Adirondack Raquette Lake Loop Paddle, New York

The Trip

The Raquette Lake Loop is a true classic, perfect for those with some paddling experience who love the outdoors. We’ll stay in indoor comfort and spend our days exploring the inviting waterways and trails at a leisurely pace while learning about Adirondack history and lore. 

Encompassing more than six million acres, the Adirondack Park in northern New York State is the largest park in the Lower 48 and the Northeast’s last great wilderness. The combined acreage of Yellowstone (2.2 million acres), Yosemite (0.76 million acres), Glacier (1 million acres), Grand Canyon (1.2 million acres), and Great Smokies (0.5 million acres) National Parks would all fit inside the Adirondack Park.  

Established as a state forest preserve in 1885 and the Adirondack Park in 1892, the park boasts more than 2000 lakes and ponds, over 1200 miles of rivers, and some of the highest mountains in the eastern United States. The Adirondacks have long been recognized as an outdoor enthusiasts’ all-season paradise, with lakes, ponds, and rivers connecting to form canoe routes, including the now classic Adirondack Canoe Trail. We will soak up the scenery, history, and pristine atmosphere while staying at a mix of lodging types, including  rustic and the “deluxe rustic” historic Great Camp Sagamore.

The Adirondack Park contains a unique combination of state-owned wild lands, including vast expanses of wilderness, as well as private lands and  numerous towns and villages. We will be on Raquette Lake, featuring inlets and trails with varied habitats and opportunities to see wildlife such as eagles, loons, osprey and more.

Our time together will include a variety of activities and adventures, including two nights at the historic Saint William’s on Long Point, one night at Great Camp Sagamore, and one night in the small hamlet of Raquette Lake. 

Day 1: Saturday August 24: To Saint William’s on Long Point (1.6 mile paddle)

We’ll meet in Raquette Lake at noon, where we’ll introduce ourselves over picnic lunches (bring your own, or purchase at the general store there).. After lunch, we’ll discuss safety measures and review and practice basic paddling techniques. We’ll then paddle 1.6 miles across Raquette Lake to Saint William’s on Long Point, our home for two nights, that was built in 1890 by William West Durant. Today St. William’s is a quiet lakefront retreat, featuring an historic church, wooded grounds, fire pit, swimming area off the dock, comfortable beds in all-gender bunk rooms, shared bathrooms with hot water, a dining area, a large, homey living room with fireplace, and a well-equipped, modern kitchen. Saint William’s has Wi-Fi in the main house, but cell service is unreliable. Please note that St. William’s is unheated and can get cool or even cold at night, so you’ll need to pack a warm layer of clothing. You’ll also need to provide your own lightweight, quick-dry towels, pillowcase and sheet or sheet sleeping sack. Pillows and blankets are provided. 

We’ll arrange boat transport for our luggage and provisions for our stay at Saint William’s. 

To avoid travel delays and missing time on the trip, it would be wise to arrive in the area at least the day before. We cannot guarantee transport for you to catch up with the group should you arrive late. However, we can assist with lodging arrangements for those arriving before the trip starts. The leader will facilitate communications among confirmed participants who may want to coordinate meeting points and carpooling.

Day 2: Sunday August 25: Paddle Marion River with side hike (8.0 mile paddle r/t and 2.2 mile hike r/t)

From our base at Saint William’s, we’ll paddle and explore the various nooks and crannies of Raquette Lake and venture up the Marion River, enjoying its meandering scenery and hiking an inland trail. We’ll have time to relax, swim and watch the clouds, boats and birds go by.

Day 3: Monday August 26: To Great Camp Sagamore (4.7 mile paddle; 1.7 mile hike)

After our delectable home-cooked breakfast, packing our lunches, and saying “so long” to Saint William’s, we’ll paddle 4.7 miles across Raquette Lake’s South Bay and up the peaceful, winding South Inlet, with more wildlife viewing opportunities.  We’ll secure our boats at the base of the modest but beautiful Cascade Falls and hike 1.7 miles to Great Camp Sagamore, the grandest of the Adirondack Great Camps, and now a National Historic Landmark. The camp was built in 1897 and served as a luxury wilderness retreat for the Vanderbilt family for half a century.

