Andy Arthur.

facebook twitter buzz flickr picasa linkedin rss feed scribd
return to home / fodder / hikeswny

Utica Marsh.ACME Mapper 43.1158, -75.2232

An urban stroll from North Genesee Park and Ride to Utica Marsh Overlook on I-790.
August 27, 2011.

Despite the Utica Marsh being located right off of I-790, and easily viewable from a car speeding into Utica from the North, it's not quite as easy to get to as a pedestrian, as the former Barnes Avenue Bridge is closed off to all but pedestrians. You now have three options if you want to see the Utica Marsh up and close:

  • Park at the North Genesee Street Park and Ride / Harbor Lock Area, and follow Erie Canal Bikepath west, past NYSDOT building, past an old Utica garbage dump, over the Utica Harbor Lock, under I-790 to Utica Marsh. Roughly 1 mile.
  • Park at the end of Barnes Avenue, and hike over abandoned Barnes Avenue Bridge along abandoned junkyard, to Utica Marsh. Roughly 1.5 miles to over look, but views along western marsh when you hike in this way.
  • Kayak from somewheres on Erie Canal (e.g. somewheres around Utica, Whitesboro, Rome) to underneath most westernly I-790 bridge, pull out of water, walk like 100 ft to Marsh overlook.

Utica Marsh.

Maps: Oneida and Madison County on August 29, 2011. (N 43° 6' 3.25" W 75° 13' 57.59"ACME Mapper 43.1009, -75.2327)

Click to Print and Save as an Adobe PDF.

I didn't have my kayak with me this particular weekened, so I chose the Park and Ride lot. Nice hike, and you get to check out the Utica Harbor Lock — and actually cross it too. I didn't particularly care for the gritty urban neighborhood that Barnes Avenue is located in, and didn't feel safe parking there. So I recommend parking at the North Genesee Avenue Park and Ride Lot, which is just south of the Erie Canal, when you get off the Thruway.

You might want to include this in a kayaking trip along the beautiful Erie Canal in this area. While this is urban Utica, the reality the canal is cut into muck soils of the Mohawk River headwaters, and while much of the land is either landfilled or tiled for agriculture around it, it's still very beautiful kayak ride with only one lock between South Utica and Rome.

This is a really good trip to make when returning from the Adirondacks in the evening — take NY 12 from NY 28 South to the Thruway. Or if your heading West to East in NY State, not a bad stop for an hour or two. Or you can head North from Madison County on NY 8. All worth the trip!

Harbor Lock Rd Dump. The first part of the Erie Canal Bike Trail (paved) from the North Genesee Street Park and Ride, goes past the NYSDOT building and garage, then passes this old capped landfill. Kind of a scene of industrial horror.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 6' 55.08" W 75° 13' 21.04"ACME Mapper 43.1153, -75.2225)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/160 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.

No Wake Sign Along Erie Canal.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 6' 56.77" W 75° 13' 23.59"ACME Mapper 43.1158, -75.2232)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/100 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 80, Focal Length: 82mm.

Powerlines Reflect Into Barge Canal.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 4.4" W 75° 13' 39.32"ACME Mapper 43.1179, -75.2276)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/100 sec, Aperature: f/3.1, ISO 80, Focal Length: 59mm.

Utica Harbor Lock.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 4.8" W 75° 13' 42.06"ACME Mapper 43.118, -75.2284)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/3.1, ISO 80, Focal Length: 59mm.

Interconnect Lines Over Utica Marsh. Near the Utica Marsh is a town known as Marcy, that is home to the Niagara Mohawk Switchyard and Substation, that directs massive flows of electricity from Niagara Falls, and Massena Hydrodams, along with other large generating plants in Western NY, to consumers state wide -- most being in New York City. One of many big power lines in the area.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 7.43" W 75° 13' 48.68"ACME Mapper 43.1187, -75.2302)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/125 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 80, Focal Length: 159mm.

The View Under the I-790 Interchange. A pretty complicated interchange, with large industrial lights reflecting into the Erie Canal.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 10.78" W 75° 13' 58.26"ACME Mapper 43.1197, -75.2329)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/160 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.

I-790 Bridges.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 9.3" W 75° 13' 54.8"ACME Mapper 43.1193, -75.2319)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.

Whiteboro-Utica Exit Sign on I-790.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 8.94" W 75° 14' 0.96"ACME Mapper 43.1192, -75.2336)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 100, Focal Length: 139mm.

Utica Marsh.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 8.04" W 75° 14' 1.14"ACME Mapper 43.1189, -75.2337)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV +2/3, Focal Length: 38mm.

Gray Evening at the Marsh.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 9.73" W 75° 14' 0.67"ACME Mapper 43.1194, -75.2335)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV +1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.

Plants at Utica Marsh.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 9.73" W 75° 14' 0.67"ACME Mapper 43.1194, -75.2335)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/50 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 140, EV +1/3, Focal Length: 139mm.

