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North Creek · Adirondacks, NY

Know the names. Follow the guide.

Blue Ledges, The Narrows, Mile Long and Kettle Mountain give the Gorge its character. Actual river conditions can change the ride.

The Gorge, rapid by rapid

Published Hudson Gorge rapid names and seasonal ratings
Mile from put-in Rapid Spring Summer River notes
0.5 Indian Head III III
1.5 The Gooley Steps III III
3.0 Cedar Ledges III III
5.0 Blue Ledges IV III Entrance to the Gorge
6.5 The Narrows IV IV Biggest waves
7.0 Osprey Nest IV III
7.5 Mile Long IV III Longest rapid
8.5 Wrap III III
9.0 OK Slip III III
9.5 No Name III III
10.0 Kettle Mountain IV IV Steepest drop; hardest rapid
11.0 Gunsight In III III
11.5 Gunsight Out III III
12.0 Harris Rift IV III Last big rapid of the trip
12.5 Fox Den III III
13.0 Deer’s Den III III
15.0 Bus Stop IV III
17.0 Take-out — — End of the published Gorge route

These are the operator’s published mile markers and seasonal classifications, not a live water report. The Narrows is listed for the biggest waves, and Kettle Mountain for the steepest drop and hardest rapid. Guides assess actual conditions.

Make sense of the classes.

  • Class I · Beginner: very easy water with small, regular waves and riffles.
  • Class II · Novice: easy rapids and waves that require some maneuvering.
  • Class III · Intermediate: moderate difficulty, larger waves and features that require skilled maneuvering.
  • Class IV · Advanced: powerful rapids and hazardous features that require precise maneuvering.
  • Class V · Expert: very difficult, long rapids with strong turbulence and obstacles requiring expert maneuvering. The operator’s Moose River guidance requires prior experience.

Paddle the Hudson Gorge.

The 17-mile Hudson Gorge day trip starts on the Indian River, includes a river lunch and returns to the North Creek base. For more time in the Gorge, compare overnight river trips . Read participation and safety requirements before reserving.