Bubb and Sis Lakes

The trail to Bubb and Sis Lakes has been described as a "very pleasant walk suitable for families and older hikers" where one can see both lakes in about 0.9 miles. For a longer hike, one can continue on towards Moss Lake.



To reach the trailhead, we drove on Route 28N 4.6 miles past the Information Center in Old Forge and parked at the lot on the left side of the road where the sign to the trail was easily visible.














The trail rapidly ascended 150 feet going northwest, becoming muddier as the trail became more level.  The stepping stones suggested that some sections are frequently muddy but it must be more so this day.  After all, this was only a day since the severe storm that ripped through the northeast including a tornado that devastated nearby Smithfield.

0.2mi - Vista Trail junction

At 0.2mile, we passed the sign for Vista Trail. Although this trail promised nice views, the 4.4mile one-way hike along the ridge was  not something we wanted to tackle that day.

0.4mi - side trail to Bubb Lake

Shortly after, we took a fork on the right of the main trail and walked 55 yards to the south end and our first view of Bubb Lake.   With an area of almost 50acres and a shoreline almost 1.5miles, this peaceful lake would have been an ideal place to bring our inflatable kayak were it not for the rocky shoreline and the difficult carry-in.  Maybe we can just borrow the aluminum canoe that somebody left behind.

Bubb Lake

0.7 mi- side trail to Sis Lake

 Returning on the main trail, we continued onward and took another side trail, on the left this time, and a 40 yard stroll to Sis Lake.  Being only around 25 acres with a maximum depth of 6.9 feet, it was really more of a pretty pond than a lake.

Sis Lake

The main trail continued along the east side of Sis Lake.  We passed a small campsite between the two lakes and then the bridge over the stream between Bubb's inlet and Sis' outlet.This would have been the point to turn around for anybody just going on the main Bubb & Sis Trail.

0.9 mi - Bridge over stream between Bubb & Sis Lakes

 

Unmarked trail to Bubb Lake

We wanted a longer hike so we continued onward, the trail going parallel to Budd Lake on our right. We took a small trail for another closer look at the lake. It was another pretty spot but we had some difficulty finding our way back to the trail.

1.6mi-  northeast end of Bubb Lake

Soon after, the trail came close to the northeast end of Bubb Lake. If we had known this was around, we wouldn't have bothered with the last side trip.

1.8 mi- Bridge over Bubb Lake outlet

Old dam over Bubb Lake outlet

We crossed another bridge, this one over the Bubb Lake outlet.  There was an old dilapidated dam on the downstream side which was originally built as a fish barrier.

2.3mi- junction of Moss Lake Circuit Trails

Finally, we got to the junction of the Moss Lake Circuit Trails.  At this point, we turned around and retraced our steps to parking lot on Route 28. Almost 5 miles round trip, we thought it was a proper hike for a couple of "older hikers".






References:
1. Sis Lake
2. Bubb Lake
3. Adirondack Lakes Survey
4. CNY Hiking
5. Haberl, Arthur W.  Guide to Adirondack Trails. The Adirondack Mountain Clubs, Inc. 1994.     pgs.103-108