Several High Peaks can be seen to the south from Mirror Lake on a kayak in the village of Lake Placid on Wednesday, Sept. 11. (News photo — Chris Gaige)

LAKE PLACID — As its name suggests, Mirror Lake should be smooth as glass. While theory doesn’t always match with reality, the lake sure lived up to its name around daybreak on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

As the planets and stars slowly drifted away in the salmon skies above, there was not but a single ripple on the lake as I began my sunrise paddle. This scene stood in stark contrast to the angry chop on Fish Creek Ponds that I watched from shore just three days before.

Last week, I had the honor of participating in the 90-Miler canoe race from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. Unfortunately, high winds forced the cancellation of the third day. The course on that day of the race crosses directly through the three Saranac Lakes: Upper, Middle and Lower. Their monstrous size, just under a combined 9,000 acres, and vast stretches of open water meant that whatever froth I saw on the small ponds that fed into Upper Saranac Lake would have been magnitudes mightier just a few miles away. There was much anticipation and uncertainty as to what race officials would announce at the morning paddler’s meeting.

A sweeping cold front swept across the Adirondacks the night before, plunging air temperatures into the mid-40s that morning. The cold was ushered in on winds forecasted to peak later that morning at around 20 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

At 7:30 a.m., with the first boats set to launch in just half an hour, race officials took to their bullhorn to announce that, after assessing conditions with forest rangers assisting race safety and logistics, the day had been called off due to dangerous conditions between the winds and temperatures.

Lake Placid News Staff Writer Chris Gaige paddles Mirror Lake on Wednesday morning, Sept. 11. (News photo — Andy Flynn)

While some folks were undoubtedly and understandably disappointed to be robbed of the final 20-something miles of paddling, I managed to, off the record, of course, take the cancellation call in stride. Weather aside, my masked jubilance perhaps had something to do with my arms feeling as if they were about to fall off from paddling 63 miles the last two days.

In any event, after some much-needed rest and recovery over a few days away from the water, I resolved to get back in a boat and keep on paddling. Someone check my sanity.

In total, 25 miles were missed on Day 3. Should I have made that up, I thought? I was quick to not get too carried away with myself. After some deliberation, I slid the decimal point, and voila: 2.5 miles, on the other hand, that sounded better.

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Mirror Lake

(News photo — Chris Gaige)

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Mirror Lake provides an ideal setting for any paddler, whether they are experienced or stepping in a boat for the first time.

Weather conditions appeared optimal for a sunrise paddle on Wednesday. I (carefully) jumped into my personal kayak, a Wilderness Systems Pungo 120, and put in around 6:30 a.m. I began my paddle on the north end of Mirror Lake as the fog was beginning to lift. I set off in a counterclockwise direction hugging the shoreline.

Day-breaking scenes of Mount Whitney and Cobble Hill first greeted me. Soon thereafter, magnificent views of the High Peaks began to open up. In my humble opinion, the northwestern edge of Mirror Lake provides one of the most iconic views anywhere in the Adirondacks. Upwards of a dozen High Peaks, including Mount Marcy and Algonquin Peak, the tallest and second tallest mountains in the state, respectively, can be seen in their full glory from the water. Some of you reading this probably have that image in your head right now.

Many of Lake Placid’s most opulent and historic buildings can be seen in a unique manner from the water. Continuing my paddle, I passed by Mid’s Park and the rest of the downtown stretch. I reached the approximate halfway point of my paddle at the town beach just as the sun poked its rays above the Sentinel Range to the east.

(News photo — Chris Gaige)

Still early, it was striking to feel the tranquility of the moment. Despite being so close to one of the busiest areas in the Adirondacks, there was silence and stillness on the water. The roads were nearly empty and only a handful of the dedicated joggers made their way around the shore.

Looking back, plumes of fog lifted to the north over Lake Placid, providing occasional glimpses of Whiteface Mountain through the clouds as the sun continued to grow. I was reminded that while still on the water, the landscape around me was rearing up for another autumn day.

Continuing along Mirror Lake’s eastern shore, it was a relief to no longer have the sun in my eyes. Looking back at Lake Placid from a distance was also unique in its own way, and seeing the center of the village in one glimpse served as a pleasant reminder of the quaintness many come to Lake Placid seeking.

Before long, I had made my way around the lake, and my paddle concluded. You could paddle Mirror Lake a hundred times and come away with a hundred different scenes, experiences and memories. The column thus far would have been an entirely different experience had I gotten in the boat hours later. Not better, not worse, but uniquely different. That’s the beauty of paddling and a good incentive to keep at it, at least on Mirror Lake.

Of course, just as there is no such thing as a best time to paddle, there is no set route on the lake. It’s not a road and it’s not a trail. You chart your own course. While I chose to make my way around, the more sane amongst us might just float out to the middle of the lake, lounge around and soak in some sunshine, before paddling back to where they put their boat in.

