Check out: why we love Eighth Lake.
Showing posts with label Campering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Campering. Show all posts
Thursday, October 02, 2014
Fall Camping at Eighth Lake
This past weekend we returned to our favorite campground, Eighth Lake, for a relaxing getaway. We didn't plan any specific hikes or activities; we just enjoyed the lovely fall colors and perfect weather. Our campsite was waterfront, so we had gorgeous views across the lake. Our new sling chairs made lounging by the fire even more comfy. All in all, a delightful weekend.
Check out: why we love Eighth Lake.
Check out: why we love Eighth Lake.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Camping: Wilmington Notch
Our most recent campering adventure took us north to Wilmington Notch State Campground in Wilmington, NY. This is a very small campground (54 sites) and does not offer the types of private, treed sites we prefer. However, the choices for camping with a travel trailer in the Lake Placid area are fairly slim. We decided to try it once and then decide if we'd ever camp there again. The verdict: NO. The camp sites are in what basically amounts to an open field with an occasional tall tree. There is no privacy between sites AT ALL. The sites are not clearly defined either, so we had neighbors decide to set up their tent within spitting distance of our camper. I hope they enjoyed the sounds of our flushing toilet at 2AM. The fire pits are no more than a few feet from the campground road, so when you're sitting around the fire anyone that walks by is RIGHT there.
Beyond the lack of privacy, there were other disappointments with the campground. The fire pits were in shambles, literally crumbling at our feet. My husband was at a complete loss without a chopping block, usually provided in most state campgrounds. He surmised that was part of the problem with the fire pits, because people were using them as chopping blocks, thus accelerating their demise. There was also garbage strewn around our site when we checked in, a rarity at the state campgrounds we've camped at in the past. And lastly, the bathrooms were gross. There was no soap (eeew!) and the showers were tiny. The shower head was well below the top of my head, and I'm not an excessively tall woman. The water was scalding, with no option to adjust the temperature.
Needless to say, we spent as little time as possible at the campground. It would probably be fine if all you were doing was crashing for the night before or after climbing an Adirondack High Peak, but it's not the kind of place you want to spend time at.
I didn't bother to take many photos and none of the ones I took actually show how undesirable the place was. All of the trees you see on the far side are actually the edge of the campground and provide just a little screening between Route 86 and the sites. This picture was taken before the neighbors arrived and set up their tent right off our back bumper. Most of the sites were occupied every night, although there was a high turn-over rate.
Next time we travel to the Lake Placid region I would rather pay more to stay at a private campground and have full hook-ups. That way even though we'd still lack privacy we could at least avoid the public bathrooms and showers.
Hopefully in future posts I will share some of the fun things we did away from camp.
Beyond the lack of privacy, there were other disappointments with the campground. The fire pits were in shambles, literally crumbling at our feet. My husband was at a complete loss without a chopping block, usually provided in most state campgrounds. He surmised that was part of the problem with the fire pits, because people were using them as chopping blocks, thus accelerating their demise. There was also garbage strewn around our site when we checked in, a rarity at the state campgrounds we've camped at in the past. And lastly, the bathrooms were gross. There was no soap (eeew!) and the showers were tiny. The shower head was well below the top of my head, and I'm not an excessively tall woman. The water was scalding, with no option to adjust the temperature.
Needless to say, we spent as little time as possible at the campground. It would probably be fine if all you were doing was crashing for the night before or after climbing an Adirondack High Peak, but it's not the kind of place you want to spend time at.
I didn't bother to take many photos and none of the ones I took actually show how undesirable the place was. All of the trees you see on the far side are actually the edge of the campground and provide just a little screening between Route 86 and the sites. This picture was taken before the neighbors arrived and set up their tent right off our back bumper. Most of the sites were occupied every night, although there was a high turn-over rate.
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Hopefully in future posts I will share some of the fun things we did away from camp.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Camping at Eighth Lake
This past weekend we headed north to one of our favorite places to go camping (or as I like to call it "campering")- Eighth Lake State Campground. We like this campground for many reasons:
- easy access off Route 28
- large, private, treed sites
- proximity to Inlet, NY where we can get freshly made gelato and browse an independent bookstore
- lots of hiking opportunities nearby
On this trip we had dinner guests the first night (my husband's parents). An attempt at fishing was made, but the creek was too overgrown with plants.
The next morning we drove into Eagle Bay for greasy, sugary donuts before going for a hike around Moss Lake (2.5 miles).
After our hike we returned to McCauley Mountain for another ride on the chairlift since we enjoyed it so much the first time.
