Grass, Middle Branch,

Tracy Brook to Clare Rd.

Usual Difficulty	III-IV(V) (may vary with level)
Length	10.5 Miles
Avg. Gradient	38 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
WEST BRANCH OSWEGATCHIE R NR HARRISVILLE NY
usgs-04262500	2000 - 6000 cfs	III-IV(V)	00h53m	750 cfs (rc= -0.3 )

River Description

Access: Head north out of Degrasse on Claire Rd. and continue a couple of miles past the South Grasse take out. Turn right on Dean Rd. just after crossing the Middle Grasse and park in the shoulder on the right side of the road. To reach the put-in, continue up Dean Rd. for about 10 miles. You'll notice lots of hunting clubs and even drive through one camp. When you see the DEC sign for Stone Damn, park and start hiking up the road. It's a little more than a mile to Tracy Brook, which we put-in on and banged our way through the brush to the Middle Branch. Also, it was obvious that this old road had been driven on, although the puddle/lake at the beginning would require some clearance, but I have no idea of the legality. Also, it appears a road accesses the river a few miles further up, check topozone/gazateer if you're interested in giving this a try.

Description: Shortly after reaching the Grasse from Tracy Brook, the river starts dropping into some nice boat scoutable slides. The first mile or two below Tracy Brook is the best part. From then on there's alot of flatwater, some sections of continuous class II-III stuff, a few nice small slides, a couple of easily recognized big class V slides, and one super sweet long(1/8 mile?) low angle slide. Both of the big slides would go, but the first is kinda junky looking and the second has a pretty bad hole on the bottom right, but a nice 10ft boof on the bottom left. Overall, this section has some fun parts, but doesn't match up to some of the area's other options; however, this is a great option if you get to the South Branch and it's a little beefy for your liking.

One other note, this area is loaded with hunting clubs who don't want you there and have plenty of guns. While passing under a foot bridge we were told, "These here are private waters." However, at the take out we talked to some other locals who were friendly.