Paddling SARATOGA COUNTY NY
...a work in progress... please come back...
HUDSON RIVER:
Sep 16, 2015 - HUDSON RIVER from Champlain Canal Lock 1 (gate open 7am-4:30pm today). On the subject of seals: there has been a seal hanging out above & below Lock 1 for most of the summer - unfortunately I did not see it today. Paddled upstream on E shore, saw gb & green herons & wood ducks in the Deep Kill; osprey - turned around short of Lock 2 & returned on W shore, saw osprey, short stop at Lighthouse Park dock. Light development. 2 hours. 
May 24, 2014 - PEEBLES ISLAND from boat launch at the S end of First St in Waterford. Around the S side to Buttermilk Falls, played in the currents. Around to other side into the Mohawk River's N channel, saw lots of turtles + goslings. Happy to find a sweet beginner surfing wave on the Polderump Island side of Peebles.
Sep 15, 2015 - HUDSON RIVER from Battery Park boat launch at the S end of First St in Waterford. The curious-looking Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge was still moored here after this past weekend's Tugboat Roundup. The Onrust. Headed upriver to the islands below Champlain Canal Lock 1 staying R & going counter-clockwise to avoid shallows. An osprey hit the water, a deer on one of the smaller islands & a bald eagle high up in a dead tree. Nice sunset color, crescent moon. 
Sep 1, 2015 - MOHAWK RIVER from the boat launch at the end of Flight Lock Rd in Waterford. This put us above Lock 6. Went along N shore past the Crescent Bridge & back on S shore (goose hunters had decoys out). Fair amount of motor traffic for a Tuesday evening. Green heron. 
Jul 28 - HUDSON RIVER upstream of Champlain Canal Lock 1. A seal was seen below the lock gates a few days ago. Short but interesting side-trip into the Deep Kill on E shore half mile upstream of the lock. 2 hours. Current Designs Breeze, a 13.5' kayak.
Sep 16, 2014 - HUDSON RIVER from Waterford boat launch at the end of First St. Paddled upstream around the islands close to Lock 1 dam. Partly developed but also some wooded shores, shallow areas & good current near islands. Pileated woodpeckers, bald eagle, beaver, Bambi. 2 hours.
Aug 7, 2012 - HUDSON RIVER CHAMPLAIN CANAL from Lock 1, Lock 1 Rd in Halfmoon. Upstream almost to Lock 2. Halfmoon Lighthouse Park - new, dock too high for most kayakers. Bald eagle. Wilderness Systems Tempest 165, a sweet 16.5' sea/touring kayak.
Jul 22, 2009 - MOHAWK & HUDSON RIVERS from concrete ramp boat launch in Waterford at S end of First St. Played in the currents below falls on S side of Peebles Island then headed S on the Hudson past the old Matson Shipyard. Swift Saranac 14, a well-designed light weight 14' touring kayak.
Oct 22, 2008 - HUDSON RIVER from Waterford boat launch. Headed upstream to islands below Lock 1. Started in daylight, finished in the dark. Bald eagles, osprey, loon, gb herons, thousands of C geese. 6 miles, 2 hours. Wilderness Systems Zephyr 15.5, a maneuverable & playful 15.5' touring kayak - manufacturer's website is incorrect, it is nowhere near 16" deep, more like 13".
Jun 24, 2008 - HUDSON RIVER from Lock 1, Lock 1 Rd, Halfmoon (~2 miles N of Waterford). Concrete ramp launch just upstream of the lock - note that boat launch gates close at 8pm & parking area gates close at 9pm. Headed upstream poking in & out of any coves & inlets. Light to moderate development. Poked into the Deer Kill on E shore & able to go 300 yds - very nice, saw deer. No motorboats out on a weekday evening. Osprey, kingfishers, hawk, swallows, beaver. 7 miles, 1.8 hrs. Swift Saranac 14 Sport, a 14' touring kayak.
