April 2016 – Long Lake

14 Adiron”Hacks” for Campers in the ADK, Long Lake NY

by admin | No comments | 2016, Adventures out of LL

It’s the time of year for camping. Meme’s featuring John Muir quotes pop into various social media feeds. Fans of Lake Eaton, Forked, Browns Tract and 8th Lake have booked their sites months in advance on Reserve America to get the best spots.

John Muir Meme’s are big in camping social media feeds. Inspiring reminder of the power of nature.

Backpackers and paddlers are pulling out their classic ADK Guidebooks and combing maps for their next big adventure. We’ve pulled together some of the favorite camping hacks that would be useful and practical while camping in the Adirondacks. Whether you’re in a tent, lean-to or an RV, there’s something for everyone!

Save the Doritos for your midnight snack!

1. Use Doritos for Kindling. Ok we’ve done a bit of research, culled videos, spoken to people. Yes, it works to get the fire started, but users beware, you’ll be thinking about those Doritos and wish you had saved that bag for a midnight snack. Instead do what campers in Raquette and Long Lake have been doing for years.. grab your copy of the Mountain Times (after you’ve read it and supported the advertisers of course!) and use that as your firestarter!

Use the Mountain Times as your firestarter! Only after you’ve marked your calendar with all our great events and supported our advertisers!

2. Keep your toilet paper dry by using a coffee canister as a toilet paper dispenser.

Never have wet camping TP again!

3. Use a Frisbee as a plate, to fan the fire or to just play catch with the family. A great way to get a Frisbee in Long Lake is from the Adirondack Growl and Grub! They serve their yummy deli sandwiches on frisbees!

The Adirondack Growl and Grub serves up food on frisbees. Useful to fan your campfire!

4. Use Tic Tac containers for your seasonings. Everyone needs garlic powder and oregano on a camping trip. I’ve watched Survivor on TV and I’ve seen them eat bugs to win spices for their meals. Packing your tumeric and cumin into these convenient containers is definitely a space saver.

Pack your spices in a Tic Tac box.

5. Toast crescent rolls over the campfire. Add in some nutella or marshmallows for dessert or wrap it around a hot dog for your own pig in a blanket or as we say literally.. “Dog in a crescent.”

Crescent rolls over a campfire.

6. Use a shoe organizer for all your kitchen utensils.

Shoe organizer for camping utensils.

7. Create a miniature First Aid Kit and store it in a presecription bottle, or an altoid tin and it keeps it dry and free of dirt.

8. I can’t WAIT to try this weird one on vacation. Roasting Starbursts. Heard it’s yummy, so going to have to try this one ourselves.

9. Rough it pillow. This is good for the backpacker or paddler. Stuff your clothes into a stuff sack and use as a pillow.

Pillow are for wimps! Naw, just kidding! But here’s an easy hack.

10. Use hand sanitizer to start a germ-free fire. (hmmmm.. not sure starting a germ free fire really makes sense unless you’re worried about the stick you used for roasting the crescent rolls and the starbursts)

Clean your hands and start a fire. Use caution people.

Long Lake is in the Western High Peaks Zone B, but being cautious in the woods is smart.

11. A big one, and a legal one, for the Eastern High Peaks of the Adirondacks, and it’s not a bad idea in general, is to use a bear resistant canister. We’ll break this down for you. The reason we think you should keep everything small, it’s easier and more compact to store in the bear resistant canister.

Bear resistant containers are hard to hold.

Pack all scented items, and toiletries in the canister
Choose food wisely so you have enough room to stuff it in your canister
Store canister 100 feet from campsite and cooking area
Don’t hang the canister and always follow NYS DEC Bear Resistant Canister Regulations.

13. And for those of you that don’t like bugs (ok who does) we recommend burning sage on your campfire. So at least if it doesn’t keep the bugs away it will smell nicer. We’ve also heard of hanging Bounce dryer sheets and rubbing the scented sheets on your clothing is gentle and effective at combating those pesky bugs. But don’t take our word for it. Try some of these Hacks and send them in to us on our Long Lake FB page.

Burn sage over the campfire and tell scary stories. (It will keep the bugs and the ghosts away too)

14. We had to do 14 Hacks for the 14 miles of Long Lake. Yah, if you aren’t bringing your own container of water (yah, we know, water isn’t light) best practices and recommendations are to boil the water for at least 5 minutes and treat it with purifying tables or filtering it through a filtration device. Shhh.. we don’t like to say it, but better to be safe than sorry and prevent giardia. (and an FYI – always bring back up filtration option if you are out in the woods in case of something going awry, like a hole in the water bag)

Always boil for 5 minutes and treat with tablets or filter your water!

For a complete guide to the very specfic rules and regulations for camping in the Adirondacks we highly recommend reading up on the rules right here from the NYS DEC Website. NYS ADK Camping Rules & Regs

There’s all sort of other fun hacks all around the web. These were just a few of our favorites.

And remember Camping is Fun! It’s an adventure! And if you camp in and around Long Lake or Raquette Lake we have plenty to do!

Economic commentary on Adirondack camping.

20 BEST THINGS TO DO IN LONG LAKE AND RAQUETTE LAKE IN 2016

Apr 12

Spring Flings and Ideas

by admin | No comments | Business in Long Lake, Business in Raquette Lake, Uncategorized

It’s Spring in the Adirondacks. There are things to do in the Raquette Lake/Long Lake region even before it’s warm enough to swim.

