kwc
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- Mar 31, 2016
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Three days, two nights in the Whitney Wilderness in the northern Adirondacks on Little Tupper Lake. Hard to imagine that this entire area was once a wealthy family's "playground" (the Whitneys still own property on a small portion of the lake). Awesome weather, calm waters, eagles, beavers, & loons. Black flies have pretty much disappeared but the mosquitoes have filled the void quite nicely.
Heading down the lake ...
![C75963A3-2C9D-4FF1-A361-F4CB0B386AB0.jpeg C75963A3-2C9D-4FF1-A361-F4CB0B386AB0.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89501-a464c666db86cd17d4f427a2051482ee.jpg)
Campsite #12 ... at the far end of the lake. Yup, I used an old cheap WalMart tent rather than my backpacking tent.
![3D90E298-F9B8-4C41-A99C-9225AFAC03E6.jpeg 3D90E298-F9B8-4C41-A99C-9225AFAC03E6.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89502-870e1809900a820e32a9304f3296233c.jpg)
This is one of the views from the campsite
![B7B0A266-A2FE-4BBF-AE6B-D830A4799DCC.jpeg B7B0A266-A2FE-4BBF-AE6B-D830A4799DCC.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89503-66d3e1ccf622e8d9af109ccb6ad28187.jpg)
After setting up camp & having some lunch I headed out for some exploration. This is the outlet from Rock Pond ... there are more campsites on Rock Pond but getting there involves a short portage (and a beaver dam crossing) ... saving that for another time
![0EEB69FA-3866-4810-815F-49C273C0D61E.jpeg 0EEB69FA-3866-4810-815F-49C273C0D61E.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89504-076c2f9ac669a4f0946682f00db5a95e.jpg)
And here is the beaver dam ... the skies were slowly brightening up too
![B66E9EB3-715E-468C-897A-A412914F6AA6.jpeg B66E9EB3-715E-468C-897A-A412914F6AA6.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89505-e21a39c30f35c171557370845ce2a042.jpg)
Heading back down the outlet ... almost back to Little Tupper Lake at this point
![BC0821B4-E5D9-4139-A185-811E7DE4A055.jpeg BC0821B4-E5D9-4139-A185-811E7DE4A055.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89506-580d8ac27b3277759b3c25ee78a57595.jpg)
Found another stream and followed it along and found this loon on his/her nest ... I had never seen a loon nesting before.
![D91F661D-8272-4673-A2C3-FAEDB52A5FA1.jpeg D91F661D-8272-4673-A2C3-FAEDB52A5FA1.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89507-95e4785e7cbfea8cae6955aa9d170d2a.jpg)
I slowly paddled a bit further and took a zoomed in shot from a distance of the loon on the nest
![DEC1C879-7B22-4D86-8332-CAA9337D46CB.jpeg DEC1C879-7B22-4D86-8332-CAA9337D46CB.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89508-a0a9a403c555eae5fb6ce936659f963b.jpg)
And evening shot from the campsite
![4580A3A0-45D7-41CC-8289-13AC4D1FAD2C_1_201_a.jpeg 4580A3A0-45D7-41CC-8289-13AC4D1FAD2C_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89509-1714a3edfd107e974dec3b8e06109dd6.jpg)
the sun setting as seen from the campsite
![8422CB94-527A-4744-8299-85D2696C67FB_1_201_a.jpeg 8422CB94-527A-4744-8299-85D2696C67FB_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89510-e8a43b259033a4b5c80fcb3525194c26.jpg)
early morning mist on the water
![8AFF106E-1009-42BE-A9B1-8EF6C0B9D128_1_201_a.jpeg 8AFF106E-1009-42BE-A9B1-8EF6C0B9D128_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89511-220c062cfb34bb6d52520fd4bad804d0.jpg)
Kinda spooky close-up of the clump of trees in the photo above
![499EC9FC-44E0-42D2-8599-41BF00672F7F.jpeg 499EC9FC-44E0-42D2-8599-41BF00672F7F.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89512-1609fa47881f5067b4001f8dc0f4f252.jpg)
exploring the lake ... there are some sandy beaches on the northern side of the lake but most of the shoreline is rocky
![181BB479-4708-4989-972F-CD066B1018DC.jpeg 181BB479-4708-4989-972F-CD066B1018DC.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89513-15c62ea272343a29b224e7ea9e1a475a.jpg)
More exploring ... and much to my surprise a bald eagle took off from that white pine bending out over the water ... I just wasn't quick enough to capture a photo of him/her.
