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 Lets Glide Enjoy Fish Creek Park
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

Let's Glide - Enjoy Fish Creek Park!

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!

Lisa Sciacca

March 15, 2018

Share

So much to do

I just love winter and sometimes I feel like there are not enough days to do everything I want to do: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and ice skating. It is also hard to squeeze in the not-so-fun things that I must do, such as laundry, cleanin,g and filing income tax! On this particular Sunday I had promised myself to do laundry and file my income tax.

Plans change!

While gathering my paperwork to prepare for filing I received a text from my friend Trisa, she wanted to XC ski. Oh well, filing could wait another day and promises to one's self can be broken. We discussed where to go on the phone, being neither one of us wanted to travel far we decided to meet at the Fish Creek Campground entrance. It would be a 20-minute drive for Trisa from Saranac Lake and a 20-minute drive for me from Tupper Lake. Perfect for both of us!

One parking area is opposite campsite 36

We met at the entrance and once on the grounds we turned right after passing the ticket booth. We both saw trails, but had to continue down the road for a parking area. Across from campsite number 36, we found an area that could accommodate 3 or 4 cars.

Gear on

As we mounted into our bindings we talked about how everything looked like a winter wonderland, we also discussed skiing the main road as it was plowed but still had a nice layer of snow coverage and no sand. However, both of us had a great desire to be in the woods!

Finding the trail

There were red and blue trail makers, we took the red trail

We skied back toward the ticket booth to find the trail we had passed as we entered. Two ladies were skiing the road,  so we stopped to chat for a bit and admire their Golden Retriever. The trail we saw was actually a side road with slightly visible tire tracks from a truck. We decided to ski this road to see where it led. It was slow going as I was breaking trail and it was slightly sticky. Within no time at all we came to a blue trail marker on our right. The snow seemed so deep on that trail, we decided to stay on the road.

Another trail

Campsite near where we picked up the red trail

We continued on and came to a few camping sites where we had to stop to admire the view! We spotted a red trail marker and headed to that trail, it was gorgeous. I carried my oldest, smallest, camera and my cell phone in my jacket pocket. In my waist pack I had water, a couple of treats for us, Maxiglide, a cork, and a cloth.

Maxiglide is used when the snow is wet and sticky. I have heard people say, if you are out on a day when you need Maxiglide just stay home. It is messy stuff, so I carry a cloth to wipe off my hands after applying the wax with the sponge applicator, and I use the cork on the skis after applying the wax, as that is what we did years ago!  

The trail was so beautiful!

Walking not skiing

Thankfully, Trisa was patient with me as I stopped often to take pics. Getting the camera out of the pocket near my waist pack was not an easy task - so I ended up tucking it in a higher pocket.

Trisa being patient while I take pics!

It began to feel like I was walking instead of skiing as it was so sticky. Trisa was sticking as well, but it was so beautiful we didn’t want to turn around and go back on the main road, which was not sticky. There is nothing like skiing in forest — it's so peaceful and beautiful!

The red trail which prohibits motorized vehicles was well marked. On our right there was a snowmobile trail indicated by orange markers. We did not encounter any other people, or even traces of people, however we did see many animal tracks!

Our Return

When we could feel inches of snow clinging to the bottom of our skis we stopped to check the time, Trisa had to be home by 3pm so we decided to head back. Because we were now on our previous tracks and still sticking, I stopped to apply the glide. While opening my pack, I recalled the treats. We shared the fresh orange which I had picked up at Tops in Saranac Lake, a refreshing trail food. Then I handed Trisa a chocolate cookie a friend had made, it was wonderfully rich, just what we needed! 

Wonderful Glide!

There was no sense in both of us getting messy so I applied the wax and used the cork on our skis. Upon packing things up, I realized I lost my camera. We searched the extra short distance I had gone ahead of Trisa, and then Trisa stated it probably fell out when I took my pack off.  We went back to that area and she spotted it — just as I skied over it! I wiped it off  the best I could and tried it - luckily, it worked. We were happy that the camera was working and we were extremely happy that the Maxiglide worked! The ski out was fast and wonderful, so much more enjoyable than the way in. In no time at all we were back at the picnic area.

More action!

Snowmobile tracks going across the lake!

Once back near our vehicles I started to take pics and Trisa took off down the main road. Well, I couldn’t have that — she was getting more distance than myself so off I went! Way out on the lake we saw a couple of snowmobiles zooming. As we skied down the road we noticed where they accessed the lake and we soon saw a parking area near the pavillion filled with trucks and snowmobile trailers.

Jordan and Jesse

Sledders - Jordan and Jessie

A couple had apparently been there a few days as they were removing the snow from their truck and trailer. We learned  that Jordan and Jesse, from Saratoga, were visiting their aunt on Upper Saranac. They come to this area often to snowmobile, snowshoe, downhill ski, and paddle. They were familiar with Charlie's Inn and have stopped for food and drink on their outings. Tricia and I told them about the Shamrock, and gave them driving directions, however, they would have to ask other snowmobile enthausiasts how to get there via a sled!

Heading back to our vehicle we talked about Fish Creek  and the being a year-round recreational center! Summer fun includes camping, biking, swimming, paddling, and much more. In the winter you can snowshoe, walk, cross-country ski, and ride - if you happen to have a fat tire bike. It is truly an all-season area!

Share

Packages and Promotions

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

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 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
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. 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
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: