Map 2, Day 5: Stoney Creek to Middle Saranac Lake

Date: July 26, 2012

Mileage: 8 miles

Weather: Showers on and off all day

Wildlife: Three whitetail deer, geese, loons

Portages: 2

The rain that started during the night seemed to abate at dawn, but then picked up again. Didn't need to be anywhere very soon, yet, so we hunkered down, until nature called and I needed to leave the tent. Opened up the vestibule to see a small pond forming on top of the pine needle duff and heading toward the formerly unnoticed depression where the tent was positioned. Sam got the bedding and tent packed up while I hung the tarp and started making breakfast- Hot Apple Cobbler. Still didn't feel like we wanted to go anywhere too quickly. Then we decided to make a second breakfast of eggs and hash browns since it was still raining. Finally figured we did need to start moving, got everything packed up left when we felt the rain was beginning to lighten. Picked our way up Stoney Creek to Stoney Creek Ponds where it did stop raining.

Heading up Stoney Creek

Checked out the campsites near the Indian Carry. There are more than the one indicated on NFCT map--at least 3, possibly 4. All looked lovely. Carried our gear on the portage trail for the first half to the road and then put the wheels on from Hwy 3 to the put-in.

Indian Carry

Indian Carry boulder mosses

Headed onto the misty-enshrouded Upper Saranac Lake, which even provided enough respite for our rain gear to dry out. Didn't last long. As we arrived at the Barlett Carry take-out, it began to sprinkle again.

Launching on Upper Saranac Lake

The carry was uphill on the road and then downhill on the trail. Last year's massive downfall had been removed and we wheeled everything right down to the put-in.

This year's shot on the Bartlett Carry

Middle Saranac Lake is beautiful in spite of the rain that continued to fall. But, our day became tedious as we made some conclusions about the Map 2 symbols which were in error. Because we had been able to register for a site at Tioga Point, and having passed through Forked Lake, which also had a ranger station, we incorrectly assumed we would find a similar situation for the Saranac Lakes Island Campground. (Because: There is a green tree icon showing the campground, just  like the other state campgrounds.) I now realize that the headquarter information IS written on the NFCT map, so I just hadn't read it. But because there were also icons indicating lean-tos, we also assumed there were free camping sites on this lake, just like on Upper Saranac, Long Lake, etc. This is not the case. While the lean-tos apparently exist, they are part of the state campground and thus, fee-based and reservable and apparently were being used.

After paddling back and forth between Windy Point, the icon where we expected to see a ranger station and the lean-to icon shown by the entrance to the Saranac River, AND seeing several open (numbered) sites, we finally stopped to ask some campers about the locations of the mystery lean-tos and ranger station. It was at this time we learned that one needed to register at the headquarters located several miles away past Lower Saranac Lake (where we had registered and stayed at a 5 star campsite last year), but which is a totally impractical distance especially now that the rain hadn't ceased and it was getting late.

We had picked the right people to ask, however. A large group, they had registered for four sites, but were only using two. We were able to "legally" camp on one of their paid-for sites--although I admit, I wouldn't have hesitated to set up in an unoccupied site that clearly wasn't going to be used that night and pay for it the next day.

Unloaded and started setting up the tarp as the rain really opened up--the hardest so far that day. If we weren't already wet, this clinched it. Set up the tent under the tarp and POP! the pole breaks. Just like last year. Under the same situation. Rain and tightening up the rain fly. Man oh man. What is with this? Love the tent, but these darn aluminum poles. Last year it broke 8 nights out from the end. This year, it's our last night, so we duct taped the heck out of it and it stayed put.

We opened the second box of wine I had brought. (New packing favorite. Can even bring these babies along on the can-banned BWCA trips). That took the edge off of our wet day.

Sodden dinner accommodations

Middle Saranac Lake campsite

A peaceful Middle Saranac Lake after the rains

Dinner: Lemon-pepper tuna with a basmatic pilaf. Boxed wine. All of it.

Side note: Mountain HardWare replaced my entire set of poles this year instead of just the one that broke. I'm still taking two extra repair pieces along with me regardless. Still. Happy with their customer service.