2024 Adirondacks Fall Paddle: Boreas Ponds Tract
For many years, Glen has been eyeing the Boreas Ponds Tract as a potential paddling trip location. However, the several mile portage put the trip out of our reach. In 2024, with a couple of new bridges finally constructed, Boreas Ponds now entailed a mere one-mile carry, made infinitely easier by our boat wheels. While Glen built his own wheels, Mary opted for some pre-fab wheels. Once the wheels were strapped on, we loaded our packs in our boats and easily pulled our boats the one mile along a gravel road.
Choosing photos for this part of the trip was almost impossible. We put in at Boreas Ponds just at peak fall foliage, with the Adirondacks High Peaks in the background. The views were absolutely breathtaking. For Mary, this trip was hands down the most beautiful we've taken in the Adirondacks.
With no campsites within the Boreas Ponds Tracts, we set out to find a back country site (essentially any piece of land that's 100' feet from any body of water, trail or road). And while this task sounds pretty straightforward, finding any place to pitch a tent was quite challenging. As the shadows drew longer, we started to be concerned we would not be able to find any break in the thick growth of young spruces. And even when we did find a break, the forest floor heaved and pitched with the pits and mounds left by fallen trees.
Finally, quite late in the day, while Glen treated water from the ponds for drinking, Mary spotted a low area along the shoreline. Some bushwhacking into the forest from the shoreline brought us to the most exquisite little place in the forest, bordered by downed trees. The space was just big enough to hold our small tent, and the downed logs provided an area to sit and balance our stove for cooking.
If there is such as thing a spirituality, for us it's found in rough, beautiful woods like these.
We bushwhacked the forest around our campsite, which was a bit difficult due to all the downs trees (AKA coarse woody debris). There was gorgeous fungi, along with dramatic foliage. Against my better judgement, I let Sylvie off leash because walking through the woods with a little dog on leash was next to impossible. Sylvie vanished almost immediately. Holding panic at bay, we started searching for her. Within several minute she re-appeared, only to vanish immediately. Several minutes later we found Sylvie excitedly dancing around the tent. She just wanted to get back to the creature comfort of the sleeping bag! Phew!
2024 Adirondacks Fall Paddle continued: Henderson Lake
After a few days at Boreas Ponds, we portaged out, loaded our gear and boats on the car and headed over to Henderson Lake, also located in the southern High Peaks.
The lake's edges had very steep sides and much of the shore was inaccessible. Unlike Boreas, there are a few established campsites at Henderson and we were able to find an unoccupied site to camp for a couple nights. The site was shady and damp - not the best site we've ever camped in.
After having seen enough of Henderson, we headed back to Boreas for a couple more nights in what is now a favorite spot in the Adirondacks.
The following photos were taken at Henderson Lake in the Adirondacks.
