Raquette
River Section Main Route
From Long Lake Village it is 9.5 miles to the foot of the lake where you enter
the Raquette River. Pay attention, the channel from the lake is tricky, especially
when the water is low. To the extreme right, boulders on the shore indicate a
channel that is impassable in low water. To the left of this channel is a long
marsh tipped by a sand dune that juts out toward the lake, the main channel is
to the left of this point, along the edge of a curving sandy shallow. Still further
to the left is what appears to be another channel - avoid it. Lost Channel
comes in on the right, pass it by. A big oval boulder is seen ahead. The land
beyond it is an island. To continue down Raquette River, take the channel to the
left; the Deep Hole leanto is on the west bank of Raquette River at the mouth
of Cold River. Take the right hand channel, turn sharp right again where Cold
River comes in to reach Caulkins Creek leanto on Cold River. It is one mile upstream
to the leanto on the left bank. On leaving this camp, follow the right bank downstream
into Raquette below the island mentioned above. Travelers from the opposite direction
often lose considerable time by mistaking where Cold River comes in at the north
end of the island for the main branch of Raquette. Six miles below the outlet
is the carry around Raquette Falls. Located on the east bank of the river, the
carry is plainly marked. The trail goes along an old tote road for 1.25 miles
to the foot of the falls where a leanto, a small clearing and the caretaker's
cabin are located. About .5 mile below the foot of the falls, there is a leanto
on the east side of the river, one at the junction of Palmer Brook, and another
.5 mile below the junction of Palmer Brook. At the foot of the falls you may put
in again and canoe 6 miles farther down the river to Axton. The Stony Creek leanto
is located just above Axton, near the intersection of the outlet of Stony Creek
Ponds and the Raquette. Approximately five miles below Raquette Falls the
river makes its bend to the northwest in a broad reach. As one enters this stretch,
three large boulders are prominent ahead on the right shore. The insignificant
Stony Creek Ponds outlet comes in on the right, just upstream from these boulders.
You can see a highway bridge up Stony Creek Outlet to the right. If you want to
go to the Saranacs, follow Stony Creek Outlet as described in the Saranac section.
If you want to go to Tupper Lake, follow Raquette River northeasterly toward Axton.
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