Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
    • Seasons
    • See all
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Accessibility
    • Arts
    • Attractions
    • Downtown
    • Health & Wellness
    • History
    • Live Music
    • Parks
    • Shopping
    • Stories
    • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
    • Hiking
    • Nature Walks
    • ADK Guides & Tours
    • Birding
    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Cycling
    • Downhill Skiing
    • Fishing
    • Golfing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Paddling
    • Snowmobiling
    • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • North Country New Year
    • Northern Current
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Packages
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
    • Accessibility
    • Downtown
    • Getting Here
    • Greater Region
    • Guide
    • Stories
    • Seasons
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • Local
    • Local
    • See all
    • Live Here
    • Meet the Locals
    • Real Estate
    • Town of Harrietstown
    • Town of North Elba
    • Town of St. Armand
    • Village of Saranac Lake
    • Do Business Here
    • Chamber Job Board
    • Essex County IDA
    • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
    • Professional Services
    • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Community Initiatives
    • Arts & Culture Master Plan
    • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
    • Saranac Lake Brand
    • Village Community Development Department

Celebrate Paddling ADK

Homepage Story 08 Lows Lower Dam Lows Ridge Surf and Turf Adventure
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
      3. Seasons
      4. See all
      5. Spring
      6. Summer
      7. Fall
      8. Winter
      9. Accessibility
      10. Arts
      11. Attractions
      12. Downtown
      13. Health & Wellness
      14. History
      15. Live Music
      16. Parks
      17. Shopping
      18. Stories
      19. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
      3. Hiking
      4. Nature Walks
      5. ADK Guides & Tours
      6. Birding
      7. Boating
      8. Camping
      9. Cross-Country Skiing
      10. Cycling
      11. Downhill Skiing
      12. Fishing
      13. Golfing
      14. Ice Fishing
      15. Mountain Biking
      16. Paddling
      17. Snowmobiling
      18. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      4. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      5. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      6. North Country New Year
      7. Northern Current
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Packages
      7. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      8. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
      3. Accessibility
      4. Downtown
      5. Getting Here
      6. Greater Region
      7. Guide
      8. Stories
      9. Seasons
      10. Spring
      11. Summer
      12. Fall
      13. Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
      2. See all
      3. Live Here
      4. Meet the Locals
      5. Real Estate
      6. Town of Harrietstown
      7. Town of North Elba
      8. Town of St. Armand
      9. Village of Saranac Lake
      10. Do Business Here
      11. Chamber Job Board
      12. Essex County IDA
      13. Franklin County Economic Development Co.
      14. Professional Services
      15. Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      16. Community Initiatives
      17. Arts & Culture Master Plan
      18. Downtown Revitalization Initiative
      19. Saranac Lake Brand
      20. Village Community Development Department

Lows Lower Dam to Lows Ridge, A surf and Turf Adventure

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!

Spencer Morrissey

August 22, 2013

Share

A surf and turf adventure is simple, first you paddle (surf) to a hike destination (turf) and then paddle back to your car. The Adirondacks are loaded with opportunities like these and the Saranac Lake Region does not fall short.

For this adventure we started by hauling our boats a bit out of the area and ending up in the Horseshoe Lake Area for the day. We unloaded our car near Lows Lower Dam but had to relocate the car a bit back up the road due to the heavy number of visitors. From here we endured the grueling carry of 100 feet to the sandy shore at Low’s Lower dam on Bog River. The launch itself has been a scenic destination of mine over the years so it’s always a treat to get back to paddle it up close and personal. We started our paddle along the calm waters of the Bog River in a wide area with rocky shores and serene settings. We proceeded down the Bog River into the narrows where we could see bottom at times and what appeared to be floating rocks. I ended up balanced on one of them and a teeter-tottering action started up, I had to fight to relieve myself of my unfortunate grounding with tipping over.

