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For all
of its history, the mighty Hudson River has been a trail followed in hand powered water craft north into the
wilderness. When Henry Hudson first sailed up the Hudson
it was filled with the local inhabitants busily paddling
up and down the river.
As the centuries progressed, the river
became extremely unfriendly to the casual recreational
use of paddlers. During the 19th century with the advent
of steam power and the Erie Canal, the Hudson became
the major commercial highway between the metropolis
of New York City and the vast interior of the nation.
When Vanderbilt seized the banks of the river and created
the railroads that dominate the river edges, access
to the water itself was all but eliminated.
But during the 1960's, people started
looking at the river, its beauty and the sorry state
it had descended to. It was polluted, strewn with garbage
and used as an open sewer. People all up and down the
river determined to claim it back, to restore the beauty
and splendor of this most historic of rivers.
Now, the waters run clean again, the
banks have started opening up and the casual paddler
can once again access the river and explore.
The Hudson is unique in its offering
to the paddler. Being a tidal estuary, there are expansive
marshes and slews only accessible by hand powered craft.
Iona Marsh in Rockland County, Constitution Marsh in
Putnam County, Tallman Mountain marsh in Rockland County,
Tivoli Bays in Dutchess County and Ramshorn Marsh in
Greene County are the most outstanding examples of these
ecologically sensitive, stunningly beautiful landscapes.
Along both banks of the river through the Hudson Highlands,
small falls cascade down into the river from the steep
hills and cliffs. Paddlers are getting out onto the
river to explore the many wonders and natural beauties
offered by the Hudson. In the upper sections of the
Valley, mud flats have grown into islands now State
Parks with day use facilities and easy pull outs.
Some care should be taken, the Hudson
is still a major transportation highway for commercial
traffic and as it is a tidal river, during peak tidal
flows in certain spots in the Highlands the tides can
be very strong. But of you stay close to the banks,
keep your eyes open and stay within your ability levels,
you will have a great experience out on the mighty Hudson
River.
In 2001,
the Hudson River Valley Greenway, (an agency
of the State of New York), was awarded a grant from
NY State to establish a Hudson River Watertrail stretching
from New York City in the south up to Waterford in the
north. The trail is to provide access for kayaks, canoes
and small boats along the 156 miles of the river.
Over time great progress has been
made in efforts to restore the Hudson River and to create
new recreation opportunities on the river for families
and visitors. By creating the watertrail with boat launches,
pull out sites and campsites along both banks of the
river, it will enhance access and allow more casual
human-powered boaters access to this most historically
important river in the nation.
The Hudson River Watertrail allows
small boaters to intimately explore the Hudson River's
natural and cultural wonders, for a day, a week or for
a lifetime. While the trail is open to all boaters,
it is specifically being designed and built for the
most limited users, canoers and kayakers.
The history of the Hudson River goes
back to the very founding of the colonies. It was the
major north to south highway into the interior of the
continent. As the nation grew the Hudson was "tamed"
with locks and dams transforming it into the primary
commercial highway to the north and west via the Erie
Canal. As roads and rails took over this vital transportation
burden, the Hudson languished used more for garbage
and sewage disposal than transportation. As the decades
passed, its use as a recreational river nearly vanished.
The emerging environmental movement
of the late 1960's brought about an awakening of interest
in this majestic river and a renewed interest in using
the river for recreation. As the water quality improved,
demand for recreational access grew dramatically. Always
used heavily for motor boat recreation, the more intimate
use of canoes and kayaks was almost blocked for lack
of access to the river itself.
The Hudson River Watertrail is designed
to correct this problem. Thru the creation of multiple
access points on both banks of the river it is finally
opening up the river for easy access.
The watertrail is designed for use
by two very different types of boaters. The first is
the person looking to spend only one day, or part of
a day on the river. The second is the long distance
traveler, who wants to experience the entire length
of the Hudson. For the day user the trail provides access
points and launches every ten miles or so. Many of the
natural wonders of the Hudson are best appreciated from
the river for the paddler to enjoy.
For the long distance traveler, the
Greenway, in partnership with the Hudson River Watertrail
Association, is building a network of river side locations
that allow overnight stays. These consist of primitive
campsites and nearby hostels and B&Bs. This section
of the trail is still under development. For more specific
information on the advancement of establishing overnight
accommodations along the trail contact the Watertrail
Association.
Hudson
River Watertrail Association
Box 110
New York, NY 10011
They have published "The
Hudson River Watertrail Guide," by Ian Giddy
et. al. The guide is the definitive manual for quiet
exploration of the Hudson River. The main section, "Places
and Features," is a mile-by-mile descriptive listing
of location of use and interest to paddlers and sailors,
such as where one can hand-launch a small boat, where
to stop for a bite or a stretch, or where to pitch your
tent for the night. The second describes day and weekend
trips from the New York City area, followed by a general
list of tips and tidbits for the Hudson paddler. The
fourth section offers some information about the natural
environment from a paddler's viewpoint, and the fifth
a few words on the Hudson's geology. The final section,
written by Craig Poole, explains the river's tides and
currents. The Guide is updated periodically. Get your
copy from the Association and start your exploration
of the mighty Hudson.
Just CLICK
THIS for a printable listing of all current watertrail
sites. |