After eating our picnic lunch alongside Sagamore Lake, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the camp to learn its unique history, architectural innovations, and the intrigues, habits and business ups and downs of the enterprising owners and their many well-heeled guests. Later that afternoon, we can opt to swim or paddle on Sagamore Lake, hike on one of the Great Camp’s trails, or relax in the rustic comforts of days gone by. After a hearty and delicious buffet supper in the old-style dining room, we’ll enjoy evening recreation or relaxation. Activities may include old-fashioned bowling (harder than it looks!), where the camp’s staff set the pins manually. We’ll marvel at the ingenious design of a gravity-only ball return system. Accommodations at Great Camp Sagamore are in comfy double and triple rooms with shared hallway bathrooms and showers. Wi-Fi service indoors in the main building is reliable, and cell service may work with some carriers.

Day 4: Tuesday August 27 (1.7 mile hike; 4.8 mile paddle; dinner cruise)

After our Great Camp Sagamore breakfast we’ll have time to enjoy the lake and trails and have lunch before hiking back 1.7 miles down the trail, picking up our boats, and then paddling 4.8 miles back to the hamlet of Raquette Lake. There, we’ll settle into the Raquette Lake Hotel, an old time, somewhat quirky visitors’ favorite, housed in a larger building known as Raquette Lake Supply. The Dillon family has owned the business since it was founded in the 1890s. The entire structure was rebuilt after a fire in 1927 wiped out the whole village. Much can be found under one roof at Raquette Lake Supply, including the Taproom, a lively, local tavern and eatery, a general store, butcher, deli, old-fashioned soda and ice cream counter, bakery, and laundromat. Limited Wi-Fi is accessible outside the small library, but cellular telephone connections are spotty.  

On our last evening together, we will board the W.W. Durant for our farewell sunset Raquette Lake Dinner Cruise, a four-course plated affair with narration about the fascinating natural and human history of the lake and its heyday as a recreational destination. 

Day 5: Wednesday August 28 

Following a tasty breakfast in Raquette Lake we’ll say our goodbyes and be on our way.

*Our itinerary is flexible and may be adjusted according to weather conditions, safety considerations, transportation or lodging availability, rangers’ recommendations, special events and unforeseeable circumstances. The leaders reserve the right to make such changes as necessary, both before and during the trip.  Please be aware Sierra Club specifically empowers the leader to exclude any individual from a trip activity should there be risks to individuals’ or the group’s safety or health. 

There is so much more to see and do in the Adirondacks! The leaders and staff from Adirondacks Hamlets to Huts can offer suggestions to those who wish to extend their stay before or after the trip dates.

Getting There

We’ll meet at noon on the first day at a designated spot in Raquette Lake, New York, where our loop trip starts and ends. The nearest train stations and airports are in Syracuse, NY (~ 2 1/4 hours from Raquette Lake (Amtrak’s Walsh Regional Transportation Center and Syracuse’s Hancock International Airport, SYR) and Albany, NY (~2 1/4 hours from Raquette Lake (Amtrak’s Albany Rensselaer Station and Albany International airport, ALB). New York City and its 3 airports (Newark/EWR, LaGuardia/LGA and Kennedy (JFK) and Boston (Logan/BOS Airport) are each about five hours by car. 

Participants are expected to provide their own transportation to and from our departure point. For those driving, you can leave cars parked safely in Raquette Lake. We encourage carpooling. Once participants are confirmed, we will share contact information so you can communicate about travel plans. As noted above, we can assist with lodging arrangements for those arriving before the start date.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Our accommodations are comfortable and varied, reflecting the nature and traditions of the Adirondacks. We’ll experience the grandeur of Great Camp Sagamore, the more rustic accommodations of Saint William’s, and the unique charm of the family owned Raquette Lake Hotel. All lodging has electricity, real beds (not two-tiered bunks), indoor plumbing and hot water. In some places, we’ll have shared double rooms with private bathrooms; in others, we’ll have shared rooms with two or three people per room and a shared bath down the hall. At Saint William’s, we’ll have larger bunk rooms with multiple single beds and shared bathrooms. While we will try to accommodate individual preferences, we cannot guarantee particular sleeping arrangements. Depending on the composition of the group, we may have all-gender shared bedrooms and bathrooms. Couples traveling together may or may not be in separate rooms. 

Wi-Fi service is limited in some places and telephone signals are spotty at best. Do not expect or depend on constant reliable cell or Wi-Fi communications during the trip.  During our days out on the water or on trails, rest rooms will be pit toilets, outhouses and, of course, the woods. Lodging in Raquette Lake and Great Camp Sagamore has indoor heating; Saint William’s does not.

Food will be varied, nutritious and plentiful. We encourage climate-friendly, plant-rich food selections, although meats and dairy will be offered. We will do our best to accommodate dietary needs, but those with allergies or challenging restrictions may be asked to bring or prepare some of their own food to supplement group food. Please discuss any food-related questions or concerns with the leader. 

