Cedar River Flow, July 2020

Because of the Covid-19 virus, I was unable to take any backpacking or canoe camping trips in the spring and early summer. So, On July 7 I embarked on my first Adirondack canoe camping trip of the 2020 season. I was fortunate enough to have wonderful summer weather for the entire four days. 

Day 1: Tuesday, July 7, 2020

I left home 7:15 in the morning and around 11:30 arrived at the Wakely Dam, which is at the northern end of Flow where the put-in is located. Parking is close to the water so getting ready to launch was quick and easy.

After signing in at the register, I proceeded to paddle out into the Flow. It was sunny and there was a slight breeze, so the paddling was very easy and pleasant. 

My original plan was to camp at site #5, which is about 3 miles down the Flow on the eastern shore. I was interested in camping at this site because it is close to the where the Cedar River enters the Flow; I was planning on exploring the river and possibly camping there later during the trip. However, when signing the register, I noted that another (previously registered) party indicated that they were going to camp there. I decided to paddle there anyway, as people do change their minds. There are other campsites along the eastern shore, so I could always backtrack to one of those sites if #5 was actually occupied. 

I decided to visit unoccupied campsites as I paddled out onto the Flow. My first stop was campsite #1, a short, 10 minute paddle from the put-in.

Campsite #1 is out on the main part of the Flow, at its northern end. It has a southern exposure and a fine view up the Flow.

I left campsite #1 and headed over to the eastern shore to visit campsite #2, which is large, open site with large, sandy landing area.

After a quick stop at campsite #2, I proceeded up the eastern shore of the Flow towards site #3.

Just around a point and a short distance up the shore I came to campsite #3. It has a small landing area and an open view of the Flow. 

After a quick visit to the site, I headed out again towards campsite #4, where I had camped on my previous visit here.

Campsite #4 was also empty. I stopped to check it out and then continued up the Flow towards campsite #5.

In about a mile I arrived at campsite #5 and found that it was occupied (this photo was taken later on in the trip). I had a pleasant conversation with the family that was camped there and then headed back toward site #4. Upon arriving at campsite #4, I had a late lunch and set-up camp. There was a good breeze so the deer flies were kept at bay. 

After lunch, I spent some time taking photos, shooting some video and making some field recordings at the campsite.

There was a spectacular sunset that night. The campsite faces west, so I had a great view of it. As night settled in, the Flow became quite active and noisy.

Day 2: Wednesday, July 8, 2020

The day dawned gray and overcast, the weather unsettled and looking like it will rain. There were brief periods of sun and it was very breezy. Temperature was a very comfortable 74 degrees. The plan for the day was to take photos, shoot video, make field recordings and read. 

In the afternoon, I ended up taking a short paddle to check out site #3, which was visible from my campsite and just a short way up the eastern shore. Upon my return to the campsite, I took a short, refreshing swim. The bottom of the Flow near the campsite was sandy and very shallow for a good distance out.

I also collected and processed some firewood.

Later in the day, the skies cleared and there was another nice sunset.

Day 3: Thursday, July 9, 2020

The following day started out sunny and warm. I decided to head back to the southern end of the Flow to see if I could find the Cedar River and then paddle up it several miles to the Carry Lean-to, which is just off the Northville-Placid Trail. This would also provide another opportunity explore the grassy area at the southern end of the Flow. 

After finding the entrance to the Cedar River, I proceeded up the river and very shortly came upon a beaver dam. I carried around it and continued up the river.

Soon, I arrived back at the beaver dam. I carried around it and entered the grassy area of Flow.

Soon after entering the grassy area of the Flow, I stopped to take photos. Soon afterwards, a bird that was apparently swimming underwater, surfaced and flew off.

I continued on, paddling through the grasses back to my campsite.

Friday, July 10, 2020

The sunrise on the last day of my stay on the Cedar River Flow was spectacular.

The last day was bright and sunny. After breaking down camp and loading the canoe, I set out for the short 30-minute paddle to Wakely Dam. There was very little wind, so the water was calm. I followed the eastern shore for one more look at the three campsites that are before the dam. 

When I arrived at site #2, I decided to paddle into the small bay to the left of the campsite. Shortly after entering it, I startled a Great Blue Heron that was in the back part of the bay. I watched as it flew up and out of the bay. 

After a brief stop at site 1, I paddled the short distance to put-in at the dam, unloaded my gear from the canoe, loaded it into the car and secured the canoe to the car.

Once everything was loaded, I headed down Cedar River Road towards Indian Lake. About 4 hours later, I was home.