This is the best section of the Grass! The character of the run is classic Adirondack "Pool-Big Drop" with sticky holes at high flows. Rainbow Falls, a.k.a. "Large Marge"5.1+ (Bigger than Magilla) and "Twin Falls" IV+ (Beefed up Fowlersville Falls w/o the hole) are the "Big Drops" of note. They are spectacular! There are six other distinctive CL IV-IV+ rapids that are separated by some CL III+ rapids and a few stretches of flatwater. The area is very scenic so relax and enjoy until you approach the next horizon line. The run is essentially roadside, but the road is seldom visible. The road is always river right.
Directions
Take Out: (Degrasse)
From Watertown take the Ft Drum/RT 342 exit off I-81. Drive Past Ft. Drum on 342 to Rt 3. Turn Left (NE) on RT 3 and go 14mi past Harrisville.
From Harrisville drive 14 miles to County Rd 27A (2.2 mi past Fine & County Rd 58). Turn Left (N) on County Rd 27A. (You cross the East Branch of the Oswegatchie just after you make the turn on to 27A.) After 3/4mi on 27A you intersect County Rd 27, turn right (N) on CR 27 which takes you to Degrasse. Turn R. at the Intersection in Degrasse and cross the bridge. This is the take out. Check the visual gauge and scout the last rapid from the bridge.
From I-90 Albany/Utica take RT 12 in Utica N. to Lowville. Take 812 from Lowville which intersects RT 3 just S. of Harrisville. (Follow directions above from Harrisville.)
From Canada drive to Canton, NY. Take 68 SE (7.9mi) to Pierrepont and turn right (SW)on County RD 24. Take CR 24 for 5.5mi to CR 27 and turn left(S). Drive 9.75mi S. on CR 27 to Degrasse and the take out bridge. Check the visual gauge and scout the last rapid from the bridge.
Put-in: From Degrasse take Toole Pond Rd 5.9mi SE to the State Parking area (Brown and Yellow signs) which is on the right (south) side of the Rd. Take the short walk down the trail to the river.
Near by Runs:
Grass: Cranberry Lake Section (S. Branch)(III-V), Copper Falls Section (S. Branch)(III-V) Middle Branch (III-IV+, V), Lampson Falls Section (III-V) & North Branch (II-III, V+)
Oswegatchie: East(IV-VI), Middle(IV-V+,VI-) & West(IV-V+) Branches,
Raquette: Stone Valley(IV-V)
Food & Gas: Harrisville or Canton are your best bets for Food and Gas.
Canton - Cranberry Lake Area Reaches
Boland Creek Elm Creek
Grass (1. Lampsons Falls to Downerville) Grass (2. Downerville to Russell)
Grass (3. Morley to Massena)Grass (4.Woods Bridge Road to Route 47)
Grass, Middle BranchGrass, North Branch
Grass, Upper South BranchGrass, Lower South Branch (Twin Falls)
Oswegatchie, E. Branch (2.)Oswegatchie, E. Branch (3.)
Oswegatchie, W. BranchPlumb Brook
Google Map of New York Whitewater
New York Whitewater Paddlers Facebook Group