Ausable, New York, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | IV+ (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 Miles |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUSABLE RIVER NEAR AU SABLE FORKS NY | ||||
| usgs-04275500 | 240 - 1400 cfs | IV+ | 45d23h08m | 938 cfs (rc= 0.7 ) |
Based on 2005 Flow Study. |
||||
After several years and letter-writing campaigns, paddlers now have legal access to Ausable
Chasm!! Beginning today, June 18, 2010, through October 31, NYSEG cannot block our access. In
subsequent years, access will be assured from Memorial Day through Halloween.
The Ausable Chasm was paddled numerous times over the summer of 2005. The river is one of the
most unique and beautiful in the Northeast. The river offers 6 to 8 high quality class IV rapids
ranging from vertical ledges to long slides, to rapids laced with waves and holes. The best thing
about the run: it is runnable on natural flow almost all summer and fall! After paddling the
Chasm, paddlers must paddle out over a couple miles of swiftly moving but shallow flatwater.
There is no place else in the world like Ausable Chasm. Previously, access was blocked by the
power company, but we now know that 2010 will mark the beginning of a brand new summer paddling
resource for New York and Vermont paddlers. Enjoy!
From the article, linked below:
"The Ausable Chasm is a committing Class IV/IV+ river in a vertical walled canyon. Paddling
high quality rapids through an east coast slot canyon provides an extraordinary and unique
experience for advanced whitewater paddlers. Suitable natural flows are common throughout the
year, including summer and fall, which is a regional rarity. The river can be run quite low. The
Ausable Chasm Company provides hiking, viewing, and scouting opportunities on numerous decks and
walkways in the gorge (for a fee). Please be aware that this river reach has seldom been paddled
so all paddlers are advised to be very careful. Wood and metal debris are potentially present in
the Chasm, and metal debris has specifically been noted above and immediately below Mike's Hole.
Once on the river, scout and portage only below the high water mark to avoid trespassing on
Ausable Chasm Company lands. Do not park in the bar's parking lot at the put in - stick to the
provided spaces or park legally elsewhere. There is a public lot near the bridge that you can
park in after dropping off your gear. Please recognize that we are new visitors to the
area, so respectful behavior is critical."
Look for access updates and more rapid photos and descriptions here soon!
See also
Ausable River to Open June 18, 2010!, June 14, 2010
New York Area Boaters Get an Early Christmas Gift!, December 23, 2004
Yankee Ingenuity Alive and Well
in Upper New York State, November 12, 2001;
Paddlers' Alert--Ausable
River, February 14, 2002;
2002 Top 10 Conservation and
Access Issues, November 14, 2002;
AW in the NorthEast,
2004;
River Stewardship Issues for
2004, October 7, 2004;
Comments
on the Ausable, April 28, 2004; and
Ausable Chasm Open Flow Study
Planned, May 31, 2005.
Lat/longitude coords are approximate, from TopoZone.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUSABLE RIVER NEAR AU SABLE FORKS NY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| usgs-04275500 | 240 - 1400 cfs | IV+ | 45d23h08m | 938 cfs (rc= 0.7 ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Based on 2005 Flow Study. |
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AusableKeeseville to US Route 9 [ ] |
Bridge at Ausable Chasm
|
n/a | Kevin Colburn | |
| 6y153d16h21m | Ausable [NY] |
Steel in Eddy below last Rapid
|
Low | Cheryl Robinson |
| 6y223d16h21m | Ausable [NY] |
rapid #4 (upstream look)
|
300 cfs | Adrian VandenBout |
| 6y223d16h21m | Ausable [NY] |
I - beam rapid
|
300 cfs | Adrian VandenBout |
| 6y232d16h21m | Ausable [NY] |
Flow study participants enjoy the incredible scenery in the Ausable Chasm
|
615 | Kevin Colburn |
| 6y238d16h21m | Ausable [ny] |
Left Side of Elephant Rock, Ausable
|
500-600 | Kevin Colburn |
| 6y242d16h21m | Ausable [NY] |
The pinch of the Chasm
|
650 | Kevin Colburn |
| > 10 years | Ausable [NY] |
Rainbow Falls on Ausable River
|
n/a | John Gangemi |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Put In Pool | N/A |   |
| 0.1 | Horseshoe Falls | III+ | |
| 0.3 | 2nd Rapid | III+ | |
| 0.5 | Diagonal Slide | IV | |
| 0.6 | Left Side Elephant Head | III | |
| 0.6 | Elephant Head | IV+ |  |
| 0.7 | Long One | IV | |
| 0.8 | Mike's Hole (lead-in) | IV+ | |
| 0.8 | Mike's Hole Itself | IV | |
| 0.9 | The Pinch of the Chasm | I | |
| 1.0 | Exit Canal | II+ |
Put In on the AusableThe put in for the Ausable Chasm is owned by the power company and has historically been closed to paddlers. In Spring 2010, based on years of work by AW and local volunteers, the FERC granted paddlers access.
