Huntley Pond is a small body of water in the Hudson Gorge Wilderness Area that can be easily paddled.

Fishing

There are a few areas for shoreline fishing; along the Blue Ledges Trail and off Northwoods Club Road. Casting room is limited in many areas making this pond best fished from a canoe or kayak.  

Best fished from a canoe or kayak; motorboats not allowed in the wilderness area. The deepest part of the pond is right in the middle of the widest portion on the east end. While brook trout don’t prefer deeper waters it is much easier to cast from a small boat than from shore. The boat will also allow you to access the west end of the pond. The very west end of the pond is private property so please respect. 

Paddling

The launch is small and a slight carry down but not steep by any means. The eastern shore is private property so please respect. This would be an excellent pond for SUP’s or learning to paddle due to its usually calm features. On really bad weather days it can get choppy, but being so close to shore the entire time it’s of no real concern. Enjoy this pond during sunrise as the colors come streaming over the trees, or in fall as the colors pop from the mainly hardwood forests surrounding it.  

How to get there

From the intersection of Route 9 and Hoffman Road in Schroon Lake, follow Hoffman Road (CR24). Continue on CR24 which eventually turns into Irishtown Road. Take a right onto O’Neill Road in just over 11 miles from Route 9 and a left onto Longs Hill Road (CR24A). This will bring you to Route 28N in Minerva in roughly 2 miles. Take a right onto Route 28N for 2.5 miles to Northwoods Club Road on the left. Follow Northwoods Club Road for 6.5 miles to the Blue Ridge Trailhead parking on the right. A cartop boat launch is about 0.2 miles further up the road on the left with limited parking.

Putnam Pond Campground is perfect for every camping need. It's location near a wilderness area is prime for exploration, but the maintained facilities take away some of the backcountry stress.

Camping

Large, well-forested campsites with lots of privacy. This is a key start-off point for hiking in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area.

Choose from interior site camping, which requires a boat for access, or the developed area where visitors can rent a canoe or rowboat.

Day users can pay a small fee to use the facilities even if not camping.

Paddling

There are rowboats and canoes available for rent for paddling on Putnam Pond only. Kayaks and canoes are allowed on the ponds in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, though they must be portaged at least 0.5 miles to access any of the other ponds.

Boating

Putnam Pond is a popular pond for boating because of its spectacular scenery. The only point of public access to the pond is located at the campground. Motor boats are allowed on Putnam Pond.

Fishing

Fish species in area ponds are smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and northern pike.

Birding

This campground is in an especially lush environment for water birds. Putnam Pond flows into North Pond, is surrounded by Rock and Clear ponds to the west, and Haymeadow Pond and Cranberry Marsh to the east. Expect to see such wetland birds as tanagers, warblers, vireos, and woodpeckers, and perhaps even the elusive American Bittern.

The only access for canoe or kayak is the concrete state boat launch off Route 8. There is ample parking here, but during busy weekends it can get a bit cramped. Aside from the launch area the entire shore of Brant Lake is private property so please respect the private land owners.  

Once on the water it actually is a very attractive lake. Head right downstream through the narrows for an interesting look at the community. Head to the far northern end of the lake and enter the wetland area and paddle through the marsh for some stellar views of the mountains towering above.  

• Approximate Shoreline Length: 16.0 miles
• Type of launch: Concrete
• Portage/Carry Details: Less than 100 feet
• Type of water: While long and narrow it can get a bit choppy out there especially in the widest potions of the lake. Motorboats are allowed so be cautious.  

Getting there

From Schroon Lake get on I-87 and head south to Exit 25 and take a left and head east on Route 8 toward Brant Lake. Continue for just under 4-miles to the state access boat launch on the left.  

Fishing

There is a small bit of shore fishing available at the state launch site. The remaining portion of the shoreline is private. While limited in this area, it’s not a bad place to cast a line. The weeds do tend to house some bass than can be caught from the dock.  

The Lower Schroon from Schroon Lake to the Hudson (27 miles) is a mixture of long flatwater stretches punctuated by whitewater. Adjacent roads provide easy access at points along the way, but go unnoticed while on the tree-lined, secluded river.

Whitewater

It's never a dull moment here. For example, there is the exciting Class III whitewater, such as "The Big Drop," which you may want to scout before running.

Paddling

The stretches of flatwater are a relaxing medium between the big water on Schroon Lake and the whitewater rapids.

Find out more

Read about this paddle in the blog, Return to Schroon River.

This paddle, beginning on Schroon River and ending on Schroon Lake, is one of three paddles required to complete the Schroon Paddle Challenge.

How to get there

The put in for this paddle is on the Schroon River, at the state access point just past the bridge on Alder Meadow Road.

