Hey guys,
I’m trying to organize a little camping trip this summer on floats and was wondering if anyone would share some intel. From what I’ve gather you can fly into Long lake and Indian lake. North side of Long lake looks promising with that beach. I’d prefer to be as far away from people as possible but aware that the forever wild waters are off limits. I’m a SPA member and have the app but can’t find any other way to tell where is permissible besides looking up the name of each individual body of water. That combined with camping regulations… would prefer primitive camping. No need to give away you favorite little nook, but hoping to better understand so I can go find by own.

Carry falls really nice, remote, fun little island too, my personal fav
SLK/289/023

Hannawa has a good place to eat, but a kinda iffy removable wheel type dock if you want to try it, but there are people
SLK/307/036

As you said long lake, cool museum, you can beach and walk over to the hotel/restaurant, not really remote
NY9

Croil Sandbar, party sandbar, decent amount of beer pee in the water and I’d be careful where I beached, maybe behind the main action, but lots of folks out there having a good time and some BBQs and stuff
SLK/331/048

Tupper lake is pretty big with lots to explore
SLK/243/018

Meacham I’m pretty sure has primitive camping, but getting the plane to shore is a little more spotty
SLK/356/011



Good contour maps of most of the lakes
https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9920.html

Take a look at Tirrell Pond. Lean to’s at both ends, beautiful beach at the North End.

Pete

pburns wrote:Take a look at Tirrell Pond. Lean to’s at both ends, beautiful beach at the North End.

Pete

You talking about blue mountain lake?
SLK/225/033

Nope,

It’s in the Blue Mt Lake Wild Forest though. On the backside of Blue Mt.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/tirrellmap.pdf

Pete

pburns wrote:Nope,

It’s in the Blue Mt Lake Wild Forest though. On the backside of Blue Mt.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/tirrellmap.pdf

Pete

Oh that looks cool!

No contour maps or even sonar charts from the fishing guys, but that would make for some good camping


https://www.adirondackexperience.com/hi ... rrell-pond



Seems it’s at
SLK/209/031

4,900’ run at a elevation of like 1920MSL

Might have to check that one out myself

Any shallow points or anything?

Not sure about shallow points, I have landed there as a passenger in a 206 multiple times guiding fishermen and I have paddled around it a bunch. No gotchyas stand out, but I wasn’t looking at it from a pilot’s standpoint. We either pulled up to the beach or the middle of the west side where they had a canoe stash. I have only landed there personally in the winter on skis. I have several more spots to throw out when I get a half hour or so.

Pete

I can highly recommend Stillwater Reservoir. Except for some commercial activity at the west end, this is an undeveloped lake that is still open to seaplanes.

There are almost 50 campsites; on islands, points, you name it. See the link for details on camping. Lots of space; so just stopping in for a picnic is also an option.

Some rock outcroppings, identifiable from the air; take your time looking around before landing. Pretty steep drop offs on some of the beaches; don’t just hop off the float midway back, you may find yourself in 4 feet of water.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/34382.html

Mrs. Burns & I were flying around the other evening and flew over the Essex Chain of lakes.
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/mapessexchain.pdf

I had completely forgotten about First Lake until we were over it. The rest of the chain is motorless, but First Lake has two designated float plane camps. I have paddled around here and they are decent sites. If you have a transportable paddle craft you can access the rest of the chain. These are mostly Trout waters.



Another option is Rock Lake, not far from Tirrell. No trout here, but good Bass fishing. I have a friend that lands here with his Cub frequently.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/mapbluemount.pdf

Pete

Thanks for the contribution, Pete. I’m definitely going to check those out. I wonder if the seaplane operators are only allowed to use those docks. I’m going to give a call and see what’s up.

Talked to a friend that’s a forest ranger in the neighboring district today. You are all good there as well as Pine Lake that is also in the Essex Chain. I have been on Pine on skis as well as Rock.

Pete