Sep 19, 2006 - HUDSON RIVER from boat launch at S end of First St in Waterford. Rained most of the afternoon but stopped as we put in at 5:30pm. Headed upstream to Lock 1. Light to moderate development. Several islands below the lock are home to bald eagles - saw at least 5; also red-tailed hawk, wild turkeys. Skies opened up for cool sunset & a rainbow. 6 miles, 2 hours. Swift Saranac 14, a 14', 34 lb. touring kayak.
June 21, 2005 - HUDSON RIVER from Lock 1 in Halfmoon (Rts.4&32 N of Waterford). 3.5 miles to Lock 2 - some development, some woods. Current stronger than usual due to recent rains up N - took a lot less time to return than to go upstream. Played in waves below Lock 2 (experienced paddlers only). Other than canoes & kayaks, saw only 1 motorized boat & a bicycle (!) on the river this fine evening. 7 miles, 2 hrs. Dagger Exodus 16.8, a 16'10" PE touring kayak - fun, speedy, comfortable, predictable in waves.
June 5, 2005 - HUDSON RIVER in Moreau. 3.5 mile stretch between Spier Falls & Sherman Island Dams. Put-in at Sherman Isl. Boat Launch on Spier Falls Rd - a good gravel launching area. Mostly in Moreau SP so very little development, in fact, middle section is near wilderness. Steep hills surround the river here. S shore near Sherman Isl Dam has some interesting bays & islands with rocks that tempt you to take a break. 7 miles, 2.6 hrs.
Aug 24, 2004 - HUDSON RIVER canoeing from Champlain Canal Lock 1, N of Waterford off Rts.4&32. Put-in is a small concrete ramp above the lock - does not get much use from motorboats. Paddled 3+ miles to just short of Lock 2 - return was much faster - guess there is a bit of current here with the higher than average water levels. Bell Northstar , a 16.5' tandem composite canoe - above average speed, tracking, turning; good primary stability, excellent secondary; predictable feel in waves; decent room in front of bow seat for knees & legs.
Jun 15, 2004 - HUDSON RIVER from Lock 1. From Broad St. in Waterford take Rtes.4&32 N for 2.5 miles then take a R to Lock 1 - boat launch is to the L upstream of the dam. About 4 miles of river between Locks 1 & 2 & only a couple of motorboats this evening. Shores are mostly wooded with some houses - a pleasant stretch. Waves & rapids below Lock 2 were fun to play in. Dagger Exodus 16.8 , a 16'10" full-featured touring kayak.
May 23, 2004 - MOSES KILL & HUDSON RIVER kayaking. Put-in at Rt.4 bridge between Schuylerville & Fort Edward. A bit steep to put in by bridge. Paddled upstream against some current past 2 old bridges & at about a mile reach a Class 1+ rapid. ADK Canoe & Kayak Guide East-Central NYS says: "At high water...paddle thru breaks in (2) ledges; in low water...lift the boats over." There was no way I could paddle up thru the rapids so I carried on the L (river R) putting in again just above the rapid - had to paddle quick & hard to avoid getting swept downstream. Paddle hard thru one more spot of quickwater then settled in. Varied wooded undeveloped shores. Took a L into Dead Creek for a half mile then back further up the Moses. Swimming squirrel, oriole, wood duck mom with chicks. A tree blocks the stream before Woodard Rd & I turn back - nice to go with the flow. Took the rapid R of center. 6 miles, 2.8 hrs. Dagger Blackwater 11.5 - tracks like a ww boat with skeg up but I paddle it this way for quite a while, with skeg down tracking is very good & kayak is still quite maneuverable - a fine stable (that you can still edge way over) kayak if you like to paddle not-too-long flatwater trips (not the most efficient of hulls) plus some easy class 1/2 river-running.
Jul 8, 2003 - HUDSON RIVER, LOCK 1, Halfmoon kayaking. From Broadway in Waterford, take Rtes. 4&32 N for 2.5 miles & take a R on Lock 1 Rd. Saw bald eagle across the river as we were putting in at the concrete ramp. Paddled 3.5 miles to just below Lock 2 - banks mostly wooded with some tasteful houses scattered along the route - quite a pleasant section of river - not much motor traffic. Close to Lock 2 there are some shallow rocky sections outside of the deepwater route between the red & green buoys. Gate at the boat launch gets locked at 9pm & gate to the parking lot gets locked at 10pm so don't stay on the water too late. Impex Susquehanna, a 16'6" composite touring kayak - one of my favorite kayaks - excellent primary & secondary stability, average speed (not a speed demon), easy to turn for a boat of this length - I could use just a tad more foot room, boat might be best for someone under 5'11" &/or with feet less than sz.11.
