Trip around Albany area!

[fourtKNOX]

Hey everybody... new to the paddlign scene. Not sure if we are going to be able to bust away for an entire weekend and was wondering if anybody has any local within 45 minute drive from the Albany/Schenectady area that has some nice easy paddling.

Wouldnt mind a stream/river, but pond/lake would do as well!

Thanks in advance!

[Dick]

Warner Lake

Thompson's Lake State Park

Grafton Lakes State Park

Dunham Reservoir
(other possibilities listed here; type name into map search engine)

Dick

[Bob K]

Check this out

For a few more ideas, see this prior thread

http://adkforum.com/showthread.php?t=9023

[Awetcanoe]

The Battenkill is nice and a shuttle service is available to take you to and from the river.

http://www.battenkillvalleyoutdoors.com/

[fvrwld]

Warner Lake

Thompson's Lake State Park

Grafton Lakes State Park

Dunham Reservoir
(other possibilities listed here; type name into map search engine)

Dick

I'll second the Dunham resevoir. Very nice there. Be sure to paddle under the little bridge and up to the inlet. That part has a very Adirondack-like feel.

There is also the Mohawk River/Erie Canal around lock 7.

[mainenyyac]

The Mohawk upstream from Lock 9 has low motor traffic and you get the occasional skydiver, ducks and geese for company.

There is a gate for the road to the upstream side, but the lock keeper told me we paddlers are free to open the gate and drive to the "ramp" as long as you close the gate behind you and stay off the grass!

[stripperguy]

Mr. Knox,
You can also pick up a copy of the excellent ADK Canoe and Kayak Guide: Eas-Central New York State (http://www.amazon.com/Adirondack-Mou...ref=pd_sim_b_1)

You might want to paddle the Normans Kill, some sections are still good even in low water, just look out for strainers and snags.

[hydronaut]

My Vote is for the Schoharie. There are several sections that can be paddled as long as you have two vehicles. A great one way trip is to put in at Fort Hunter and paddle upstream. I paddled the section from Middleburgh to Schoharie last year and saw deer, eagles, osprey, woodies, hoodies, and racoons. What I didn't see was another person. There will be shallow areas that will need to be walked with the canoe/kayak regardless of what sections you do.

http://www.paulkeeslerbooks.com/SchoharieCreek.html

[fourtKNOX]

Awesome help everybody... looking forward to a nice relaxing day on saturday or sunday then!

Thanks again!

[fourtKNOX]

Okay so I think I narrowed it down to Normanskill... nice and easy and not real far either.

Here is the thing, the only spot that I know for sure to put in would be here

http://www.albanysigns.com/normanskill.htm

which is New Scotland Avenue. However, I have a large metal canoe and its pretty heavy. The pics above show this is a steep way in and out. I will be asking my girlfriend to help lug the canoe, something I am not even sure I can do here.

Anybody know of a better spot to put in and enjoy!

[blacktie]

Trip around albany area

Greetings!
I live in albany. 1) You can go to Renssalaer Lake which is an Albany city Park over by SUNY Albany, just off of Washington Ave Extension and Fuller Road (10 min trip). You can drive to the water edge, and then you have to park your car. Sometimes, parking can be tight because people are using the city park. 2) You may also try Collins Park in Scotia (20 min trip). Central ave turns into state street as it passes through Schenectady. Take the bridge to scotia that passes Schenectady County Community College. Take the first right turn at Jumpin Jacks Ice cream (a burger seasonal place). There is an entrance to Collins Park on your left after driving about 1/4 mile. There is never a crowd at collins park. You can also put into quiet parts of the Mohawk River here, too. 3) Mohawk River (get comfortable in your boat first) where route 146 crosses the Mohawk. Call "the boat house", a store in Schenectady and they can give you info.

Try to get to Thompsons and Warner lakes. They are really pleasant get-a-ways.
Hope this helps!