Voices from the Trail

A Dam Good Trip on the Saranac

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…

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A Chill Trip Down the Kennebago

It’s not always easy for me to explore waterways outside of northern New York during the paddling season, but in recent years I’ve made a concerted effort to get out of my backyard and check out new spots. Last year,…

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Winding Through the Raquette River Oxbow

Some of the best paddling in the Adirondacks can be found in Tupper Lake, and the oxbow of the Raquette River headlines a long list of beautiful, accessible trips for paddlers of all skill levels. A river’s oxbow is a…

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A Fall Cruise on the Saranac

For paddlers looking for a fun downstream paddle, the Saranac River offers a ton of options, from short jaunts to multi-day camping trips. The Saranac is my second favorite place to paddle. (With all due respect to my hometown river,…

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Moose Pond: Maximum Views, Minimal Work

For anyone looking for an easy, accessible paddle just off the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Moose Pond is a must. This fall, my wife and I went for a post-work paddle on Moose, bringing our dog Zee along for the…

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Spencer Lake and Down Spencer Stream

Through-Paddlers like to call Little Spencer the stream from hell. I can imagine fighting up this persistent little river could be pretty demoralizing, but paddling it with the current is a treat! In early spring or after a heavy rain,…

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‘Round the Mountain Anytime

I was in Saranac Lake last spring preparing to host 100 plus people in the ‘Round the Mountain Canoe & Kayak Race. I only had one bit of anxiety: I had never paddled the course! Being in charge of that…

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Best of 2022: A Beautiful Birthday Paddle

The NFCT’s Best of 2022 series features short stories from staff, board members and friends highlighting their favorite paddles of the year, both on and off the canoe trail. If you have a favorite trip to share on our blog…

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Best of 2022: Escape from New York

The NFCT’s Best of 2022 series features short stories from staff, board members and friends highlighting their favorite paddles of the year, both on and off the canoe trail. If you have a favorite trip to share on our blog…

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A Springtime Paddle Through the Trees

Maybe it’s the backcountry skier in me, but there’s something about weaving in and out of trees that will never get old — and maybe that’s why I always mark the transition from winter to spring with a paddle upstream…

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