by Jason LaSelva
Published: June 2009
This whitewater destination, the Schaghticoke Gorge on the Hoosic River, is one of the best kept secrets in New York. This is a relatively new find for whitewater boaters of all ability levels. In 2003, I participated in the flow study with American Whitewater and Sacandaga Outdoor Center, I found a river that offered an intense section of Class IV to V whitewater for those looking for to step up their game, and below that a section of Class II to easy III water for virtually all whitewater ability levels.
As an experienced whitewater kayaker for 12 years and the head kayak instructor for Sacandaga Outdoor Center, I have run this section and it may be above your ability level. Please keep your safety the number one priority, and assess all river conditions carefully.
The Hoosic River only has a couple of scheduled release dates annually, which are the first Wednesday (5-8pm) and Saturday (1-4pm) after April 15. These release dates allow kayakers to access Carriage Road in the town of Schaghticoke, a dirt road on utility company land that is open for public usage only on the two scheduled release dates. Carriage Road allows kayakers running the Class V section to scout and to set up their camera equipment. For those kayakers looking to put-in below the more difficult section, Carriage Road provides easy access to Big Eddy, the put-in for the Class II section of the river.
The first set of rapids is the most difficult and dangerous. The falls on the river’s right side are the most often run, with the falls on the left only being run a few times, and the one in the middle never being run. It is easy to make the eddy on the left above the falls. If you are in a group be sure that no more than two or three of you at a time try to catch the eddy. The eddy is not that big and Center Stage is not a drop to run blind, even if you’ve ran it before. From this vantage, you can get a good look at the drop, the approach to the drop, and the portage if you decide to walk it.
Center Stage, or the big drop, is a three-tier drop that has a difficult approach and ends with a fun 12-foot drop, with an eddy on the left (see photo). When you peel out and enter the rapid, it is important to move to the left side of the falls without getting stuck or flipped by the hole, just above the lip of the falls. To have a successful run of the falls, I try to hit the right corner of the hole, which slows my boat down and redirects my momentum in the direction I need to go. This is not a clean drop because it is littered with shelves that you will ‘bounce down’ on your way to the third and final drop of this section.
Kayakers who don’t want to run the large falls can still run this section. They can portage the large falls, and ferry over to an island, where they can scout and setup safety. As you approach the final drop, you want to be far left. Just as you are about to plunge over, you’ll want to cross the seam by moving left to right, and then lean into the pile on the right wall. You will pass through with no resistance, and you can either catch the eddy on the left or paddle into the next rapid.
The next rapid is split into two sections by an island in the middle of the river. The left section is Class III and is rather straightforward. The right side, which is named “What about Bob?” after Bob Mackey, is a Class IV rapid that is narrow and has a number of holes to punch through. Both rapids are super fun and empty boaters into “Big Eddy,” which is the put-in for beginner to intermediate boaters.
The Class II section is longer and very scenic. It has a number of play spots for kayaks and open-canoes, and is a worthwhile stretch of river for all paddlers. This section can be boat-scouted, which simply means you can assess the rapids from inside of your kayak instead of getting out. The takeout is on river right and is located at the powerhouse. Once again the road to this spot is only open to the public on the scheduled release dates.
For more information about the Hoosic River, go to americanwhitewater.org where you can find river levels, directions and future release dates.
Jason LaSelva (jasonkayak@hotmail.com) lives in Glens Falls. He is the head kayak instructor and manager for the Sacandaga Outdoor Center’s Kayak Shop in Hadley, and has been kayaking for 12 years.