Utica Marsh 1.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 7.93" W 75° 14' 0.67"ACME Mapper 43.1189, -75.2335)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/2.9, ISO 80, Focal Length: 43mm.

I-790 Windmill Ramp.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 6.6" W 75° 14' 0.06"ACME Mapper 43.1185, -75.2334)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV +1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.

Edge of Marsh.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 10.09" W 75° 14' 0.35"ACME Mapper 43.1195, -75.2334)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/50 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 100, EV +1/3, Focal Length: 82mm.

Railroad Bridge Over Canal.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 14.16" W 75° 14' 2.04"ACME Mapper 43.1206, -75.2339)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/125 sec, Aperature: f/3.6, ISO 140, EV +1/3, Focal Length: 317mm.

Reflections of the Canal.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 13.37" W 75° 14' 2.04"ACME Mapper 43.1204, -75.2339)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.

Pedestrian Bridge Over Canal.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 13.58" W 75° 14' 1.43"ACME Mapper 43.1204, -75.2337)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 80, Focal Length: 67mm.

Setting Sun.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 9.73" W 75° 14' 0.67"ACME Mapper 43.1194, -75.2335)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/50 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 80, EV +1/3, Focal Length: 94mm.

Marshlands. Such an amazing swamp, really close to all the awful urban noise and congestion of downtown Utica.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 9.3" W 75° 14' 0.96"ACME Mapper 43.1193, -75.2336)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/50 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 140, EV +1/3, Focal Length: 169mm.

Utica from the Marsh.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 8.83" W 75° 14' 1.43"ACME Mapper 43.1191, -75.2337)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 140, EV +1/3, Focal Length: 189mm.

Hills in Distance Beyond the Marsh.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 8.29" W 75° 14' 1.28"ACME Mapper 43.119, -75.2337)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/3.6, ISO 140, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 337mm.

Darking Skies.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 9.62" W 75° 14' 0.96"ACME Mapper 43.1193, -75.2336)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/100 sec, Aperature: f/3.6, ISO 140, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 337mm.

Setting Sun.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 10.2" W 75° 14' 1.75"ACME Mapper 43.1195, -75.2338)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperature: f/3.1, ISO 80, Focal Length: 56mm.

Into the Clouds.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 10.2" W 75° 14' 1.75"ACME Mapper 43.1195, -75.2338)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/100 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 80, Focal Length: 64mm.

Marsh Plants.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 10.2" W 75° 14' 1.75"ACME Mapper 43.1195, -75.2338)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/25 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 140, Focal Length: 169mm.

Sunball Lowers.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 10.2" W 75° 14' 1.75"ACME Mapper 43.1195, -75.2338)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 80, Focal Length: 159mm.

After Dusk in Marsh.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 10.2" W 75° 14' 1.75"ACME Mapper 43.1195, -75.2338)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/3.1, ISO 80, EV -3/3, Focal Length: 59mm.

Cattails.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 10.2" W 75° 14' 1.75"ACME Mapper 43.1195, -75.2338)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/100 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -3/3, Focal Length: 38mm.

Under the Bridge.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 11.53" W 75° 14' 1.14"ACME Mapper 43.1199, -75.2337)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/40 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -2/3, Focal Length: 38mm.

Painted Under the Bridge. When the Rich Wage War It's the Poor Who Die ...

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 10.09" W 75° 13' 57.58"ACME Mapper 43.1195, -75.2327)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/30 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 140, Focal Length: 67mm.

NY 49 / I-790 / NY 5 Split.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 9.3" W 75° 13' 54.34"ACME Mapper 43.1193, -75.2318)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/50 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 100, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 94mm.

Utica Harbor Lock Tower. As seen approaching it from the west.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 5.56" W 75° 13' 44.76"ACME Mapper 43.1182, -75.2291)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/40 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.

Utica Harbor Lock Stats.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 5.56" W 75° 13' 44.76"ACME Mapper 43.1182, -75.2291)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/40 sec, Aperature: f/3.6, ISO 140, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 258mm.

The Lock.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 3.76" W 75° 13' 39.5"ACME Mapper 43.1177, -75.2276)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/40 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 100, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 75mm.

Getting Dark Out.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 7' 3.32" W 75° 13' 36.55"ACME Mapper 43.1176, -75.2268)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.

Along the Old Dump.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 6' 59.83" W 75° 13' 30.07"ACME Mapper 43.1166, -75.225)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/30 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 100, Focal Length: 38mm.

Harbor Lock Trail At Dusk.

Erie Canal on August 27, 2011. (N 43° 6' 55.19" W 75° 13' 22.19"ACME Mapper 43.1153, -75.2228)

Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/30 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.

... I hope you enjoyed these pictures, and do check out this urban preserve.

“The policy of the state shall be to conserve and protect its natural resources and scenic beauty and encourage the development and improvement of its agricultural lands for the production of food and other agricultural products.”
— Article 14, Section 4 NY State Constitution