July 30, 2003 - Hudson River canoeing from Waterford. Put-in is on Front St at the S end of First St. Paddled upstream toward Lock 1. A novice paddler is soon in the water & Nehasane moves in for the rescue - did a kayak over canoe T rescue which empties the kayak quickly & paddler can continue in a short amount of time. Some houses early on but about 2 miles up shore is mostly trees & some interesting islands are below the lock dam. Some motor traffic created good waves which the Swift Kipawa handled extremely well. Paddled tandem with lighter weight bow paddler - moved the standard bow sliding seat forward for better trim & handling on this beautiful warm but breezy evening.
MOHAWK RIVER:
Nov 18, 2013 - PEEBLES ISLAND from The Battery boat launch at the S end of First St in Waterford. Had to give the new Dagger Katana kayak a spin - a whitewater touring kayak good for up to Class III+ whitewater, skeg helps tracking on long flat stretches, very nice seat, some nice touches incl. under deck storage, cockpit drain plug, deck shockcord front & back, bulkhead footbrace, etc. - should be sweet boat on anything from the Battenkill, Sacandaga or the Grand Canyon. Fair amount of water coming over Buttermilk Falls creating some strong currents. 1 hour.
Apr 23, 2013 - MOHAWK RIVER from boat launch at S end of First St in Waterford. Practiced peel-outs & ferrying next to Bolt Island which creates a good eddy line then paddled to the falls on the S side of Peebles Island & played in the currents there. Beavers, several deer. Dagger Alchemy 14 kayak.
July 24, 2012 - MOHAWK RIVER from concrete ramp boat launch at end of Flight Lock Rd in Waterford, above Lock 6. Local fire departments doing dive practice near launch. Easy paddle past Rt.9 bridge, N shore somewhat developed, Colonie landfill on S shore (you don't want a S wind). Nice tailwind to finish. Swift Saranac 14, a 14' light touring kayak.
Jul 7, 2010 - MOHAWK RIVER from Canal Park at the end of Flight Lock Rd in Waterford. Above Lock 6. Too hot & humid to paddle hard. Took a look at the upstream ends of islands (do not go downstream of buoys, a kayaker got ticketed recently, dam below), checked out a marina tucked in behind a huge mat of water chestnut, thankfully no S wind to blow the smell of landfill over the river, turned around just past the Rt.9 bridge. 2 hours.
Aug 4, 2009 - MOHAWK RIVER from Canal Park boat launch at end of Flight Lock Rd W of Waterford. Popular spot this warm evening for launching motorboats & PWCs just above Lock 6 & dam (make sure you paddle upriver). Colonie landfill on S shore then Rt.9/Crescent Bridge. After that S shore mostly undeveloped until one gets to Colonie Mohawk River Town Park. Hazy almost full moonrise on return. 2 hours. Bell Merlin II.
Jun 3, 2009 - RIVERVIEW PUBLIC ACCESS PROJECT. This is a new Town of Clifton Park picnic area off Riverview Rd W of Vischer Ferry (just W of Brian Dr., E of Riverview Orchards). A smooth (wheelable) trail leads ~250 yards to a shale beach on the Mohawk River. No picnic tables here yet. Have seen it referred to as Riverview Landing & Mohawk Landing.
Aug 8, 2006 - MOHAWK RIVER from Klamsteam Tavern, Canal Rd, Clifton Park. Dirt launch area. Upstream & under the Northway's Kosciusko Bridge. After that things got much quieter with little development - the N shore is in the Vischer Ferry Preserve, light development on S shore. Turned around at the downstream island below Lions Park - saw gb heron, great egret, teal, couple of deer, a mature bald eagle flying across to N side. 7 miles, 1.8 hours. Merrimack Traveler, a 17' tandem canoe.
