Steep terrain is seen from Lower Cascade Lake on Wednesday, July 2. (News photo — Chris Gaige)

KEENE — Gazing up at towering cliffs and steep mountainside slopes staggering directly up from the water’s edge as my kayak glided along, I could have been mistaken for being at Yosemite National Park.

But these scenes weren’t from some far-flung land way out west. Rather, they were mere miles from downtown Lake Placid. In fact, it’s a location almost everyone who has come to Lake Placid from the south has motored by — albeit passing by in an automobile presents a perspective not quite as spectacular as sitting in a kayak on Lower Cascade Lake.

Unlike some other column destinations, Lower Cascade Lake is far from remote. Sure, it’s not downtown Lake Placid, but those looking for a strictly serene wilderness experience will have to contend with the frequent whizzing by of automobiles as state Route 73 snakes along, or rather, just above, the lake’s north shore.

Despite this, the stunning landscape, some of the most rugged in the area, all seen from the comfort of a canoe, kayak or paddleboard, makes Lower Cascade Lake a mighty worthy destination. In fact, the relatively easy access — with the boat launch parking lot directly off of Route 73, only about 9 miles from downtown Lake Placid — makes for less logistical hassle than figuring out how to lug a boat deep into the backcountry.

Caution is needed when driving in. The parking lot is not especially well-marked in advance and it’s driveway is narrow, effectively a one-lane stretch of pavement near the highway. Vehicles traveling into the parking lot should be given the right-of-way so as to avoid having to back up toward the 55-MPH roadway above. The driveway forms more of a “y” than a “T” intersection with the eastbound lane, and extreme vigilance is needed when getting back on Route 73, given the angle.

Part of Pitchoff Mountain is seen at right from Lower Cascade Lake on Wednesday, July 2. (News photo — Chris Gaige)

Traveling from Lake Placid, the Cascade lakes driveway is about 0.7 miles beyond, or further east, of the popular Cascade Mountain trailhead. The parking lot is between the two lakes — Upper Cascade Lake on the right while driving in, and Lower Cascade Lake on the left. While the upper lake offers similarly stunning scenery, I left that adventure for another day.

There are several areas to put-in at Lower Cascade Lake, though one has considerably more stable terrain. that’s accessed by crossing a short wooden bridge across Cascade Brook, and following to the short path to a fairly level gravel bar.

Once I was in the kayak, it was a breeze, figuratively and literally. The steady wind — which is often amplified over the lakes, given the topography that tends to create a wind tunnel between Cascade and Pitchoff mountains — gave me a nice push down the narrow lake. I barely had to lift my paddle, giving me ample opportunity to soak in the scenery as I gently drifted the one mile or so down the lake, looking at Cascade and Pitchoff mountains, while Algonquin Peak grew visible in the distance behind me.

Lower Cascade Lake is quite narrow. Its width is less than 100 feet in places. While it was breezy — which did wonders to keep the bugs at bay — the lake’s layout prevented the waves from getting too gnarly. After making it to the far end of the lake, buoyed a bit by a well-maintained beaver dam, I begrudgingly turned back, knowing the return trip would make for more of a workout paddling against the wind.

Hugging the east shore, I was sheltered from the wind, and I was able to paddle back without issue. Windier days may present difficulties, especially for paddleboards whose physics leaves the operator with less thrust than a kayak or canoe. As always, check the weather and follow safe paddling practices. For more information on those from the state DEC, visit tinyurl.com/mrudh9vt.

News photo — Chris Gaige Cliffs that are part of Cascade Mountain are seen from Lower Cascade Lake on July 2. (News photo — Chris Gaige)