Horseshoe Falls
Second Ausable RapidThis rapid is a fun little slide with a wave-hole to crash through. This is a good warm up rapid for the slides that follow.
Slide on the ChasmThis is a fun slide with a diagonal hole at the bottom. Immediately after this slide is Elephant Rock.
Left Side of Elephant Rock, AusableThe left line through Elephant Head is a good sneak route that avoids the more difficult right line. You can see the big rock in the middle of the river that splits the flow. The left line is right next to, and wrapping around this rock.
Elephant Rock RapidThis is the Hero Line through Elephant Head Rapid and is the toughest challenge on the run. There is a straightforward class III/IV sneak down the left side at moderate flows that likely exists at high flows as well. Most paddlers opted for the sneak line during the study
Note: as of June, 2010, the Hero Line is even tougher, and paddlers are warned away from it.
Long Fun Class IV on the AusableThis long class IV rapid has the excitement of a fairly blind start and big holes and waves all the way down. At the bottom a rock spire splits the current and most paddlers eddy out on the right and then ferry back across the current to exit on the left.
Lead in to Mikes HoleMike's hole is a solid Class IV rapid with multiple hazards. First and foremost is the debris left in the river by the Chasm Company. There is a large I-beam in the lead-in on river left, as well as some other metal debris. There is also metal gates and debris just under the surface below the hole and debris in the right side of the hole. Obviously something must be done about this. The debris also moves around so scout and be careful!The line, however, is to stay right through the lead-in and then skitter left into the eddy next to Mike's Hole. The wall on the right, next to the hole, is undercut.
Mikes Hole on the Ausable
The pinch of the Chasm reach
state
reachlink
Keeseville to US Route 9, Ausable New York, US (mobile)
User Comments
rides. It is hard or impossible to eddy out before it and would advise not running it below 800 as
it creates an undercut. At higher levels you go right over it but I would highly advise using
serious caution at this section of the river and scout it first.
Oct,2010...there was a significant strainer in the middle of Mike's. Be very careful. It could
shift right into the mouth of the hole. @850 they were able to scout from rocks on the left. The
Chasm is now closed for the winter 2010, starting nov 1st. Next Spring we need to see if the winter
ice drags the tree out of there. The Ice has removed huge steel I-beams so I'm very hopeful. Side
note these guys love the middleburry Gorge, Big Branch, and are up for just about anything......I
think 850cfs is getting some talk now as the Normal sane high water run limit. Mike's hole itself
(not the wood) was the reason for this thinking. I'm sure boaters will do it higher but I thought
I'd pass the thinking of some local guys that push 5+ but not insanely so. nobody knows where the
steel is down there so getting a beatdown there and swimming out deep out of the hole is not a real
pleasant idea.
and tight to the right wall. We had one swim and there was another swim by another group. The
reported hazardous pin rock in the right of elephant was undetected by our boaters and was frankly
reported by the chasm mgmt and not a class 4-5 boater (to my knowledge) take it for what it's worth
and use your own best judgement. The 2nd rapid under the bridge is the most deceiving and so far
sees the most swims outside of the rare running of Elephant.
access. It should be available every day through October. The Chasm owners have made it known not
to scout above the Medium High water mark or legal action may be taken. They have mentioned that
they think Elephant rock has a New Significant Pinning rock in the right line...Hero Line if you
will. Look for the River Left channel at Elephant Rock for a first run.
call her<br>
716-679-7909<br>
[jlaslovich@neanewyork.com]