Our first group meal is dinner on Day 1, and the last group meal is breakfast on the morning on Day 5.  All meals except for lunch on arrival day are included in the trip price: four breakfasts, four dinners and three lunches. We will provide snacks for the group, but we recommend that you bring any between-meal favorites you cannot do without. Plan to bring your own lunch for the first day or purchase a lunch en route or at Raquette Lake Supply. Be sure to pack a to-go lunch container and refillable water bottles we’ll use throughout the trip.

At Saint William’s, we will share meal preparation, set up and clean-up duties and prepare bag lunches for ourselves from fixings provided. 

At Great Camp Sagamore, we’ll enjoy a scrumptious, chef-prepared supper, breakfast and lunch served buffet-style, with fresh baked goods and selections to please all palates.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is suitable for those who have some experience paddling on flat water, are familiar with basic strokes and comfortable in a boat for two to four hours at a stretch. You should be fit and agile enough to get in and out of a canoe or kayak on your own, paddle for several hours and walk/hike up to four miles in a day, navigating around rocks and roots on uneven terrain. You’ll feel most comfortable if you know how to swim; but if you do not or are not a strong swimmer, please let us know. We require all participants to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) while in the boats.

Good news! There are no portages, that is, no carrying canoes, kayaks, and gear overland. We’ll arrange for luggage transport and carry in our boats only what we need for each’s day’s outing.

Before setting out for our first paddle, we will spend time discussing safety on the water and familiarizing ourselves with our canoes or kayaks and gear. Although everyone should have prior paddling experience, we’ll review and practice efficient strokes and the best ways to get in and out of the boats. 

Sierra Club volunteer leaders strive to ensure everyone’s safety and build a wonderful and memorable experience for all, and Sierra Club Outings travelers are known for being flexible and cooperative. Prior to your acceptance as a participant on this trip, you will discuss with the leader your experience and flexibility traveling in a group, your fitness, swimming and paddling ability and hiking experience, and willingness to contribute to group tasks and a positive spirit. We experience our adventure as a group by sharing duties, looking out for and helping one another as needed. While there will be free time to enjoy on your own, we expect all participants to participate in scheduled group activities, to be punctual and ready to roll if circumstances and plans change. We try to look out for one another, be welcoming and respectful to others and sensitive and responsive to individual differences, views, and needs.

To fully enjoy this trip, you should be comfortable traveling in new areas and be understanding about differences in perspectives, comfort levels, speed, experience, and skill in outdoor activities. We are not in a race or competition, but there may be times that we’ll need to move at a specified pace to stay on schedule or avoid inclement weather. You may find yourself in closer quarters or be less comfortable than you are at home. It’s important that we stay flexible if circumstances change, help each other and contribute to our collective enjoyment. If you do that and have an all-around positive attitude and friendly, cooperative manner, we’ll all have a great time! 

In addition, you should be in proper condition for the challenges outlined above and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should always be aware of the risks involved and conduct yourself accordingly. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety. 

Please discuss with the trip leader any issues or concerns that would affect your and others’ participation and enjoyment.

Equipment and Clothing

The trip leader will send information about how to prepare, a suggested packing list, and further details to confirmed participants.

The trip price includes tandem (2-person) canoes, paddles, and life jackets provided by a local outfitter. There will be an additional charge for solo canoes or kayaks (at market price, subject to availability). You may use your own personal paddle and flotation device, provided they meet applicable standards, but there will be no reduction in the trip price. You will need a dry or waterproof bag to pack your belongings, as they will be exposed to the elements during transit. A heavy-duty plastic bag inside a duffle can suffice. You will also need a waterproof or covered day pack, or one with contents enclosed in a sturdy waterproof bag, to carry your lunch and gear for the day. A fully waterproof rain suit, top and bottom, is a must.  

You’ll need to be prepared for warm daytime temperatures in the 80s or 90s, while nighttime temperatures can dip into the 30s and 40s, even in August. Quick-drying synthetic clothing next to your skin and layers are best. For comfort and safety, do not wear cotton garments during outdoor activities. When wet, cotton becomes cold, does not wick moisture, and can contribute to hypothermia. You should have at least one warm extra layer for cold evenings and mornings.

Footwear: Water shoes or other shoes with good traction (they will get wet!), sturdy hiking shoes or boots, and dry, comfortable shoes for camp.

