Raquette Lake: Big lake, big options

R RAQUETTE L LAKE

Big lake, big options

By SPENCER MORRISSEY

Raquette Lake is an interesting body of water, not only is it a large body, but its structure is unique. With numerous inlets and outlets, you can extend your paddle beyond the long shoreline. With two distinct hiking trails, you can also add some turf to your surf. Even with a short, easy portage, you can access Forked Lake and continue beyond to Long Lake.

Where to put in

There are a few good options for put-ins for this lake. 1. Golden Beach State Campground: There will be a small day user’s fee for this launch area, but the attractive sandy beach makes it all worth while. 2. Route 28: Just east of Raquette Lake along Route 28, you can park and carry your boat a few feet down to a put-in near South Inlet. 3. Village of Raquette Lake: What would a small village be without a put-in of its own? You can launch near the center of town by the marina and small country store.

Hiking destinations along the shores

There are two distinct hiking trails off the Shore of Raquette Lake that will get you access to two attractive backcountry destinations. 1. Sargent Pond Trail: This trail is accessed through the Tioga Point State Campground, which is only accessible by boat. There may be a small day-use fee. This is a 4-mile trail through an attractive forest. Along the way, you will have some outstanding views out over the water as well as into several small wetland areas. These wetlands will offer great birding opportunities as well as a peaceful walk through the Sargent Pond Wild Forest. 2. West Mountain Trail: This hike will bring you through an open hardwood forest, which will lead moderately uphill to the summit of West Mountain. West Mountain was home to an Adirondack fire tower, but it has been removed. While the observations are becoming overgrown, you still have some great views out over the region and some waterbodies.

Camping

There are several opportunities for camping along Raquette Lake where you could change a day trip into a multi-day excursion. 1. Golden Beach State Campground: This campground is located off Route 28 between Blue Mountain Lake and Raquette Lake. With ample room for camping, it also has drive-up camping spots along Route 28 to add additional privacy. This is also an excellent spot to launch your boat. 2. Tioga Pint State Campground: This campground is only accessible by boat and is one of the smaller state campgrounds in the park. With only about 10 tenting sites and equally as many lean-tos, it fills up quickly. 3. Beaver Bay: This area has a couple of lean-tos that are on a first come, first served basis. This area is one of the nicest for scenic beauty and tranquility. 4. Big Island: This is also an excellent spot with a couple lean-tos. 5. Outlet Bay: This bay is an outlet of the Raquette River and has several lean-tos. There are also some tenting sites right off North Point Road at the tip of the outlet.

Extended paddling options

There are several areas where you can paddle beyond the shores of Raquette Lake, and I highly recommend you do some exploring in these regions. You won’t be sorry. 1. South Inlet: This narrow, moving stream will get you out and about and up into the beaver swamps. While it starts out rather wide, it eventually gets narrower, but the scenery along the way is still big. 2. Brown’s Tract Inlet: This is a popular side trip. A grassy passage will bring you along the base of Fox Mountain and back toward Brown’s Tract Ponds. Take your time along this backcountry passage, and maybe you’ll see a moose. 3. Marion River: This river route will bring you back to Utowana Lake, a popular paddling destination. A foot trail from the river leads back to Lower Sargent Pond, if the desire so strikes you. Enjoy the sharp oxbows as you seemingly come back upon yourself a few times. 4. Forked Lake Carry: This is a short carry along a road that will bring you to Forked Lake, the next major body of water along the Raquette River. Another state campground is on the eastern end of the lake. 5. Other fun side trips: While these small streams can be approached from Raquette Lake, they offer only a small bit of excursion potential due to their size. But under higher water conditions, feel free to explore as much as possible. Be sure to check out Sucker Brook, Beaver Brook, and Boulder Brook if you have the time.

As you can see, the potential for Raquette Lake is almost limitless.