July 19, 2005 - MOHAWK RIVER from Canal Park at the end of Flight Rd in Waterford, just above Lock 6. Followed N shore to stay in shade on this steamy evening - fair amount of development - most interesting part of this section of the Mohawk is S shore between Rt.9 bridge & Colonie Town Park where there are a couple of islands & less development. Deep orange setting sun & the almost full moon was rising as we returned. Hurricane Aquasports Tampico XL, a 13'6" light touring kayak made of Trylon.
May 24, 2005 - MOHAWK & HUDSON RIVERS from boat launch at S end of First St in Waterford. Paddled W around N end of historic PEEBLES ISLAND 0.6 miles to cliffy island - channel to the R (river L) had a pretty good current - presence of Mohawk Paper Mill makes this the less attractive side of Peebles & its impressive cliffs. Back past put-in & around S end of Peebles 0.8 miles to "Whirlpool" Falls & played in the waves below the falls - cool place but be careful of currents & shallows. Watched a beaver walk along shore then dip into the water. Dagger Blackwater 12.5 - a playful 12'7" kayak that is designed for use on flatwater & up to class 2 whitewater.
Sep 21, 2004 - MOHAWK & HUDSON RIVERS kayaking from Waterford. Concrete ramp at the S end of First St. Visited the falls on S side of Peebles Island - lots of water created some strange currents below (not for beginner/novice - one kayaker needed an assisted T rescue). Paddled upstream on the Hudson under the half moon, its reflection glittering in our wakes. A white goose was making quite the racket. Minimal motor traffic this time of day/year - so nice. Dagger Catalyst 12.8 , a 12'10" plastic rec/touring kayak - touring kayak characteristics: surprisingly very good speed, excellent tracking, 2 hatches, optional rudder; recreational kayak characteristics: very good maneuverability, high primary stability, you're not gonna be leaning this one way up on edge, larger cockpit opening (but not too large), higher seatback; under 50lbs. even with a rudder.
Aug 17, 2004 - MOHAWK RIVER from state boat launch near State Canal Park, at end of Flight Lock Rd (off Washington Av.) in Waterford. Concrete ramp heavily used by motorboats but gravel areas to the side make good canoe/kayak launching spots. Do not paddle downstream - dam. Crossed to S side of river passing smelly Colonie landfill - S wind wafted the odor across the river. Pass some islands, Colonie Town Park then turned around before Northway's Kosciuszko Bridge (aka twin or Dolly Parton bridge). Moderately developed shorelines. Many great egrets. 7.5 miles, 2hrs. Starting to get dark earlier now - law says you must shine a white when another boat approaches at night (I carry a Princeton Tec Scout headlamp - just 1.6oz., LED light allows for long battery life, waterproof, tucks easily into PFD pocket). Swift Labrador Sea , a 16'4" composite touring kayak - very good speed & secondary stability, good turning & primary stability - best for paddlers over 6' &/or 220lbs - basically a big version of the Bering Sea. 
OTHER:
Aug 26, 2015 - SARATOGA LAKE, KAYADEROSSERAS CREEK & LAKE LONELY OUTLET kayaking...
Aug 25, 2015 - ROUND LAKE from boat launch on Rt.9. Crossed the lake & into its outlet the Anthony Kill. Lily-pads but also some blade-snagging milfoil, purple loosestrife colored the shores. Passed new boardwalk, observation platform & canoe/kayak launch (a floating platform) of the Round Lake Preserve. Sunset skies on return around N side of lake. Gb herons, cormorants. 1.7 hours. 
May 27, 2015 - ROUND LAKE from boat launch on Rt. 9. Went around N shore, poked into Little Round Lake then into the outlet, the Anthony Kill, for close to a mile where we saw a new observation deck in the process of being built. Lots of snapping turtles in the AK, turned around at a beaver dam. 1.8 hours.
