Bog River Flow

Thursday, October 31-Monday, November 4, 2024

Thursday, October 31, 2024

This was my last paddling trip of the 2024 season and my first to the Bog River Flow/Lows Lake in two years; primarily because the lower dam was under construction and I did not want to use any of the alternative routes (paddle down Horseshoe Creek or do a 2+ mile road walk to the Upper Dam). It was great that the area re-opened just in time for me to make a trip there.

This particular trip was special for another reason - I had my paddling partner, Russet with me. Russet is my daughter's four-year old Portuguese Water Dog. Russet and I have done some canoe camping trips together over the past couple of years. Most recently, we visited Massawepie and Taylor Pond. He's a great paddling and camping partner - he travels well in the canoe, sticks close to me while we're in camp and on-trail and provides great companionship. He really seems to enjoy the outings, particularly because he's off-leash most of the time. It's quite a contrast from his normal, everyday life - living in a condo in Washington, DC.

We left home around 5:15 and had an uneventful drive up, with one rest stop in Newcomb. Route 421, the road from 30N to the Lows Lower Dam road was in its usual terrible shape - lots of potholes, broken pavement, cracking, depressions and upheavals. I don't know who is responsible for the road, but it has been in need of major resurfacing for as long as I can remember. In fact, the dirt roads near Horseshoe Lake and to Lows Lower Dam are usually in better shape than 421. 

Speaking of the road to Lows Lower Dam, it has been widened, resurfaced and is in great shape. There are now two areas near the put-in, the larger one that could probably hold 15-20 vehicles, is closest to the put-in, the other (smaller one) can probably hold 8-10 vehicles, is just adjacent to the larger lot. Both provide a significant improvement to the parking situation, which has been a problem in all but very early and late in the season. There is a new sign board (with a map of the area) near the gate that blocks vehicular access to the lower dam, but no register as yet (which I would expect to see for the spring paddling season). 

There was only one vehicle in the lot when we arrived around 9:30, so I was able to park right near the gate, making uploading very easy and carrying to the put-in very convenient. It's hard to even characterize my excitement upon arriving, finding only one vehicle there and being able to visit one of my long-time favorite paddling destinations in the Adirondacks. The weather was good for the time of year - it was overcast, but not raining and temperature was moderate. There was some wind, but it didn't seem to be enough to make paddling difficult. My plans were open-ended; with one option being to paddle to Lows and camping there, another to camp at site #10 or #12 and a third option to camp at Hitchins Pond. I decided to just play it by ear and make a decision along the way.

Russet waited in the Forester as I unloaded the canoe, all the gear and took it down to the put-in. Then I took him out and we went down to the put-in. Since there wasn't anyone around I didn't put him on a leash or rope. As soon as we got down to the canoe at the put-in, he jumped in the canoe. I told him, "No, yet yet" and he jumped out and went in the water to the top of his legs. Then he wanted to go out onto the dam, but that could be dangerous, so I said "No, don't go out there." He came back and stayed near me as I loaded the canoe. 

Once the gear was loaded and we were about to get and launch, another guy (his name was John) arrived at the put-in. We chatted for a bit - he owns a farm in Red Hook (NY) and drove up for the day to do a day paddle. Soon Russet and I pushed off and began the paddle up the Bog River. This was familiar territory and despite it being two years since last doing this paddle, it still looked familiar. Russet sat in front of me as we paddled, as the thwart bag took up too much room and he was unable to easily lie down. 

Once we passed campsite #2 and were into more open water, we experienced a strong, constant headwind. One of my choices was to camp at site #6 on Hitchins Pond, which despite many visits to the area, I was never able to do because it was always occupied. 

So when we reached Hitchins Pond and found the site empty, and not really wanting to fight the headwind all the way to Lows Lake, I decided we make camp there. When we landed at the site (where there is a small sandy area), Russet jumped out of the canoe, ran up to the campsite and zoomed around. He was so excited!

It was easy to pull the canoe up on the landing area and unload it. I lifted the gear up onto the bank of the campsite. Upon going up to the site I noticed there was a good supply of cut firewood, some of which was already cut to a size that would fit in the woodstove. After Russet and I had lunch, I set up camp; which took most of the afternoon. I hadn't used the Luxe MiniPeak tent, so it took some time to configure it, with the accompanying Mini-Tarp properly, along with the woodstove. 

The MiniPeak, with the Winter Inner installed, had enough room for the cot and the clothing bag at its foot. I put some packing cubes with additional clothing under the cot. I left the RBW (Recreational Barrel Works) Coureur Canoe Pack, with other gear, outside the Inner. There was still ample room in the MiniPeak for me to sit by the woodstove.

The remainder of the day was spent setting up camp, processing firewood, playing with Russet (who was out and about the site) and exploring the immediate area around the campsite. 

We saw a few day paddlers, but no one else seemed to be camping. Later, Russet and I had dinner and sat by the woodstove. I had to be vigilant and monitor Russet's movements in the tent while the woodstove was going to be sure he didn't brush up against the it and get burned. 

We went into the Inner around 7:30. I climbed into my Hammock Gear 0 top quilt, which was attached to an Exped Dura 8R sleeping mat, which I inflated with a Flextail Tiny Pump and read by lantern and book light for awhile. Russet occupied himself by trying to get settled. Initially he located himself adjacent to the foot of the cot, but later moved up the blanket I had placed near the top of the cot and next to my head. After awhile it was lights out and time to sleep. Periodically, Russet would go on alert and growl, but he finally settled down and we both slept soundly until around 10:30, when we both went out while I checked that the tent was well-secured, as the wind had picked up significantly. Not long after we went back into the tent, it started to rain. I was awakened around 12:30 by the wind and the rain, both of which were heavier than before. I was next awakened around 3:30 by Russet moving about in the tent and licking my face. The rain was steady and probably stayed that way for several more hours. Russet woke me again around 7:15, wanting to go out. I let him out and after awhile, he returned (a bit wet) and I toweled him off.