Kayaking the Schroon River - 8/19/12

This was a revisit of a paddle I did here on March 18, 2012!  Some of you may recall that we had some 70+ degree weather in March that caused me to take the kayak out.

The Schroon River, shortly after our launch 

Today I went back to see how this section of the Schroon River looks in the summer. If you look at a map, the Schroon River has a large meandering section of moving water just north of Warrensburg, NY. This meandering provides not only endlessly changing views, but also some nice sandbars and beach areas (not in March, but now).  

 

I won't include my maps on this post, you can see them on my March post.

Today the river was quiet.  We only saw two other boats during our 7 mile paddle.

Midway through our trip, we pulled ashore at an enticing beach area and took a swim.  It was really nice.  Lots of great spots for a little beach picnic.

We didn't see any herons or egrets today, but lots of turtles, ducks and a few geese.  

One of the beach areas along the way

Fall colors are starting already on a couple trees

Once again, I had left a bicycle at the takeout and peddled the 4 miles back to the car.  We enjoyed this spot once again and will undoubtedly return!

 

Our takeout was just past the County Home Road bridge on paddler's left

Kayaking the Schroon River - Warrensburg, NY - 3/18/12

I enjoy kayaking the Schroon River (although I've never done it in March before)!  I haven't done the whitewater sections, since I have a touring boat, but now I've done most of the quiet water sections.

Today's paddle was the meandering section beginning in Bolton, south of Riverbank, at the location where the river starts to wind back and forth.  Just to the north are some small rapids, which I would have done in the summer, but I didn't want to take a chance in March.

I must say it felt strange kayaking in mid-March, even though the weather was more like May.  As I paddled though, I came across both cool and warm thermals in the air.  The water was certainly cold, but I managed to stay dry.

Map showing my Launch and Take Out locations - click to enlarge

This paddle measured 6.8 miles and took an hour and a half to paddle.  There were lots of Mergansers along the way and some geese.  I had not paddled this section of the river before.  It is a little wider and deeper than my favorite section (Schroon Falls - south the Schroon Lake).  There are not as many inviting little beaches either.  Still a nice paddle.

A nice easy launch location - I didn't even get my feet wet

  

Several embankments line the river

Not too many sandbars on this section of the river, but here's one

I love these old small "out-buildings"

 

Quite a few ducks and geese were in this field

 

Another small beach

 

Still some ice on the back bays, but not in the main river channel

 

The "take out" was just beyond the bridge (County Home Road) on paddler's left

Just so you know, you will hear some interstate noise as you get closer to the take-out (especially with the leaves down).  In my mind it's not horrible.  That section of the interstate doesn't get much traffic.  By the way, since I was solo on this trip, I left a bicycle at the take-out.  It provided an easy way to get back to the car after my paddle.  I simply peddled north on scenic County Route 10 for 4.25 miles.

This is the first time I've gone skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, bicycling and kayaking in the same week.  It was great.  I hope the boat gets to stay out.  With this warm weather pattern extending for most of the coming week, perhaps I'll go kayaking again mid-week with my daughter during "spring break"!  This time I'll let her choose between all the activities mentioned above.

Kayaking the Schroon River at EveryTrail