![096AC5B7-47AD-4CB8-9C94-122DA8763698.jpeg 096AC5B7-47AD-4CB8-9C94-122DA8763698.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89514-1ef48e6db6f781537cf1c5d23e1970e3.jpg)
there are several islands on the lake ... one is fairly large and has a couple campsites on it
![2064C464-31ED-406C-911C-B2AA63881312.jpeg 2064C464-31ED-406C-911C-B2AA63881312.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89515-294b5a69d5d874c4d9dce364aade46df.jpg)
it was a great day to catch the reflections in the lake ... here is one of the sandy beaches. There is a campsite in the trees in the right hand side of the photo. It's a nice campsite that would catch the breezes nicely to keep the bugs away & you'd be able to see the sunrise from there as well.
![A7CB4C86-3F0D-4A79-9FFF-CAB03993E322.jpeg A7CB4C86-3F0D-4A79-9FFF-CAB03993E322.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89516-86b171ed87308155a4958b6bcaa5601b.jpg)
this loon popped up near me as I was paddling along
![C6EAC805-4A11-4105-BE9E-F62714000076.jpeg C6EAC805-4A11-4105-BE9E-F62714000076.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89517-747c490cadc65be260e7b39c2c4058e9.jpg)
one of the sandy beaches ... I landed here to check out another one of the campsites (it was a fair campsite)
![9192D659-1BE1-4AD3-B0D3-3FF29B3E913B.jpeg 9192D659-1BE1-4AD3-B0D3-3FF29B3E913B.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89518-bda4ac096b4e8c9d08b2222c1605b44d.jpg)
After dinner I went back out and headed down the outlet of Rock Pond again ...
![F079F6BF-6F63-4F00-A32C-D1ABB193B7A7_1_201_a.jpeg F079F6BF-6F63-4F00-A32C-D1ABB193B7A7_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89519-7af2027082ee970b91b24a887ac91a9a.jpg)
And saw this guy swimming across the water ... soon after snapping this photo he/she slapped his/her tail and dove under. I passed by several other beavers and they all showed their displeasure at my appearance by slapping their tails and diving.
![EC742265-2758-4F17-87F7-1D8902D5C06E.jpeg EC742265-2758-4F17-87F7-1D8902D5C06E.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89520-f31d8d41d96706339f3e5d0532e393e2.jpg)
exploring a side channel through the lily pads
![84DECC8B-EC8E-4F79-BAA2-2DCB8D461A3C.jpeg 84DECC8B-EC8E-4F79-BAA2-2DCB8D461A3C.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89521-d51e51fd61174c20dbd785db371f5683.jpg)
another sunset from the campsite
![4D75EAE0-6E94-4CFB-8301-ED2AE42A3CBB_1_201_a.jpeg 4D75EAE0-6E94-4CFB-8301-ED2AE42A3CBB_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89522-3b33e2eb8d8341815b142437b0d6009a.jpg)
Heading back out in the morning ... passing by one of the campsites. It's in the trees behind the rock outcrop (the red & blue on the rocks are some campers' clothing ... probably drying out in the sun)
![8412266E-34F6-4D0A-9BC1-D856D8E98720.jpeg 8412266E-34F6-4D0A-9BC1-D856D8E98720.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89523-0f4ebd443226bbe066e692340925c144.jpg)
another campsite is in the trees to the left of the rocks ... you can see a camper's water bottle on top of the one large rock
![DE9E2853-04FB-41D4-88AA-CB4465D8EDCF.jpeg DE9E2853-04FB-41D4-88AA-CB4465D8EDCF.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89524-3cbdb4702e6f2d6aa78346dd86e2226f.jpg)
reflections of the distant mountains as I paddled out
![718D0166-5846-4D5F-8FE3-9A2B757E9295_1_201_a.jpeg 718D0166-5846-4D5F-8FE3-9A2B757E9295_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89525-ef3c8186ebe384ae4ea2eced3258a61c.jpg)
this is how the DEC marks the designated campsites along the lake (this was my site). Sites are first come, first served. Staying at one campsite for more than three nights requires a free permit from the DEC ranger. There are 22 well dispersed campsites on Little Tupper Lake, 2 sites on the Rock Pond outlet, & 8 sites on Rock Pond.
![A65FB2CD-FBE1-4659-A265-F4711446517C.jpeg A65FB2CD-FBE1-4659-A265-F4711446517C.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89526-11a33129652d19f07c528c20daf3905a.jpg)
When I paddled in on Monday morning it was in the mid-60s, down into the mid-40s that night. Tuesday was in the upper 70s during the day, mid-50s at night. It was definitely much warmer Wednesday morning and was about 80 degrees when I arrived at the canoe launch around noon. This lake is notorious for windy/wavy conditions so I was very fortunate to experience calm waters during my entire stay. I saw only two people (father and daughter out fishing from their canoe) during my stay until I got closer to the canoe launch Wednesday where I saw several other canoes and kayaks out for day paddling (I know this because of how they signed in on the canoe launch register). Overall a great visit and I plan to return sometime soon. Perhaps this fall when the colors are changing & the bugs have disappeared.
