Atwell

Atwell Martin, nineteenth-century hermit of North Lake was famous for his familiarity with the Black River headwaters and for eating prodigious amounts of food. For the past few days, we have followed suit in both categories.

Our first day at North Lake was a family day with members of both sides of my parents’ family visiting for the Fourth of July. It never rained, but looked like inclement weather for most of the day. Other than a quick paddle to the Nat Foster Lodge and a short sail around the bay, we mainly stayed home and visited.

The next day we packed the car and headed north on Route 28 to Woodgate. Our destination was a series of trails that lead to Gull Lake and Chub Pond – two remote lakes. We took a seven mile loop trail and found ourselves heading to the Gull Lake lean-to. It was a beautiful and remote site where we lounged for most of the afternoon. Looking at the scenery made us appreciate the remoteness of much of the western Adirondacks.

After a stop for Orange Blossom milkshakes, we packed the kayaks with camping gear and went to the northernmost spot on the lake on the North Branch of the Black River for a campsite in a picturesque hemlock grove. We went back to the Nat Foster Lodge for lasagna and then had a tranquil moonlight paddle back to our site where two bullfrogs belched us a lullaby.

The next day, we again stopped at the Nat Foster Lodge for food and games and then packed the kayaks on the car for a trip to South Lake – North Lake’s sister reservoir. We explored the shoreline and Raymond Brook, one of the inlets to the lake. On the return trip we found a stiff wind and got some exercise. It was back to camp for delicious enchiladas for us!

Our last day at North Lake was the laziest. The weather was unsettled so we spent the day playing games, doing crosswords and fiddling. However, we did check off a very important Adirondack experience with a delicious marinated venison dinner, something Atwell Martin would have had daily we think (thanks Pat!).

We’re back on the road and heading towards Lake Lila for some more paddling!