Schroon, NY

End of 1st Rapid

End of 1st Rapid
Photo by Bill Shaughnessy taken 2008-05-10 @ 4.61 ft

Gauge Information

River Description

This section of the Schroon river is rated as a class II/III. There is an alternate putin at latitude 43.6453972, longitude -73.7598190. The purpose for this alternate putin is to avoid over a mile of flat water; if you put in here, your run will be about 3.25 miles. You will miss two rapids, however. The first, a 25-foot-long class II, is under the Rte. 8 bridge; it is quite bony at lower levels. The second rapid is much longer but I have not run it so I cannot say anything as to its level.

If you use the alternate putin I would caution you to be careful to avoid the private section of riverbank immediately across from the log home. It would be wise to not park your cars there either, even though the shoulder of the road is public (public relations, you know). On each side of this small section of private riverbank is public land. If you choose to use the alternate putin, you will be immediately above the third rapid of this section, which is a III-. It is run center to right center to center. If the water is above 4.8 be careful of the pourover just above the last drop on river right as the current will push you that way. There are some fun surfing waves below both drops if the level is right.

After a short calm you will come to the fourth rapid. This is a class II at all levels with many easy waves to surf and very long (about 1 mile). If it gets close to the minimum flow it gets rather bony. Above 4.8 the trees are in the current so the swim can be very long.
About 1/2 mile below you will arrive at the biggest rapid on the river which is called "the big drop." If you have not been on the section before it would be wise to scout it first as the lines are not visible till you are on the drop itself. Do NOT scout from the right bank as the owner is NOT friendly to paddlers. You will know you are close to the rapid because you will hear the roar around a sharp bend to the right. At that time proceed anywhere to the left bank and pull out to scout. There are two lines over the ledge. The sneak route is far river right and is good for open boaters at most levels. A more exciting route is left of center. The slot is narrow and does not leave much room for error. The good thing is that there is not much of a rapid above the drop. Be sure to avoid the far left as the hole there can be a keeper at certain levels. The hole on the right can also give a paddler an opportunity do do some unplanned manuvers (if you know what I mean). After the drop there are a number of waves to play on.
After the big drop the only thing left to do is to paddle about 1/2 mile to the bridge and then 1/4 of a mile to the takeout on the left.