Adirondack Sports May 2023

CANOE, KAYAK & SUP
MAY 2023 11
Three Adirondack
Paddling Challenges
By Sydney Aveson
▲ ADIRONDACK PADDLING.
◀ SARANAC LAKE PADDLING.
▼ TUPPER LAKE OXBOW.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF REGIONAL OFFICE OF
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM (LAKE PLACID)
T
he Adirondacks
are a premier
destination for
paddling. With more
than 3,000 lakes and
ponds, and 30,000 miles
of rivers and streams, it
offers a lifetime of destinations
to keep you
exploring on the water.
The region offers exciting
day trips for the novice,
intermediate and
advanced paddler, with
other routes allowing for remote multiday
camping options or stunning day trips. With
so many options available, deciding where
to start can be daunting. Let me introduce
three new paddling challenges located in
Tupper Lake, Schroon Lake and Saranac
Lake, offering 11 different routes with
logistics mapped out, from parking to boat
launch sites and general route information.
Hiking challenges around the country
are nothing new, but paddling challenges
are a fresh take on the idea. Paddling challenges
offer an exciting way to encourage
people to explore waterways and try a new
sport. Few places provide paddle challenges,
and the Adirondacks have developed three
in recent years. All of the routes are beginner
and family-friendly, but more experienced
paddlers can also enjoy the routes.
Completing all routes for each respective
challenge allows participants both bragging
rights and a patch they can wear proudly.
Some paddlers look to elevate the challenge
by completing the routes in one day
to achieve “ultra” status. Those paddlers will
receive a patch that showcases that particular
achievement.
Tupper Lake Paddling Triad – The Triad
is one of the first water-based challenges
established within the Adirondack Park.
This was originally established in 2020 in
response to the success of the Tupper Lake
Hiking Triad, covering Arab, Coney and
Goodman mountains. Since 2014, more
than 10,000 participants have completed the
hiking challenge. In 2020, a committee comprising
the Regional Office of Sustainable
Tourism (ROOST), community leaders, and
business owners worked together to establish
the paddling triad. In the last three years,
200 people have completed the challenge.
The paddling challenge combines winding
creeks and rivers with the expansive
lakes of the Tupper Lake region. The triad
comprises three paddling routes: Stoney
Creek Pond to Axton Landing, Raquette
▲ FAMILY-FRIENDLY PADDLING.
Pond to Setting Pole Dam, and Raquette
River boat launch to Big Tupper boat launch.
The first two routes are 3.25 miles one-way,
making them easily achievable for almost
anyone. The third route, locally known as
“The Crusher,” is a 7.75-mile trip along the
Raquette River; while the trip is longer than
the other two, the current will assist you.
The Tupper Lake Paddling Triad is a
great way to explore local waterways and
experience the area’s natural beauty. The
challenge can be completed in a single
day or over several days, depending on
individual preferences. The triad can be
accomplished by canoe, kayak, or standup
paddleboard, and paddlers of all skill
levels are welcome to participate. Paddlers
should be prepared with appropriate gear
and experience. If you need to rent a boat
or hire a guide, head to Raquette River
Outfitters, a local outfitter in Tupper Lake.
For more info, visit: tupperlake.com/tupper-lake-paddling-triad.
Schroon Paddle Challenge – The challenge
is launching this June to celebrate the
joy of paddling and introduce more residents
and visitors to the stunning waters
within the Schroon Lake watershed. The
Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce, Town
of Schroon, Schroon Lake Association, and
ROOST joined forces to create this challenge
for paddling enthusiasts and nature lovers.
On June 10, there will be an inaugural paddle
to celebrate the launch of this new challenge.
The Schroon Paddle Challenge comprises
three paddles within the Schroon Lake
Watershed: the Schroon River Paddle, the
Schroon River to Schroon Lake Paddle, and
the Paradox Lake Paddle. Each paddle is
approximately 4.5 miles one-way, allowing
participants to either arrange a shuttle for a
one-way trip or paddle back to their starting
point. If participants need to rent a boat, the
Schroon Lake Marina can handle all equipment
needs. For more info, visit: adirondackhub.com/schroon-paddle-challenge.
Saranac Lake Paddle Challenge – In
June, a new paddling challenge is coming
to Saranac Lake thanks to a collaborative
effort by the Saranac Lake Area Chamber
of Commerce, Adirondack Lakes & Trails
Outfitters, St. Regis Canoe Outfitters, Mac’s
Canoe Livery and ROOST.
The Saranac Lake Paddle Challenge
comprises five routes in two different areas.
Three routes cover 19 miles of the esteemed
Northern Forest Canoe Trail, the longest
inland waterway in the United States. These
sections are within easy access to the village
of Saranac Lake and offer some of the
best paddling opportunities in the area.
The routes have many highlights, including
island camping, boating locks between
Lower Saranac Lake and Oseetah Lake, and
a combination of lake and river paddling.
The other two routes are located in the
St. Regis Canoe Area, the largest wilderness
canoe area in the northeastern US. The
Follensby Clear Pond loop is a great introductory
paddle and portage trip with four
miles of paddling and less than a half-mile
of portages across four carries. This loop
can be expanded by exploring other ponds
in the area. The final paddle is on the St.
Regis Chain of Lakes, which begins at Paul
Smith’s College on Lower St. Regis Lake. This
paddle allows participants to see several
Adirondack Great Camps, where several US
presidents and other prestigious Americans
stayed while visiting the area.
Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters, St.
Regis Canoe Outfitters, and Mac’s Canoe
Livery are local outfitters that can provide
everything needed to tackle this fun and memorable
challenge. The kickoff for the challenge
will coincide with Celebrate Paddling ADK, a
month-long paddling celebration in June. For
more info, visit: saranaclake.com.
Celebrate Paddling ADK is an annual,
month-long event celebrating paddling culture
and community in the Adirondacks. The
event features a variety of paddling-related
activities, including guided paddling trips,
paddling clinics, and a series of events focused
on combating invasive species and sustainability.
Celebrate Paddling ADK also offers
fun family adventures, canoe-to-brew trips,
and night kayak tours. Celebrate Paddling
ADK is an excellent way for paddlers to meet
and connect with other paddlers, learn new
skills, and explore the beautiful waterways in
the Adirondacks. For details, check the schedule:
celebratepaddlingadk.com.
In addition to these individual activities,
more significant events like the Adirondack
Paddling Symposium in Saranac Lake will
be available. During the weekend of June
16-19, the symposium will offer paddling
instruction for beginners and intermediates
presented by NRS and the Northern Forest
Canoe Trail. This year’s symposium will
also include a new “90-Miler” track to help
aspiring racers hone the skills needed to
complete the three-day Adirondack Canoe
Classic route on Sept. 8-10 (registration
opens July 1): northernforestcanoetrail.org.
Learn more and register: adirondackpaddlingsymposium.com.
Sydney Aveson (sydney@roostadk.com) is
the communications coordinator for the
Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism.
She is also a lover of all human-powered
sports and has guided for the last decade in
a variety of disciplines, including paddling,
hiking and cycling.