Moose

Location: Upstate New York (about 35 miles north of Utica; about 160 miles southwest of Montreal; about 215 miles northwest of New York City).

Length of trips: Middle Moose 4 to 5 miles in two to four hours; Lower Moose 10 to 14 miles in five to seven hours; Bottom Moose 4 to 5 miles in four to six hours.

Season: Middle Moose May through October; Lower Moose April, May, and October; Bottom Moose mid-April through mid-June and October. The water flow usually peaks in spring.

Weather: Due to the cold water (about 35°F during rafting season), you’ll need to wear a wet suit, as well as wool socks, a wool hat and sweater, and polypropylene underwear. Heavy snow or rain can make road access to the Moose difficult. April is usually filled with more days of snow and rain than days of sunshine. Daytime temperatures range from the 30s to the 50s, nighttime temperatures from the teens into the 30s. May sees daytime temperatures in the 60s, nighttime in the 40s.

Lodging: Campgrounds in the Adirondack foothills, as well as a wide variety of accommodations in Old Forge and Utica.

Boats: Kayaks, oar boats, paddle rafts.

Rapids: Middle Moose Class II and III (with one Class IV); Lower Moose Class III, IV, and V; Bottom Moose Class V+. Clear, icy water turns silty during spring runoff.

Special features:

  • Hardwood forests and rolling hills.
  • Sudden drops and quick turns between ledges and boulder-filled chutes make the Moose one of the most demanding runs in the East.
  • Wildflowers in June.
  • White-tailed deer, bears, beavers, minks, river otters, great blue herons, ospreys, songbirds.
  • Middle Moose is suitable for first-time rafters.
  • Lower Moose is a challenging white-water trip for experienced paddlers in great condition.
  • Bottom Moose is recommended for serious paddlers.

Nearby excursions:

  • Adirondack Park.
  • Lake Placid.
  • Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake.
  • Great Camp Sagamore in Raquette Lake.

For a list of outfitters and more information:

  • New York State Division of Tourism, One Commerce Plaza, Albany, New York 12245; +1 518 474 4116 or 800 225 5697, fax +1 518 486 6416. Try to book by the first of the year.

For more information:

  • Adirondack Park story in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER, July/August 1995. To order a copy, please click here.

 
 
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