management Plan that they had previously adopted for the Adirondack Railroad. To the surprise of no one but the disappointment of many, the state plans a so-called “compromise.” It plans to keep and rehabilitate the tracks from Old Forge to Tupper Lake. But bowing to the supposed popular sentiment and money of certain influential people, they intend to tear up the railroad tracks from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid and replace it with a multi-million hiking trail. Tourists wishing to travel to lake Placid and the viability of the railroad are disregarded but the locals will have a deluxe trail to bicycle, jog or walk their dogs on. Comments will be accepted by email at NYStravelcorridor@dot.ny.gov.
Decoy and Wildlife Art Show: The 47th annual Decoy/Wildlife Art and Sporting Collectibles Show Sale will be held in Clayton on July 17 and 18. The event will be held at the Cerow Recreation Park Arena on Route 12 in Clayton from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on both days. There will be many carved decoys, paintings, others carvings and art for display and auctions. Friday will kick off the event with a traditional shore dinner served from 4–8 p.m. For additional information contact the Thousand Islands Museum at 315-686-5794 or see www.timuseum.org.
Free Guided Adirondack Hikes: The Town of Long Lake is offering free guided hiking trips throughout the summer based from Long Lake. Participants will be taken by shuttlebus from Long Lake to the various trailheads. The hikes will be led by NYS certified and experienced guides Spencer Morrissey and Joan Collins who always provide excellent trips and interesting facts along the way. Register now since these popular trips will fill up fast. The dates, itineraries and descriptions of the distance, and other information. can be found on the website: mylonglake.com.