Schroon River Whitewater Kayaking

By Bob Frank

In July of last year, from a beginner’s perspective, I wrote an article for Adirondack Sports about the whitewater kayaking opportunities in and around the Capital Region. I also touched on some of the best rivers and creeks in the area to help promote this amazing sport. This is a follow-up article that highlights the Schroon River, which has become one of my favorites.

The Schroon is a tributary of its big brother, the Hudson River. It’s located in the southeastern Adirondacks and begins near the town of Underwood at the confluence of Crowfoot and New Pond brooks. As it runs through the towns of North Hudson, Schroon, Chester and Bolton, it stretches for nearly 70 miles before it ends in Warrensburg – as it flows into the Hudson. Most of the Schroon is flat or slow-moving Class 1 water. But the 6.5-mile section below the dam in Starbuckville (just north of exit 25 of the Northway), to the takeout at Riverbank (just north of exit 24), with the right water levels, can offer some lively Class I-III+ rapids. The river below the dam, although hydraulically constrained, does not generally offer releases but water levels usually remain high enough to run until Memorial Day and after significant rain events. This was the case last year when we ran it 12 or more times well into July at levels between 3-6 feet, which was fantastic. For this article, I’m detailing the lower 3.5-mile section of this stretch of the river, which usually takes about two hours to run. 

● Launch site – We always meet at the takeout site first to situate and consolidate gear and vehicles at takeout, then drive to the put in. If the water level is high, we can also scout the river. Access to the takeout site is via I-87 to Exit 24. To reach the takeout via I-87, take Exit 24 to Bolton Landing-Riverbank Road (CR 11). After a quarter mile, cross the Schroon River, then make a left on East Schroon River Road. The road turns to dirt and the takeout is a half mile on the left at the Warren County Canoe & Kayak Access site.

From the takeout, return to Bolton Landing-Riverbank Road (CR 11), turn right, and take another quick right onto Schroon River Road (CR 10). Travel about 3.5 miles north and on the right, you’ll find dirt parking along the river suitable for a half dozen cars, and the launch site. North of this launch site, there are two alternate launches that extend the trip by 1-2 miles: one by the CR 31 bridge and the other just before the Starbuckville Dam, both on river right as you’re paddling south.

River description – From the road as you enter the river the water is deep, eerily dark, but also gorgeous. The flow that’s coming from the north is slow moving at medium levels of about 3-4 feet. This first section is a wonderful place to warm up and stretch out the limbs. You can also easily practice paddle strokes and execute a few rolls if you choose. Get a good warmup in, because the first rapid is only 0.25 miles down the river. This first drop is a Class II and runs fully across the river. This rapid is another suitable place to practice your skills by “eddying out” on river right or left following the drop, be mindful of the overhanging trees and the rocks on river right just above, however. (Eddy out means to leave the main current of a river and enter an eddy, which is a small circular current of water that moves in the opposite direction of the main current, creating a whirlpool. They are often caused by rocks or other structures that change the direction of the current.)

This first drop can also be surfed safely as there is a large pool below should you take a swim. At higher levels such as 5-6 feet the water swells high up the banks and is immensely powerful and this section is best run down the middle or slightly right of center to avoid over hanging or submerged trees. Eddying on the river right is the safest option. Below the drop on river left, there is a strong back current that flows upstream into the eddy. Starting from the river right, it’s a fun spot to practice S-turns by peeling out into the current, and then eddying out into the back current on the other side. This section can easily be scouted from the road on the river right.

After this section, the river is mostly flat with some slow-moving Class 1 rapids for a short stretch, and then at about one-mile-in you’ll enter a 0.5-mile Class II rapid or wave train that runs parallel to the road called “On and On” or “Racecourse.” This section is a blast and again at different water levels can offer a wild ride. 

Many rivers and creeks have rock gardens that must be navigated. The Schroon, however, is mostly a series of standing waves, drops and longer rapids that once you enter you are committed until the end, this is especially true at higher waters. This stretch is exactly like that. Following this section, the river meanders with some flat water and additional Class I-II rapids interspersed that are a lot of fun. Roughly three-quarters of the way through the run there is a small confluence and a sharp right-hand bend in the river followed by a small sandy beach on river left that is a great place to stretch your legs and/or grab some nutrition if needed. It’s also a great practice spot for “ferrying, stern squirts and rolling.”

