Beaver lodges on the quiet part of Fish Creek
PHOTOS
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ROUTE MAP
Click on Map to Enlarge
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Description:
This paddle trip took place in the Summer of 2002. The trip was a day trip, starting early in the morning, after spending the night camping at Rollins Pond. We started around 8am, and finished around 5pm. From measuring the map, we estimated the length of paddling at about 12.5 miles. The portages varied in length and difficulty.
There is a nice boat launch and livery at Rollins Pond where we began our trip. Canoes and kayaks can be rented daily or weekly, in case you don't have your own, and they can suggest places to go depending on what kind of paddle expereience you want to have.
We launched our boats on a perfectly calm pond, headed northwest, up Rollins Pond, the smell of breakfast wafting through the air. At the end of Rollins Pond there is a small creek (see photo2) that is impassable at low water levels. It's really beautiful as it winds around, emptying into the end of Floodwood Pond. If the water is too low, you can take the portage on the west bank to Floodwood.
I think Floodwood is one of my most favorite places to be. The water is absolutely beautiful and there are some beautiful DEC campsites (first come-first served) that I am determined to stay on one of these times. There are a number of campsites on Floodwood, all with direct access to the water.
Middle Pond was very small compared to Floodwood, and seemed the least populated, at least when we were there. The next carry over to Polliwog was long, but less graded, and the walk through the pines not only looked beautiful, but smelled wonderful as we trampled on pine needles beneath our feet.
The carry to Follensby was very short, thankfully. Follensby seems to end withgout a place to continue paddling, but we managed to find the little passage we needed to get to Fish Creek Pond. The route travels under Rte 30, under a small, low bridge, ruling out a route for motor boats to get through. But the peaceful approach to Fish Creek Pond was soon undermined by power boats whizzing by at awful speeds, creating wakes that made us quickly jockey for a safe spot on the water. Fish Creek was the worst part of the trip, but after we made it through the wide open water, the small marsh leading back to an unnamed pond was worth it. We saw ducks, frogs and loads of dragonflies
The loons on Whey Pond greeted us as we arrived at our last pond before ending our trip. This pond is very quiet, and when camping at Rollins, you'll often hear the loons calling from Whey before you hear them on Rollins.
We had an incredibly beautiful day for this paddle in late Summer, but I bet it's even more beautiful in the Fall, with the colors raging on the shoreline.
Put In:
Rollins Pond Boat Launch (East side)
Take out:
Rollins Pond Boat Launch (West side)
Facilities:
Rollins Pond Boat Launch has bathrooms, a public telephone and showers.
Distance: Approx 12.5 miles
Portages: 5, but 6 if the passage from Rollins to Floodwood is too low for paddling
Loop Trip: Yes
Camping: Yes - first come-first-served basis. Look for DEC discs denoting designated camp sites. The Canoe Map (indispensable for paddlers) shows all DEC campsites, and is available at the local camp store outside Fish Creek Pond if you don't have one before you head up. They are $5 each, and show all DEC campsites on the map, as well as portages and trails.
LINKS:
NYS DEC- Information on Rollins Pond
NYS DEC- Information on Fish Creek Pond
St. Regis Canoe Outfitters- Outfitters for canoes, kayaks, trip planning, a bunch of useful info!
Raquette River Outfitters- Outfitters for canoes, kayaks, trip planning, in and around Raquette River
Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company- Outfitters in Old Forge. They have an extensive equiment and advice for paddlers.
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