Tip top Susquehanna

[Chip]

I'm heading for Cooperstown NY in a week.

I have often paddled the last few miles of the Susquehanna where it transforms into the Chesapeake. I want to paddle the other end of the mighty SuzyQ, and will try to do so during my visit. It's be great to have company. July 29 or 30 are the likely dates.

Please get in touch if you'd like to join me.

Additionally, if anybody has paddled the first ten or 15 miles of the river, can you tell me what to expect?

 

[snapper]

Chip -

I live about 10 miles south of Cooperstown so if I can arrange my work schedule, I'd be happy to join you.

As for what to expect on those first few miles; a lot of it will depend on water levels. Right now you should be OK but if we don't get much rain, the upper portion after the hospital could be tricky. Usually I don't paddle that stretch unless I'm doing the canoe regatta in May. I live down outside of Milford and there is always navigable water due to the dam at Goodyear Lake.

Since I haven't done the race in a few years, my memory is spotty but the upper section will be full of twists and turns. That stretch also has more obstructions than the lower river since it's tight in places. Most of the bad stuff should be clear by now but we've had enough storms this summer that I wouldn't guarantee a totally clear passage.

One thing you can expect is the portage not long after you enter the river from the lake. Behind Bassett Hospital there is a small dam that needs to be carried around. You leave the river on the left side just upstream of the bridge by the hospital parking lots. You get out on a grassy bank area, cross over the road and then re-enter the river. It's not very long but I wouldn't recommend trying to avoid it.

Hope that helps in some small way. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help out and I'll do what I can.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[yknpdlr]

Which is as I rember the river during the race at the end of May. A few years ago for me also, the river entrance from the lake can be brisk, and lower down there can be a shortcut or two around grassy islands offered in high water, but the main channel is generally good going and a safer route. The race start to finish at Bainbridge is promoted as 70 miles, but the actual GPS measures out to be only 63.

 

[Chip]

Thanks forth replies. Snapper, I sent you a DM. yknpdlr, I can assure you, I won't be paddling 70 or 63 miles. I don't know much about the General Clinton and just looked it up. I'm impressed that people do that mileage in under 10 hours. I can only briefly paddle a canoe 5mph. The racers are averaging 7mph and up, for hours on end. I don't have a racer's mentality, and always felt the winner is the one who spends the most time on the water, not the one who finishes fastest. Different strokes..., and in this case, very different strokes, and a lot of them!

 

[yknpdlr]

Chip, don't forget that there is a significant current to add to a racer's paddle speed, especially in the first segment after the lake, and after re-entry behind dams.

From what you said you for sure would not like to do the Cannonball-90, the entire original traditional 90 mile Adirondack route from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. The route includes a total accumulation of 10 miles of portages ("carries" in Adirondack speak). The goal is to paddle it all within the same calendar day. Usually done around mid-June for maximum daylight. I like to begin at the stroke of midnight and finish around 6-7PM while the sun is still up.
For even more fun, there is the Yukon River 1000 mile race, I've completed that (twice) in just six days, with an average 6mph (mostly flat water) current helping us along in most places.

 

[Canoe Trip]

Chip- I'm currently off and probably available Tuesday the 29th. Weather permitting! Heck even if I don't get time to go and you need help with the shuttle just let me know.

 

[Canoe Trip]

The first section from the Mill Street Dam at Mill St in Cooperstown, Up until the Compton Bridge on County Highway 11C is the only part you might have trouble with as being to shallow in low water. As of right now you could float thru (we've had a wet summer in our area) no problem. If it does get low before your trip you only have to line and wade a few spots not more then a 100 yards each. Most of the shore line going down is muddy banks (not a lot of areas to hop off onto rocks).

 

[Chip]

Thanks, Canoe Trip. I’ve sent you a DM.