Southern Adirondack Lakes

Hidden Gem of a Ride

By Dave Kraus

It’s been a long couple of socially distanced months for all of us. “Stay home!” and “Flatten the curve!” flash from portable signboards along the highway. Only now are upstate enthusiasts getting back out together to enjoy their favorite outdoor sports. But even now, social distancing is still a priority.

If you’re a cyclist looking for someplace new to socially distance on your bike, then head out to the Pine-Canada-Caroga lakes and Piseco Lake area to experience this hidden gem of a ride through some of the nicest scenery you’re going to find in the Adirondack Mountains. It’s not near a well-known tourist route or a large population center, and that’s the beauty of it. Despite being just 20 miles north of the NYS Thruway, this region has kept its quiet rural character.

Start your 50-mile, round-trip ramble by parking at the beach in the small hamlet of Pine Lake. There’s plenty of space, and the small food concession at the beach may be open for post-ride snacks. Or stop by the deli at the Canada Lake Store & Marine to pick-up food and picnic supplies on your way north on NY Routes 10 and 29A.

Mount your bike, take a couple of quick right turns out of the beach area, and you’re headed north on Route 10 out of town. Keep an eye out for the giant spider on your left as you ride. It’s a great spot to stop for a celebratory photo when you’re almost done.

Route 10 is recently paved, with wide shoulders tailor-made for cruising on a bike. At mile three you’ll pass Stoner Lake. It’s named for famous early woodsman Nick Stoner, who made some of the first maps of this remote wilderness area in the early 1800s. As you continue north, you’ll pass through the hamlet of Arietta, one of several small towns founded by Rensselaer Van Rensselaer of Albany. In the early 1800s, Arietta boasted a hotel, a blacksmith shop and a general store. But today there’s only a few houses left.

From here northward on Route 10, the wilderness takes over as you cruise through forests, past green hills, and along the valley of the West Branch of the Sacandaga River. The road snakes back and forth through the trees, and there’s no shortage of peace and quiet. There are ponds and trails in the surrounding forest, and the regular paved turnouts at trailheads along the highway provide handy places to stop and take a break.

Just before mile 17 you reach the bridge over the outlet from Piseco Lake, and it’s only a short distance to your next turn, a left onto NY Route 8 going west. There are more vehicles here, but the road still has a wide shoulder, and it’s only about three miles until the next turn – a right onto Old Piseco Road that will take you north and east around the lake. This road has also been repaved recently, and it’s smooth riding.

There are plenty of views of beautiful Piseco Lake as you ride, and finally there are more houses, most of them seasonal camps. In the 1800s, logging and tanning provided prosperity to Piseco. But once all the trees had been cut, those industries left, and tourism became the main driver of the area economy. Today this community has few year-round residents, but the population swells in the summer. The lake gained its name in the early 1800s from a surveyor, Joshua Brown, who named it after an Indian named “Pezeeko” who lived on the western shore.

Along this road are two NYS DEC campgrounds, Point Comfort and Little Sand Point, and a bit farther north is the combined day use and camping area at Poplar Point. Each provides a chance to stop, walk your bike down to the beach, and take a break to enjoy the clear water, blue skies and fresh breezes.

After another mile you’ll see the historic Irondequoit Inn, a mainstay of Piseco tourism since 1892. A bit further along is the post office, small airport and small community. Then you’re back to a right turn on Route 8 to head back toward Pine Lake. One more turn, left onto Route 10 south, and you start retracing your pedal strokes. 

As you head south you get a whole new view of this historic and beautiful area. Just before mile 44, make a note to return later to explore Good Luck Lake and Good Luck Mountain from the roadside hiking trailhead, or just down the road to launch your kayak or canoe at the bridge over the West Branch of the Sacandaga River.

Before you know it, you’re once again passing through Arietta and shortly on the outskirts of Pine Lake, where that giant spider is still waiting on the roof for you. As you head back, enjoy a celebratory meal at the Nick Stoner Inn & 19th Hole (adjacent to the golf course) restaurant/pub in Caroga Lake, or Stump City Brewing in Gloversville for a Dagwood Light, Cayadutta Cream Ale or Milkshake IPA.

There may not be giant mountains, Olympic arenas, or steamboat parasailing in this quiet corner of the Adirondacks. But there are open, lightly traveled roads, beautiful scenery and friendly people. It’s a chance to get reacquainted with the true joy of cycling – and the true charms of the Adirondacks.

Some businesses may still have reduced business hours and/or services so check online or call them to confirm. When you go, please support local businesses. If you want a route map, visit: ridewithgps.com/routes/32473352.

Dave Kraus (dbkraus@earthlink.net) is a longtime area cyclist, photographer, and writer who is always looking for new, interesting routes to experience the outdoors in upstate New York. Visit his website at KrausGrafik.com.