On subsequent trips we have paddled through the Upper Locks to the breathtaking scenery of Middle Saranac Lake. It’s a good day trip and a dramatic passage on the narrow winding river into water meadows filled with lilies. The journey through the locks itself is an adventure as the water rushes into the lock (operated by a park ranger) while you cling to ropes hanging from the side.

The great advantage of the sailing canoe is that it gives you the option to sail when the wind picks up. When paddling, we set the mizzen and have the mainsail rolled up but ready to go at a moment’s notice. We’ve also found that steering with the tiller helps direct our paddling when the wind and waves are contrary. The sailing rig weighs very little so it isn’t a nuisance to keep it aboard. And when the breeze picks up, it’s all worth it, especially when cruising by other canoes.

There are a few guidelines that we’ve developed for packing and paddling with a canoe laden with gear: get a modest-sized tent, opt for self-inflating (thermarest-style) sleeping pads and take only the most essential clothing and camping gear. We use dry sacks of different sizes and shapes for the gear since they can be squeezed to fit the hull of the canoe. We’ve stopped bringing strawberries and an extensive variety of fresh fruit and vegetables with us, instead opting for dried foods like fruit strips, macaroni and cheese, risotto packets, instant oatmeal, and soups that can be reconstituted with water and cooked in a single pot. This saves a lot of space in the canoe and enables us to fit all our food into a bear canister, which can be hung from the trees. The local critters (a raccoon, a deer, and possibly something bigger) visited us on our first camping trip and since then we’ve found it easier to sleep if everything, toothpaste included, is up in the trees.  With some advance planning and thought you can fit the necessary gear and two people into the canoe. Canoe camping on Saranac Lake has become an annual and much-anticipated event for us every summer.


Note:  The State of New York has a vast system of parkland. Two of the larger offices for information on camping are the New York State Office of Parks and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. There are two museums in the area that are sure to provide inspiration for boat building and canoe camping: The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY and the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY. St Regis Canoe Outfitters sells a wonderfully detailed topographic map called the Adirondack Paddler’s Map, which shows up to date portages, trails and numbered campsites.

Andy Slavinskas and Jenny Thompson live in Philadelphia…which could be a story unto itself, as the canoe hangs from the ceiling of a second story apartment and is carried down a flight of steps to the sidewalk. They need to keep an eye out for parking spots days in advance and then not move it in anticipation of weekend excursions….

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