-- Last Updated: Apr-04-12 11:41 AM EST --
Time? Does 10 a.m. sound reasonable? I'm not a big fan of the early-early myself unless there's some tidal reason--And in this case, this far up the Hudson there definitely is not. Current from the Atlantic is greatly diminished here, usually allowing for pretty easy navigation in all directions. But heed should be taken of increased boat traffic in the shipping channel/foul wind and weather conditions(Official Disclaimer for any of you fence-sitters out there).
Launch site: Athens Kayak/Canoe Launch is at the end of Fourth Street in Athens(Greene County, NY). It is a designated Greenway Water Trail Site, with restrooms, picnicking, dining/restaurants, and retail establishments. Just north of Catskill(Exit 21 of NYS Thruway/I-87(So yes, Tommy--It is definitely west of Hartford.) Drive north on Rt. 385 for 4.0 miles(But if you're coming south from Cosackie on Rt. 385, then you drive 6.8 miles.) At the center of Athens, turn east(toward the river)off Rt. 385, onto Second Street. Drive downhill for 0.05 mile. At Second Street, turn right on to South Water Street. Park at Fourth Street where a pier and river access has been recently created especially for us paddlers(Ya see, someone does love us afterall.)
Athens was once a port for whalers and sailing ships. Early inhabitants engaged in piracy(Thought seriously about it as a career myself sometimes--But the wife she...)More recently, Athens was the backdrop for the 2005 movie "The War of the Worlds."(Tom Cruise, anyone?)
I could've set the launch for this at Dutchman's Landing in Catskill. But I vetoed the idea due to the sometimes inordinate amount of motorized penis-envying jet skiers.(If you like to jet ski and paddle, we'll take it up with you later.)
I have it on good advice that The Murderer's Kill(Creek)should be attempted during flood(high tide_)in early Spring. And Andy, if you make this date, I promise to invade Split Rock one of these days. That is, if I manage to first pull out of the Campmor parking lot alive.