Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The paddling route
Put in at the state's South Creek hand launch on NY 3, about 10 miles west of the village of Saranac Lake. South Creek winds north through marsh and alder for about three-quarters of a mile and opens into Middle Saranac Lake, with Stony Creek Mountain and Ampersand Mountain rising beyond. The line crosses the lake north to Windy Point and slips into Hungry Bay, then follows a winding channel into Weller Pond, a sheltered pond ringed by forest, with Little Weller Pond tucked beside it. Turn in Weller Pond and come back the same way.
It is 6 miles (9.7 km) there and back; allow about 2¼ hours in a canoe or kayak and 2¾ on a paddleboard. The grade is Moderate: South Creek and Weller Pond are sheltered, but the crossing of Middle Saranac Lake is open water up to about 1,700 ft (500 m) from shore, and it gets choppy when the wind rises. Motorboats are allowed on most of the lakes here, so keep an eye out for them on the open water.
New York law requires every boat, canoe and kayak to be cleaned and drained before it is launched, to stop invasive species spreading between lakes. There are campsites on the lake that belong to the Saranac Lake Islands campground: do not land at an occupied one. Wear a life jacket and check the conditions before you set off.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap waterways (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Down winding South Creek into Middle Saranac Lake, part of the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest
- Across the lake's north side and up the channel into quiet Weller Pond
- Starts at the state's South Creek hand launch on NY 3, with parking for about 20 cars
- New York law requires boats, canoes and kayaks to be cleaned and drained before launching
On the water
- Put in: South Creek Hand Launch (Middle Saranac Lake) (canoe launch) 44.24448, -74.26905
- No locks or weirs on the way.
- About 4.8 mi (7.8 km) on open water, up to 512 m from the shore: wind and waves build quickly.
- Rules and licences: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Check whether you need a licence before you go: on many inland waters in England and Wales you do, and Paddle UK membership includes one for many of them.
- Suits canoes, kayaks, paddleboards.
Getting there
Start: South Creek hand launch, NY 3. 44.24448, -74.26905
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around South Creek hand launch: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Water levels, flow and the weather decide the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; wear a buoyancy aid, check the river levels and the forecast, keep well clear of weirs and powered boats, and don't go out in flood.