Aug 26, 2014 - ROUND LAKE from new boat launch on Rt.9. Mostly undeveloped but hard to get away from the road noise. Did the perimeter of the lake (lots of waterlilies near S shore, milfoil near N shore) & went down the outlet, the Anthony Kill (an osprey sat on one of the dead trees in what used to be a heron rookery), thru some quickwater then R up the Dwaas Kill a short distance sliding over a log. Nice after sunset. 1.6 hours.
July 1, 2014 - ROUND LAKE from new boat launch on Rt.9. Lots of milfoil catches the paddle blades. Bald eagles, cormorants. Had to get off early due to an approaching storm so did not get to check out the Anthony Kill, the lake's outlet. Crowded on nice weekends. Perception Expression 11.5, an 11'8" kayak with thigh braces & skeg.
Aug 30, 2011 - ROUND LAKE & ANTHONY KILL from new parking area on Maltaville Rd. Water level a couple of feet above normal. 100 yards along the inlet to the lake, along the N & E shores to the Anthony Kill. The AK twists & turns for about a mile thru large lilypads & marsh/swamp (lots of purple loosestrife flowering, some pickerelweed) before high land closes in & the current quickens. The Dwaas Kill comes in from the right - I go just a bit further, returning against the current can be difficult Only 2 nests at the old heron rookery which just a few years ago had over 20 nests. Cormorants, osprey, wood ducks, pileated woodpecker, gb herons, mature & immature bald eagles. 2 hours.
Oct 23, 2010 - ROUND LAKE & ANTHONY KILL from the inlet. Full moon rises & sun sets ~6pm - how can one resist? Easy to go over the beaver dams on the AK. Bald eagle, buffleheads.
Oct 19, 2009 - MOREAU LAKE STATE PARK paddle & hike. Paddled Moreau Lake's clear green water - could see fish swimming; liftover under the footbridge to get to N lobe where I saw a small turtle swimming. Hiked light blue trail <1 mile to the lookout - steep, fair view SE. Good fall colors. Bell Merlin II, a 15' solo canoe.
Jul 7, 2009 - ROUND LAKE & ANTHONY KILL. Half of parking area off Rt.9 is flooded thanks to beaver whose dam has raised the lake level a couple of feet. Much milfoil. Poked into Little Round Lake then down the AK. Lilypads, pickerelweed - some of our canoeists pulled out a patch of water chestnut. Due to the high water it is possible to explore the wetlands off the stream. Great sunset colors, somewhat obscured full moonrise. Cormorants, gb herons on nests, swallows, osprey. Dagger Alchemy, 14' playful kayak, a most versatile kayak good for sea kayaking thru moderate whitewater - able to make the turns in the AK just with edging.
Nov 16, 2008 - FISH CREEK from Mennen Rd, Victory Mills. Moderate current due to recent rains; heavy current under westernmost Rt.29 bridge (we were able to paddle up thru it). Mostly wooded shores; some light development near bridges. 8.7 miles; 3.8 hours.
Sep 16, 2008 - ROUND LAKE & ANTHONY KILL. Beavers have built up the dam on the AK - now over 2' drop. Sunset from the AK, moonrise from W shore of RL. Pyranha Master TG, 9' kayak best for river-running but skeg helps tracking on flatwater, very stable.
Jul 18, 2008 - ROUND LAKE & ANTHONY KILL. Fin of a shark er...fish. Purple flowers of loosestrife & pickerel weed in the outlet. Fiery red-orange sunset; pinkish-orange full moonrise. Light mosquito activity after sunset. Bell Yellowstone Solo, a 14' solo canoe. 2.5 hours. 
Jul 1, 2008 - ROUND LAKE & ANTHONY KILL. E across the lake & down the AK for about a mile. Purple flowers of pickerel weed & white lilies starting to appear; over 30 gb herons on their nests. Returned to lake at sunset. Some mosquitoes in parking lot afterwards. 2 hours. Perception Prodigy 12, a 12' poly kayak, tracks well & is very stable. 
