FOREST 
AND STREAM 
365 
* 
Spring Cruises for the Canoeist 
Interesting Trips that Cost Little and Afford Splendid Scenery and Fishing 
I 
HERE are many short but excit¬ 
ing canoe trips within a short 
distance of New York. For 
those who wish to camp out- 
take just what you need—if 
anything less, for in many 
places a half inch means going 
over—or under. 
It is more advisable to make the trip in a 
day—taking a change of clothing which keep in 
a duffle bag tied to about twenty feet of line. 
A sixteen foot canvas boat with low ends is 
best—with an extra blade. The total cost per 
man (figuring two to a boat) should not exceed 
$5.00. 
In most cases it will only be necessary to allow 
one week for the shipment of canoes. However 
it is best to consult the railroad company to 
insure your having a boat. After June 1, the 
water will be too shallow to navigate, so the 
sooner you get started, the better. 
Delaware River (3 days). 
A most exciting and enjoyable trip, good camp 
sites and many opportunities to buy at farms 
Start from Hancock and finish at Port Jervis, 
Erie, R. R. Between these two points is the best 
part of the “white water.” It would be useless 
to give the rifts and their location for at differ¬ 
ent water levels they seem to change considerably. 
For safety sake with two in a boat a canvas 
cover for the bow is advisable. It is best not 
to get out to look over the situation, for it has 
never been known of anyone taking the course 
outlined, also because the longer you look at 
them the bigger they seem. You will find more 
excitement in taking “ ’em as they ‘cum,’ ” and 
once having made the trip you will surely go 
again. Taking this early spring trip is not ad¬ 
visable for inexperienced canoeists. 
Saranac River. 
This stream has its beginning at Saranac Lake 
Village and drains the waters of the three Sara- 
nacs, Upper, Middle and Lower, but the volume 
is not sufficient for a run to Plattsburg, except¬ 
ing in May and early June. It is about seventy- 
five miles. 
A light outfit, with a supply of two days’ grub 
should be carried, to be used when necessary 
■stopovers are made between villages. Before 
reaching Morrisonville a carry of about a mile 
is necessary around the falls. Six miles from 
Plattsburg and extending to the town itself is a 
series of a half dozen dams around which it 
will be necessary to portage. The banks of this 
stream are lined with trees for most of the 
■distance, but some of it has been timbered. 
To make a week’s trip of this you could start 
at Old Forge and go through the Fulton Chain 
—or after arriving at Plattsburg continue down 
Lake Champlain. 
Susquehanna River (8 to 10 days). 
Start from Cooperstown, the very source and 
go as far down as you like. This trip is entirely 
through farming country, with a steady current 
and some “white water.” The latter part of May 
or early June is the best time of year. It will 
not be possible to hire a boat—allow two weeks 
for its shipment. For the first few days you are 
liable to find the stream dammed up with fallen 
trees—so be on the alert. 
Upper Hudson. 
Start from Raquette Lake, then to Long Lake, 
through a series of lakes—connection with port¬ 
ages—to Newcomb Lake then down the Hudson 
River to Glens Falls. This is about 200 miles 
and should take seven to ten days. After leav¬ 
ing the lakes there is plenty of “white water” 
and wild country. Take a light outfit and 
heavy clothing. After July 1 the water will be 
too low to navigate. 
Pequonnick River. 
This cruise may be started at Stockholm if 
taken early in the year or after a heavy rain. 
However to have enough water to take you over 
the shallow places it is better to begin the trip 
from Charlottesburg. On account of the numer¬ 
ous delays and possible troubles along the route 
it is well to arrive at Charlottesburg in the 
evening and stop over, thereby getting an early 
start the next day. The run down this stream 
will be a strenuous effort and should be taken 
by those only who have had some experience in 
running “white water.” There are several places 
along the river where eatables can be purchased, 
but it is better to provide yourself beforehand 
with enough to last throughout the day. 
Care should be taken when rounding narrow 
parts of the stream where you cannot see ahead 
for a distance, especially where the water is 
running very swiftly as often fallen trees ob¬ 
struct the passage. There is one bad spot be¬ 
low the first dam from Charlottesburg where 
the river runs through a small section of wood¬ 
land and joins another stream. On rounding 
the bend you are suddenly brought to face with 
a fallen tree, and unless you have your boat 
under control there will be a “smash” that will 
prove disastrous to canoe and duffle, not to men¬ 
tion your own minor hurts. 
Too much care can not be exercised in hold¬ 
ing the boat in check and under full control at 
all times in running this stream. There is a 
drop of several hundred feet in fifteen to twenty 
miles. If fortunate, this trip can be continued 
to Mountain View. 
Hackensack River. 
Ship to West Nyack—The start is made under¬ 
neath the railroad bridge. The stream is very 
narrow and shallow to start, and it means work¬ 
ing together or your boat will be broadside 
