Erie Canal: St. Johnsville to Canajoharie

St. Johnsville to Canajoharie

Kayaking at Lock 15 on the Erie Canal

July 5, 2012.  On the third day of our trip we launched right from our campground.   The paddle to Canajoharie included locks 15 and 14.  I know I’ve said it before, but “locking through” never gets old.  It continues to be one of the most interesting components of our Erie Canal trips and it is the part that most of the paddlers get excited about.  It truly separates canal paddling from other destinations.  

Keeping cool - Note the soccer & basketball

After lock 15, we ran into a bit of snag when we tried to stop for lunch.  The only reliable navigation guide for the Erie Canal is the Cruising Guide to the New York State Canal System, which is published by the New York State Canal Corp. (The organization responsible for running the canal system).  Unfortunately, the Guide was last updated in 2006.  Take my word for it, a lot has changed on the in the past 6 years.  When we completed our 2011 trip, fully half of the put-ins did not exist just 4 years earlier.  In fact, the take out spot for this day wasn’t on the map.  We found it by visiting Canajoharie and snooping around.  On the map, there is a fishing access listed just after lock 15.  In reality, the fishing access—our lunch spot—was no longer there.  So we had to improvise and pull off under a highway overpass.  After lunch, we paddled another mile only to find the new and improved fishing access with a beautiful new ramp!  

Kayaking with my pumpkin on the Erie Canal

Around this time, we also found some entertainment floating in the canal.  We scooped up a soccer ball and a plastic pumpkin.  The soccer ball was used for a game of on-water polo, while the pumpkin made for a nice adornment to my kayak.  After a bit of splashing about, we arrived in Canajoharie at our newly found take out spot.  Then it was off to the Parkside for ice cream.

Canajoharie has a great pavilion for boaters

11th Annual Hudson Valley Paddlefest

Mid-Hudson ADK holds 11th Annual PaddleFest on

                                           June 8th

Test paddling kayaks at Paddlefest

     The PaddleFest is back!  Grab a paddle and get cool.  The Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) will hold its 11th annual PaddleFest on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at Plum Point Park in New Windsor, NY, from 10 AM to 4 PM.   (Rain or shine - the Lodge will be open.)   

ADK members, as well as, the public are expected to attend. The Chapter warmly encourages the public to attend.  All activities are free.  This is a family day for those who have never paddled and who wish to see what all the excitement is about.  There will also be activities for more experienced paddlers.   

There will be free kayak and canoe instruction for beginners, as well as, free kayak lessons for experienced paddlers.  Boats and gear will be provided for the beginner lessons and sign-up will be on site.  Beginners should wear shoes and clothing that can get wet.  (Synthetic fabrics dry much faster than cotton and are more comfortable when wet.)  For the more advanced lessons, kayakers will need to bring their own boats and gear and sign-up in advance at The River Connection (see below).  There will be a wide variety of kayaks for beginners to practice what they've learned in their lessons or just with which to do their own thing.

     There will also be guided paddling trips on the Hudson River and up Moodna Creek, some will be accompanied with a presentation on the ecology of the river.  Some trips will be for experienced paddlers with their own boats and gear.  On other trips,  boats and gear will be furnished, as these trips will be for first-timers and novice paddlers. 

     Have you ever wondered what lurks below the water's surface?   Seine netting will offer you a peek at exactly what lives in the Hudson River.

     A licensed NYS Guide will present a hands-on demonstration on kayak-camping, e.g. types of boats, paddles and what a campsite might look like.

     There will be a paddling-camping-hiking used gear sale.  Vendors (ADK members & non-members) of used gear are welcome, but need to pre-register with Ralph at ralphpollard@verizon.net (preferred) or 845-462-3389.

     Bring a picnic or BBQ lunch.  Grills and picnic tables are on site.   Otherwise, you can buy dogs, burgers, soda, etc.

     Visit www.midhudsonadk.org/paddlefest for driving directions and more information.

     PaddleFest is brought to you by members of the Mid-Hudson Chapter of Adirondack Mtn.

Club (www.midhudsonadk.org), with the generous and expert assistance of Eastern Mtn. Sports (EMS)  in Poughkeepsie, NY (845-463-3207; E0139ST@ems.com), The River Connection in Hyde Park, NY (845-229-0595; 845-242-4731; marshall@the-river-connection.com; www.the-river-connection.com) and the  Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve in Staatsburg, NY (845-889-4745; jgherrin@gw.dec.state.ny.us; www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4915.html).   Mid-Hudson Subaru in Wappingers Falls, NY (845-296-1152; fsantoianni@gmail.com; www.midhudsonsubaru.com) is a generous and proud financial sponsor of PaddleFest.

     Questions can be addressed to Russ at 845-297-5126 (before 9 PM) or russoutdoors@yahoo.com.