By the numbers

• 4.5 miles / 7.25 km one way (only one way is required to complete the Schroon Paddle Challenge)

• Slow and winding river paddle on the Schroon River, leading to flatwater lake paddle on Schroon Lake

Winding river and flat water paddling

Begin this paddle on the Schroon River at the put-in on Alder Meadow Road. Enjoy a slow and winding paddle downstream before entering the northern end of Schroon Lake. End your paddle at the Schroon Lake boat launch on the west side of the lake. If you are completing this paddle for the Schroon Paddle Challenge, only one way of the trip is required. Consider spotting a car at the Schroon Lake boat launch, or plan to take the return paddle to the put in on Alder Meadow Road. Boats with motors are allowed on Schroon Lake.

Swimming

On a nice day, stop at the sand beach opposite the Marina for a swim and a picnic.

Henderson Lake is located in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and is wonderfully wild, despite having fairly easy access. Views of Wallface Mountain dominate the lake, which is surrounding by several smaller hills and mountains. 

How to get there

From exit 29 off I-87, turn west onto Blue Ridge Road (CR 84) toward Newcomb. Follow this route for 17.4 miles to an intersection with Tahawus Road (CR 25). Turn right on Tahawus Road and stay on it for 6.3 miles then turn left at a sign for High Peaks trails. Pass by the old blast furnace at 2.8 miles up this road. From the blast furnace, it is less than one mile to your destination. The road dead ends at the Upper Works parking lot, adjacent to MacNaughton Cottage. This is also the access point for hiking trails into the High Peaks; it may get crowded during peak season. 

Paddling

The mirror-like waters of Henderson Lake so perfectly reflect the towering mountains and cliffs it's almost dizzying! But don't let that stop you; this is a great spot to paddle, especially if you're looking for something wild. There are views in any direction.

We recommend a canoe cart, if you have access to one. There is a small, slightly uphill carry of 0.5 miles to the put in. However, the path is very cart friendly. The herd path for the put in is found on your left, just after you cross a wide bridge.

Camping

There is a lean-to, Henderson Lake lean-to, located near the shore on the west shore on the northern part of the lake, near a stream outlet. Consult maps to find the exact location. There are spots to easily drag a boat up.

Oliver Pond is a quiet body of water where the fish are plentiful and the wildlife is abundant.

How to get there

South of Schroon Lake on Route 9, turn right onto Hoffman Road (County Road 24). Follow this for 8 miles to parking on the right.

Paddling

There is a short carry to the water, but once there, you'll find perfect flatwater for paddling. It's only 44.5 acres, so get ready for small pond paddling and solitude. There are also two primitive campsites accessible via a short paddle.

Fishing

Fishing from a canoe or kayak is the best option here. The pond contains brook trout. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.

Loons, mink, pine marten, otter, moose, beaver, deer, and red fox are just some of the wildlife that you may encounter at the lake. Lake Harris and Rich Lake is beautiful gems in the Adirondack Hub!

How to get there

To get to Lake Harris launch from Overlook Park in Newcomb, head west on Route 28N toward Long Lake. After 2.5 miles, turn right onto Beach Road and the launch is on the right.

Paddling

Lake Harris does have motorboats, but it's an absolutely beautiful lake to paddle. Connecting to Lake Harris is Rich Lake, on Adirondack Interpretive Center property. Belden Lake separates Lake Harris and Rich Lake. Paddling from one lake to the other requires portages, but all are less than 300 yards. Along the way you'll see many historical landmarks!

Fishing

Popular fish species here are: smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, brown bullhead, and pumpkinseed.

Ice Fishing

Lake Harris now supports a self-sustaining population of walleye after being experimentally stocked from 2004 until 2008. Also known for its quality panfishing.

Species: Northern pike, yellow perch, walleye.

To reach the shore you will need to carry downhill on a gentle grade. The gravel grade is sloped for handicap access with two rest stops along the way. The launch is well-graded and flat for easy access as well. Balfour Mountain rises high above on the opposite shore and with its slopes being mostly hardwood this paddle is one fine afternoon's outing in the fall of the year. 

Half of the shore is private property so if you want to get out to stretch your legs be sure to remain on state land.  

How to get there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit, #29. From here follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue all the way to Newcomb and Route 28N. Take a left onto 28N and continue for around 8.5-miles to the lake access on the right.

Paddling

It's about a 200 foot carry on a gravel path (handicap accessible) to a canoe/kayak/SUP launch. No motorboats are allowed to launch here. Balfour is a narrow lake that is well-sheltered and under most days is quite calm  Shoreline length is approximately 2.75 miles.