Indian lake boasts a nice DEC State Boat Launch on the spit of land between Lewey Lake and Indian Lake in Sabael (GPS Coordinates 43.652017, -74.387589). Boats large and small can launch there. A large parking lot makes parking a breeze. Canoe rentals are also available (in season). There is an $8 day use fee for parking during the summer months.
This launch site was my jumping off point for a long day paddle to see Dug Mountain Brook Falls. It was roughly 8.3 miles each way, plus a .25 mile hike each way to see the upper falls. Prior to the paddle adventure, I took my dog Rev for a morning walk before the extreme heat and humidity of the day, then I left her to take a nap in the cool cellar.
It was noon when I finally got myself on the water. It was about 85 degrees and with the excessive humidity it felt almost tropical inland, but not on the water!
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| Sign on Route 30 at the boat launch entrance |
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| Snowy Mountain to the West |
There was a nice breeze on the water which kept me from sweating profusely. Plus I came prepared to swim and swim I did. Indian Lake has almost unlimited inviting landing points with sandy beaches where it is easy to land jump into the water.
For those that are interested in camping, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation runs the Indian Lake Islands Campground. Reserve America handles the reservations. There are 55 sites, and all the sites I've seen are awesome. It's hard to go wrong with a site on Indian Lake. Some of the sites are on islands and some are on the shoreline, but all are exceptionally nice and very private.
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| My 1st stopping point for a swim |
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| Another swimming break spot |
After about 2-1/2 hours of paddling and swimming I entered the Jessup River and found the location where the Dug Mountain Brook spills into the Jessup. There is a picnic area sign there and a spot with a fire ring and a picnic table. The lower falls is visible from the Jessup.
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| Lower Dug Mountain Brook Falls |
To get to the upper falls, you have beach the boat and take a short .25 mile hike. I was ready to take a break from paddling and stretch my legs. I followed a herd path on the north (left side) of the brook and made my way upstream. There are a couple blowdown trees to climb over, but nothing too bad. I reached the upper falls in a matter of minutes.
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| Upper Dug Mountain Brook Falls |
Of course I went for a swim here at the upper falls also. I thought the water might be a bit colder than the lake but it wasn't bad. Usually the mountain stream are quite cold, even in August. There was a little spot in the basin of the falls where the water depth was over my head, but I got right in and got under the falls. Mission accomplished! Another great waterfall swim.
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| Some cools afternoon clouds passed through between 3 and 4 PM. |
It was just about 3 PM when I left Dug Mountain Brook Falls to replace my route back to the boat launch. There was a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm, but while a few clouds rolled through, no rain developed.
I kept up a steady pace got back to the north end of John Mack Bay in just over an hour. The sun was back out, so I nosed around the southern end of Long Island for a bit before paddling the final 2.3 miles back to the launch.
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| Nobody was on site 33 yet, so I stopped there for a snack. |
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| That is a large stump! |
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| The south end of Long Island |
My arms suddenly got tired in the last mile of the paddle. I hadn't paddled this distance yet this year so it felt good, but I was suddenly tired.
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| Heading back to the launch |
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| The route |
Paddle Stats:
Paddle Distance: 16.8 miles
Hike Distance: 0.5 miles
Trip Time (including stops) - 5 hours
