Team Hike – Fall 2002 (Oct 11-13): Thirteenth Lake Adirondacks NY.

We brought up three canoes and a bunch of kayaks to get to the campsite that was located on the bank of the lake. The spot was perfect, nice view, we could be as loud as we wanted, perfect fire pit and ample space to pitch a tent. The campsite was even legal. The only drawback to the weekend was the fact that the weather didn’t cooperate. It rained all the way up, Friday & Saturday night and Sunday morning. It was chilly as well. The Lake is perfect for a warmer drier weekend even though it was a long drive. The lake was also not exactly the best fishing either, the only thing that was caught was too small to keep. I think shoes caught the most of them though, as usual.

  • Boner
  • Chet
  • JD
  • The Rick
  • Shoes
  • Gramps
  • Hicks
  • DD
  • Paul Davis

Memorable moments:

· Met at Davis Sporting Goods on Rt. 17 and had breakfast in the diner next door

· Rained the whole ride up until we got really close to the lake

· First crew in started hiking before receiving Chet’s permission to camp at site near lake

· Shoes set up Bio Dome – big party tent with two tarps over his normal tent closest to fire

· Canoe/Kayak in dark when DD and Hicks arrive

· Cold on Saturday and no fish. Happy hour started at noon.

· Ate like champs, shrimp, steak, pork loin and beef loin (all kept in coolers paddled to the site)

· Great breakfast eggs, more shrimp, cheese and bacon a-plenty

· Hicks and DD slept in car Saturday night, everyone else left early on Sunday

Men,

Once again the time is upon us to beat our women and leave them at home to clean, go to Campmor and buy ridiculous gadgets we won’t use more then once, go to the liquor and grocery store and buy the right wine to go with the finest meats and cheese and hop on the NY Thruway North for Team Hike!

This year we’ll be heading to the Adirondacks where we’ll set up a base camp at an isolated lake which will be perfect for being loud, putting on musicals and telling the same stupid stories we’ve been telling for years! (I hope Stu will be able to make it!) The dates will be October 11 through the 13th. There will be some who take off on Friday to drive up and find a place to camp and stock it, the rest can drive up at their leisure and meet up in the woods. On Saturday we can do some fishing (this place is supposed to be awesome for fishing) and there are a bunch of really great day hikes. Most important it is NY State parks up there so drinking is legal. Right now there are fire restrictions so I expect everyone (whether you are going or not) to start doing rain dances before bed.

Please read the description below composed by out favorite tree hugger Chet for more about the location.

I expect this area to be one of the best we’ve been to so far and for there to be a record turnout on the trip! Who is in?????!!!!!!

Check out Thirteenth Lake in the Adirondacks. You can do a search for Garnet Hill Lodge and get some info from there. Basically this is the deal.

Secluded lake, one of the only ones in the Adirondack with NO buildings or homes on the Lake.

Most of lake shore is state owned. They allow camping but provide no campsites, facilities or services. So you are on your own to be left along. That is according to someone I know who camped there and a person I spoke to the Garnet Hill Lodge. The lodge is close by and promotes the lake in there sales the lodge # is 518-251-2444. They were pretty cool about giving out info even though I was not planning on staying there.

Hiking trails perfect for day hike on Sat. or fishing , the lake is stocked by NY State with trout and has a population of land locked Atlantic Salmon.

The drive is a little long. Basically equivalent to driving to Lake George. 4.5 hours for me and you 3.5 from north Jersey. The distance might deter some that would come up for just Sat. but for this one your either on the bus or off the bus. Regardless of where we go, I can probably take off on Fri and go up early with any else who can to set things up and make it easier for anyone who arrives after dark.

Check it out for yourself but I say we screw the distance and go for it. I can get a least 3 extra kayaks. The hike in to the lake is about one mile. It can be done relative easily with two guys holding two kayak front and back. I have carried the kayaks like this before and it is actually quite easy. You can stuff your gear in the boat.

Chet

PS I’m sure I’ve left some off the list, please forward to anyone you notice that isn’t on the list or that may be interested.