Multi-day tours cover more miles, at a faster pace, and with fewer stops than beginner trips. Except as noted, accommodations and meals are not included in the price. Some guides stay at a campground, but motels are located nearby. We do not trailer boats to these programs, and equipment is not included.
Adirondack Lakes Camping and Paddling
Venue: Rollins Pond State Campground
Prerequisite: Core Techniques or equivalent
2011 Price: $225, camping fee included.
Frequent Paddler Price: $175
Meals: Meals will be worked out communally.
Rollins Pond Campground is just south of the St. Regis Canoe Wilderness, northwest of Saranac Lake Village in the Adirondack Park. The area is covered with ponds and lakes of various sizes, many of which are linked by narrow waterways or by short portage trails. We will sample some of the classic paddling routes in the area.
Participants will need to provide their own camping and paddling gear – either canoe or kayak. The campground has restrooms and showers, but no electrical hookups. Restaurants are 15-30 minutes away in Saranac Lake, Lake Placid and Tupper Lake. We may plan some joint dinners at the campground.
Some of the ponds and lakes allow motor boats, but many are no-motor areas. We can expect to see lots of wildlife including Common Loon, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Bald Eagle and American Beaver. Participants should come prepared for any sort of weather – it may be sunny and warm or rainy and cold. On the plus side, the biting bugs should be mostly gone by this time of the summer.
Location: Bass River State Park, New Gretna, New Jersey
Venue: Brigantine Wildlife Refuge, Great Bay, different rivers in the Pine Barrens
Prerequisite: Core Techniques or equivalent
2011 Price: $175
Frequent Paddler Price: $100.
Meals: Meals are not included. The group goes out for the Saturday dinner. Others can choose to cook at the campground.
We will do two different day trips. Many of us will camp in the Pine Barrens at Bass River State Forest. If desired, you can stay elsewhere and meet the group at the camp ground each morning. Brigantine is a large marsh area with many small channels and large bays. It is an ideal area for bird watching.
One day we will paddle in open water near Great Bay and Brigantine Wildlife Refuge. The weather of the day will determine where we go. On calm days we head out through a small marsh channel to the southern end of Long Beach Island and into the open water of the Atlantic Ocean. We usually split into two groups, with more adventurous paddlers looking for some rough water to play in. Lunch is on a Sandy Beach facing the ocean. On windy days we stay in the marsh and large bays of the area.
The second day will be spent on a river in the Pine Barrens. These are small winding grade 1 or 2 rivers. Your skills will be tested as we maneuver around many downed trees and tight turns. The cider trees tint the water to a nice tea color. This is a one way trip with a shuttle.
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Venue: Cape Cod Bay, Atlantic Ocean
Prerequisite: Proficiency or equivalent.
2011 Price: $225
Frequent Paddler Price: $150
Meals: Meals are not included. Most people eat out each night.
Maptech Chart #20 Cape Cod Bay and Canal
Come explore the pristine beauty of Cape Cod with us after the summer crowds. Autumn is the best time of the year to explore the Cape. Cape Cod has a large range of paddling areas, from open water to protected marshes and bays. Some staff will camp at Nickerson State Campground, but many clients and staff stay in local motels. We will do two full day trips, plus a short trip on Monday before the ride home.
Intermediate and above paddlers only. Paddlers should be in good condition for extended hours of paddling at a 3 plus knot pace. Depending on the day, moderate to rough conditions, waves of three to five feet or more, surf landings and tidal race are possible. If conditions allow, this program will push limits.
Equipment is not provided. Good quality sea boats, tow lines, helmet, flash light and other 4 Star equipment are needed. At low tides we have had to walk boats a long distance over the flats, so good kayaking shoes are a must.
Venue: Lake George
Prerequisite: Core Techniques or equivalent
2011 Price: $200
Frequent Paddler Price: $150
Meals: Meals will be worked out communally.
This beautiful Adirondack lake is 32 miles long, 195 feet deep, and has more than 160 islands, most of them state-owned. Also known as the "Queen of American Lakes", Lake George has such pristine, clear waters that you can see 20 or more feet down. A deep glacially-formed lake, it warms up slowly in the spring and stays fairly cool through the summer.
Historically, the lake was a major military travel route during the French & Indian Wars and the Revolutionary War. Later, Thomas Jefferson wrote his daughter, "Lake George is without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw; formed by a contour of mountains into a basin... finely interspersed with islands, its water limpid as crystal, and the mountain sides covered with rich groves... down to the water-edge: here and there precipices of rock to checker the scene and save it from monotony."
This Friday to Sunday trip will include launching from the village of Bolton Landing and camping for two nights on one of the islands in the Narrows Island Group. Participants will stay in small tents with a nice odor-free composting toilet facility nearby.
Venue: Hudson River
Prerequisite: Core Techniques or equivalent
2011 Price: $175
Frequent Paddler Price: $150
Meals: Meals will be worked out communally.
This is a camping from your kayak trip. We need to carry all of our personal equipment, group items, food and water for the two days. Tents and sleeping bags are available. Starting at Castleton Island State Park we will paddle to the town of Hudson. We will need to shuttle at the end of the program to return us to our starting point.
The following programs are not on this years schedule. They might get added or can be done as private programs.
Norrie to Annsville Camping Trip - 
Venue: Hudson River
Prerequisite: Core Techniques or equivalent
2009 Price: $175
Frequent Paddler Price: $150
Meals: Meals will be worked out communally.
This is the longest trip we offer. We will travel about 40 miles with the first day covering a full 30 miles. This will entail an early morning start and a long day of paddling a fully loaded kayak. Only strong paddlers with quicker boats are suitable for this two day expedition
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Venue: Lake Champlain
Prerequisite: Core Techniques or equivalent
Note: No programs scheduled for this year, but can be done as a private program.
Lake Champlain is often called the west coast of New England. Separating New York and Vermont the shores of Champlain vary from 100 foot granite cliffs to smooth sandy beaches. Osprey, tern, and great blue heron are commonly seen. Paddling 10 to 12 miles each day, you will be treated to views of the high peaks of the Adirondacks while crossing open water to visit sites of historic or natural importance.
Note: We are not offering this as a regularly scheduled program as the lighthouse is difficult to book on weekends due to its popularity. It is possible to be set up as a private program on a weekday.
From Catskill we head south on our way to Kingston. We have time to explore creeks and marshes on the Hudson River as we travel about 12 miles each day with the current on our easiest overnight program. The Saugerties Lighthouse will be our overnight stop, indoor floor space or outdoor tent area for sleeping. This historic lighthouse is located at the mouth of the Esopus River. Accommodations and dinner are included.
Prerequisite: Proficiency or equivalent.
Length 2 days, 1 night
Distance: Block Island Crossing Approximately 11 Miles, Circumnavigation 9
Price: $450
One night accommodations included. Ferry, parking and meals are not included.
Note: No programs scheduled for this year, but can be done as a private program.
Note: No Rental boats available. Must bring own boat.
Launching from the Rhode Island shore, we cross Block Island Sound to Block Island’s Great Salt Pond harbor. We spend the night at a historic inn that has a porch looking out onto the harbor and is inhabited by the ghost of a former owner. The next morning we take a scenic paddle around the south end of the island, with its dramatic bluffs and beaches, to the ferry which takes us back to the mainland. During our visit we’ll have time to explore Block Island’s historic and vibrant town center with its many shops and wonderful architecture.
