New York White Water Rafting In The Spring

New York white water rafting through the Hudson River Gorge during the spring season is Big Water time. When the snow of the highest mountains in the Adirondacks combine with warm weather and a little rain, the mighty Hudson River roars through the Gorge. This is Class IV and class V white water time. When the Hudson is up and running spring levels it rivals any New York rafting river in the country. We begin our white water rafting season in early April. This is a high adventure-rafting trip (we suggest ages 16+ for the month of April), (14+ for May), (8+ June, July, Aug, Sept).

After getting geared up at our river base in Indian Lake (white water capital of NY) our highly experienced guides will explain the basics of white water safety to our guest. We limit the number of guest to ensure thehighest quality personnel and equipment is available to everyone. Our focus is on your fun and safety.

Whitewater Class IV & V in Spring After a brief bus ride to the river, (we are one of the closest outfitters to the river put in), we begin our trip on the Indian River. The Indian River is controlled by a dam and opened specifically for Adirondacks white water rafting by the Town of Indian Lake. The Indian River is Three miles of wet and wild Class III. After we finish with the Indian River we meet the mighty Hudson. Mother Nature controls the Hudson River and in the spring this means lots of water. Once on the Hudson the only sign of humans will be your fellow rafters, this is a large wilderness region with no roads and plenty of Adirondack Mountain splendors. As we float through the Cedar Ledges section you’ll notice the large increase in water volume and velocity. After several big hits (waves) you’ll be on the look out for the next ones. Once through the Blue Ledges we encounter the Black Hole, which is very deep water surrounded by large granite walls. Even on the cooler days in the spring we often see someone jumping off Elephant Rock to the amazement of their friends. Not far below the Black Hole we pull over and provide lunch and hot and cold beverages.

After our lunch we head for the big stuff. As we crash our way through Blue Ledge Inn Rapids, 300-foot granite walls come into view. The river winds around these walls and with it we head for The Blue Ledge Narrows, some of the biggest and most aggressive waves in the Northeast. Once through The Narrows we run Osprey Nests Rapid which sets you up for Mile Long Rapid where you paddle the raft near but just around The Twin Nasty’. A brief stop in a slow eddy gives you time to prepare for The Kettle Mountain Rapid that is always a challenging thriller. Down below the next slow eddy you ready your crew for The Harris Rift rapid (another rapid almost a mile in length). After crossing under the Old Railroad trestle one last big hit awaits you, The Bus Stop, a large hydraulic that often consumes your raft and than shoots you out. You are now leaving The Gorge behind as you finish your day with a strong current carrying you to the Take-out. We pull up the rafts in North River, (near the Gore Mt. Ski Ctr. Region) and transport the now experienced New York white water rafting veterans back to our base in Indian Lake.