Lower Peconic River in New York

Trip Overview

A beautiful autumn paddle up the lower Peconic river, about eight miles....the four of us in our Swiftys and Sierras....narrow and winding, low hanging trees and vines....rock gardens and submerged trees and sand bars....the river was moving nicely along...we were ducking, weaving and bobbing to avoid the pitfalls......at four different points we had to portage our kayaks over damns and roads and bridges....from 12 inches to very deep waters...knowing not what to expect next....it was like a survivor series...and, oh, did I mention going through the tunnels that flow under the long island expressway and major roads.....so dark and narrow you could only feel your way along, not seeing the yak in front of you....so narrow you had to break your paddle and use one half or poke you way along......I heard the local paddle shop does not even rent kayaks for this trip, too tough on the stock, they only rent canoes for this wild trip....parts are still so wild and the wildlife so abundant, it's hard to believe this is long island..........we ended exhausted and jubilant and promising to do this again in the early spring...wow...this was an exciting trip.

Bring a change of clothes and don't do it in too cold weather unless you are properly dressed for a swim...a lot of people seem to get wet.

Fees:

Nope, just a fee of about 9 bucks to get the ride for you and your kayak to the starting point about 8 miles away from the peconic paddler

Directions:

Long island expwy to riverhead circle.....peconic paddler will ferry you to the starting point......