HUDSON RIVER paddling, between Stuyvesant, Coxsackie, Stockport and Athens

Nov 5, 2016 - HUDSON RIVER from Stockport Landing, started ~2 hours before low tide. Partly sunny, temp rising through the 50s, little wind. On a mission. Short paddle on Stockport Creek then S on the HR. Soon into East Flats, the bay was already fairly shallow, it's deeper along the N shore. N into a creek (L of a duck blind) to where my GPS had gone overboard 3 days ago. After a couple of sweeps I spotted it in ~15" of water & retrieved it. Back to the HR & stopped at a sandy beach for lunch at low tide. Examined the GPS, put it back together & it worked! after being submerged for 3 days! Wind picked up from the NW so headed out. Mission accomplished. Bald eagles, mergansers, gulls. 3.2 hours.

Nov 2, 2016 - HUDSON RIVER downstream from Coxsackie. Started ~1.5 hours before low tide. Down W shore (light development) past 4 Mile Point to West Flats. Was able to find one deep channel into the marsh at low tide. Crossed over to Priming Hook & back on E shore (mostly undeveloped). Lost my GPS in a creek in East Flats. Went around E side of Stockport Middle Ground, an island then past the primitive campsites of Gay's Point. Forecast was for "mostly cloudy" in the pm but got "mostly sunny"; wind dropping from 5mph to 1mph; temp rising into the 60s - nice! Very few other vessels. Red-tailed hawk, bittern, domestic geese, buffleheads, mallards, wood ducks, kingfishers, robins. 6 hours

Oct 19, 2016 - HUDSON RIVER from state boat launch in Athens. NW wind so chose a SW direction on the river; started 1.5 hours before low tide. Launched into the Murderers Creek (aka Murderer's Kill) & a few strokes & one is out on the HR. Downstream past Athens staying close to W shore. View of the Catskills. Shallow area for a while with eelgrass. Turned around before the Rip Van Winkle Bridge & stopped on gravel beach at S end of Cohotate Preserve for lunch. Swung close to Hudson Athens Lighthouse on way back - 10mph wind opposing flood current produced 1' waves. Up the Murderers past the boat launch a half mile to dam that creates Sleepy Hollow Lake. 10.2 miles, 3.8 hours. Southeastern zone duck hunting season resumes Nov 12.

Nov 6, 2015 - HUDSON RIVER from Athens state boat launch. Record high temp in the 70s, very windy tho. Started over an hour before high tide so that we would have maximum water in the marshes. Upstream with tailwind to West Flats, a large marshy area with many channels to explore & get lost in. Wind knocked much cattail "fur" into the air, looked like snow & got into my eyes. Followed a stream toward Vosburgh Swamp, downed trees blocked the way eventually. Back to launch with 2' waves (wind opposing the current creates bigger waves), SSW wind gusting to 30mph - a blast in the Alchemy kayak. Paddled up Murderers Creek for 0.6 miles to the large dam that creates Sleepy Hollow Lake. 7.9 miles, 3.5 hours. Stopped at nearby Four-Mile Point Preserve to hang out & watch some big boats pass by; much eastern red cedar here.

Nov 4, 2015 - HUDSON RIVER from Stockport Station at the end of Station Rd in Columbiaville. A gravel/mud launch into the mouth of Stockport Creek next to rr tracks. Started at high tide. 1st explored the creek to the SE which goes under the rr bridge then up a spur to the R - wood ducks. S on the HR & into East Flats. Silo & picnic pavilion of Harrier Hill Park can be seen on the hill to the E. Up a winding creek in a generally NW direction slowly narrowing to boat width, shores of wild rice & cattails. Lunch on sandy beach near Priming Hook with view of the Catskills. N past Stockport Middle Ground, an island, stopped to check out a campsite. Past to the E of Gays Point & into Empire Brickyard Bay - shallow mud flats, find deeper water on E side. Back to launch avoiding shallow water to the E. 11.3 miles, 5.6 hours. Another warm sunny Indian Summer day. Saw 2 people in kayaks without PFDs on - NYS requires that PFDs be worn (not just made accessible) from Nov 1 thru May 1. Southeast zone duck hunting season starts again on Sat Nov 7.

Oct 21, 2015 - HUDSON RIVER from Coeymans Landing; one-way downstream trip to state boat launch in Athens, shuttle required, start close to high tide. Met birder Rich Guthrie at the launch & waved as we passed his house (he did a great program on owls for Albany ADK last week). Calm to start, light wind in the afternoon. Paddled down the W shore (some development) & stopped at Bronck Island campsite for lunch - not used much, platform for tent, picnic table, poison ivy, a long wood walkway leads up to an outhouse. W of Rattlesnake Island then crossed river to site of old ice factory at Nutten Hook - powerhouse chimney still stands. Past Gays Point & E of Stockport Middle Ground, an island, watch for shallows. Past East Flats & more shallow area. Middle Ground Flats (an island) & view of Catskill peaks; American Star & Glory tour boats went by - 1 in each direction. Several bald eagles, raven, red-tailed hawk, turkey vultures, pileated woodpecker, sandpipers, gulls, sanderlings, gb herons, Carolina wren; large flocks of cormorants heading S. 16.1 miles, 5.6 hours.

