After my overnight trip on the Oswegatchie, I joined my local club (RICKA) for some base camping and day trips. The base camp was at Eaton Lake Campground. I was able to do three trips:
Henderson Lake
Henderson Lake sits on the edge of the High Peaks Wilderness Area and is the “official” birthplace of the Hudson River. The river begins its 306-mile journey at the lake's concrete outlet spillway near the put-in.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries this area evolved from a mining village into an exclusive Gilded Age camp. Vice President Teddy Roosevelt was staying here in MacNaugton Cottage when he was called back to take the oath office after the assassination of President McKinley in 1901.
We met at the Upper Works Trailhead Parking Lot for the half-mile portage down to the lake.
It was a cloudy day, but there were still beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
There is a shelter and I believe a couple of campsites on the lake.
More pictures here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eckilson/albums/72177720335689750
Boreas Ponds
Boreas Ponds is perhaps the prettiest lake that I have ever paddled. Pictures don't do it justice. We accessed the lake from Gulf Brook Road - a seasonal dirt road that took us to the Four Corners Parking Area. From there it is a 1-mile portage down a gravel road to the put-in.
The Boreas Ponds are an interconnected group of three ponds (First, Second and Third) with striking views of the High Peaks. The view from the put-in gives you just a hint of the beautiful views that await you on the lake.
We paddled up the short inlet and turned north, and there it was - a spectacular view of the High Peaks.
It is a relatively short paddle, but the views make up for it. I don't know if there are any campsites on the lake, but there is a nice shelter down a short path near the put-in.
More pictures here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eckilson/albums/72177720335690000
Forked Lake
Compared to Henderson Lake or Boreas Ponds, Forked Lake does not have the scenic impact, but it is still a nice paddle. There are two access points for Forked Lake – the Forked Lake Campground to the east, and the Forked Lake Boat Launch to the west. Since the road to the Forked Lake Campground was closed for bridge repairs, we launched from the boat launch.
We headed west with the intention of paddling up the Raquette River. Unfortunately, the water was low and a large beaver dam blocked our path.
Instead, we decided to stay in the lake. It was still a nice way to end the week.
The New York State DEC operates the Forked Lake Campground, so there are lots of campsites.
The one place that I didn't get to was Lake Lila - hopefully next time.
Henderson Lake
Henderson Lake sits on the edge of the High Peaks Wilderness Area and is the “official” birthplace of the Hudson River. The river begins its 306-mile journey at the lake's concrete outlet spillway near the put-in.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries this area evolved from a mining village into an exclusive Gilded Age camp. Vice President Teddy Roosevelt was staying here in MacNaugton Cottage when he was called back to take the oath office after the assassination of President McKinley in 1901.
We met at the Upper Works Trailhead Parking Lot for the half-mile portage down to the lake.
It was a cloudy day, but there were still beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
There is a shelter and I believe a couple of campsites on the lake.
More pictures here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eckilson/albums/72177720335689750
Boreas Ponds
Boreas Ponds is perhaps the prettiest lake that I have ever paddled. Pictures don't do it justice. We accessed the lake from Gulf Brook Road - a seasonal dirt road that took us to the Four Corners Parking Area. From there it is a 1-mile portage down a gravel road to the put-in.
The Boreas Ponds are an interconnected group of three ponds (First, Second and Third) with striking views of the High Peaks. The view from the put-in gives you just a hint of the beautiful views that await you on the lake.
We paddled up the short inlet and turned north, and there it was - a spectacular view of the High Peaks.
It is a relatively short paddle, but the views make up for it. I don't know if there are any campsites on the lake, but there is a nice shelter down a short path near the put-in.
More pictures here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eckilson/albums/72177720335690000
Forked Lake
Compared to Henderson Lake or Boreas Ponds, Forked Lake does not have the scenic impact, but it is still a nice paddle. There are two access points for Forked Lake – the Forked Lake Campground to the east, and the Forked Lake Boat Launch to the west. Since the road to the Forked Lake Campground was closed for bridge repairs, we launched from the boat launch.
We headed west with the intention of paddling up the Raquette River. Unfortunately, the water was low and a large beaver dam blocked our path.
Instead, we decided to stay in the lake. It was still a nice way to end the week.
The New York State DEC operates the Forked Lake Campground, so there are lots of campsites.
The one place that I didn't get to was Lake Lila - hopefully next time.