Heading down the lake ...
![C75963A3-2C9D-4FF1-A361-F4CB0B386AB0.jpeg C75963A3-2C9D-4FF1-A361-F4CB0B386AB0.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89501-a464c666db86cd17d4f427a2051482ee.jpg)
Campsite #12 ... at the far end of the lake. Yup, I used an old cheap WalMart tent rather than my backpacking tent.
![3D90E298-F9B8-4C41-A99C-9225AFAC03E6.jpeg 3D90E298-F9B8-4C41-A99C-9225AFAC03E6.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89502-870e1809900a820e32a9304f3296233c.jpg)
This is one of the views from the campsite
![B7B0A266-A2FE-4BBF-AE6B-D830A4799DCC.jpeg B7B0A266-A2FE-4BBF-AE6B-D830A4799DCC.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89503-66d3e1ccf622e8d9af109ccb6ad28187.jpg)
After setting up camp & having some lunch I headed out for some exploration. This is the outlet from Rock Pond ... there are more campsites on Rock Pond but getting there involves a short portage (and a beaver dam crossing) ... saving that for another time
![0EEB69FA-3866-4810-815F-49C273C0D61E.jpeg 0EEB69FA-3866-4810-815F-49C273C0D61E.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89504-076c2f9ac669a4f0946682f00db5a95e.jpg)
And here is the beaver dam ... the skies were slowly brightening up too
![B66E9EB3-715E-468C-897A-A412914F6AA6.jpeg B66E9EB3-715E-468C-897A-A412914F6AA6.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89505-e21a39c30f35c171557370845ce2a042.jpg)
Heading back down the outlet ... almost back to Little Tupper Lake at this point
![BC0821B4-E5D9-4139-A185-811E7DE4A055.jpeg BC0821B4-E5D9-4139-A185-811E7DE4A055.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89506-580d8ac27b3277759b3c25ee78a57595.jpg)
Found another stream and followed it along and found this loon on his/her nest ... I had never seen a loon nesting before.
![D91F661D-8272-4673-A2C3-FAEDB52A5FA1.jpeg D91F661D-8272-4673-A2C3-FAEDB52A5FA1.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89507-95e4785e7cbfea8cae6955aa9d170d2a.jpg)
I slowly paddled a bit further and took a zoomed in shot from a distance of the loon on the nest
![DEC1C879-7B22-4D86-8332-CAA9337D46CB.jpeg DEC1C879-7B22-4D86-8332-CAA9337D46CB.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89508-a0a9a403c555eae5fb6ce936659f963b.jpg)
And evening shot from the campsite
![4580A3A0-45D7-41CC-8289-13AC4D1FAD2C_1_201_a.jpeg 4580A3A0-45D7-41CC-8289-13AC4D1FAD2C_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89509-1714a3edfd107e974dec3b8e06109dd6.jpg)
the sun setting as seen from the campsite
![8422CB94-527A-4744-8299-85D2696C67FB_1_201_a.jpeg 8422CB94-527A-4744-8299-85D2696C67FB_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89510-e8a43b259033a4b5c80fcb3525194c26.jpg)
early morning mist on the water
![8AFF106E-1009-42BE-A9B1-8EF6C0B9D128_1_201_a.jpeg 8AFF106E-1009-42BE-A9B1-8EF6C0B9D128_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89511-220c062cfb34bb6d52520fd4bad804d0.jpg)
Kinda spooky close-up of the clump of trees in the photo above
![499EC9FC-44E0-42D2-8599-41BF00672F7F.jpeg 499EC9FC-44E0-42D2-8599-41BF00672F7F.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89512-1609fa47881f5067b4001f8dc0f4f252.jpg)
exploring the lake ... there are some sandy beaches on the northern side of the lake but most of the shoreline is rocky
![181BB479-4708-4989-972F-CD066B1018DC.jpeg 181BB479-4708-4989-972F-CD066B1018DC.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89513-15c62ea272343a29b224e7ea9e1a475a.jpg)
More exploring ... and much to my surprise a bald eagle took off from that white pine bending out over the water ... I just wasn't quick enough to capture a photo of him/her.
![096AC5B7-47AD-4CB8-9C94-122DA8763698.jpeg 096AC5B7-47AD-4CB8-9C94-122DA8763698.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89514-1ef48e6db6f781537cf1c5d23e1970e3.jpg)
there are several islands on the lake ... one is fairly large and has a couple campsites on it
![2064C464-31ED-406C-911C-B2AA63881312.jpeg 2064C464-31ED-406C-911C-B2AA63881312.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89515-294b5a69d5d874c4d9dce364aade46df.jpg)
it was a great day to catch the reflections in the lake ... here is one of the sandy beaches. There is a campsite in the trees in the right hand side of the photo. It's a nice campsite that would catch the breezes nicely to keep the bugs away & you'd be able to see the sunrise from there as well.
