Attempting the Cranberry Lake 50

At the end of September, T and I headed up to the Adirondacks to try to do the Cranberry Lake 50. Our plan was to start in Wanakena and head clockwise, taking five days. We ended up bailing out after four days, at Chair Rock Flow, due to a combination of issues with untested gear, as well as (if I'm being honest) fatigue on my part from not being in shape.

However, the trail was beautiful! The temperatures were perfect, and the leaves were beginning to turn. We really want to come back next year and finish it.

The first night, we stayed at Birch's Lakeside. The general store also has a campground, which is primarily used for RVs that stay for the season, but they have a few (paid) tent spots, which you need to reserve in advance. 

The second night, we stayed at the Cranberry Lake Campground. It's a ways off the trail (definitely farther than the maps say), and again requires payment.

Our third night, we stayed at Curtis Pond. This gorgeous site barely fit our tent. If you're a hammock camper, I don't think there are trees here that work. We were really very relieved to get there and find no one already camped, since we didn't have the energy or daylight to make the next site - or to go back to the previous. 

Our fourth and final night was spent at Chair Rock Flow. There is room here for quite a few tents, and it's also the last place the water taxi can pick you up. Luckily, it was the rare spot with internet, and we decided to call for a ride out. 

At that point, we were ¾ of the way around the lake, but about 30 out of 50 miles complete - the last section takes the long way around the lake.

People talk about this hike being "flat," but it's only flat relative to the eastern Adirondacks and real mountains. It's not flat like the Batona Trail! While we did that in four days, I would want five or six for Cranberry Lake, at least at my current fitness level.

It is beautiful, however. There are not as many lake views as you might assume from the name - you're often far from the shore - but there are beautiful ponds and nice woods.

Next year, part two!