Sacandaga, W. Branch

JohnT reported:

A friend of mine and I hit the Sacandaga, W. Branch, Whitehouse to Sacandaga campground yesterday. I can't imagine why this run is not packed every time there is water in it. 6 miles of 2 / 3, 3 / 3+, or 4, depending on level.There is not a stretch over 150 yards long that is flat. And there are only a few of those. The gauge for the upper 5 / 5+ stretch was at 1800 and this should be considered BARE minimum.

At the 1800 level this was a class 2 rock garden almost the entire way. It had momentary stretches in the first mile that may approach easy 3. This is a premier place to teach or hone reading and maneuvering skills. In the last mile or so (you will see Jimmy Creek come in on the left) The river picks up a notch. Yesterday it may have been easy 3, emphasis on easy.

Scenery. This may be one of the most scenic runs I have ever been on. River left is hardwoods and river right is evergreens all the way down. Away from the road, a bit remote, just what the doctor ordered for my stress management. *g* We even saw some sort of raptor. It was too high to tell hawk from falcon or whatever.

The more water added to this run steps it up, up, up. It is not supposed to flatten out, just gets bigger. It is bouldery pourovers and waves with more water in it. I really think this would give the Fish and Catskill a serious run for their money. With enough water it would not be a place for someone that can't self rescue. It would be a long flush.

Speaking of long, with higher water you can add a few miles and continue on down to the next takeout which adds like 2 or 3 miles more.

Also take a look at the upstream

...