![A7CB4C86-3F0D-4A79-9FFF-CAB03993E322.jpeg A7CB4C86-3F0D-4A79-9FFF-CAB03993E322.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89516-86b171ed87308155a4958b6bcaa5601b.jpg)
this loon popped up near me as I was paddling along
![C6EAC805-4A11-4105-BE9E-F62714000076.jpeg C6EAC805-4A11-4105-BE9E-F62714000076.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89517-747c490cadc65be260e7b39c2c4058e9.jpg)
one of the sandy beaches ... I landed here to check out another one of the campsites (it was a fair campsite)
![9192D659-1BE1-4AD3-B0D3-3FF29B3E913B.jpeg 9192D659-1BE1-4AD3-B0D3-3FF29B3E913B.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89518-bda4ac096b4e8c9d08b2222c1605b44d.jpg)
After dinner I went back out and headed down the outlet of Rock Pond again ...
![F079F6BF-6F63-4F00-A32C-D1ABB193B7A7_1_201_a.jpeg F079F6BF-6F63-4F00-A32C-D1ABB193B7A7_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89519-7af2027082ee970b91b24a887ac91a9a.jpg)
And saw this guy swimming across the water ... soon after snapping this photo he/she slapped his/her tail and dove under. I passed by several other beavers and they all showed their displeasure at my appearance by slapping their tails and diving.
![EC742265-2758-4F17-87F7-1D8902D5C06E.jpeg EC742265-2758-4F17-87F7-1D8902D5C06E.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89520-f31d8d41d96706339f3e5d0532e393e2.jpg)
exploring a side channel through the lily pads
![84DECC8B-EC8E-4F79-BAA2-2DCB8D461A3C.jpeg 84DECC8B-EC8E-4F79-BAA2-2DCB8D461A3C.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89521-d51e51fd61174c20dbd785db371f5683.jpg)
another sunset from the campsite
![4D75EAE0-6E94-4CFB-8301-ED2AE42A3CBB_1_201_a.jpeg 4D75EAE0-6E94-4CFB-8301-ED2AE42A3CBB_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89522-3b33e2eb8d8341815b142437b0d6009a.jpg)
Heading back out in the morning ... passing by one of the campsites. It's in the trees behind the rock outcrop (the red & blue on the rocks are some campers' clothing ... probably drying out in the sun)
![8412266E-34F6-4D0A-9BC1-D856D8E98720.jpeg 8412266E-34F6-4D0A-9BC1-D856D8E98720.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89523-0f4ebd443226bbe066e692340925c144.jpg)
another campsite is in the trees to the left of the rocks ... you can see a camper's water bottle on top of the one large rock
![DE9E2853-04FB-41D4-88AA-CB4465D8EDCF.jpeg DE9E2853-04FB-41D4-88AA-CB4465D8EDCF.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89524-3cbdb4702e6f2d6aa78346dd86e2226f.jpg)
reflections of the distant mountains as I paddled out
![718D0166-5846-4D5F-8FE3-9A2B757E9295_1_201_a.jpeg 718D0166-5846-4D5F-8FE3-9A2B757E9295_1_201_a.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89525-ef3c8186ebe384ae4ea2eced3258a61c.jpg)
this is how the DEC marks the designated campsites along the lake (this was my site). Sites are first come, first served. Staying at one campsite for more than three nights requires a free permit from the DEC ranger. There are 22 well dispersed campsites on Little Tupper Lake, 2 sites on the Rock Pond outlet, & 8 sites on Rock Pond.
![A65FB2CD-FBE1-4659-A265-F4711446517C.jpeg A65FB2CD-FBE1-4659-A265-F4711446517C.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/89/89526-11a33129652d19f07c528c20daf3905a.jpg)
When I paddled in on Monday morning it was in the mid-60s, down into the mid-40s that night. Tuesday was in the upper 70s during the day, mid-50s at night. It was definitely much warmer Wednesday morning and was about 80 degrees when I arrived at the canoe launch around noon. This lake is notorious for windy/wavy conditions so I was very fortunate to experience calm waters during my entire stay. I saw only two people (father and daughter out fishing from their canoe) during my stay until I got closer to the canoe launch Wednesday where I saw several other canoes and kayaks out for day paddling (I know this because of how they signed in on the canoe launch register). Overall a great visit and I plan to return sometime soon. Perhaps this fall when the colors are changing & the bugs have disappeared.