Chapter 646

6/14-17/2023

White Pine Camp 2023

Osgood Canoe Trip

link to White Pine Camp  2023 photos

Ya know, sometimes you feel like you got to get back to the Garden. Got to get back to the land and set your soul free.

And so it was, like deja vu, we parked at the DEC Garden Parking lot in Keene Valley like I did in the 70's for my hike up to Marcy. But this time rainy and cloudy weather precluded a hike.

Launched drone just outside of the High Peaks Wilderness to comply with DEC drone regulations. I got 100% on  The Recreational Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety Test. You are prohibited from launching within Wilderness, Canoe, or Primitive designated land but you can fly over them. The APA has the best online map to delineate these DEC land classifications. This is a view of the Johns Brook Valley with the 46er Big Slide on the right and Lower Wolfjaw, Upper Wolfjaw, Armstrong and the Gothics on the left, part of the Lower Great Range.

A lower treetop level view up the valley shows the unsettled weather of the day. Marcy way in background not visible. Johns Brook Lodge up there should be a future easy destination for us.

We had wanted to attempt at least the first Brother in the foreground on the trail to Big Slide just visible in the distant center. Lack of sun not to our liking so we saved for another day. It wont be easy.

Instead opted for lunch in Lake Placid at Smoke Signals overlooking Mirror Lake. The beef brisket nachos were the best in the world. I'm not exaggerating.

Walked up to the little town park to capture the mood, and also launched the drone from the street parking place.

Totally lucked out on weather the following day leaving from camp near Paul Smiths proceeded down the Osgood River outflow and back for a 6 mile journey, that was our limit. Simply gorgeous.

The camp provides use of kayaks, canoes or paddle boards. We chose a 15 ft rotoformed model.

Found a primitive camping spot (but not "designated Primitive" - so legal) on the right bank before coming to the small rock water falls that ends the journey. This is the Debar Wild Forest, Debar Mt distant center (so legal to launch). You gotta have the nomenclature correct, "wild" is not "wilderness".

I stoked a fire in the Great Room (with wifi, cell coverage one bar) before we checked out of  White Pine Camp. Had many fires each day. Two fireplaces in our Cabin 3 and cool nights. 

Management warned us of rowdy bunch staying there. We met them to help identify the fish their kids had caught and the father apologized for the (little) noise the LARGE family group had made. As specially dressed Mennonites from Lancaster, PA he explained they believe in one thing, Jesus Christ. Guess we came upon a child of God.

The Camp was "blessed" with a 200 member movie crew that stayed there during the winter filming of an episode for the Showtime Billions show and an L.L. Bean spring photo shoot.

On the way home we visited the new ADK Cascades visitor center. This side with a bar will be a nice future visit.

There is some parking at the  Cascade Lakes Day Use park next to the main Rte 73. Will launch my kayak there someday. And apparently a trail to the Cascade Falls?