Andy Arthur.
Why Kayak the Hudson River Between Albany and Troy?
It is a very interesting trip, that gives one a different impression of the modern city.
May 31, 2011.
Related Maps: Agriculture, Albany Pine Bush, Census, Hudson River, Politics.
Related Photos: Albany, Kayak the Hudson.
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.
Menands.
Maps: Hudson River on December 6, 2011. (N 42° 41' 31.28" W 73° 43' 28.43")
Click to Print and Save as an Adobe PDF.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. This is taken, literally, only three miles North of Albany, in the middle of the Albany-Troy-Schenectady urban belt. It's remarkable this land was never developed, although historical pollution and steepness of valley here, may have been a large reason for this unbroken buffer of land.
Kayak the Hudson on May 7, 2011. (N 42° 41' 18.06" W 73° 42' 47.74")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/640 sec, Aperature: f/4.0, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
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. That bridge with it's coffer dam protecting it, sure looks large when viewed from a little tiny kayak, far below it.
Kayak the Hudson on May 7, 2011. (N 42° 42' 3.17" W 73° 42' 14.72")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/200 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
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. There are many outfalls into the the Hudson River. This one is likely for the storm drains in North Albany, but it sure smelled like raw sewage. There must be an overflow into here, or sewer lines are tapped untreated into the the Hudson River.
Kayak the Hudson on May 7, 2011. (N 42° 40' 10.02" W 73° 43' 35.26")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/200 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
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. Most of this Creek Channel is buried, tunneled, or otherwise removed where I-787 comes through and covers much of the former Breaker Island along the Hudson River. Still it was pretty, as the rain stopped.
Kayak the Hudson on May 7, 2011. (N 42° 42' 12.96" W 73° 42' 18.32")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/100 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
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. The remains of Patroon Island, with channels largely landfilled in with debris from Empire Plaza urban removal and construction of I-787 is on the left, and the highlands of the Hudson Valley on the right, as things start to clear out.
Kayak the Hudson on May 7, 2011. (N 42° 40' 14.45" W 73° 43' 31.69")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/800 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
You'll notice how nature's creations tower far above our cities and urbanized areas.
Livingston Ave Bridge Opens. To let a big boat come north on the river.
Kayak the Hudson on May 8, 2011. (N 42° 39' 37.84" W 73° 44' 8.63")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/640 sec, Aperature: f/4.5, ISO 80, Focal Length: 117mm.
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. A beautiful city to look at from a kayak !
Kayak the Hudson on May 7, 2011. (N 42° 39' 8.46" W 73° 44' 28.46")
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/640 sec, Aperature: f/4.0, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
“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