Let me start by apologizing for the headline of this report — my late father loved a good paddling pun, so that’s a little homage to him.
Reflecting on some of my favorite day trips from last season, a standout paddle — with an assist from some absolutely perfect weather — was a journey from Franklin Falls Pond to Union Falls in the northern Adirondacks. This is a great trip for beginner to intermediate paddlers, with easy and accessible put-ins and take-outs, minimal portaging and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
For this trip, I was joined by my wife, Kaet, and some of our regular paddling buddies — Jon Zander, Iris Li and Brandon Devito. Brandon is a member of the NFCT’s Board of Trustees, and all three are 90-Miler veterans. We were also joined by Jason Smith, owner and operator of longtime NFCT partner Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters. Jason and I were shocked to realize that despite 15 years collaborating on skiing and paddling programming in the Adirondacks, this was the first time we ever paddled together. I’m still trying to figure out how that’s possible.
We had stunning late spring/early summer weather, with temps near 80, clear skies and virtually no wind — although a little breeze would’ve been nice to keep the bugs away. Our group met at the public boat launch on River Road, just a few miles from Bloomingdale, and after unloading, a few of us shuttled cars down to the take-out at Union Falls. Once we regrouped, we jumped in our boats and made our way onto Franklin Falls Pond. (For solo paddlers, it’s easy enough to leave a vehicle and bike back to the put-in, just be aware that these are narrow roads.)
This section of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail falls in Map 3, and for my money is some of the most beautiful paddling in the Adirondacks. It’s a bit off the beaten track and further afield than some of the more popular destinations like the Saranac Chain of Lakes and the St. Regis Canoe Area, but it’s every bit as scenic.
Franklin Falls Pond is a narrow body of water, downstream from a section of class II/III rapids. The shoreline features a scattering of small, envy-inspiring seasonal camps and distant views of McKenzie, Moose and Whiteface mountains. After about 2.1 miles, we reached the well-marked take-out above Franklin Falls. From there, we portaged along Franklin Falls Road for about a quarter mile, to where we reached an NFCT maintained access point below the falls. The carry runs along a highway, so it’s flat and easy to walk, but you do need to keep an eye out for motorists.
Once in the water, travel through a narrow stretch of river that empties into Union Falls Pond, which is a larger body of water than Franklin Falls Pond. The views are just as stunning and include Duncan Mountain and the Taylor Pond Wild Forest. Union Falls Pond also features some rustic seasonal camps, and a little bit more boat traffic.
The paddle from Franklin Falls to the state access point above Union Falls is about 6.5 miles. There’s clear markers for the dam, and as you approach you’ll be looking for a flat gravel take-out. Once we exited the water, we walked down Union Falls Road to Casey Road, where our vehicles were parked. After packing up, we drove back to the first parking lot and parted ways.
In total, including the short carry, this is an 8.6-mile trip, perfect for a day outing with friends and family. There’s plenty of wildlife to spot, from herons and loons to bald eagles, hawks and more. As a youngster, both ponds and the sections below the falls/dams were prime fishing territory for me, and this remains a popular area for anglers to this day. If you’re visiting from out of town and want more details or need to stock up on gear, stop by one of our two local outfitter partners in Saranac Lake: Adirondacks Lakes & Trails Outfitters and St. Regis Canoe Outfitters.
Get out there and do some dam paddling! (I know you liked that one, Dad.)
If you have questions about this trip, hit me up: chris@northernforestcanoetrail.org.
