Paddling on the Bog River

Today we paddled on the Bog River, between the villages of Long Lake and Tupper Lake. The Bog Flow is a well known canoe camping area. One can put in at the Lower Low's Dam and paddle a few miles along flat water through Hitchen's Pond to the Upper Low's dam. After a short carry around the dam the river continues to Low's Lake, where there are about 50 established campsites. The ranger reported 95 cars in the parking lot (actually strung out all along the access road) on Saturday night. People were still coming out on Monday morning, but we saw few people after noon. At the upper dam we hiked to the Hitchen's Pond overlook, a high rocky outcrop that has excellent views of Hitchen's Pond and the Bog River. It was a very leisurely and enjoyable day trip.

This area was developed by Augustus Low, who was into about everything, including maple products, lumber and wine. When he built the upper dam in 1907, the state of NY claimed he flooded public land and levied a fine. He disagreed and ignored the fine. The state later re-fined him and he paid the fine under protest. About 60 years later Low's son, Augustus, Jr., filed suit on the the old fine and won. The state returned the amount of the fine with interest. Justice prevails!