Adirondack Sports June 2024

PADDLING
JUNE 2024 17
Quieter and Wilder Side
of Saratoga County
By Rich Macha
PHOTOS BY RICH MACHA
▲ LOOKING UPSTREAM ON THE HUDSON FROM
THE SHERMAN ISLAND BOAT LAUNCH.
While I can think of many paddling
destinations in Saratoga
County, and bordering counties
with the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers
(including Champlain and Erie canals),
many are dominated by motorboats,
have development along shorelines, and/
or have busy roads nearby. So where can
you go to find quieter and wilder waters
in the Saratoga and Glens Falls region
to get in a few miles of paddling? Two
spots come to mind, the Hudson River
on either side of the Spier Falls Dam, and
the Kayaderosseras Creek along with Lake
Lonely Outlet.
Hudson River from Sherman Island
Boat Launch – From NY Route 9 near
South Glens Falls, drive west on Spier
Falls Road (CR 24) for 3.4 miles and take
a right into the gravel boat launch which
is a part of Moreau Lake State Park. While
motorboats are allowed on this section of
the river, they are seldom seen, most likely
because there are only 3.5 miles of river
between dams.
Paddling downstream, to the right
from the boat launch, you at once notice
how the river cuts through steep forested
hills on both sides – the Palmertown
Range rises on the right, and the Luzerne
Mountains (including the West Mountain
ski and outdoor center) to the left.
After paddling about 1.5 miles, the
river bends to the right and passes by
some rocky promontories, a rocky island,
and hidden coves on the south shore
– spend some time exploring this fascinating
area. If it has been windy on the
main river, you will have protection in the
coves. The Sherman Island Dam is a short
distance downstream, so turn around
well short of it and head back – the current
is usually mild. And, hopefully, you
don’t have a strong headwind coming
from the southwest.
After passing by the boat launch, you
can then paddle past islands for a little
over a mile to the Spier Falls Dam – there
will be some road noise from vehicles
passing by on Spier Falls Road, but the
dam is interesting in that at the time it was
built in 1903 it was the fourth largest dam
in the world. Head back to the boat launch
for a round-trip of six to seven miles.
For those who would like to combine
a paddle with a hike in Moreau Lake State
Park, it is possible to walk across the
road from the launch and hike up to the
Western Ridge Trail via the Cottage Park
Trail – there are several lookouts along
the ridge where you can view the river
below as well as gaze into the southern
Adirondacks.
For those wanting more paddling,
drive 2.7 miles further west on Spier
Falls Road to the Spier Falls Boat Launch.
The Moreau Lake State Park trail map
See PADDLING 19
▲ LAKE LONELY OUTLET.