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Kayaking Beaver Creek, August 2011
Where is a quiet place to kayak near Cedar Ridge and the Brookfield Horse Camp? Have you ever thought about kayaking the Beaver Creek, from Horse Trail 60 north until the end of the navigable waters?
You take Fairgrounds Road north from Brookfield NY, until a first parking area on the left of the road. This is Horse Trail 60. It’s a short portage (1/8 mile) until you reach the bridge crossing the Beaver Creek.
Put in the on the side of this bridge. I did from the east side, through the marshy ground, but you could portage over the horse bridge, then put on the west side, and avoid the marshy ground.
Having a good set of wheels means you won’t have to carry your kayak, but make sure not to drag it on the gravel to avoid wearing holes in your kayak, as I learned earlier this summer.
This is a delightful little trip. Do drive the Charles Baker Auto tour, or hike some of the many trails in the area…
Floodwood Loop in St Regis Canoe Area
On a nice weekend, expect many people to be joining you on the ever popular Floodwood Loop in the Saranac Lake Wild Forest. While technically not part of the Saint Regis Canoe Area, this area is considered part of series of ponds that makes up this area, and this loop is the most popular of all the canoe routes in this area.
Alternatively, take a look at this Google Map of the loop. Balloons are designed campsites, there are no charge to use these sites. Red lines are portages and other trails.
At around 10 AM I headed out. Bright sunny day, a lot of glare. None of the ponds are paticularly large.
The Fish Creek between the ponds is quite narrow, and don’t be surprised if you hit some traffic. In parts the current can be fairly swift, although one can still paddle up or down stream with relative ease, just avoid the other boats.
There is a 1/4 mile portage between Copreas Pond and Whey Pond. Despite being mostly sandy soil, with some roots, do NOT drag your kayak, if you want to avoid putting holes in it, as I learned the hard way.
There also is another short portage over a road, and through the Rollins Pond Campground, after you leave Whey Pond.
Overview of the Saint Regis Canoe Area, including other ponds and all of campsites.
And if you prefer roadside camping with a trailer or pickup truck cap, take a look at these sites.
… I hope you enjoyed these pictures and maps from the Floodwood Loop.
Mount Arab
Cheney Pond
Cheney Pond Road is a dirt road off of Boreas Road, about 15 miles east of Newcomb. It is a rough road, with the pass year’s washouts, don’t try it without a truck. It will take you a rather pretty lake and damed up river you can paddle around.
Here is a printable map you can click to see full size then download.
And now down as Cheney Pond…
If you want to spend the night, you can roadside camp at a site with a picnic table and outhouse, tent camp at an “informal” campsite with a fire pit near the lean-to or camp in the lean-to. None of the campsites at Vanderwhacker Wild Forest have “Camp Here Disks”.
Heading out on the lake in the kayak…
A Cold Winter’s Day Five Rivers
On a very cold Saturday afternoon, I decided to drive out to Five Rivers and take some pictures. I wanted to get pictures of the setting sun, but it did not happen due to the snow squal that came blowing in. Here’s what I got.
Blowing Snow…
It certainly was cold enough there when I was walking. If it had been nicer, I probably would have headed out of town.
Deer Pics…
The deer really aren’t all afraid of humans at Five Rivers. You can almost walk up and touch them, as they know that hunting is prohibited in this area.