We both wish we could spend every weekend in the Adirondacks.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Hiking Blue Mountain
Both my husband and I had previously climbed Blue Mountain on multiple occasions, with our first ascents on family hikes as kids. I last climbed the mountain in June of 1997 with a college class on environmental interpretation. Although there are interpretive stops along the trail, we didn't think to grab a brochure at the start (and discovered there were none on the way out).
The trail is 4.6 miles round trip and is extremely popular. As such, the trail is worn and suffers from this heavy travel. Many parts of the trail are wet and eroded. To avoid the mud and water, hikers walk on the edges of the trail, which damages the vegetation and continually widens the trail. There are also many spots where new side trails are being carved by the many footsteps of people who are afraid of a little dirt. This is an issue I feel quite strongly about, and one that takes so little effort on the part of hikers. For more information on common trail etiquette please check out this opinion piece in The Adirondack Almanack.
It always seems to rain when we go camping, and this trip was no exception. Although we didn't have to deal with precipitation on the hike, we were still thoroughly socked in with clouds. The summit offers amazing panoramic views, including the High Peaks, but unfortunately all we could see was white.
We did see lovely flowers, lush moss, and a single red eft on the trail. It was a great hike, although one that I enjoyed much more than my husband. I'm afraid that it may be the last time he willingly climbs a mountain with me.
You can read about the campground we stayed at on this trip here.
The trail is 4.6 miles round trip and is extremely popular. As such, the trail is worn and suffers from this heavy travel. Many parts of the trail are wet and eroded. To avoid the mud and water, hikers walk on the edges of the trail, which damages the vegetation and continually widens the trail. There are also many spots where new side trails are being carved by the many footsteps of people who are afraid of a little dirt. This is an issue I feel quite strongly about, and one that takes so little effort on the part of hikers. For more information on common trail etiquette please check out this opinion piece in The Adirondack Almanack.
It always seems to rain when we go camping, and this trip was no exception. Although we didn't have to deal with precipitation on the hike, we were still thoroughly socked in with clouds. The summit offers amazing panoramic views, including the High Peaks, but unfortunately all we could see was white.
We did see lovely flowers, lush moss, and a single red eft on the trail. It was a great hike, although one that I enjoyed much more than my husband. I'm afraid that it may be the last time he willingly climbs a mountain with me.
You can read about the campground we stayed at on this trip here.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Camping: Lake Durant
On Friday morning we drove north to the Blue Mountain Lake area of the Central Adirondacks to spend the weekend at a new-to-us state campground, Lake Durant. It is a relatively small campground (61 total sites) on a man-made lake. The sites are private and treed, and the lake has a very natural appearance. There is fishing if that is your cup of tea (it's not mine) and hiking opportunities right from the campgrounds, as the Northville-Placid Trails runs right through it.
The hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake is charming, as is the nearby town of Long Lake. We like to drive around to explore the area when we're camping, and since neither of us were familiar with Indian Lake we made sure to check it out. While it offered lots of amenities like restaurants and even a (super tiny) movie theater, India Lake lacked the appeal and character of many of the other small communities we prefer.
Even though the weather forecast had not called for rain on Saturday, we saw plenty of the stuff both Friday and Saturday. We were definitely glad for the protection the camper provided from the elements on this trip. Even with the rain, we had a great time. We hiked, we went to the Adirondack Museum, we even managed some meals cooked over the fire.
Up next: Rock Lake, Blue Mt, and the Adirondack Museum.
The hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake is charming, as is the nearby town of Long Lake. We like to drive around to explore the area when we're camping, and since neither of us were familiar with Indian Lake we made sure to check it out. While it offered lots of amenities like restaurants and even a (super tiny) movie theater, India Lake lacked the appeal and character of many of the other small communities we prefer.
Even though the weather forecast had not called for rain on Saturday, we saw plenty of the stuff both Friday and Saturday. We were definitely glad for the protection the camper provided from the elements on this trip. Even with the rain, we had a great time. We hiked, we went to the Adirondack Museum, we even managed some meals cooked over the fire.
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| View from our campsite |
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| Dam in Indian Lake |
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| My husband fishing, near the boat launch on Lake Durant |
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| Everything tastes better cooked over an open flame. Especially with speedie sauce. |
Up next: Rock Lake, Blue Mt, and the Adirondack Museum.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Hike to Sis & Bubb Lakes
We took a short two-night campering trip to Eighth Lake Campground, just north of Inlet, NY this weekend. On Saturday morning after we enjoyed our English breakfast tea (me) and French-pressed coffee (him) we headed out for a hike to several nearby lakes. Because I'm still recovering from the tailbone injury (and came down with a cold Friday night), we opted for a shorter hike at 4.6 miles round-trip.
The fall color was much more spectacular in person than it appears to be in the photos. The entire trail was what we classify as "Adirondack flat," meaning anything from reasonably flat to rolling topography. We reached Bubb Lake in no time at all.
