Hello Everyone,
Hoping to get some suggestions on a paddle with two overnights somewhere in the southern end of the park. There will be 6-8 of us in 17' canoes. All have extensive back-country camping experience in all seasons (mainly hiking), a moderate amount of flatwater experience, and a few of us have done some class II and III rapids in kayaks. This is not to say we'll attempt any serious rapids in these large canoes with inexperienced members of our group, just that a few of us at least have some experience with whitewater to know what we can handle, and when to get out of the water.
We're looking for a paddle in which we can camp on forest preserve land on 2 different nights, preferrably a point-to-point trip, though it doesn't have to be. I think our ideal trip would be 2 nights in something like Low's Lake/Bog River Flow, but I can't convice some of our party, who will be traveling from points much farther south, to spend another hour or two in the car.
We can deal with a few rapids or falls if they can be portaged around, but we don't have the experience to paddle anything wild. Originally I was thinking of putting in on the West Branch of the Sacandaga at furthest point upstream on Rt 10, and over a 2 nights stay, paddling to a takeout just downstream of the confluence with the east branch, but it looks like the section of rapids and falls through the gorge will make it near impossible with our equipment and experience. Is it possible to portage around the length of the Gorge? Are the waters at all tamer downstream of the 5 waterfalls?
Otherwise a trip involving a series of lakes and portages would be a good bet. We are a fit bunch and don't mind a few carrys. Just looking to see if anyone has any suggestions or favorites.
Thanks in advance!
Garlic Boy of Poconos, PA (Formerly Burnt Hills, NY)
Hoping to get some suggestions on a paddle with two overnights somewhere in the southern end of the park. There will be 6-8 of us in 17' canoes. All have extensive back-country camping experience in all seasons (mainly hiking), a moderate amount of flatwater experience, and a few of us have done some class II and III rapids in kayaks. This is not to say we'll attempt any serious rapids in these large canoes with inexperienced members of our group, just that a few of us at least have some experience with whitewater to know what we can handle, and when to get out of the water.
We're looking for a paddle in which we can camp on forest preserve land on 2 different nights, preferrably a point-to-point trip, though it doesn't have to be. I think our ideal trip would be 2 nights in something like Low's Lake/Bog River Flow, but I can't convice some of our party, who will be traveling from points much farther south, to spend another hour or two in the car.
We can deal with a few rapids or falls if they can be portaged around, but we don't have the experience to paddle anything wild. Originally I was thinking of putting in on the West Branch of the Sacandaga at furthest point upstream on Rt 10, and over a 2 nights stay, paddling to a takeout just downstream of the confluence with the east branch, but it looks like the section of rapids and falls through the gorge will make it near impossible with our equipment and experience. Is it possible to portage around the length of the Gorge? Are the waters at all tamer downstream of the 5 waterfalls?
Otherwise a trip involving a series of lakes and portages would be a good bet. We are a fit bunch and don't mind a few carrys. Just looking to see if anyone has any suggestions or favorites.
Thanks in advance!
Garlic Boy of Poconos, PA (Formerly Burnt Hills, NY)
Comment