Hidson River from Losee Park to the Croton River

Trip Overview

I had intentions to paddle from Losee Park up to the mouth of the Croton River and beyond to Mayo's Landing. However, this was an ambitious plan. To complete the entire trip was a greater distance for me than it appeared on the map. I was breaking in a new boat and spent most of the trip fiddling with the adjustments. The river when I left Losee Park was calm except for the occasional boat wake. I paddled north hugging the east shore of the river, keeping a slight distance from the rock wall/shore that constituted the edge of RR to avoid wave rebound. I paddled past a few boat clubs and past Sing Sing Correctional Facility and managed to make it to the mouth of the Croton River and paddled underneath the RR trestle. Consider the tide if you plan to paddle under the RR trestle. I was lucky, but I’ve heard tell that you can't paddle underneath at high tide. There is a kayak launch just NE of the RR trestle and an inaccessible beach landing just to the NW of the trestle where I landed for lunch. I had made it to near Westerly Marina on the return trip when the wind picked up. Being in a new boat, not having good capsize recovery skills, and with choppy conditions past my comfort level… I decided to land at Louis Engel Waterfront Park rather than try to risk a return to Losee Park. I took the train down to Terrytown/Losee Park to grab my car. I drove back up to load my Kayak. I still intend to paddle the Croton River and am planning another trip to launch just NE of the RR. Hopefully I can make it to Mayo's Landing one day!