Day: October 6, 2025

Tomorrow I will officially bite the bullet on whether or not to take next week off. While I will still have some work during the week I’ll have to remote into most of the week I’ll be free and the plan is to spend the Columbus Day Holiday around Speculator for three nights then Columbus Day head up to Horseshoe Lake and Lows Lake through Thursday then up to Floodwood Road vicinity through the weekend. This way, the Adirondack Rail Trail and St. Regis Canoe Area should be quiet once the holiday crowds are gone.

The leaves were already past peak in the Adirondacks but that’s not surprising. They always turn quickly and early in the high country, and this year was particularly dry. Going to be cool and potentially damp some of the week, but I’m okay with hanging out next to heater and rain is needed for fire safety. Not planning any big rip-roaring fires, but I don’t want my propane heater or camp stove to kick up a spark and set the grass or leaves on fire – and on cold nights a good fire is fun. That said, dreary days are good for reading and maybe enjoying some grass, a good beer or two and doing some cooking. Need to make sure I have everything I will need for the week, including a full tank of propane, because stores are few and far between in the Adirondacks. You run out, you’re mostly SOL.

My agenda is intentionally vague to a certain extent. The first weekend around Speculator will probably involve riding around the Speculator Tree Farm and/or Perkins Clearing, maybe paddling along the Jessup River or Mason Lake. Watch Hill is a good hike. Monday, Columbus Day, I am planning on heading up to Horseshoe Lake fairly early. For the mid-week, I want to hike Lows Ledge and paddle around Low Lake and possibly ride my bike around NY 421 and I think if it’s allowed Lows Lake Upper Road. I think it’s not wilderness so the gated road is open to mountain bikes. And just hang out at times in hammock. Going to be cool but by mid-day it will be in the mid-60s even up north, which means with the hoodie and some sun it should be quite relaxing the hammock reading and enjoying life.

Then Thursday, it’s Floodwood Road. From there, I will probably ride down to Tupper Lake one day, and then the other day head out to Saranac Lake. It really depends on the time and weather but I’ll do the interesting sections of the rail trail. I got to renew my fishing and hunting licenses, but I also may want to do some fishing on St. Regis Canoe Area besides the paddling. I should also fix my portage cart so I can use that for getting back to the lakes, so I don’t have to portage as much. Then Sunday I’ll head back home. Not sure if I’ll go back via the Lake Placid, through the High Peaks to the Northway or take NY 30 back down to NY 28 and the home that way. There are different options depending on the weather and my mood. And I don’t really want to box myself in as the weather and so much could change between now and then.