Moving along we enjoyed the river as it widened before us, this gave us time to explore the edges a bit. As we moved through we enjoyed the sounds of the local song birds and even attempted to get a few pictures, which never really turned out. At this point the river is that of a pond and as we continued through this widening an eagle decided to move above us and disappear into the dark shadows of the tall evergreens. Eagles have been seen in the region quite often and have great areas for nesting to the north. Great blue herons can also be seen fishing along the shore in the shallows as well, but we didn’t see any this day.

The rivers course naturally swung us north through another narrow area that quickly brought us to another widening that travels west once again and under the railroad tracks. The opposite side of the tracks bought us to yet another marshy area and tons of red-winged blackbirds, but still now majestic blue herons.

It’s fun to skirt the marshland, as the waters depth are shallow enough to see the small fishes that live there and on occasion stir up a passing otter, so we did just that. We took our time but saw no otters.  As we fed through the final narrows on this trip we finally reached Hitchins Pond. Hitchins Pond is a north to south shaped pond. Heading north first we checked out what looked to be a couple campsites and even more marshland, in hopes of seeing more wildlife.  We then headed south to Low’s Upper Dam and the hike up Low’s Ridge, which is the turf portion of our day. We decided to land and lock our boats to a tree at the grassy area, rather than continue up the stream to just below the dam. Then it was into our hiking boots and the start of our next leg.

The hike passed the remnants of old houses and structures to our right; these were very enjoyable, almost like taking us back in time. There were many wildflowers in the area which made the hike even that more colorful.  Before we knew it, we were at the DEC trailhead for the hike.

The trail started out climbing right off the bat, something I must have forgotten since the year prior; I typically blame that on rerouting.  We moved along quite well as the trail mellowed out and even dropped a bit. Going down on a trail that is supposed to be going up is never a great part of any hike, but since it was relatively short in distance we passed it off as nothing.  We eventually swung around the summit and popped out onto the open rocky top of the ridge. The views are always staggering on this little ridge. We explored the ridge as always, went down to the plaque, walked the narrow rock spines and relaxed for over an hour in the peace a quiet of being the only people on the summit. Hummus, fresh cherry tomatoes, cheese, crackers and dark chocolate got us revved up for the hike back to the boats and the paddle back to the car. Which was nearly similar to the adventure in, except it was all downstream.

Interested in doing a Surf and Turf, check out what a local guide service has to offer. Need a bite to eat? Saranac Lake has plenty of options to choose from. Need to rent a canoe or Kayak to do this adventure? Check out a local gear shop for details. 

Share

Packages and Promotions

range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Paddle & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Escape to the serene beauty of the Adirondacks and immerse yourself in nature as you paddle the tranquil waters of Lake Flower in a kayak, canoe,...

package
Activities and Attractions

Valid

-

Valid Apr. 1

- Apr. 1

The Wild Center Family Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy 2 adult and 1 child admission tickets to The Wild Center, where nature meets discovery.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Aug. 1

- Aug. 3

Valid Apr. 1

- May. 31

BikeADK Loves Canada - Weekender

BikeADK

BikeADK

Canadian Residents receive 15% off Registration!

package
Other
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Bike & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Explore the beauty of Saranac Lake and the newly developed Adirondack Rail Trail.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Fish & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy a 2-hour fishing session on Lake Flower for two, guided by expert anglers.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Jan. 30

Valid Jan. 21

- Jan. 21

Pet Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Your dog deserves an Adirondack getaway too. Book our pet friendly hotel near Lake Placid welcomes every member of your crew. Book our Pet Package...

package
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Golf & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Tee off at one of the Adirondacks' historic golf courses, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

package
Golf
range

Valid Apr. 18

- May. 13

Valid Apr. 18

- May. 13

Canadian Love - Victoria Day Package

Traverse Lodge

Traverse Lodge

20% off stays from May 15 to May 20 for our Canadian friends!

package
Load More
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•All Are Welcome•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES

Success!

You have successfully entered this contest. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for updating your information. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome by subscribing to our newsletter. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Success! Message Sent.

Thanks for being awesome. We have received your message and look forward to talking with you soon.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome. You can now download the guide.

Thank you!

You have successfully completed the Snowmobile Map Request form. You should receive a physical copy by mail in 1-2 weeks.

Share to: