Northeast Wild

Watch this video if you are new to moving water. Jun 7, 2015 - HOOSIC RIVER from Ashton Ave in N Adams MA to Clayton Park (narrow path w/stinging nettles) on Lincoln St in Pownal VT. Quickwater, rapids up to Class II, mostly Class I, waves up to 15". Williamstown gauge at 5.4' - the lowest I've ever run this scenic section at but was lots of fun anyway (I enjoy "reading the river" + perfect weather in the low 70s), I hit some rocks but never got stuck. 9.7 miles, 5+ hours ( 2 breaks & a relaxed pace). May 25, 2014 - HOOSIC RIVER from Ashton Rd, N Adams MA to Lincoln St, Pownal VT.  Williamstown gage at 5.8' - a very nice level.  Class 1/1+ rapids.  Hints of civilization early but once past Williamstown the shores are mostly wild passing Hopkins Memorial Forest on the L.  Always a very enjoyable run & leaves one wanting more.  Nice weather, temp into the 70s.  No bad bugs.  Saw a couple of fisherman but no other paddlers....

The Battenkill is a fun & scenic paddle anywhere from S of Manchester VT to Battenville NY - many class I rapids, one class II at "The Rock" N of Arlington - good maneuvering skills often required.   River Classifications . Watch this video if you are new to moving water. May 30, 2016 - BATTENKILL kayaking, from above the Eagleville Covered Bridge to CR 61 in Battenville. Battenville gauge at 4.8' - a bit low but still fine paddling. Easy rapids, riffles, flatwater, some waves to play in. There was some tree debris in the water between the campground & the big bend (about a half hour from start). Stopped for lunch & swim at end of a long island. More covered bridges at Shushan & Rexleigh. Had to lift over a downed tree late in the trip. Very scenic valley, such very clear water! Eagle, rt hawk, osprey (nest on powerline pole), mallards, mergansers, wood ducks, oriole, sandpipers. Flowers included phlox, yellow flag, forget-me-nots. ...

GREAT ISLAND area kayaking, Old Lyme, Ct.  Paddled thru break in Griswold Point & into LONG ISLAND SOUND (waves up to 1.5'), turned E for a bit then returned to lunch on the beach point with views across the sound & mouth of the Connecticut River at high tide.  Up the BLACKHALL RIVER (light home development) for over 2 miles, returned with outgoing tide.  Cut across Great Island's saltwater marsh to CONNECTICUT RIVER (some waves from motorboats), Lieutenant River & back on protected E side of island.  Cormorants, ospreys, snowy & great egrets, gbh, mute swans, marsh hawk.  Very interesting area.   GREAT ISLAND, Old Lyme, CT from boat launch at end of Smith Neck Rd.     Started ~3 hours before low tide.  Great Island undeveloped, mainland lightly developed.  After exploring the shallow bay behind  Griswold Point we went around the point & into Long Island Sound, played in...

Apr 29&30, 2012 - SHALLOW LAKE & SUCKER BROOK canoe camping.  Pigeon Lake Wilderness Area.  1.3 mile carry from Lower Browns Tract Pond.  Trail rough at first then got worse as it got wet & muddy passing thru swamp on either side of Beaver Brook.  Bridge over the latter has bouncy 3 log stringers at water level.  Paddled down the brook half mile to large boggy area.  Last 0.9 miles of trail better but not without its muddy spots.  Aluminum canoe at the end of the trail (not seen in 2017 visit).  Very windy with waves over 1'.  Paddled around E end & settled into an excellent campsite amongst white pines with a long rocky point & commanding view of the lake.  4 hours from the start.  There are at least 3 other campsites on the lake (did not like 2 of those).  Great wilderness feel, very quiet.  Wind finally died down in the evening - the next day was much calmer - temp dropped into the 20s overnight....

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the gate on the access road leading to the Bog River Dam, also known as Lows Lower Dam, has reopened following a period of closure for dam maintenance. The Lower Dam Road and parking area near the end of the road are now open to the public. More Info . May 3&4, 2015 - BOG RIVER canoe camping from Lows Lower Dam.  The gate at the start of the dirt road to the dam had been opened just a day or 2 ago.  Side-trip of 1.3 miles up Horseshoe Lake outlet to Horseshoe Lake Rd, 2 beaver dams.  Hitchins Pond campsite #6.  1.3 mile (one way) hike from HP up to Low's Ridge (gain of 400') with lots of trout lilies blooming - awesome view with Bog River below & snowy Marcy & Algonquin in the far distance.  Full moonrise.  Saw a few other people, most heading out.  Day 2 - Paddled the perimeter of Hitchins poking into inlet at N end for a quarter mile.  Then, 1 mil...