Paddling Distance: 6 miles. Waterway access is from Blue Mountain Road via Quebec Brook. Paddle and portage up Quebec Brook to access the remote and scenic marsh at its upper end, just opened to the public in 1999.
B)
Massawepie Area
Pond-hop among the many small lakes near Massawepie Lake or paddle 8.5 miles thru the Massawepie Mire and Grass River Flow. (No public use of the area from June 15 to August 31.)
C)
Middle Branch Moose River
As you float down through this beautiful woodland valley the Moose gradually picks up its tempo with some exciting Class III rapids. There is a carry at a low dam and at Nelson Falls, a Class IV drop.
D)
Middle Branch Oswegatchie River
, Sabattis
This spectacular branch of the Oswegatchie plunges over waterfalls and through a rocky gorge. A drop of 90 feet in the first two miles gets the adrenalin going with an exciting mix of waterfalls and Class III rapids. Scouting is necessary to determine possible runs or carries around impassable sections, such as the narrow Sluice Falls. The second half of this 12-mile run is a calm Class I flatwater that winds through marsh and woodland.
E)
Moss Lake
, Inlet
This small lake, nestled at the foot of a steep mountain, has seven designated campsites along its eastern shore and is encircled by an old bridle trail.
F)
North Branch Grass River
This 16.5-mile paddle is a nice mix of rapids and flatwater. What starts as a meandering river in a marsh quickly changes to Class II rapids. Class IV rapids and a moderate- sized double hydraulic are met before reaching the 50-foot Harper Falls, where a carry is required.
G)
North Branch Moose River
Along this slow-moving, meandering stretch of river you'll travel 11 miles in complete wilderness isolation. Wildlife and birds are abundant along this branch of the Moose River.
H)
Oswegatchie River
From Newton Falls to Hailesboro the river drops more than 970 feet. There are scenic sections, but some areas are difficult to access. There are numerous Class II - VI rapids and impassable ledges and dams. Water levels may fluctuate due to dam releases.
I)
Piseco Lake Area
Piseco Lake offers some interesting side trips, such as a paddle up Fall Stream to Fall Lake. Only two miles further upstream, and several beaver dams later, is the remote Vly Lake. Big Bay is accessible from Pisceco Lake and from a parking area on Route 10.
J)
Raquette Lake
, Raquette Lake
The many bays of this large lake will provide hours of exploration; keep your eye out for some of the Great Camps. Explore the two-mile channel of South Inlet and Browns Tract Inlet where a one-mile carry that connects to Eighth Lake on the Fulton Chain. From the northeast outlet bay, a half-mile carry leads to Forked Lake.
K)
Raquette River B
The 17-mile stretch from Piercefield to Carry Falls Reservoir offers the Raquette's most exciting whitewater. Starting at the dam near Piercefield, the river winds north through a series of rapids and over two waterfalls. State land borders most of this area and carry trails skirt some of the harder sections. Water level is critical and it can fluctuate due to dam releases.
L)
Rich Lake and Harris Lake
Start on the public beach at either lake for a scenic 7.5-mile roundtrip cruise. The flatwater channel between the lakes has some riffles and a carry. Do not proceed beyond the Route 28N bridge or you will be committed to running the turbulent Hudson River Gorge.
M)
Sacandaga Lake Area
These two large headwater lakes are connected by a short navigable channel. From Sacandaga Lake you can paddle up to Mud Lake, or carry to beautiful Fawn Lake, which is surrounded by state land and has several good campsites.
N)
Sacandaga River
, Wells
Start your trip below the three impassable waterfalls which can be viewed from Route 30. The next 13 miles is an exciting slalom of almost continuous fast whitewater with up to Class III rapids. Lake Algonquin appears four miles into the run. After a carry around the outlet dam, the race resumes. The route is best done at high water levels.
O)
Sand Pond-Mud Pond Area
Sand Pond was added to the forest preserve in 1999 as part of the Croghan Tract. Access is via logging roads and a .2 mile carry from the parking area. Its marshy shores support an abundance of waterfowl and wildlife. Narrow corridors of stream, best paddled at high water levels, connect Long Pond, Rock Pond and Mud Pond. On the east end of Mud Pond is a newly installed handicapped accessible dock, outhouse and parking area. Below Mud Pond there are two waterfalls. A short carry trail leads to the base of the first waterfall, and then there's a .7-mile paddle to the takeout at a footbridge above the second waterfall. A steep trail leads to its base.
P)
Saranac River
The Saranac River starts out as slow-moving flatwater with one section of up to Class lll water at Permanaent Rapids just before Franklin Falls Pond. The adjacent road provides waterway access to the river before the rapids. A .4-mile carry connects you to Union Falls Pond.
Q)
Saranac River2
From Union Falls Pond, this Adirondack canoe and kayak route drops rapidly. Class I-II rapids in the first 4 miles are followed by a Class V drop at Teft Pond Falls. The carry is adjacent to private property. The next five miles include a complex series of Class II-III ledges, drops and hydraulics which demand advanced paddling skills and ample water. It is rocky and there is a wide fluctuation in the water level due to dam releases.
R)
Silver Staircase
This 7-mile Adirondack waterway of nearly continuous whitewater requires advanced canoe and kayak skills to maneuver through long and complex rapids rated up to Class IV. Scouting is not always possible.
S)
Slang Pond through Turtle Pond to Hoel Pond
There is no canoe carry between Slang and Turtle Ponds, just a narrow passage of waterway, then a paddling trip through a culvert under a railroad bridge to cross from Turtle Pond into Hoel Pond (or up and over the embankment, if water levels are too high).
T)
South Branch Grass River
The newly acquired Tooley Pond Tract includes Tooley Pond and a long section of the S. Branch Grass River. The upper section to Rainbow Falls is suitable for canoeing with carry trails around several waterfalls. Access is via Spruce Mountain Road. A carry trail above Rainbow Falls leads to parking on Tooley Pond Road. The numerous waterfalls below Rainbow Falls make it more suitable for expert kayakers and shoreline users.
U)
St. Regis Falls Flow / East Branch
Paddling Distance: 6.4 miles. Waterway access is via a public picnic area/beach on south shore.
A quiet flatwater extends upstream for 6 miles above the dam. The East Branch St. Regis River below Everton Falls is passable at higher water levels. It is a challenging whitewater run with rapids and drops which may require scouting.
V)
St. Regis River
Portage into this remote 16-mile winding flatwater. This Adirondack canoe and kayak area is part of the Santa Clara Tract, first opened to public in 1999.
W)
St. Regis River/Santa Clara Flow
Paddling Distance: 5.1 miles. Waterway access is from Blue Mountain Road in St. Regis Falls.
The St. Regis River above Santa Clara Flow was opened to the public in 1999. The canoe launch site is off Blue Mtn. Road. The downstream paddle has one carry just before you enter Santa Clara Flow. Paddle down through the winding backwater to the state boat launch site just off Rte. 458.
X)
Stillwater Reservoir
The reservoir (nine miles long) is surrounded by wilderness areas on state land and has 46 designated campsites on its many isolated bays, islands and scenic points. The area is known for its large loon population. Summer weekends are very busy with motorboat traffic.
Y)
The Chateaugay Lakes
These two large lakes, connected by a wide channel, are 10.5 miles long. This area has long been a popular summer resort. Check out Bluff Point with its adjacent shallow reef or paddle three miles up South Inlet. Below the outlet, the river drops rapidly with several falls, including the spectacular 120-foot High Falls.
