ALGonquin Bob
Well-known member
THE PLAN - Pending my finding a job, I'm trying to make the most of my time. In June, I paddled across Lake Ontario to Toronto, so I'm looking for my next challenge. Two years ago, I began thinking about paddling my sea kayak the length of the Erie Canal, as the song goes, "from Albany to Buffalo". Every trip report I've read describes that trip in the opposite direction - from Buffalo to the Hudson, and sometimes beyond. The Erie Canal portion of the NYS State Canal System actually ends in Tonawanda/North Tonawanda. The route then goes upstream in the Niagara River for about seven miles until it reaches the Black Rock Canal and its single lock. That short 4 mile canal allows ships to bypass the swiftly flowing water at the head of the Niagara, finally taking travelers to Buffalo Harbor, the Buffalo River, and the original terminus of the old Erie Canal at the recently excavated and refurbished Commercial Slip and Buffalo's Central Wharf, at an area referred to as Canalside. I’ve paddled the Buffalo to Tonawanda portion of the route many times, so I want to begin my odyssey at Albany, or to be more specific, Waterford, where the canal system meets the Hudson River.
LOGISTICS - When I began my research in 2010, I found a great website by the late Bill Quick, called “Kayak Guy”. With Bill’s untimely death in January 2011, his website was taken down and all of his trip reports, maps, photos and other info are no longer available. Bill had paddled the canal system and had many TRs, some of which I read. With the Kayak Guy and all of his info gone, I’m back to “Square One”. By necessity, I would be doing this trip solo and mostly self-supported. In May, I drove to Waterford and scouted the eastern terminus of the canal; I would paddle the 300-some miles from there to a local park on the Niagara River in Tonawanda, where I could then just walk the remaining 5 blocks to my house.
MY QUESTION – I’m looking for info relating to services on the route (food availability, public restrooms, campsites, and accommodations) for a self-supported paddler who would have to walk everywhere. I’ll camp most nights, but the occasional nearby motel or B&B would be welcome. There are many places where the canal does not offer friendly (easy) access to or from the water. I was told about a few campsites that are along the “water trail” (see link), but there are many gaps between those official campsites. Can I camp on other public land along the canal? If so, is it safe? If anyone has done this trip, or even multi-day self-supported sections, I’d like to hear your story. If I do this trip in 2012, it would be Sept. or October. Thanks. – Bob
http://www.canals.ny.gov/trails/camping.html
PS: I am aware that if traveling eastward, most of the locks would be draining (instead of filling), thereby reducing turbulence in the locks, and eastward often has the advantage of the wind, as well. I just want to "paddle home".
LOGISTICS - When I began my research in 2010, I found a great website by the late Bill Quick, called “Kayak Guy”. With Bill’s untimely death in January 2011, his website was taken down and all of his trip reports, maps, photos and other info are no longer available. Bill had paddled the canal system and had many TRs, some of which I read. With the Kayak Guy and all of his info gone, I’m back to “Square One”. By necessity, I would be doing this trip solo and mostly self-supported. In May, I drove to Waterford and scouted the eastern terminus of the canal; I would paddle the 300-some miles from there to a local park on the Niagara River in Tonawanda, where I could then just walk the remaining 5 blocks to my house.
MY QUESTION – I’m looking for info relating to services on the route (food availability, public restrooms, campsites, and accommodations) for a self-supported paddler who would have to walk everywhere. I’ll camp most nights, but the occasional nearby motel or B&B would be welcome. There are many places where the canal does not offer friendly (easy) access to or from the water. I was told about a few campsites that are along the “water trail” (see link), but there are many gaps between those official campsites. Can I camp on other public land along the canal? If so, is it safe? If anyone has done this trip, or even multi-day self-supported sections, I’d like to hear your story. If I do this trip in 2012, it would be Sept. or October. Thanks. – Bob
http://www.canals.ny.gov/trails/camping.html
PS: I am aware that if traveling eastward, most of the locks would be draining (instead of filling), thereby reducing turbulence in the locks, and eastward often has the advantage of the wind, as well. I just want to "paddle home".
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