1/08/2006

Black River

12/31/05
II-III(+)(IV) Stephentown, NY
30 degree water temp
28 degree air temp
Timmy, Toddo

The Black river is a local II+III+ creek in my back yard. Just over one year ago I believe I got my one and only first descent. I had looked at this river for several months and studied the maps and finally made the plunge. This run had 8 portages on the high side and the lowest portages has been 3 with a couple duck unders and a couple thread the needles.

We put on about 10:30 am and had a low, scrapey run, as usual. It seems this run could always use a little more water. After scrapping down the first upper section, a feeder brook enters on the right and nearly doubles the flow. With the extra water things smooth out a little and we continue heading down stream. After a couple duck-unders, and a couple of threaded needles we arrive at "the drop." This is the 1/4 mile section that makes this run worthy. A nice boulder chocked drop to begin then a boulder garden run-out for several 100 yards. Tim took a look to refresh his memory and then we both peeled out and dropped in with no excitement to speak of. After this section the river runs a little further and soon confluences with the Kinderhook Creek and then your at the Roaring Brook confluence which happens to be the take-out. Our buckles were all frozen, needless to say, getting out of frozen gear with cold fingers is always a challenge. However, this run is just 7 miles from home so I just jump in the car with the new waterproof seatcovers and undress at home, and follow with a hot shower. Nothing like boating local.

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