Saranac Lake Backcountry 3P

Saranac Lake Backcountry 3P

Date: 2026-10-17

Location: 44 Junction Rd, Lake Clear, NY

Welcome to the Saranac Lake 3P Backcountry event! We are hosting an event that goes through the Saranac Lake Wild Forest. As such this is a backcountry event and requires that all participants be self-sufficient and fully capable of taking on the event by themselves without outside assistance.

Course Details

• Length: Approximately 28 miles long with a 2 mile neutral start and 2 mile neutral finish for a total length of 32 miles.
• Segments: Five segments for solo participants that make up our Pedal, Peak, Paddle.
• Team Options: Teams of two or three can combine to have participants cover the segments collectively.
• Release Waves: Participants will be released in waves to spread people out.

Event Format

1. Pedal: Bike 10 miles from start at Conley Road on the Adirondack Rail Trail to Floodwood Rd. Continue west on Floodwood Rd until you make a left turn to the Boy Scout entrance. Bikes are parked here.
2. Peak: Run or hike 4 miles total on the road and then the trail up to the peak of Floodwood Mountain and back.
3. Pedal: Bike 2 miles backtracking along Floodwood Road to Floodwood Outpost.
4. Paddle: 4 miles starting at Floodwood to Rollins Pond where you circle around the islands and return. Downstream paddles and upstream use the portage between Floodwood and Rollins Ponds.
5. Pedal: 8 miles return along the Adirondack Rail Trail back to the start/finish line.

After Party

Then continue back to Charlie's Inn for the after party! All people who register for the race will get a meal.

Map and Ethics

You can see an interactive map here.

Just like our winter time SL3P that shows off the amazing front-country recreation directly in the village of Saranac Lake, we envision this event as highlighting the incredible backcountry assets during a beautiful fall season. Being in the backcountry, this event follows the Leave No Trace ethics and we want to have a minimal impact on our lands and waters. There will only be one small water station at the Floodwood Outpost and all other supplies and equipment are pack in, pack out. Before and after the event, you will be responsible for dropping off and picking up all needed equipment like paddle, PFDs, and boat at the paddle put in at Floodwood Outpost.

Safety and Permits

This event uses public lands that are open to all people to use every day of the year and Floodwood Road is a public gravel road that will be open to traffic. Please be safe and look out for yourself and other participants. Holding this event is contingent on permits from the NY DEC.

Registration

You have the option of registering as a solo participant or as a team of two or three. Make sure to visit www.saranaclake3p.org or our Facebook page for updates.