A few sources for affordable outdoor clothing and gear (new and pre-owned):

• Patagonia Worn Wear https://wornwear.patagonia.com/
• REI Outlet https://www.rei.com/rei-garage
• Mountain Warehouse https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/us/
• Geartrade - The UnNew Outdoor Gear Exchange https://www.geartrade.com

Other essentials: Refillable water bottles, carry kit for lunch and snacks, sun and warm hat, sunglasses, extra warm layers, long sleeves and pants, sun protection, lightweight gloves. Optional: paddling gloves and jacket.

Health and Safety

Health and safety are of paramount importance. Note that the Sierra Club leader and our guides have the final say regarding individual and group safety, and participants are expected to follow their directions. Your trip leaders have Wilderness First Aid certification and carry a first aid kit. You should also carry your own personal basic first aid kit and any medications in a waterproof container.   At times during our trip, communications will be difficult, and rescue and advanced medical care will be two or more hours away. Anyone with serious medical conditions, limited mobility, cardiac or respiratory problems, asthma, diabetes or who needs to carry an EpiPen or special medications, must notify the leader and may be asked to submit clearance from your health care provider.

The leaders or local guides will warn you of potential hazards, suggest precautions, and offer guidance about safe practices. The area has a low population of deer ticks, some poison ivy and few other poisonous or dangerous plants or animals. We will have access to potable water to refill our containers each day. You should not drink water directly from streams or lakes. 

Transmissible Illness

Please take every reasonable measure to stay healthy in the week or so before the trip, during transit and in any crowded public spaces. We recommend carrying approved masks (N95 or KN95) to use according to your comfort level. In the event a participant contracts a transmissible illness, we will do our best to isolate that person but cannot guarantee that.

Hygiene

Personal hygiene and handwashing are essential. Carry sanitizing liquid/gel or wipes with you and wash hands with soap and water when they are available. Use appropriate measures (wash hands, use utensils, do not touch group foods directly) when preparing or handling food.

Weather

The main message about the Adirondacks is that weather will change -- wise outdoors people are prepared. 

Temperatures drop or rise, clear days turn stormy, and we can experience three or four seasons within 24 hours.  While we’ll check each day’s weather forecasts, it is important to carry an extra layer and rain gear when we are away from the lodge.  Good news for us: August has the lowest mean monthly precipitation and fewest rainy days in the calendar year! But: Past records are no guarantee of future conditions.

• Weather atlas for Raquette Lake, New York in August – Weather conditions can vary greatly, so be prepared. 
• National Weather Service webpage (local conditions change)
• Weather averages - Adirondacks
• In August, Average daytime temperature range:
•  60 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit, 15-32  Celsius

References

• Book: The Adirondacks: A History of America's First Wilderness, by Paul Schneider
• Website: Visit The Adirondacks: https://visitadirondacks.com/about/adirondack-park
• The Adirondack Mountain Club has good books and materials and an online store for gear, maps and guidebooks.  www.adk.org  tel: (800) 395-8080 or (518) 668-4447. 
• Adirondack Park Interpretative Centers, Newcomb NY (518-582-2000, www.northnet.org/adirondackvic and Paul Smiths, NY (518-327-3000). 
• Adirondack Experience, https://www.theadkx.org/, a private non-profit educational institution. Blue Mountain Lake NY (518-352-7311),
• Maps of Adirondack Park and adjacent areas where we will visit can be found on the New York State USGS quadrangles
• See also DeLorme Mapping Co.'s New York State Atlas and Gazetteer, which contain topographic maps of the entire state

Area Attractions

• Raquette Lake Navigation
• Great Camp Sagamore
• Weather forecast for Raquette Lake (13436)
• Town of Long Lake: Raquette Lake Information

St. Williams on Long Point

• National Register Certification
• Follow us on Facebook
• About Josiah Cady Cleveland (Architect)

Conservation

For this Sierra Club Outing, we are collaborating with Adirondacks Hamlets to Huts (ADKH2H), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates, manages, and promotes an internationally acclaimed hamlet-to-hut system that fosters vibrant communities by advancing economic development, conservation and wellness. By joining Hamlets to Huts, we contribute to responsible and sustainable tourism as we enjoy the region’s natural treasures and support small town economies and employment for local residents.

We will employ responsible Leave No Trace practices to reduce our environmental impacts, and we will learn about and discuss environmental issues affecting the region. Invasive species, such as Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels and spiny water fleas, pose a serious threat to lakes and rivers in the Adirondack Park. The wooly adelgid and the emerald ash borer threaten hemlock and ash trees; climate change lessens snow falls and ice overs on lakes, shortening winters and disrupting the ecosystem; and hiking trails and campgrounds can suffer from overuse, thanks to their popularity and proximity to the New York and Boston metropolitan areas.