Saranac

Guidebook : Adirondack Canoe Waters, North Flow

by Paul Jamieson and Don Morris

Don Morris, 166 Park Ave, Saranac Lake, NY 12893

NOTE: The gauge listed is downstream, and is affected by power generation dams which are located between this reach and the gauge. However, it is the best reference available.

Put in at Silver Lake Road is under dispute and could be problematic. Most parties start upstream at Union Falls ( see accompanying description).

Another put-in option accesses the river from Casey Rd. (Casey road runs just north of the river from Silver Lake Rd. to Union Falls). From the Silver Lake Rd. bridge, head north a couple hundred yards to the intersection with Casey Rd., and take a left (or a right if you're approaching from the Route 3 intersection). About 0.9 miles down this road there is a new (new several years ago) ~200 yard trail down to the river marked with yellow canoe carry discs. This trail is on State Land and is about 50 yards upstream from where the state land starts along the road. This put-in allows privacy that the Silver Lake Road bridge put-in does not. It also adds a pretty river section to the beginning of the run. This is the preferred takeout for the upstream Union Falls to Silver Lake section of the Saranac. Those running from Union Falls to this takeout should walk down the takeout trail before starting the run so they can identify the takeout from the river.

The run (from the bridge) starts with a 1½ mile flatwater section, followed by Tefft Pond Falls (Class IV+). This can be carried on either right or left, although the right side is much better. The next mile or so is a good stretch of class III-IV water, after which it settles down to class II/III or III for a while, before going through one more short III+ section (can be scouted on the right). Difficulty eases when the No. Branch comes in. End of trip

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