(News photo — Chris Gaige)

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Lake access

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There are two public access points to Mirror Lake. One is just below the tennis courts near the Mirror Lake Public Beach. Putting boats in there is encouraged, as the beach itself, at least during the warmer months, is frequented by swimmers and can be congested. Boaters transporting their own vessels should take care while unloading along Mirror Lake and Parkside drives, as the roads are often busy.

The other location is along the lake’s north shore. A state Department of Environmental Conservation sign marks the parking lot on the north side of Mirror Lake Drive. Parking is free for 24 hours and there are public restrooms adjacent to the lot. Boaters must take care while crossing Mirror Lake Drive to access the carry path into Mirror Lake, as there is no marked crosswalk between the parking lot and the carry. Vehicles have the right of way here.

(News photo — Chris Gaige)

After crossing the road, the carry to Mirror Lake is flat and brief, only 100 yards as measured by my GPS watch. A dock extending into the lake allows boaters to avoid any mud and put their boats directly into open water.

When getting into a boat off of a dock, people should take care to get in their boats slowly to maintain stability. When in a boat, the lower your center of gravity is, the more stable you are. And, especially if one is less experienced, they should have a plan if they do fall to throw themselves away from the dock and boat, so as not to hit their heads on either of the two. Ideally, you should paddle with a partner or a group to minimize risk in a situation like this.

Paddling safety

In terms of general safety, boaters should always wear a personal floatation device, commonly referred to as a “lifejacket.” This holds true for everyone. Let me repeat that. This holds true for everyone. Common sense is not so common.

Legally speaking, in New York you are required to have one PFD per person in or own your boat. The PFD must fit the person, be readily accessible, and be free of any damage or tears. Children under 12 must always wear a PFD while boating. Everyone, regardless of age, must always wear a PFD while boating between November 1 and May 1.

PFDs save lives. If you are not legally required to wear one and are considering whether or not to, you should be especially mindful of the enhanced dangers presented by high boat traffic, cold weather, severe weather, rough waters, nighttime boating, poor swimming skills and situations where rescue assistance is unavailable or would take a while to reach your boat.

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Lake users

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On the point of high boat traffic, fortunately for paddlers, Mirror Lake is off-limits to gas-powered engines. While boats with electric motors are allowed, they cannot exceed 7.5 horsepower. Not only does this help to keep Mirror Lake clean, but this is a huge relief for paddlers and peddle-boat operators, who frequently have to contend with blazing-fast motorboats that can come obnoxiously close, throwing off large wakes that can capsize canoes and kayaks.

This alone makes Mirror Lake a great choice for anyone looking to get out on the water in a canoe, kayak, paddleboard, pedal boat or water bike. If you don’t have your own, a number of businesses in and around the community of Lake Placid offer rentals. Some are even located on Mirror Lake or will transport the boat directly to the lake’s shore for you.

Mirror Lake also hosts the swimming portion of the Ironman Lake Placid each summer and is a popular spot for long-distance swimming during the warmer months. Just as paddlers despise larger faster boats getting close to us, the same feeling, quite justifiably, holds true for swimmers in Mirror Lake when boaters get too close to them. If you’re in a boat, even a pedal boat, you’re probably going faster than swimmers. Always remain vigilant and ensure you’re not getting too close to them or blocking their path. There is a swimming lane down the middle of Mirror Lake marked by lines of buoys on either side. When boating near the lane, be especially mindful of this.

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Paddling tips

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If you are staying at a hotel in town, ask if they provide any boating options on Mirror Lake as part of your stay. Some are located directly on the lake, and some have private beaches on the lake, even if the hotel itself is away from the lake.

Boaters should also take care to secure any personal items before heading out. Garbage should never be left in the water. Always make a plan to contain it and carry it out. Cell phones and devices or materials that could be damaged by water or sink should be secured in a waterproof and buoyant compartment of sorts.

Boaters should, of course, check the weather and pay attention to the wind before heading out. Another perk of Mirror Lake is that being relatively small, 128 acres to be precise, the lake usually does not become too choppy. However, on blustery days, waves on Mirror Lake could capsize canoes or kayaks, especially for those with less experience or who are in narrow boats that could tip over more easily. Know yourself and your boat, and plan ahead for this. In general, winds tend to be strongest in the afternoons. This can make sunrise or evening paddles an enticing option. Mirror Lake is also less busy at those times for folks looking for a quieter experience on the water.

If there is a wind, boaters should also be prepared for a headwind on their return. In other words, it’s easy to ride with the breeze, but make sure you can paddle against it when you have to turn back to where you began your paddle. This is especially true for paddleboards, pedal boats and water bikes, which tend to provide less speed efficiency than canoes and kayaks. Nobody ever said the laws of physics are fair.

No matter which of these boats you set off in, paddling or hydropedaling Mirror Lake is a must for anyone visiting Lake Placid who enjoys time out on the water.

(News photo — Chris Gaige)

(News photo — Chris Gaige)

(News photo — Chris Gaige)

(News photo — Chris Gaige)

(News photo — Chris Gaige)