We are off to a great start this summer with record numbers joining us for guided paddles on the Genesee! Our next trip is scheduled for July 10^th on the Lower River.  For more information and reservations, go to Summer Paddles on the Genesee | Genesee RiverWatch

River to Erie Canal via Black Creek Access

On the weekend of May 21^st – 23^rd, we partnered with Erie Canal Boat Company of Fairport to offer morning and afternoon paddles from the DEC dock on Black Creek.  This great location allowed 14 participants to travel the river north as far as the junction with the Erie Canal, or south through an area where wild riverbanks separate paddlers from sparse houses.  With wind on Sunday, we chose to explore the quiet, winding waters of Black Creek where we surprised heron and geese and paddled under the old culvert that carried the Genesee Valley Canal in the mid 1800’s and the later Genesee Valley Canal Railway.

Lower River via Petten Steet Access

On Memorial Day Weekend, we again partnered with Erie Canal Boat Company for three days of paddling from the new canoe/kayak dock at Petten Street, just south of Rochester’s harbor.  15 people joined us for a series of three-hour paddles upriver, reaching as far as Kings Landing.  Along the way we watched the annual river dredging operation, maintaining Rochester’s deep water channel, and enjoyed the unspoiled “wilderness in the city” upstream of Turning Point Park.

Genesee Waterways Center to Red Creek

On June 12^th, we enjoyed the first of this summer’s monthly paddles with the Genesee Waterways Center.  In this case we traveled from the Waterways’ dock a short distance down the Genesee and up the Erie Canal to the quiet waters of Red Creek.  Here, with the brilliant green foliage reflecting in mirror-like waters, we found painted turtles, large families of geese and curious muskrats.  For beginning paddlers and people who love quiet natural surroundings, Red Creek is ideal.

Genesee River Wilds Annual Float Wellsville to Amity

On June 26^th, we participated in Genesee River Wilds Annual Float from Wellsville to Amity.  This 8 mile stretch of the Upper River has just enough class 1-2 rapids to be interesting for experienced paddlers and navigable for the less experienced.  Nearly 100 kayakers and canoeists joined in the fun, ending with a food truck and music at the Amity River Access Site.  Genesee River Wilds is our sister organization, based in Allegany County, and working to protect the Upper River’s environment and build access sites that encourage use of the river.

Upcoming Paddles

The summer’s fun has just begun, join us for more paddle trips each month when we partner with the Waterways Center to offer canoe and kayak trips alternating between the Waterways Center/Red Creek and the Petten Street/Lower River “wilderness in the city“.  Our next trip is scheduled for July 10^th on the Lower River.  For more information and reservations, go to Summer Paddles on the Genesee | Genesee RiverWatch