Poesten Kill

Some good news for this section of the Poestenkill! The RPA assumed stewardship for the Barberville Falls area in 2019. Since then, the organization has built a new parking area on Blue Factory Road, as well as a new access trail to the base of the falls. So paddlers can now (legally) park at the putin, and have year round access without trespass during the previously closed 'off-season'.

As of November 2021, we've cleared the run of nuisance trees, but this section has a history of collecting wood, so always proceed with caution. There is one large tree leaning over on river left at the base of the entry rapid. Left is also the deep water line, so you have to limbo under the tree, or at very high water, run river right at the end of the entry rapid.

There is still a large pile of wood after Sidle Up (the stairstep rapid with the large rock you 'sidle up' to before boofing into the pool) and before Toilet Bowl (You'll know it when you see it). This pile is center and center left, forcing you to go right. There is no left line, and the pile will be there for a long time.

The takeout at rt. 351 borders private property on all sides. Please keep a low profile, and be respectful of the residents who border the bridge.

So this is a really fun run continuous run when it's in, but access to the put in at the base of the falls may become tricky. There's a sign now near the normal parking spot which says 'Barberville Falls Preserve is closed May 26 to September 3rd. No public access allowed...'
This shouldn't strongly affect us boaters since it's usually only running with snow melt and a good bit of rain. Just something I saw and thought others should be aware of.