Sis Lake was only a short ways further along the trail and was charmingly small (pond-like, really).
From there the trail made its way between the two lakes. At one point we crossed a short boardwalk where we could see both lakes, one on each side.
Leaving Sis Lake behind the trail then followed the shoreline of Bubb, opposite of where we first came out to the water.
Eventually the trail headed through the woods towards Moss Lake. We expected to have lake views there as well, or we would not have continued on, but alas, we could only see hints of water through the trees. (This prompted me to purchase a National Geographic map of the area when we got back into Inlet. I prefer to have a better idea of where we're hiking.) Fortunately, we enjoyed the entire hike and the beauty of Sis and Bubb. Plus, the weather could not have been more perfect!
The fall color was much more spectacular in person than it appears to be in the photos. The entire trail was what we classify as "Adirondack flat," meaning anything from reasonably flat to rolling topography. We reached Bubb Lake in no time at all.
Sis Lake was only a short ways further along the trail and was charmingly small (pond-like, really).
From there the trail made its way between the two lakes. At one point we crossed a short boardwalk where we could see both lakes, one on each side.
Leaving Sis Lake behind the trail then followed the shoreline of Bubb, opposite of where we first came out to the water.
Eventually the trail headed through the woods towards Moss Lake. We expected to have lake views there as well, or we would not have continued on, but alas, we could only see hints of water through the trees. (This prompted me to purchase a National Geographic map of the area when we got back into Inlet. I prefer to have a better idea of where we're hiking.) Fortunately, we enjoyed the entire hike and the beauty of Sis and Bubb. Plus, the weather could not have been more perfect!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Cranberry Lake Weekend
This past weekend we went campering at Cranberry Lake Campground in the Northwestern Adirondacks. I may or may not have camped there as a child, but since I can't remember tenting there it felt like an all-new experience for both my husband and me.
Both of us, however, were already somewhat familiar with the area. During high school he spent a week at SUNY ESF's Cranberry Lake Biological Station doing small mammal trapping and canoeing. Both my mother and my sister did their summer sessions at CLBS while they were undergrads at ESF. I had heard many stories from them before I ever stepped foot on the boat. CLBS is boat-access only, and while I didn't do my summer session there, my then-boyfriend did. I rode the boat out to meet him and spent a weekend hanging out, canoeing, and camping at and near the biological station. Another weekend was spent camping closer to the town of Cranberry Lake, where we purchased supplies at the Lakeside General Store.
The campground was sparsely populated this weekend, as it is no longer high season for camping in the Adirondacks. It was quiet and there was very little traffic. We were able to secure a waterfront site, which can be difficult during the summer. We were so excited to sit by the water and enjoy the peace and quiet and beautiful views.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature had something else in mind. The wind kicking off the lake was extreme and constant. It was like having a giant industrial fan set on high, running 24 hours a day. It made starting fires challenging and sitting outside nearly impossible. We did manage to cook our meals outside and enjoy some s'mores in the evening.
On Sunday we hiked Bear Mountain from the trailhead within the campground. We made a loop of it by walking from our campsite to the trailhead, over the small mountain, down the other side, and back through the campground. According to CNY Hiking, this loop is 3.6 miles. For such a short hike I didn't want to bother carrying a backpack, so I opted to leave my camera in the camper and just clip my cell phone to my waist. At the summit, my phone crashed and would not restart. As a result, I have no pictures from the rest of the hike, where there were actual views out over the lake.
Later that afternoon we went to the Grasse River for my husband to do some fishing. I read my book and took pictures with my phone (we popped the battery out and restarted it after our hike). Unfortunately, all of those photos later vanished into the ether. Lesson learned: carry the real camera!
Other than the ferocious wind and the missed opportunities for photography we had a wonderful time and will definitely return to Cranberry Lake next summer to do some more campering and hiking.
Both of us, however, were already somewhat familiar with the area. During high school he spent a week at SUNY ESF's Cranberry Lake Biological Station doing small mammal trapping and canoeing. Both my mother and my sister did their summer sessions at CLBS while they were undergrads at ESF. I had heard many stories from them before I ever stepped foot on the boat. CLBS is boat-access only, and while I didn't do my summer session there, my then-boyfriend did. I rode the boat out to meet him and spent a weekend hanging out, canoeing, and camping at and near the biological station. Another weekend was spent camping closer to the town of Cranberry Lake, where we purchased supplies at the Lakeside General Store.