May 6, 2008 - ROUND LAKE, ANTHONY KILL, DWAAS KILL from Rt.9. Crossed windy (waves to 1') Round Lake & down the outlet, the Anthony Kill, for about a mile. Heron rookery has 15 nests, 10 or 11 less than a year ago. The usual beaverdam was more like a short class 1 rapid, shortly after we took a right & headed upstream on the Dwaas Kill, banks topped with fiddleheads & violets. Went thru large culvert under old railroad & then under a road bridge (Ushers Rd), some shallows & downed trees. Saw bald eagle just before heading back out on the lake. 1.8 hours. Dagger Blackwater 10.5, a 10.5' kayak with skeg (skeg can help tracking in quartering winds).
July 26, 2005 - BALLSTON LAKE. Put-in next to bridge on Outlet Rd. Spent some time in the warm water trying to figure out a way to get back into a solo canoe after a capsize - only succeeded to get back in with too much water in canoe - had fun trying to roll it. Lake is 3.5 miles long, nice water for swimming, shores are too developed for my tastes. Merrimack Baboosic, a 14 footer.
Oct 30, 2006 - ROUND LAKE from small parking area on Rt.9. High water level; portion of parking area under water. Sun set behind trees/nests of heron rookery. Mile down ANTHONY KILL & then a right into DWAAS KILL for 10 mins. to tunnel under old railroad grade.
June 28, 2005 - ROUND LAKE, ANTHONY KILL, DWAAS KILL from dirt parking area off Rt.9 in Round Lake. Little sign of civilization once you get away from Rt.9. Followed S shore E & into the AK which winds for a mile to a beaverdam. To the S is a great blue heron rookery with 26 nests, many with 2 or 3 herons standing in them. Went over the 2' beaverdam then took a R into the Dwaas Kill - the AK has a downed tree across it just below this junction. The DK winds for under a mile with some obstructions, goes under an old railroad bridge before reaching Ushers Rd. Some mosquitoes this evening. 5 miles, 2 hours. Bell Merlin II, a 15' solo canoe, just eats up this type of paddling.
May 3, 2005 - BALLSTON LAKE OUTLET canoeing. Put-in next to bridge on Outlet Rd. Soon have to go around a downed tree but after that there was only 1 small beaverdam to slide over. Stream winds over a mile thru interesting swamp to great blue heron rookery with 21 nests. A nesting C goose lies low on a hummock, red-winged blackbirds flutter about noisily, a beaver slaps its tail, another heads for shore. Past the rookery there is a large beaverdam & we turn around. 1.5 hrs. Bell Northwind - 16.5' Royalex version - above average everything - excellent choice if durability & moderate weight are important.
Sep 14, 2004 - BALLSTON LAKE kayaking. Put-in next to the bridge over the outlet on Outlet Rd. Shores mostly developed. 7.5 miles (to the S end & back); 1.9 hrs. Brand-spanking new 2005 Dagger Specter 15.0 , a plastic touring kayak w/rudder - 15'2"L, 25.5"W, 56lbs., cockpit 34"x19", deck height 13", max load 335lbs. - good speed (likes to cruise in the 3-4mph range); very good tracking (little wind tonight); stable enough for photography; very user friendly on edge, carves turns predictably, firms up to a solid point of secondary stability & resists going way over with skirt in the water, excellent handling in waterski boat wakes close to 2'; seatback a bit on the high side for a touring kayak which may interfere with re-entries & rolling - overall, a very user-friendly design for beginner thru intermediates.
Jul 19, 2004 - BALLSTON LAKE kayaking. More rescue practice. Able to get people to do paddlefloat rescues & assisted T rescues in a variety of kayaks: small rec Dagger Zydeco (no bulkheads/hatches), a single-bulkheaded lite tourer & a double bulkheaded tourer - the latter was easiest, bulkheads keep water (which is very heavy) from filling the kayak. Don't forget to check your hatch covers for tight fit before you head out onto the water. Dagger Exodus 16.8 , a 16'10" plastic touring kayak - good tracking, very maneuverable & playful for such a long kayak - I could really grow to like this baby.
