trip

Why Kayak the Hudson River Between Albany and Troy?

Most people have probably never kayaked between Albany and Troy on the Hudson River. Yet, it’s a trip one should make, because it’s both fascinating and relaxing, as you paddle between two cities through a lush green landscape.

 Livingston State Forest

Not only is the Hudson River conviently located between the two cities, a short drive for residents of the Capital Drive, it demostrates the solitude one can get, and still be within a couple of miles of major former industrial cities in Upstate NY.

Scenic Hudson River

It shows the scale of man’s industrial works up close, as they tower far above you. Who would have ever thought the South Troy Bridge was so tall?

Heading Under the South Troy Bridge

And while the river is much cleaner then yesteryear, you will still smell the raw sewage floating in from some storm drains.

Stormwater Outfall Into the Hudson River

You’ll find secret little tributatories, all but forgotten about in the era of powerboats and superhighways that once buried important little rivers and creeks, and made islands into mainland.

Creek Channel on Breaker Island

You will get a new impression of the river and it’s many crossings, and the noisey automobile traffic that “flies” over the river.

Heading Towards Patroon Island Bridge

You’ll notice how nature’s creations tower far above our cities and urbanized areas.

Livingston Ave Bridge Opens

And you’ll get a new look at the ordinary city, that often looked at as one passes it buy almost in an ignorant fashion.

 Albany

That November 2012 Trip

I have been toying around in mind what I want to do in mid-November as I take a week off from work to travel. While there is two big ifs in my mind — the exact amount of time I will have off and the cost of gasoline — the later being a big expensive question, I have already been thinking what I want to do.

Coon Hollow

Traveling in November can be tricky. You get up before sunrise, or near it. You have to rush around all day, knowing you have to locate a campsite by 3 PM or so, and be well on your way of setting up camp by 4 PM, because it will be dark out at 5 PM, and you will want to have firewood and a fire started by dusk. The long evenings are not much of a problem, as I have lighting powered by the deep cycle battery in my pickup, but still daylight limits day time activities. The potential for snow and hunting season are other constaining factors. Cold can be bad, but at least with my current set up with the truck, having a dead battery is not a real risk.

I have three different trip options in mind:

  • Tug Hill/Northern Tier/Adirondack Trip
  • Southern Tier/Western NY/Northern Tier of PA Trip
  • Wayne National Forest and Monongahela National Forest Trip

The Tug Hill/Northern Tier/Adirondack Trip would take me up through the Tug Hill checking out Whetstone State Park, maybe Moose Plains or Independence River Wild Forest, Brasher-Bombay State Forest near Massena, and then maybe somewheres around St Regis Canoe-area. Would have to worry more about snow, and it would be big game season, but its the shortest and most economic trip especially if gas prices are high.

Tower Hill Road

The Southern Tier/Western NY/Northern Tier of PA Trip would have me going out US 20, probably camping at Stony Pond Campground, then out to East Otto State Forest or maybe Sugar Hill in between. I would check out Zoar Valley, and then probably drive down to Chautauqua County and ultimately to Allegheny National Forest. Probably stay there a couple of days, then head back east on US 6, through the Endless Mountains, and return through Binghamton. That said, this is somewhat repeative of the mid-summer trip, so I don’t know if I want to do it again.

First Day of Snow at the Albany Airport, Past 30 Years

Then there is the trip I really want to take, which is to Coal Country Ohio and West Virigina, and the Wayne National Forest and Monongahela National Forest. It would be a delightful trip, even if it was kind of a lng trip. But that is dependent on gas prices, and if I can get a week plus off to make it all happen. But I have truck and gear, so it could be really awesome trip if I could make it happen. I want to travel to new frontiers, and I am ready to make that happen.

Camping in the Allegheny National Forest

Last fall I spent two days camping in the Allegany National Forest, which is south of Salamaca, NY and west of Bradford, PA. Two days in mid-November provided a limited time to explore the area, in part due to the short days between sunrise and sunset, requiring me to back to camp no later then about 3:30 PM in the afternoon to gather wood and prepare for the coming sunset at 5 PM.

Allegany National Forest Sign

Throughout the Allegenheny National Forest there are many truck trails that pass oil and gas wells, provide access to timber stands used for logging, and also access to hunters, fishermen, hikers, and camping. Most of the forest is not mature stands of trees, and indeed the whole area has a very working-forest nature to it, by no means is it wilderness.

Thined Out Area in National Forest

Camping is allowed along all of the dirt roads except for roads specifically designated scenic byways. It is strongly discouraged by that vehicle travel off the roads any further then neccessary to prevent erosion. Dotted along the roads are places where people have camped in the past, in fields and other desirable places. Campsites are very primative, and have only rock fire places left by previous users.

Owls Head Firetower

I camped off of Forest Service Road 154, quite a ways above the Allegeheny Reservior. It was a decent little site, pretty far back, and nice and hard, so I need not worry about sinking into the ground. I also felt wildfire danger was lower this time of year, as there was not the dry grass here, and the leaves where damp from dew.

Campsite I Stayed At

I strung a line out to hang up the Christmas lights I used for ambiance and background lighting at night, and built a campfire in the firepit. I was moving stuff between the cab and the back of the truck when I took this picture.

Oil Heating in NY State

Inside my camping rig when I was camping up there.

Packing Up the Gear

In the evening, watching the sun set, a little after 5 pm…

Sunset at the Campsite

There are many things to see at Allegheny National Forest (all free) from the Rim Rock to views from Jakes Rocks to the views of Reservior. There probably was much more I could have seen had I spent more time camping up there.

Reservoir Dam

What people crash into on icy and snowy roads

Sugar Bay 4

… I hope you enjoyed this brief look back from my experiences camping up at the Allegheny National Forest in November 2010.

Storm King Mountain

About a month ago I went down to Storm King Mountain to go for a hike on this historic mountain and explore some of the lower Hudson Valley. I drove over the Storm King Bypass Highway, stopped and took a few pictures. The views in this area on a warm spring day where truly fantastic, and I was inspired for a long time to come.

I took Route 9W and Route 32 all the way down to Storm King. I looked out over West Point then drove up to the Overlook on the Bypass. I went up to the parking lot and took the steep trail up the mountain, somewhat afraid of heights. I looked around and my breath was taken away. I walked further and looked around some more. I was inspired.

I looked down at the sweeping and inspirational views of the Hudson River. The river was so powerful as where the mountains. The river winds through this area. I hike further on the mountain and got inspirational views to the west, and then to the North. I wrapped around to the south side of the mountain and looked south on the river. More beauty.

There was no escaping the industrial landscape though. The river was dotted by power plants, bridges, and the Newburgh oil terminal. None of these things where pretty, but necessary for our lives so dependent on electricity and fossil fuels.

I couldn’t believe that the plan originally was to blow this mountain up and make it into a massive pump storage plant, inaccessible to all but Consolidated Edison employees. This would have destroyed such beauty, despite the real benefit the plant would have had to reducing air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

I went down the easy trail back to the parking lot. Not as impressive of a view, but an easy hike on back. With a broken boot it was a bit painful and resulted in blisters on my foot. Still I enjoyed the beauty. On the way back home I visited Bear Mountain State Park Overlook, and then went across the Bear Mountain Bridge, and took Route 9D north. More amazing views.