General Description: The trip described here is mostly a flatwater paddle through a beautiful gorge, but there is an interesting (Class 5?) short section at the base of the Spier Falls Dam (see photo). The trip can start either a half mile above or a half mile below the Spier Falls Project.
Directions from I-87 (Northway): Take exit 17(N) toward South Glens Falls onto Rte 9. Take first left on to Fawn Road. Take left at "T" on to Potter Road. After 3.75 miles the road will bear left onto Spier Falls Road and climb steeply up and over the ridge. Go 4 miles, passing the Sherman Island Boat Launch and numerous fishing access sites along the river. The GPS coordinates for the put-in refer to the first access site above the dam.
Put-in: The GPS coordinates for the put-in assumes portaging around Spier Falls and starts on river right a half mile above the dam. An alternate put-in, downstream of the dam/falls, would be at: (43.238204N,73.749098W)
Dam/Falls: The dam appears to be able to be portaged on river left. The falls below the dam can then be scouted to seeing if any portion is suitable for running. No rapids exist below the falls.
Take-out: 3.6 miles downstream of the dam/falls is the Sherman Island Dam. The GPS coordinates for the take-out refer to taking out on the river right adjacent to the horseshoe-shaped dam. Although current is not strong above the dam, care must still be taken; the dam and rapids below are significantly hazardous. It is less than 2000 feet up a dirt access road to Potter Road. Access through this dirt road has not been confirmed, but it is not posted. Consider the local residents when parking on Potter Road. An alternative to taking out at Sherman Island would be to paddle 2 miles back up river to the Sherman Island Boat Launch (43.250516N,73.739023W).
South-Eastern Adirondack Area Reaches
Batten Kill Beecher Creek County Line Brook
Dunning Creek East Stony CreekElbow Creek
Georgia Brook Glen CreekHolmes Lake Outlet
Hudson (3. Riparius to the Glen) Hudson (4.) Hudson (5.)
Hudson (6.) Jimmy Creek Mill Creek (Hudson trib.)
North Creek Pike Brook Piseco Outlet
Roaring Branch Sacandaga (1.) Sacandaga (2.)
Sacandaga, E. Branch (1.) Sacandaga, E. Branch (2.) Sacandaga, E. Branch (3.)
Sacandaga, Middle Branch Sacandaga, W. Branch (Upper) Sacandaga, W. Branch (Lower)
Sand Creek Schroon (Starbuckville to Riverbank) Schroon (Warrensburg to Thurman Station)
Stony Creek (1.) Stony Creek (2.)Tenant Creek
Wolf Creek
Google Map of New York Whitewater
New York Whitewater Paddlers Facebook Group