The St Regis Canoe Area is located near Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks, and is made up of a series of lakes. It's the only canoe area in NY and the largest in the Northeast. Only 2 of it's 58 lakes and ponds can be reached without a canoe carry. This place is wild!
Nicole on an early morning paddle at Sunrise on Long Pond
Amazing how all that gear fits.
Had a fantastic time shooting for Eagles Nest Outfitters and Lawson Hammock out in the St Regis Canoe Area. Both are fantastic hammock camping companies, we're really passionate about their gear. Got a Wenonah canoe, from St Regis Canoe Outfitters, and man are we addicted to kevlar now. Super light! We were rocking 60-70 lb packs with all of our extra camera gear, which more than made up for the light canoe. We will have to go more minimal next time, knowing the bitter reality of the portages!
Portage from Long Pond to Nellie Pond
Got our first real taste of portaging here (we've carried canoes before, just never distances over a mile!) We were limited on time, but did some of the 9 Carries route in reverse. We have plans to go back and complete the entire route this summer.
Camping can be done at primitive campsites which are very well maintained, and can only be reached by canoe, or anywhere else in the wilderness, as long as you stick to NYSDEC camping requirements (150 ft from water, etc).
Lawson Hammock and Wenonah Canoe at our first night's camp
The place is peaceful during the morning, and the campsites are far enough away from each other where you're comfortably alone. We fell asleep to the howling of coyote's and what we swore were wolves (which debatably still exist or don't exist in the Adirondacks, much like the Eastern Mountain Lion). It was oddly comforting to listen to as we swayed in our hammock alongside the water, as our fire smoldered down. In the morning from our canoe we did see what looked like a large white wolf lapping up some water and found old coyote scat in a few different places (in one of our campsites).
Dan on the first day out.
Nicole Paddling at Sunrise on Long Pond
Nicole Paddling
Sunrise Paddle
Napping in the Lawson Hammock
Lawson hammock set up under the moon and stars.
Nicole at our first campsite with the Lawson Hammock and Wenonah Canoe in the background
Sunrise at our second campsite in the Eagles Nest Outfitters Hammock.
Taking in the sunrise under the rainfly and under-quilt.
Slacklining at our campsite on the ENO Slackline
Taking in the sights