Raquette, NY

What Line?

What Line?
Photo of Jim Mumme by Phantomboater taken Aug 31, 2002 @ 720 cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

Stone Valley is a classic Adirondack run with a pool-drop character. The noted difference from other runs in the region is that the rapids are much closer together in Stone Valley. The first mile drops 200' through seven distinct rapids separated on average by 100-200 yards. The greatest distance between any two rapids is only 400 yds. One unique and potentially dangerous characteristic is that the river flows against the "grain" of the bedrock, creating piton features and potholes which are especially noticeable at flows below 600 cfs. (Few if any pins have been reported with over 500 runs being made though the spring of '04.) The last two miles are CL II with one CL III rapid.

The Stone Valley area is actually a cooperative recreation area that includes Reliant Power, St. Lawrence County, the Town of Colton, NYDEC and several user groups (ADK is the largest). ADK trails exist on both sides of the river, are three miles long, well maintained, and have limited parking at both ends. (For a map of the trails, visit ADK's Stone Valley web site.) AW has a great relationship with Reliant Energy and other user groups of the Stone Valley Cooperative Recreation Area. To help grow this relationship and reduce user impact on the trail system, please stay on trails when scouting if possible, especially around Colton Falls.

Colton is located approximately nine miles South of Potsdam on NY Route 56. There are a variety of roads that can take you to Colton. The State Police have a station in Canton and with three colleges in the area; I highly recommend you watch your speed on Rte 11, Rte 68 and Rte 56. :-)

From Albany take 87 N to Warrensberg and drive through Blue Mtn Lake, Long Lake to Tupper Lake taking Rte 3 East and catching Rte 56 North about 2 miles east of Childwold. Drive through South Colton to Colton, turning right on Main St. (east).

From Burlington go north and drive through Malone, NY to Potsdam on Rte 11. Pick up Rte 56 S. in Potsdam. Go 10 miles on 56 to Main St. in Colton and turn left (east).

From Watertown, take Rte. 11 North.
Turn right (SE) on Rte 68 at the last stop light in the village of Canton (Pizza Hut on the corner).
Rte 68 ends at a T-intersection with Rte 56, turn Left (north).
Go about half a mile and turn right (east) onto Main St.

Getting to the River in Colton: Once on Main St cross over the river and turn left driving past the fire station. The road dead-ends in a small parking area. Parking at the put-in is a little tight, best to park in the grass area behind the fire station and carry your boat to the put-in. Please do not park in the fire station lot just above put-in. Vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed. If there is no parking left in the grass area or along the road, then park on the other side of the river by the museum.

Access to the river: Access is from river right to avoid damaging the historical ruins on river left. If running Colton Falls, put-on at the base of the dam. If you choose to portage Colton Falls, then please use the trail on river right. The pool between Colton Falls and Tannery Ledges has an easy trail. If Tannery Ledges looks to be too much for you, then I recommend you only paddle on the lower 1.5 miles using the mid-way put-in/take-out (see directions below).

From the put-in get back on Rte 56 headed north (right turn off Main St). After approximately three miles, turn right onto County Road 24. Drive 0.6 mi crossing over Brown's Bridge and turn right on Lenny Road. The power lines that cross the river and road mark the takeout parking (0.3 mi from the intersection). Park along the road where there's room or back at the Brown's Bridge Intersection. Exit the river 20 yds before the power lines on river right or down at Brown's Bridge.

1.5 miles south (up river) from the intersection of Lenny Rd and Browns Bridge Rd/CR 24 is a small grass "parking area" on the west side of Lenny Rd (right coming from CR 24). It is a 1/3 mile to the river from the parking area. The midway take-out is approximately 1.5 river miles from the dam. Take-out on the right before the river narrows. Be sure not to paddle past the small cliff on the right that has painting on it.

The State Camp Ground near South Colton is open from Memorial weekend through Labor Day weekend and is less than 10 miles from the put-in.

The put-in is in the middle of a village and dozens of hikers use the trails along the rivers edge, so please be considerate and police your fellow kayakers

Colton does not have an open container law so post-run brews are not a problem, but please take the empties with you.

Nearby rivers:

The Beaver has recreational releases on many of the same weekends as Stone Valley. Check the Beaver web pages for dates and flows.
Beaver River, Taylorville
Beaver River, Moshier
Beaver River, Eagle.

Nearby runs of similar difficulty to Stone Valley that could be flowing in April/May and Oct/Nov
Grasse S. Branch, Twin Falls section
Oswegatchie, E. Branch Flatrock to Edwards
Oswegatchie, M. Branch

Lat/longitude coords verified by GPS.