Dec 3, 2012 - HUDSON RIVER kayaking from Coxsackie boat launch. Launched at low tide. Downstream along the W shore past 4 Mile Point (light development). At Hudson Anchorage crossed to E side & headed N (mostly undeveloped). Stopped for a break on beach of Stockport Middle Ground, an island. Continued N past campsites of Gay's Point to chimney stack of historic ice factory then crossed to the put-in. Waves up to 1' with 5-15mph N wind opposing tidal current. Some big boats. 3.4 hours.

Oct 23, 2011 - HUDSON RIVER from state boat launch on Rt. 385 north of Athens. Morning clouds gave way to afternoon sun, high of 60F, light wind. Launched 3.6 hours before high tide into Murderer's Kill which soon enters the Hudson & Middle Ground Flats, a long island, is seen to the E. Headed upstream along the W shore then into West Flats marsh, where there are many channels to explore (easier close to high tide), Vosburgh Swamp is a continuation of the marsh to the N. Back out to the river at Hudson Anchorage & Harrier Hill can be seen to the E with its silo & pavillion. Continued N & around cliffy Fourmile Point & then Four Mile Point Preserve where there are picnic tables. Stopped at the Coxsackie boat launch where there are picnic tables & portapotties. Continued W of Coxsackie & Rattlesnake Islands - a brant flew in low & landed amongst us. High tide. Crossed to E side of the river where you can find some small inlets & bays to explore plus small cliffs & sandy bluffs. Pass the brick chimney of an historic ice house at Nutten Hook. Pass beaches & campsites to Gay's Point part of Hudson Islands SP. Paddled E of Stockport Middle Ground (an island), Stopped at Stockport Station - new picnic tables & gazebo here next to rr tracks. As we paddled S on E shore there were nice views of Catskill mountains. Crossed over (best to minimize time paddling in the shipping channel by shooting across at a right angle to the channel) & came back down the W side of Middle Ground Flats. Stopped to visit the Halfmoon, moored just S of the mouth of the Murderer's. 4 bald eagles (look for nests on islands). Some barges & ships, not much pleasure boat traffic. Some fall color mainly on dry upland (oaks, sumac); most cottonwoods, swamp maples have dropped their leaves. Thing I like about this trip is little development & a lot of state land. 17.7 miles, 6.5 hours. Duck hunting season resumes Nov. 5.

Nov 3, 2010 - HUDSON RIVER from state boat launch N of Athens, where the Murderer's Kill joins the Hudson. Very calm early. Around N end of Middle Ground Flats (a long island) & over to E side of the river. Explored East Flats, a bay with marshy N end - could see the silo & pavillion of Harrier Hill Park up to the E (see Oct 25). Bald eagle perched high on tree. Stopped for lunch at small beach at S end of Stockprt Middle Ground, an island. Circumnavigated the island, spotted a hawk & eagle's nest. High tide. Crossed over to W side of river after a barge/tug went by, wind picking up from the S. With the wind opposing the current we got short period steep waves over 1'. Ducked into the channels amongst the marshes of West Flats/Vosburgh Swamp & avoided the wind for a while - since it was close to high tide we were able to find a route thru. Back on the river for some more wind & waves - the seaworthy Merlin II canoe made for a fun ride. Finished by going upstream a bit on the Murderer's Kill to dam then back to launch. 4.8 hours. Many duck blinds in the marshy areas - duck hunting season resumes Sat Nov 6.

Oct 25, 2009 - HUDSON RIVER from state boat launch in Coxsackie. Passed cliffs on W shore. Hudson Anchorage marshes. Murderers Kill to dam which creates Sleepy Hollow Lake. Middle Ground Flats (an island) - red-throated loon, raccoon in tree. A seaplane landed & took off, a wheeled plane landed & took off from sandy flats E of Middle Ground Flats! - seems like they were out playing together. E shore - couple of bald eagles. Stockport Middle Ground - eagle & nest. Brant on Gay's Point. Barnyard goose regularly hangs out near boat launch. Some good fall foliage - oaks are unusually colorful this year. 14.5 miles, 5.5 hours.

Nov 2, 2008 - HUDSON RIVER kayaking from end of Station Rd in Stockport. Started a little before low tide. Headed S & around Middle Ground Flats, a long island near Hudson. Interesting Hudson-Athens Lighthouse & view of snowy Catskill Mountains. N on W side of river, explored backwater & channels in marshy area. Around Stockport Middle Ground (an island) before going up Stockport Creek. Bald eagles, r-t hawks, swans. A ship & a few motorboats but most of time we had the river to ourselves. Major duck hunting resumes Nov 8. 15 miles, 5.5 hours.

