This was a busted trip from the beginning that became the best solo trip of the year (so far). The trip began with an email from a friend Friday morning, an invite to paddle Garnet Lake with him and a group of his co-workers. I was up for it, besides I had planned on boating that night anyway. The plan was to meet up at the lake around 5pm. All day long I was thinking of my escape to the water, so much so I left a half hour early. I had packed my car during my break so all I had to do was head to the lake. While driving on Garnet Lake Road I missed the right hand turn and drove 20 minutes out of the way. Ok, no big deal, it was a beautiful drive, as long as I was not thinking about the expensive wasted gasoline. I arrived at the boat launch about 25 minutes after 5 and no signs of my paddle team. No worries, I unloaded my boat, changed, and waited for the crew while paddling around the put-in. After drifting around for awhile I decided this was going to be a solo trip after all and went off to find some wildlife. There was a loon calling from a small cove which drew my attention so I drifted that way. I found some blue flowers floating near the shore and took some photos.Soon I traveled south along the west shore and found a log breaching the water. I took many photos of this dead tree and on my way past it I noticed a birds nest inside the vertical log.
Tree Skeleton
As I continued south I heard a few fishermen casting from a rowboat. They fished on the East side along a cove of white/gray tree stumps in what I call a tree grave yard. I decided to keep to the west shore and noticed something rather large standing in the water. I said out loud, "What is THAT?" It was the color of a brown bear but seemed rather tall. I floated a bit closer still over 200 yards away. I pulled out my camera and lifted the eye piece... I finally saw what I have been searching for for so many years. Ever since I was in the Boy Scouts I wanted to see a Moose in the wild and here he is. A bull with a solid rack his eyes right on me. His body reminds me of a large horse with a stubby tail. WOW. I drift every so closer slowly pushing my paddle with one hand and my camera in the other. I get within 75 yards of him and watch as he feeds and slowly walks through the water vegetation. He would look at me often then off to the fisherman in the boat which were hard to see but you could hear them clearly. After a good 25-30 minutes he had enough and walked off in the woods.
So this trip which started off lost, late, and alone turned into a wonderful solo trek that was meant to be. The timing had to find itself in line for this moment to happen and happen it did.
About Garnet Lake. Garnet is located in Johnsburg, south of Route 8. It is roughly 1 and a half miles long. The northern part is mostly seasonal homes and camps but the real fun lies south and since the southern end is state land you will find some very nice camping sites.
To reach Garnet Lake take route 8 East from Route 28 and at the light in Wevertown. 1 and half miles east of the light take a left on Garnet Lake Road and take it all the way to the end (remember the turn I missed on the right). Once you reach the barrier you will notice a parking lot on the left and the put-in is on the right.