The campground was sparsely populated this weekend, as it is no longer high season for camping in the Adirondacks. It was quiet and there was very little traffic. We were able to secure a waterfront site, which can be difficult during the summer. We were so excited to sit by the water and enjoy the peace and quiet and beautiful views.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature had something else in mind. The wind kicking off the lake was extreme and constant. It was like having a giant industrial fan set on high, running 24 hours a day. It made starting fires challenging and sitting outside nearly impossible. We did manage to cook our meals outside and enjoy some s'mores in the evening.
On Sunday we hiked Bear Mountain from the trailhead within the campground. We made a loop of it by walking from our campsite to the trailhead, over the small mountain, down the other side, and back through the campground. According to CNY Hiking, this loop is 3.6 miles. For such a short hike I didn't want to bother carrying a backpack, so I opted to leave my camera in the camper and just clip my cell phone to my waist. At the summit, my phone crashed and would not restart. As a result, I have no pictures from the rest of the hike, where there were actual views out over the lake.
Later that afternoon we went to the Grasse River for my husband to do some fishing. I read my book and took pictures with my phone (we popped the battery out and restarted it after our hike). Unfortunately, all of those photos later vanished into the ether. Lesson learned: carry the real camera!
Other than the ferocious wind and the missed opportunities for photography we had a wonderful time and will definitely return to Cranberry Lake next summer to do some more campering and hiking.
Monday, September 02, 2013
Labor Day Weekend: The Wild Center
We just returned home from a long weekend spent "campering" in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks. We stayed at the North Pole Resort because they offer full hook-ups. It felt luxurious to be able to run the lights without worrying about killing the batteries, to take a shower without worrying about running out of water, and to have the outlets, microwave, and air conditioning work. Normally we stay at state parks where there are no amenities, so this was a real treat.
I was smitten with the solar array and the green roof. And the otters, of course! Many of the exhibits inside are focused on the fish, plants, insects, amphibians, etc. that live in the local bodies of water. We watched a short movie on the life and migration of monarch butterflies and caught a live animal talk with a barred owl.
We wandered around the pond and through the gardens, but skipped the longer (although still quite short) trail. We also bumped into an old college friend who was there with her family. Small world!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Riding the Chairlift
Neither my husband nor I are downhill skiers, so we haven't had many opportunities to ride chairlifts. This weekend we went campering at Eighth Lake Campground, just north of Inlet, NY. On Saturday we drove down to Old Forge to ride the chairlift at McCauley Mountain.
I enjoyed it immensely. I felt like a little kid, with my feet dangling and a big grin on my face.
The weather was perfect and the views were lovely.
It was well-worth the $6 for each of us. And we both managed to get on and off the chairlift with grace and humor. Naturally, I fell off my mountain bike later in the day, but that's another story...
I enjoyed it immensely. I felt like a little kid, with my feet dangling and a big grin on my face.
The weather was perfect and the views were lovely.
It was well-worth the $6 for each of us. And we both managed to get on and off the chairlift with grace and humor. Naturally, I fell off my mountain bike later in the day, but that's another story...
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Not exactly camping
When I think of camping I think about tents. I think about sleeping bags and campfires. I think about splashing icy water from a nearby stream or lake on my face first thing in the morning.
Until recently, I would not have connected running water, flush toilets, heat, electricity, or a queen (short) bed with camping. But near the end of April my husband and I went to yet another camper show at the Fairgrounds and found one that really clicked for us. A few hours later, it was ours. A few days later it sat in the side yard, ready for use.
My husband is 6'4" so ceiling height was important to him, as was fitting in the shower. I wanted a bathroom bigger than those horrible little corner units. So we sacrificed the typical "bunk house" in the rear of the camper for a bathroom that runs the entire width. I'm not too keen on sharing my camper with other people anyway. It's crowded enough with two small dogs.
It has rained on every single trip we have taken so far, which makes us doubly grateful not to be sleeping on the ground. We've gotten to hike, kayak, go for a bike ride, and just sit around the campfire and relax to the sounds of the woods and creeks around us. So far, so good!
Until recently, I would not have connected running water, flush toilets, heat, electricity, or a queen (short) bed with camping. But near the end of April my husband and I went to yet another camper show at the Fairgrounds and found one that really clicked for us. A few hours later, it was ours. A few days later it sat in the side yard, ready for use.
My husband is 6'4" so ceiling height was important to him, as was fitting in the shower. I wanted a bathroom bigger than those horrible little corner units. So we sacrificed the typical "bunk house" in the rear of the camper for a bathroom that runs the entire width. I'm not too keen on sharing my camper with other people anyway. It's crowded enough with two small dogs.
It has rained on every single trip we have taken so far, which makes us doubly grateful not to be sleeping on the ground. We've gotten to hike, kayak, go for a bike ride, and just sit around the campfire and relax to the sounds of the woods and creeks around us. So far, so good!
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