Essex Chain Lakes and the "Chain Drain"

[stripperguy]

Hey fellow paddlers,
I was searching for something else, when I stumbled an old trip report of mine that was published by Adirondack Explorer
Some of you may know all about this, but some may not, here's the link for those that may be interested...

The Chain Drain: Paddling The Essex Chain Lakes Outlet

The acquisitions of former Finch, Pruyn lands have created a plethora of paddling opportunities ranging from whitewater dashes to pristine lakes and ponds. A group of paddling enthusiasts, brought together by the magic of an internet forum, took my suggestions and joined me to paddle the outflow...

www.adirondackexplorer.org

 

[bcelect]

I remember your previous posts having an abundance of pictures.

Lake Harris-Essex Chain · May 20 – 21, 2016 📸

Shared album · Tap to view!

photos.google.com

Beyond Chain Drain · Jun 9 – 12, 2016 📸

Shared album · Tap to view!

photos.google.com

 

[stripperguy]

Thanks, bc...I should have included them earlier!

 

[stripperguy]

I did a quickie 2 day, one night trip back to the Essex Chain Lakes yesterday and today.
Hopefully, here's a link to the falls at the end of The Chain Drain

New video · Thursday, Oct 22 🎬

Tap to view!

photos.app.goo.gl

And here's a couple pics

 

[Jmharrick]

I did a quickie 2 day, one night trip back to the Essex Chain Lakes yesterday and today.
Hopefully, here's a link to the falls at the end of The Chain Drain

New video · Thursday, Oct 22 🎬

Tap to view!

photos.app.goo.gl

And here's a couple pics

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View attachment 158113


View attachment 158114

Awesome! I am going to have to check this out!

 

[stripperguy]

Jake,
It took me (you know I'm older than dirt!) about 1.5 hours to paddle from site #1 on Third Lake, to the falls at the end of The Chain Drain. The bushwhack through the woods to the bottom of the chasm (river right) is best done with less vegetation. A faster boat and younger arms and legs could do it in an hour.
A short carry between Second and First lakes, and then 6 beaver dams that all required lift overs. Site #1 is a stone's paddle (is that such a thing?) from the carry from Deer Pond.

I also lost some time on the return trip by paddling into a few dead ends. While I appreciate the beaver efforts in designing all those watery streets and alleys, they could at least put up some "Dead End" signs at the entrance to those cul de sacs!

It sure seems an under utilized area...lots of wildlife. I saw beavers, osprey, pileated woodpeckers, ever present loons, canadian geese, mergansers. Heard but not seen were coyotes, many, many barred owls. Lots of bear scat

 

[Jmharrick]

Jake,
It took me (you know I'm older than dirt!) about 1.5 hours to paddle from site #1 on Third Lake, to the falls at the end of The Chain Drain. The bushwhack through the woods to the bottom of the chasm (river right) is best done with less vegetation. A faster boat and younger arms and legs could do it in an hour.
A short carry between Second and First lakes, and then 6 beaver dams that all required lift overs. Site #1 is a stone's paddle (is that such a thing?) from the carry from Deer Pond.

I also lost some time on the return trip by paddling into a few dead ends. While I appreciate the beaver efforts in designing all those watery streets and alleys, they could at least put up some "Dead End" signs at the entrance to those cul de sacs!

It sure seems an under utilized area...lots of wildlife. I saw beavers, osprey, pileated woodpeckers, ever present loons, canadian geese, mergansers. Heard but not seen were coyotes, many, many barred owls. Lots of bear scat

Thanks for the additional info. I’m wondering if I could make a multi day trip out of it and take out on the Hudson. I need to get some info on the rapids I might encounter.

 

[stripperguy]

You would need to take out from the Hudson at the old Gooley Club House, just upstream of the Indian River confluence. Or...ride all the way through the Hudson gorge.
From the Chain Drain to the Rock to the Cedar is mostly just a couple riffles. The Cedar has a set of Class II's just before the big bend, and then after the big bend almost 2 miles of Class II plus to the Hudson, averaging 35 ft/mile.
There's a trail that leads to (or from) the big bend, but it's 2-3/4 miles to the summer season parking lot, only 1-1/4 miles when the gates are open in late season.
And then there's the shuttle quagmire, it's a long way around on the roads...I've been trying for years to do some sort of Essex Chain through trip, haven't figured it out yet.
Either use the right boat and die on the middle carries , or use a lightweight boat and skip the rapids at the end, but carry longer distances...

 

[Jmharrick]

I worry most about what I might encounter on the Hudson from the confluence with the Cedar to the takeout before the Indian River. I think my mad River Explorer with airbags and a strong bow paddler might be up to the task, but those rapids in the Hudson look sizeable on satellite imagery.