Jul 13, 2004 - BALLSTON LAKE kayaking. Put-in next to bridge over the outlet on Outlet Rd at N end of lake. Practised paddlefloat re-entries, assisted rescues, ended up with a roll & quit while I was ahead. Water very warm. Dagger Sitka , a 17'10" fiberglass touring kayak - very good speed & tracking, good primary stability & surprisingly maneuverable for a boat of this length, very comfortable anywhere on edge, playful. Not crazy about the rudder but I hardly need it anyway. Day hatch stayed dry & kept minimal gear (10+ essentials) handy.
Jun 1, 2004 - ROUND LAKE kayaking. Put-in from dirt parking area on Rt.9 (hard to spot from road - drive slowly). Water level high partly due to a beaverdam on the outlet, the Anthony Kill. Paddled east across the lake & into the outlet which winds for about a mile before reaching the beaverdam - to the S there is a heron rookery with about 20 nests. Slid over the beaverdam & soon a small tributary enters from the R. Downstream the current picks up a bit & there are some overhanging branches to watch out for - not for the inexperienced. Paddled part way up the tributary then back the same way. Interesting sunset but the moon remained obscured until we were finished paddling. Mostly undeveloped, wildernessy feel & best paddled this time of year before the milfoil starts growing in. Dagger Charleston 14.0 , a 14'1" lt. tourer.
May 4, 2004 - BALLSTON LAKE & OUTLET kayaking. Put-in next to bridge on Outlet Rd. Water level low enough to barely be able to squeeze under the bridge. Went downstream, some beaver activity incl. a huge lodge but no major obstructions yet. After about a mile of paddling thru the swamp there is a large heron rookery. Also saw green heron, C goose nesting on small beaverlodge, hairy woodpecker, mallard, red-winged blackbirds. Out onto the main lake (somewhat developed) at sunset then waited on the W shore for a glorious full moon.
Jun 17, 2003 - ROUND LAKE canoeing. Put-in at small dirt parking area next to Rt.9. Minimal development on main lake, some houses on Little Round Lake. A few motorboaters out fishing & 1 PWC left early. Went down the winding outlet to the E, the Anthony Kill, for about a mile to a small beaverdam & returned. Kingfishers, r-w blackbirds, swallows - heron rookery to S of creek with 9 nests. Nice sunset on way back. 4 miles, 2 hrs. Merrimack Baboosic, a 14' solo canoe - 40lbs. in Kevlar with cherry ribs - basically a solo Prospector, Bill Mason's favorite canoe.
Jun 11, 2003 - BALLSTON LAKE kayaking. Put-in next to bridge on Outlet Rd at N end of lake. Lots of humidity this evening gave the lake a soft misty look. Paddled all the way down & back. Quite a few houses on shore. Weather forecast (storms) scared most motorboaters away this evening. Hombrua at his antics again - jumped out of his canoe then dumped Kaboose while trying to get back in - Nehasane to the rescue - did a canoe over kayak T rescue then got both of them back in again. 7.5 miles, 2 hrs.
May 6, 2003 - BALLSTON LAKE OUTLET canoeing. Put-in on Outlet Rd next to bridge at N end of lake. Just about enough room to get the canoe under the bridge. Snaked thru the swamp for about a mile - past the heron rookery & turned around at a beaverdam. Lots of red-winged blackbirds & the occasional beaver. Slid over some potential obstructions but didn't have to get out of the boat for anything.
Mar 26, 2003 - VISCHER FERRY NATURE PRESERVE kayaking. Put-in at Clute's Dry Dock in E part of preserve on Riverview Rd 0.4 mi. E of Male Dr. Rear of parking area flooded but no problem if you have a boat. Boat dock too high to make it useful for kayakers & care must be taken when entering & exiting the kayak. Paddled W on the old Erie Canal which soon widens into a pond. Water depth fine; in summer expect to drag bottom. Returned E past Clutes & thru opening into the Mohawk River . River is moving at a good clip - a distinct eddy line formed at a point - I returned quickly to calmer water & poked around thru flooded trees. Muskrats, C geese & ducks abound - of note are quite a few buffleheads stopping over before heading up to Canada. Also toured pond to the N - Northway traffic can be seen & heard - still some ice here.
