This is the reason people fall for the property. From the Colden Lodge dock you have access to over fifty miles of contiguous waterways, which makes the cabins a premier launching point for Oseetah, Kiwassa, Lower and Middle Saranac Lakes. A kayak and a paddle boat are waiting for you.
A first easy morning
Head out on Lake Flower and follow the shoreline. It is sheltered, scenic and forgiving, with the village on one side and forest on the other, and you can be back within an hour if the weather turns.
Paddle south and the water opens into Oseetah Lake, a maze of bays, islands, marsh channels and drowned stumps. Herons, loons and the occasional osprey are regulars. Give yourself two to three hours to wander and get gently lost.
Going further up the chain
From Oseetah you can continue to Kiwassa Lake, or work through toward Lower Saranac, which is studded with island campsites and framed by Ampersand Mountain. Strong paddlers make Lower Saranac and back in a full day; most people take a lazier route and stop for lunch on a rock.
Beyond Lower Saranac, the state lock at Bartlett Carry area and the connection through to Middle Saranac open a genuine multi-day route. If you want the full traverse to Upper Saranac, plan a shuttle rather than a return trip.
The 90-Miler and paddling culture
Every September the Adirondack Canoe Classic, known locally as the 90-Miler, runs from Old Forge to Saranac Lake over three days, finishing right here in the village. If you are staying that weekend, walk down and watch the boats come in. It is one of the best free spectacles in the Adirondacks.
The village is a paddling town year round. Outfitters rent canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, run shuttles to distant put-ins, and will happily tell you where the wind will be kindest that day.
Paddling smart
Adirondack lakes are calm at dawn and choppy by mid-afternoon when the wind picks up, so long crossings belong to the morning. Plan to be off the big open water before the breeze builds.
Wear your life jacket, take water and a dry bag for your phone, and tell someone at the cabin where you are heading. Then enjoy the fact that the walk home from the water is measured in seconds.
Good to know
- A kayak, a paddle boat, a boat slip and a private dock come with the property.
- Sunrise on Lake Flower is glassy and often mist-covered. Set an alarm once; you will not regret it.
- Rentals, shuttles and guided paddles are all available in the village, a few minutes away.
- Sandy beach access means an easy launch and an easier landing.