Nov , 2006 - Coxsackie (newly redone boat ramp, parking, portajohn, picnic tables), Coxsackie & Rattlesnake Islands (the latter may only be an island near high tide), across river to old ice factory, Gay Point (break on sandy beach), Stockport Creek to rapids at bridge, back to Athens. Mostly calm but 10mph S winds opposing the current created some 1' waves near end of trip. Nice sunset & full moon rise for a perfect ending. Light development; light motor traffic; much state land - my favorite section of the Hudson. Duck hunting season resumes Nov 11. 19.5 miles, 6.4 hours.

Oct 24, 2004 - HUDSON RIVER kayaking. State launch on RT.385 N of Athens. Short distance on Murderers' Kill to Hudson River. Crossed over to Middle Ground Flats, an island, & turned N or upstream with the incoming tide. Crossed over to the Hudson's E shore & continued N. Except for some squatters huts & duck blinds, there is little development. Turned into a large bay dotted with wild rice, railroad tracks its E boundary. Poked into marsh at NE of bay & was surprised how far we could go in hidden channels amongst the phragmites & cattails. Back on the river, rounded the point (slowed to watch a couple of red-tailed hawks in the trees) & into Schodack Creek to the rapids under the Rt.9 bridge. Back out to the Hudson & E of Stockport Middle Ground, an island with camp/picnic sites, to Gay's Point State Park (water access only) where there are campsites, picnic tables, privies & sandy beach landings (docks for motorboats in summer; we had the place to ourselves today). Stretched the legs with a short walk. Paddled upriver some more then crossed to W shore a little S of Coxsackie & turned S with the outgoing tide. Passed cliffs (more hawks), Four Mile Point (natural area with picnic tables, rough landing at high tide), marsh, islands & 3 pale-bellied/Atlantic brants (possibly juveniles with whitish striping on back; larger than a duck, smaller than a C goose; summer in the arctic, winter along mid-Atlantic coast; an interesting bird). Paddled past the put-in up the Murderers' Kill 0.3 miles to a huge dam which creates Sleepy Hollow Lake. Varied fall colors from cottonwoods, oaks, maples; even saw some red cedar. The only thing missing was the sun. 14 miles, 6.5 hrs. Water temp in low 50s; air temp rising thru 40s to low 50s - really calls for wet or dry suit. Favored handwear by some of our group of 18 kayakers: pogies , neoprene mittens (neoprene gloves nowhere near as warm), insulated xc ski gloves. I carry a full change of clothing in a dry bag plus some Mycoal Grabber handwarmers for backup (these can also be dropped in booties/mukluks to warm cold toes) - some of which got used by a less prepared paddler. Swift Bering Sea , a 15'10" composite touring kayak - excellent tracking & comfort, very good speed (cruises in 4mph range), well-behaved in barge waves, edging & good paddling technique helps in turning, good primary stability, very good secondary, does not firm up at certain points of heel like many of the Dagger boats but that's ok with me.

Oct. 29, 2001 - Hudson River & Stockport Creek kayaking. Dagger Tybee, 14'10" fiberglass touring kayak. Installed (easy, no drilling) an Aqua Meter Sailor II compass on front deck but when I put my deck bag on I couldn't see the compass so ditched the deck bag - may work out better on a longer kayak. Put in at the end of Station Rd. in Columbiaville. Paddled under RR bridge scaring off a cormorant & south on the Hudson past sandy beaches. Not much development; views of Catskills to SW. After couple of miles crossed over to W shore just N of Middle Ground Flats island then headed north. After the grasses of West Flats, shore becomes steep & wooded with the occasional small cliff. Stop at 4 Mile Point Preserve for lunch. Crossed river to Stockport Middle Ground island which has campsites & sandy beaches then N past Gay's Point (more campsites). Had gone 3 hours before seeing first motorized boat of the day - don't expect this in summer. Turned around into light chop & went E of Stockport Middle Ground. Pass large group of mute swans before ducking (not literally) under the RR bridge into Stockport Creek. Go about a mile to rapids under bridge - look for sycamore trees along the way. On return, duck (can't help it now!) into a channel on S which goes under the RR & then a R into another channel thru the marsh. Back out & it is short distance to the put-in. Temp. in the low 50s - a bit warm in my thermal top & bottom (fleeced next to skin, stretchy outer layer, windproof & water-resistant - more comfortable than a wet suit but not as expensive as a dry suit - has insulating value of 2.5mm neoprene) -Malden Mills Aqua Shell fabric, similar pieces made by Traverse Bay, Mountain Surf & Bomber Gear - the stuff made by NRS is thinner & not as well made (imported) as the previous US-made products. Duck hunting season on the lower Hudson starts again on Nov. 3 - saw lots of duck blinds today. ~8-10 mi., 5 hrs.

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