A Paddle for Wilderness is taking place on Saturday September 13th at Forked Lake in the Central Adirondacks in Long Lake at 10 am. The Paddle for Wilderness is a floating protest calling for the protection of the 36,000-acre Whitney Park that is up for sale and threatened with development.
The Paddle for Wilderness will also bring together paddlers to honor the wildlands canoeing and kayaking legacy of Peter Hornbeck (1943-2020) and his wife Ann Hornbeck (1948-2025).
The Hornbecks founded Hornbeck Boats, a family-owned company that builds the popular lightweight canoes and kayaks that are made for Adirondack adventures.
Peter Hornbeck was also a long-time Adirondack environmental leader and was a Founding Director of Protect the Adirondacks.
The Paddle for Wilderness also spotlights the importance of the lands of Whitney Park that are currently up for sale and threatened with development.
This tract has been at the top of the State’s land protection list for 50 years. Whitney Park includes 36,000 acres of forests, 22 lakes and ponds, and over 100 miles of undeveloped shorelines.
The public is welcome to participate in this unique opportunity to join with other paddlers and put a paddle in the water for wild places, quiet and motorless waters, and the New York State Forest Preserve.
The event takes place at Forked Lake, which borders the south end of Whitney Park.
There will be a reception afterwards with snacks and beverages. People can sign up to attend by using this link.
Forked Lake
The Paddle for Wilderness on Saturday September 13th will be based out of the Forked Lake Campground, which will be closed for camping at that time, but open to the public for recreation.
The campground provides a great setting to launch canoes and kayaks and provides ample parking and easy access to Forked Lake.
The Paddle for Wilderness will start and end at the Forked Lake Campground, so paddlers can explore and enjoy the water as much or as little as they feel comfortable doing.
Forked Lake Campground is in Hamilton County about 15 minutes south of Long Lake.
The south shore of Forked Lake is mostly public Forest Preserve lands. The north shore borders lands at the southern boundary of the 36,000-acre Whitney Park that is up for sale and threatened with development.
The future of Whitney Park will shape the future of Forked Lake, which is now one of the Park’s great flatwater camping locations, with a state campground at its east end, and primitive campsites at its west end.
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