Bog River and Lows Lake, Adirondacks, NY - Canoe/Kayak Trips on Waymarking.com

Put in at the lower dam on the Bog River at the posted coordinates. The river starts out fairly narrow with a scenic, rocky shoreline dotted with towering evergreens. It soon opens up in what is known as Hitchens Pond. Hitchens is a nice enough destination for a day paddle or even a quick overnighter at one of the designated campsites along its shore, but Lows Lake offers more in terms of scenic views and is worth the extra work to reach.

Paddle to the southwest corner of Hitchens to reach the carry over the dam into Lows Lake. The carry is short and over an easily negotiated gravel road.

A few minutes after putting at the end of the carry you will encounter a large floating bog. In past years paddlers could find their way around around it, but more recently (as of 2011) the passage has closed and it requires that you carry or drag your boat a short distance (about 15 feet) over it.

After the bog the river widens a bit and is about 100 feet wide at this point. After about an hour paddlers will reach the first of islands on Lows Lake. Staying to the southern end of the islands will bring you through some very shallow water that could require you to drag your canoe in places in times of low water, so it's better to stay to the right (north) of the islands.

Parking/put-in/launching information: Access to the area is via short gravel road off State Route 421 to Lows Lower Dam, where there is parking and a launching area. This road may be gated in the spring to protect it during frost out. Alternate paddle access is available at Horseshoe Lake Outlet. Paddling conditions to be expected: Flatwater on slow moving stream and lake Difficulty of the trip: Moderate experience recommended. Length of trip: Variable up to 11 miles Portages: 1 portage of .3 mile over dam. May also need to pull boat a short distance over a floating bog. Permits required: Permit required for stays of 4 nights or more on the same site. For permit see: NYS DEC Forest Rangers 6739 US HWY 11 Potsdam NY 13676 Type of trip: This is an out and back trip. Some paddlers choose to travel to the end of Lows Lake and make the 3 mile carry to the Oswegatchie River, which would require a shuttle to get back to the put in. Other information: There are 37 designated campsites on Lows Lake, Hitchens Pond and the Bog River. Some have pit toilets or outhouses and some have no facilities whatsoever. Campers can also camp on state land along the shore as long as they are 150 feet from water or a trail. Note, several of the islands are off limits June-August. Some of the shoreline is private property so make sure you are on state land before going ashore for any reason. No more than 9 people are allowed to occupy a campsite. Firewood around the campsites is scarce, but a short paddle to an island or section of shore away from the campsites will bring you to plenty of down wood. Bass fishing is very good on Lows Lake. Check out the Adirondack Paddlers Map by Paddlesports Press or Bog River and Lows Lake map by Raquette River Outfitters Take-out Coordinates: Not Listed

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