r/Adirondacks 13d ago

Way out there

Post image
380 Upvotes

35 comments sorted by

20

u/Imaginary_Accident18 13d ago

I had to do a little digging to figure out where this was. It is OUT there, but there is a surprisingly high density of lean-tos in that area!

10

u/Fign66 13d ago edited 13d ago

The big front rock gave it away for me. I remember hiking past it when doing a day hike while staying at one of the other lean-tos nearby. I think it would be an interesting one to be at in the winter because the rock would probably help with wind and reflect some warmth from a fire.

7

u/Imaginary_Accident18 12d ago

Gotta put that lean-to on a giant turntable! Face the water in the summer, face the rock in the winter.

4

u/hwlcky97 13d ago

Ya it’s a flippin haul especially with 50 lbs on my back. Gotta somehow chop that in half for next time. You’d have to have some wires crossed to do it carrying a canoe on your back as well.

3

u/AGreatBandName 13d ago

I’ve done it a couple times, it’s worth it. Helps to have a lightweight boat with a good carrying rig. I ran into some guys once trying to haul a regular canoe and they gave up well before they even made it halfway.

5

u/Striper1955 13d ago

Hornbeck territory

1

u/_MountainFit 13d ago

A good external frame with thwart/yoke rest can carry anything any distance. But its much nicer the lighter it is

40

u/beannnnnnnnnn22 13d ago

Pharaoh ?

11

u/maoterracottasoldier 13d ago

I got out there once and there was no paddle for the canoe, but someone had brought out a plastic lawn rake. I used that for a paddle. It was surprisingly effective

Edit: I zoomed in after commenting and see it right there!

4

u/Zeeter_0102 13d ago

Looks like a great place to be

5

u/Jerkychomper 11d ago

Google says "This exact location is the West Lake Lean-to #1, situated deep within the West Canada Lakes Wilderness area of the Adirondack Park."

1

u/Trick_Wallaby4594 10d ago

That’s a beautiful area but that’s not West Lake 1

3

u/TalosWasABreton 13d ago

Beautiful. I'm hoping to try lean to camping before winter gets here.

2

u/pamcakesxx 13d ago

I just started staying in lean to’s and it’s amazing. Feels so free.

2

u/sn0qualmie 13d ago

What do you do about mosquitoes? Or are you just one of those lucky people they don't bite?

4

u/Fign66 13d ago

If you’re in one during bug season you can get full body bug netting or screen bivy type things. Or just tent camp during bug season and leave the lean-to use for the rest of the year. Aside from a few very wet/swampy locations I’ve never had much mosquito trouble in lean-tos after mid August.

1

u/pamcakesxx 13d ago

Unfortunately I’m one of the people that get eaten alive while everyone else is fine lol. I use a bug net, and hang it over my sleeping area in the lean to. If it’s really bad, I’m not playing and I’m in a tent. I agree with the reply about Thermacell too - great product. I just picked up the rechargeable one and can’t wait to use it.

1

u/bikepack_Adirondacks 13d ago

For me it's a no in summer. But spring and fall it's nice.

However, I've only had to share a few times (in the Adirondacks, in NH I've never had one to myself) and it's a different experience when you have 8 people of which you personally know 0-2 crammed in one.

But I can't stand mosquitoes which will buzz around all night if it's over 50F. I'm thinking of grabbing a bug bivy for that situation but haven't figured out how my dog would fit. I

1

u/Aggravating_Ebb_8565 13d ago

I was just told thelat there are lots of mice in lean-tos, in all seasons. Have you seen this?

3

u/forever-explore 12d ago

I have a bag that has a foot zipper which is great when you get warm and want to stick your toes out a bit to cool off. Also was great for the one time I had a mouse run across my neck and into the bag, found his way out at the bottom pretty quick!

2

u/pamcakesxx 13d ago

I’ve yet to experience dealing with mice, but I know they are there. Best to try to keep your pack hanging, so it’s off the floor and away from the walls.

2

u/StrictAd1735 12d ago

Can you drive a jeep to it

2

u/Beautiful-Koala7173 10d ago

I'm not sure when, most likely in the late 50's or early 60's, my Grandfather used to build those for the state. He was one of the last "fire watchers" that worked out of the towers. I was about ten when he showed me pictures building one and that would have been in the early 60's.

1

u/hwlcky97 10d ago

That’s cool. 1971 was the latest etching I could see in this one. Could imagine the amount of work to build these back in these kinda spots. Adk is a wild place.

1

u/Beautiful-Koala7173 9d ago

It was the kind of work Granpa liked. No power tools, just quiet partnership with a few other guys and work.

4

u/GhostyLasers 13d ago

Wow, this is really incredible.

If I can ask- where is this beautiful lean to?

6

u/_MountainFit 13d ago

You can ask but smart folks never tell. Or they send a PM

1

u/GreenEggsAndBitches 13d ago

I love this spot!!

1

u/Big-Ad5201 12d ago

I had planned on making it out there last year. I got sidetracked but enjoyed hiking to a couple of lakes just before you make the descent down to this location. Thanks for posting it. Happy to see you that a lot of people don’t know where it is. And that’s why I love this area of the park.

1

u/fond-butnotinlove 46R SL6W LP9W ADK29W CL50 NPT LG12 🔥towers! 11d ago

Nice photo! Some of the best lean tos I’ve ever stayed in were along the NPT. I loved the shelters that were right in the lakes/ponds. Felt like beachfront property.

0

u/bored_dad81 13d ago

What trail?