June 13, 2003 - Round Lake, Anthony Kill, Dwaas Kill canoeing. Put-in is right on Rt.9 - there is a dirt parking area with room for about 10-15 vehicles. Rainy day turned into a sunny evening - great for an after work paddle. Paddle around the S shore of Round Lake - the N wind sends small waves which rock me gently. The Anthony Kill exits the lake at its E end winding thru lilypads & lined with arrowhead. This is home to much wildlife: beaver, muskrat, gb herons (feeding young in nest), black ducks (also with chicks), kingfisher, red-winged blackbirds & many songbirds. Water level is quite high & it is easy to slip over a beaverdam. The Dwaas Kill soon comes in from the R (or S). We paddle against a gentle current, duck under a footbridge, paddle hard up over another low beaverdam & wind amid 6' banks, go under an old double-tunneled bridge & soon reach a road. Turn back & paddle further downstream on the Anthony Kill till strainers block the way then return to the lake. Fun taking the Bell Merlin II, a 15' solo canoe, thru the turns & playing with a variety of strokes & leans - the Merlin is quick to accelerate out of the turns - the paddler can help his own cause by not slowing too much in the turns (turning strokes should include an element of forward power - ruddering in the stern should be avoided). 2 hours.
May 21, 2003 - Ballston Lake Outlet canoeing. Put-in at the bridge on Outlet Rd. Water level high so no need to go over any beaverdams today. Slight current helped me along winding thru the swamp - saw a beaver. 20 minutes to the heron rookery which has close to 20 nests. Return a bit slower. Carried over Outlet Rd & paddled on the lake for a while.
May 1, 2001 - Ballston Creek (Lake outlet). Put-in on Outlet Rd. near bridge over outlet. Ducked under bridge & soon arrived at a beaver dam with huge hut. Got over that & continued downstream; stream a few feet wide thru marshy area; strong dry grass smell. Over 2 more beaver dams (all easy by Adirondack standards). Saw huge beaver & many huts. After half an hour come to large great blue heron rookery with close to 20 nests & about as many herons. Paddled around it & shoreline became more wooded. Could see buildings thru trees. Turned around at another beaver dam but stream looked paddlable beyond. Bell Wildfire RX proves its versatility.
Oct. 17, 2000 - Great Sacandaga Lake. Cloudy but dry day, leaf colors good but just past peak - mostly yellow, orange, bronze (oaks). Put-in next to Conklingville Dam at NE end of the reservoir. Paddled 6 or 7 miles & lunched on exposed sand bar. Lake level has been drawn down. Surprise - no wind! - water was real calm - reflections of surrounding hills pleasing. No other boats on water today - a sharp contrast from summer when you can expect lots of PWCs & motorboats hence not someplace I would normally go paddling. Camps line the shores, not much public land here. Paddled the NWK Synergy today - conditions today were not too challenging.
Jun. 1, 2000 - Looking for a nice place for the Merrimack Baboosic's (14' solo, Kevlar w/cherry ribs, 40lbs.) maiden voyage so I figure on Moreau Lake near Glens Falls. After a stop at Rock Hill Bakehouse (I-87 Exit 17N, 0.5 mi. on right), I head on over to Moreau State Park & was told by person at booth that they don't open til 8am (it was 7:15am) - funny how you can have someone working the booth & not be able to open the gate (my hard-earned tax dollars!). So I head on over to Lake Luzerne; put-in next to beach in the village. Paddled into the inlet & went upstream for 45 min. to 2nd bridge (culvert - getting shallow here) & came back then circuited the lake. Nice humid morning, few blackflies in parking lot only (maybe waiting for the kids in the school across the street to get out.) Baboosic is symmetrical w/about 3" of rocker; a nice turning canoe; tracking was fair; more fun in the stream than on the lake; average speed; superior good looks; great secondary stability, can be paddled straight or heeled over; some tumblehome but after paddling Bell canoes I felt I would like more - maybe unfair comparison because there are probably no better solo canoes than the Bells. In spring it is possible to paddle from Fourth Lake to Lake Luzerne via Third & Second Lakes.
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