Sun, Sep 13 – Paddle the Esopus Creek in Search of the Saugerties Seal
Leaders: Jeanette TB and Jonathan Baker
The rain came down so hard while we were driving to Saugerties that several folks cancelled. But eight rain-prepared ADKers drove through pouring rain on our way to the launch…  only to be turned around by police monitoring the closed streets for the 2026 Alpha Win Saugerties Triathlon. (Who knew?) So we decided to launch directly into the Hudson at Glasco Mini-Park. Once we arrived the rain had virtually stopped, and the river was unexpectedly calm. We paddled under overcast skies to the Saugerties Lighthouse and stopped at a sandy beach, where the tide was low enough that we were able to walk to the Lighthouse. After lunch on the beach, we paddled toward the Cantine Dam; the creek was so high that we were able to glide over the rocks and paddle up to the dam. On our way back, Jonathan spotted an oval, fuzzy gray head in the water…. it was Saugerties Seal! We kept our distance and watched him swim and dip in the water. (“Kept our distance” = “We didn’t get great photos”.) Unfortunately he wasn’t interested in us at all. On the way back to the launch the sun came out and we spotted multiple egrets, herons, and an osprey. It was a great group and a great day on the water! Paddlers included ADK members Theresa M, Dea M, Jan & Vince W, Gwen L, Linda H, and the leaders Jeanette TB and Jonathan B.
Photos by Linda H, Gwen L, Theresa M and Jeanette TB.