Steere Island - Lake George, NY - 7/28/11

Another kayak camping trip to Steere Island in the Mother Bunch Islands of Lake George, NY.  The last trip was 6/26/11 (see earlier post), and it wasn't quite warm enough to swim.  This time the water was great  and we swam 3 or 4 times.

This trip was with Leesa and Nick.  We launched from Huletts Bay about 4 PM. 

Paddling south from Deer Leap towards Steere Island

We paddled to the island in 30 to 40 minutes then setup the tent and got everything arranged.  We took a dip in the lake and then headed south to paddle around the Mother Bunch Islands.

Nick

We turned around at Hatchet Island to return to Steere Island.  On our way, we stopped at Picnic Island (a day use island), and looked around and took another swim.

Looking west near sunset

Looking south, just before sunset

We returned to our site and took one last swim for the day, then got our campfire going and had some dinner.  It was a nice night for camping.  There was a light breeze and the temperature stayed in the mid to upper 60's.

Nick read a little as we were getting dinner ready

The fire is started and time to cook dinner

We had a good nights sleep.  The loons were making some noise at dusk and again in the morning.  It's such a nice sound to listen to.

An interesting church on the small private island called Harbor Island

Heading to the eastern shore before going north back to Huletts Landing

We returned our car at 9:30 AM and got home just as the sky was beginning to threaten rain.  This was Nick's 1st kayak camping trip and he enjoyed it.

Steere Island (Lake George - Mother Bunch Islands) - 6/26/11

This was a great kayak camping trip to Steere Island (in the NW corner of the Mother Bunch Islands) on Lake George.  My son Zack and I launched from the Washington County Beach at Huletts Landing on the East shore about 2 PM.   The weather was somewhat overcast, and sprinkles developed just after we launched, but it was supposed to clear. 

Steere Island in sight

The sprinkles quickly stopped and we arrived at our destination and set up camp.

On the island looking towards the site

After camp was ready, we got back in the kayaks and paddled south through the Mother Bunch Islands to Black Mountain Pt.  We stopped and explored the picnic area there and then paddled north back through the islands to "our" island.  The sky again treatened for a little while, but that just added to the wonderous look of the sky.

Zack, enjoying the night

Racing against the threat of a storm

Steere Island is a one campsite island.  Two tents and up to four people are allowed.  There is no tent platform, but there is a dock, picnic table and fire ring.  We thought the island was beautiful, and Zack quickly strung a hammock to enjoy a little r&r.

Zack at his best

We had a nice campfire and went to sleep.  The next morning there was a beautiful sunrise.  Later we packed up camp and paddled past the Harbor Islands and back to Huletts Landing.  Round trip distance was around 13.5 miles.

sunset

a beautiful morning

Our approximate route is highlighted in blue

The only snag was we drove off leaving our paddles on the beach.... I later went back and they were still there.  Our good excursion was preserved!