Grass, Middle Branch, New York, US
|
|
Tracy Brook to Clare Rd.
| Usual Difficulty |
III-IV(V) (for normal flows) |
| Length |
10.5 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
38 fpm |
Gauge Information
River Description
Access: Head north out of Degrasse on Claire Rd. and continue a couple of miles past the South
Grasse take out. Turn right on Dean Rd. just after crossing the Middle Grasse and park in the
shoulder on the right side of the road. To reach the put-in, continue up Dean Rd. for about 10
miles. You'll notice lots of hunting clubs and even drive through one camp. When you see the DEC
sign for Stone Damn, park and start hiking up the road. It's a little more than a mile to Tracy
Brook, which we put-in on and banged our way through the brush to the Middle Branch. Also, it was
obvious that this old road had been driven on, although the puddle/lake at the beginning would
require some clearance, but I have no idea of the legality. Also, it appears a road accesses the
river a few miles further up, check topozone/gazateer if you're interested in giving this a
try.
Description: Shortly after reaching the Grasse from Tracy Brook, the river starts dropping into
some nice boat scoutable slides. The first mile or two below Tracy Brook is the best part. From
then on there's alot of flatwater, some sections of continuous class II-III stuff, a few nice small
slides, a couple of easily recognized big class V slides, and one super sweet long(1/8 mile?) low
angle slide. Both of the big slides would go, but the first is kinda junky looking and the second
has a pretty bad hole on the bottom right, but a nice 10ft boof on the bottom left. Overall, this
section has some fun parts, but doesn't match up to some of the area's other options; however, this
is a great option if you get to the South Branch and it's a little beefy for your liking.
One other note, this area is loaded with hunting clubs who don't want you there and have plenty of
guns. While passing under a foot bridge we were told, "These here are private waters." However, at
the take out we talked to some other locals who were friendly.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2006-12-06 13:33:58
Editors
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User Comments
of the Grasse corridor for the majority of the year. Unfortunately, the corridor is closed to all
recreation types October 1st through November 15th, this being hunting season of course, also one
of the best boating windows. This easement will open up those "private waters" to boating this
spring. I gained this information from John Gibbs out of the Potsdam DEC office. Edit
according to a Ranger at the NYDEC office in Potsdam. The designated river corridor under
conservation easement will be open to the public for recreational purposes (I think excluding
hunting) with a similar legal structure as that in place on the South Branch. I've run into
problems at the footbridge mentioned earlier at the Stillwater Club as well. Soon, "these here
private waters" won't be an issue. I'll keep you posted....