The last significant feature of the Schoon is called “The Flume” or “The Big Drop.” At moderate 3-4-foot levels it’s considered a Class III rapid. I have run this at super low levels when it was a mere trickle and at 5-6-foot levels when it’s an unnerving beast. This one you must respect, as it can cause some carnage and lead to a long swim if you’re not careful. It’s also challenging because it’s difficult to see as you approach from above the rapid. You cannot scout this rapid from the road either but fortunately about 40 yards above the drop you can eddy out on river left at higher levels and safely walk down the forested shore to the drop to scout it. At moderate levels you can also eddy out just above the drop on the river left to get an unobstructed view of it as well. You can also portage this drop along the rocky area on the river left. This drop, which is typically Class III can be run down the middle tongue, or a more technical sneak route on river right. 

There is a deep hole on the river left that is generally avoided by all but the most skilled paddlers. Below the drop there are some surfing and eddying options on both sides. After the drop, you need to avoid the rocks on the river right and then get ready for a sharp left-hand turn and then right-hand turn, which finishes out the rapid. After this you have about another 0.5-mile of Class I-II water to finish. In addition to pristine water and the beautiful, forested surroundings, this section offers spectacular wildlife. You can expect to see bald eagles, osprey, wood ducks, common and hooded mergansers, deer, and an occasional rising trout when the hatch is right.

● Takeout site – From the river, the take-out is on the river left on East Schroon River Road.

River levels and paddling safety – River conditions, including both ambient and water temperatures, can vary significantly throughout the year and paddlers need to be mindful. The Schroon especially can have wild fluctuations as noted. It can have significant standing waves in the spring when the river overflows its banks and slow-moving riffles into mid-summer. At medium 3-4 foot levels on the USGS Riverbank gauge it’s considered a Class I-III river. I have run the river at levels ranging from 2.5 to 6.1 feet, making each trip a new and unique experience.

In addition to changing conditions, it is also worth referencing the river classification system as an added precaution. Class I – Moving water with a few riffles, small waves, with few or no obstructions. Class II – Easy rapids with smaller waves, clear channels that are obvious without scouting, and some maneuvering might be required. Class III – Rapids with high, irregular waves, with narrow passages that often require precise maneuvering. Class IV – Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require complex maneuvering in turbulent water; the course may be hard to determine, and scouting is often necessary. Class V – Extremely difficult, long, and very violent rapids with highly congested routes that should be scouted from shore; rescue conditions are difficult, and there’ s a significant hazard to life in the event of a mishap. Class VI – The difficulties of Class V carried to the extreme; nearly impossible and very dangerous; for teams of experts only and involves risk of life (not commercially raft-able).

In addition to respecting these classifications, paddlers should always: avoid paddling alone, wear proper clothing including a personal flotation device (PFD), not overestimate their skill level, and be mindful of weather and changing conditions. It should be noted that unfortunately there have been fatalities on this section of the river, so all paddlers irrespective of skill level, need to be mindful and take appropriate safety precautions.

Entering the sport, join a club – If you’re local and interested in whitewater paddling, want to improve your paddling skills, or simply want to enjoy the outdoors with some incredible people, you may want to consider connecting with the Schenectady Whitewater Club, which is part of the Schenectady Chapter of Adirondack Mountain Club. Joining a club is also one of the safest and most fun ways to enter the sport. 

My friend Ed Martuscello and his wife Pam, from Amsterdam, are amongst my favorite, most supportive and enthusiastic fellow paddlers. Pam captured it well when she said “I love all the rivers that we paddle, and each river is different every time, it never gets boring. But there is also the adrenaline rush, the opportunity to challenge yourself and to improve or help someone else do the same.” Within a short drive we are fortunate to have some wonderful whitewater paddling resources. So come join us and try it, you will not regret it. I hope to see you out on the river! 

Bob Frank (jfrank10@nycap.rr.com) lives in Niskayuna and is a lifetime cyclist who enjoys many outdoor activities.