Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
12.
Raquette Lake
RaquetteLake—anamethatappliestoboththelakeandtothisquaintandquietvillagethat
standsbesideit—consists oflittle morethanacoupleofdwellings, churches,andageneral
store. Golden Beach, situated four miles east of the hamlet, was named for the color of its
soft sand. Families with small children favor swimming here since the water remains shal-
low for dozens of yards offshore.
Inthe late 1800sthe gloryofthe Adirondacks began tolure some ofAmerica'swealth-
iest families. Buying large parcels of land, they built spacious summer homes—getaways
that, perhaps a bit tongue in cheek, they referred to as ''camps.'' Sagamore Road, an un-
paved drive, leads to one of the grandest of these lodges, known today as Great Camp
Sagamore.
Built by architect William West Durant in 1897, then sold to Alfred Vanderbilt,
Sagamorecontainsnumerousbuildingssetamongthepinewoods.Butitisthemainhouse,
a chalet-style mansion constructed of logs, that commands center stage. Traditional Ad-
irondackchairsandlamps,abowlingalley,andwallcoveringsmadeofbarkareamongthe
many touches that make the mansion so endearing.
Recently the camp has gained a new lease on life as the Sagamore Institute, a center
that conducts craft workshops and outdoor programs. Summer visitors can watch a slide
show on the great camp era and take a two-hour tour.
13.
Fulton Chain Lakes
Hoping to map a water route all the way to Canada, Robert Fulton, best known as the in-
ventor of the steamboat, surveyed these lakes in about 1811. No such waterway could be
found, but the lakes are part of a 125-mile canoe route—some short portages are required
at impassible spots—between Saranac Lake and Old Forge.
The eight Fulton Chain Lakes are known simply by number—perhaps explorers just
ran out of other names. On the eastern end of Fourth Lake sits the village of Inlet, a rustic
place where the cooling shade of sky-high pine trees is never far away. You can rent a boat
to explore the lake or continue on Rte. 28 to Old Forge, a forest-girt town that was first
settled by one Charles Herreshoff.
Herreshoff dreamed of making a fortune by mining iron ore. Those who came with
him, however, found the work as brutal as the winter weather; many packed up and depar-
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