The Adirondack Lean-To Challenge is New for 2016

The Adirondack Lean-To Challenge
New for 2016 is the Adirondack Lean-To Challenge This challenge was established to encourage people to get out into the wilderness and enjoy the Adirondacks for more than just a day hike. Through this challenge you will hopefully get a chance to experience it’s true wonders. Spending an evening in an Adirondack Lean-to can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience.This unique challenge requires the participants to try all recreation in the Adirondacks. You’ll hike, paddle and camp in order to complete the challenge. There are three levels of this challenge, but the Regular Challenge requires a total of camping out in 5 lean-tos, do three hikes, two paddles, five nights and five wilderness areas. Got it? Well not to worry, check out the website for details on this new and exciting Adirondack camping challenge.
Hike or Paddle into a lean-to in five of the wilderness or canoe areas and spend the night.

Hiking Just for Hiking Sakes
Not quite up for the committment that the Adirondack Lean-To Challenge beholds, that’s ok. Hikers of all levels can take advantage of some great spring vistas a short distance from Raquette Lake/Long Lake during our bugless, leafless season. Popular favorites (and there are many) inlude, Death Brook Falls, Coney Mountain, Castle Rock and Sargents Ponds. All family friendly hikes a short distance from Long Lake or Raquette Lake depending on your home base. For more info check out hiking descriptions, and gear list check out our hiking page. We also have a list of upcoming Summer hiking expeditions that Joan Collins and Spencer Morrissey will be leading in 2016.
Hiking around Long Lake

You can even get a group of Adirondack Tourism Directors to raft down the river!

Spring Rafting
Here’s a trick! Go rafting in the Spring when the water is high and the rapids are real. The rafting capital of the world launches from Indian Lake NY. There’s a variety of places to choose from. Make your reservation for your weekend and stay in Long Lake or Raquette Lake, both equidistant from the rafting launch. Check out Adirondac Rafting Adventure Sports Rafting Company
Or sign up with Square Eddy and have a unique experience at OK Slip Falls Square Eddy Rafting

Paddling Long Lake part of the Raquette River and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail

Northern Forest Canoe Trail Kiosk has a registration book in Raquette Lake

Paddling. Don’t forget your passport!
The ice is out and its an early season to start enjoying the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. The 740 mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) links the waterways of New York, Vermont, Québec, New Hampshire and Maine. Both Long Lake and Raquette Lake offer up kiosks to register and read up on legs of the trip. Long Lake/Raquette Lake is also along the 140 mile Raquette River Blueway Corridor, so checking out the northern portions of the Raquette including Colton all the way north to Potsdam is another way to approach the journey.

Winding Down after the Spring Recreation.

Ok, not everyone is suited for the scrappy lifestyle of the forest floor or a lean-to. And we know sometimes you just want to kick back with your friends after an outing and have a bite to eat, a beer and a soft place to rest your head.

Check out the portraits at the Tap Room. Look up!

Dining
Try Monday Night Pastabilities at the Raquette Lake Tap Room. Always warm, filling and a taste of homemade yummyness. Not to mention the right price and massive portions. Call 315-354-4581 for the specials. The Tap Room is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It’s small, quaint, great service and hearty food at a reasonable price. You can’t miss out on this true Adirondack icon.

Grab a growler to go at the new Adirondack Growl and Grub located behind Hoss’s in Long Lake

Lunch
Hungry after your hiking and rafting adventure? Long Lake offers unique spots. Stop into the latest addition to Long Lake’s eateries where a bite into the fresh, baked deli roll by Joe and a build-your-own sammy (well Joe will build it for you) while you indulge in a selection of delectable craft beers and cider. Joe and Ally know their beers, makers and the history. Don’t miss out on this cool, new bistro in Long Lake. Order a growler to-go as a memento of your awesome experience and share with your friends. Adirondack Growl and Grub Located behind Hoss’s Country Corner.

Panini couple with soup at the Post. Comforting post-adventure

Don’t forget to check out the panini’s and soups up at the ADK Trading Post. You can get some fishing lures and worms while you’re at it! Panini selection is original and honors iconic Adirondack locations all while pleasing the palate. Panini’s are named for spots from the Pinnacle, Little Tupper, Lake Lila, Sagamore to Coney Mountain – yes, these are all sandwich names. Come down and try one for yourself and don’t forget the soup!

Dina Kennedy Reiki is a great way to heal, refresh your spirit and re-energize for your next spring adventure

Healing in the Adirondacks
Let’s just say your are sore, tired, anxious and willing to try new way of experiencing relaxation. Not a massage, not accupuncture, but a virtual combo of different energy techniques are availbale at Dina Kennedy’s Reiki Studio. Dina is a healer, a teacher and a mentor and serves the community in and around the Long Lake area. Her clients love the healing of the Adirondacks region and it’s definitley worth the experience.
Located near Lake Eaton your one stop shopping mall in Long Lake offers Ali Babas Liquor Store, Dina Kennedy Reiki and the Laundramat too at 1601 Tupper Road.

Plenty of activities in the Spring. It’s a great way to come up and explore everything before the season begins. Take a scenic drive with your canoe tied down on top. Plan your own adventure and make sure you let us know how it is! Message us at longlakeinfo@yahoo.com or to the Facebook Page with stories and pictures of your springtime explorations!