The South Branch of the Grasse River
Location - DeGrasse, NY
Difficulty - Class IV-V Length - 5 to 9 miles
Levels - various Date - runs from 1999 to 2002
Difficulty - Class IV-V Length - 5 to 9 miles
Levels - various Date - runs from 1999 to 2002
The South Branch of the Grasse River remains one of my all time favorite runs.
Although most of the drops were first run in the mid to early 1990's by the Kern
Brothers and company, when we first starting paddling the South Branch in college we
had no idea that this was the case. Each trip felt very exploratory in nature. Access to
the river was restricted and were threatened by hunters with rifles on several
occasions. Still, the whitewater was classic, and we were sure that it was legal to be
running the river.
Today access has been established and the state owns the river corridor. Only a
quarter mile below the put in lies Rainbow Falls (aka Large Marge), a strong class V
with a tricky ten foot lead in ledge bringing you to the lip of the twenty five foot main
falls that crashed over a few steps and into a canyon. River right falls vertically into a
nasty room and on the left a ledge sticks out threatening to smash your head in. I
have run this drop once at lower flows and although the correct line is surprisingly
smooth and soft it is not something most people do every time they paddle the South
Branch. Portaging on the left is easy.
Although most of the drops were first run in the mid to early 1990's by the Kern
Brothers and company, when we first starting paddling the South Branch in college we
had no idea that this was the case. Each trip felt very exploratory in nature. Access to
the river was restricted and were threatened by hunters with rifles on several
occasions. Still, the whitewater was classic, and we were sure that it was legal to be
running the river.
Today access has been established and the state owns the river corridor. Only a
quarter mile below the put in lies Rainbow Falls (aka Large Marge), a strong class V
with a tricky ten foot lead in ledge bringing you to the lip of the twenty five foot main
falls that crashed over a few steps and into a canyon. River right falls vertically into a
nasty room and on the left a ledge sticks out threatening to smash your head in. I
have run this drop once at lower flows and although the correct line is surprisingly
smooth and soft it is not something most people do every time they paddle the South
Branch. Portaging on the left is easy.
Below Rainbow Falls head left of the island and run a fun class IV gorge
that lasts for a hundred yards before the river widens. At lower levels
the next stretch of class II will be shallow, but don't worry, the ledges are
still great at even the lowest runnable flows.
The Grasse narrows again and a series of fun class III+ / IV drops
follows as the river enters a mini canyon again. At higher water this
stretch kicks pretty hard and a tree could be nasty. At the end of this
section the river narrows and squeezes through a tight gap in the
vertical walls. The four foot drop lands in a hole that gets sticky at some
levels. I always run this hole hard right and scramble to get to the left of
the triangular house sized boulder just below as it is undercut. On our
first runs this ledge always provided some tension as we never knew at
what levels it was the nastiest. After the hole things ease up somewhat
until a river wide horizon line is reached. Flat Rock Falls is about thirty
five feet tall and slides at a low angle before ending in a hole that can be
burly at higher levels. We used to run this hard right, until someone
pioneered a much more fun center line. At high flows a sneak channel
on the far left avoids the big nasty hole at the bottom.
that lasts for a hundred yards before the river widens. At lower levels
the next stretch of class II will be shallow, but don't worry, the ledges are
still great at even the lowest runnable flows.
The Grasse narrows again and a series of fun class III+ / IV drops
follows as the river enters a mini canyon again. At higher water this
stretch kicks pretty hard and a tree could be nasty. At the end of this
section the river narrows and squeezes through a tight gap in the
vertical walls. The four foot drop lands in a hole that gets sticky at some
levels. I always run this hole hard right and scramble to get to the left of
the triangular house sized boulder just below as it is undercut. On our
first runs this ledge always provided some tension as we never knew at
what levels it was the nastiest. After the hole things ease up somewhat
until a river wide horizon line is reached. Flat Rock Falls is about thirty
five feet tall and slides at a low angle before ending in a hole that can be
burly at higher levels. We used to run this hard right, until someone
pioneered a much more fun center line. At high flows a sneak channel
on the far left avoids the big nasty hole at the bottom.
A good deal of flatwater follows, but enjoy the scenery and open
woods instead of complaining. Plenty of action remains. Just
when you are sick of the flatwater the river turns left and runs
through a fun class III/IV rapid with a few big offset holes. Just
below this is Adrenaline Falls. This class IV+ drop falls over a
lead in ledge with a short run out before a fifteen or twenty foot
slide that ramps around a bend and slams into a big hole. The
best line is to ride the ramp of water around the bend and melt
through the hole, which almost always send you deep, but does
not hold you. It is possible to run this too far left and get caught
by the strong eddy feeding the hole at the bottom. If this happens
get ready for a wild hole ride, and don't be surprised if you swim. I
have lost my booties here in the past. The four foot ledge just
below is best run hard right. Flatwater follows until a long class
III/IV is reached that contains some strange holes and a drop at
the bottom left that can be exciting at certain levels. Not far below
this things are about to get much more exciting as the best drop
on the run is reached.
woods instead of complaining. Plenty of action remains. Just
when you are sick of the flatwater the river turns left and runs
through a fun class III/IV rapid with a few big offset holes. Just
below this is Adrenaline Falls. This class IV+ drop falls over a
lead in ledge with a short run out before a fifteen or twenty foot
slide that ramps around a bend and slams into a big hole. The
best line is to ride the ramp of water around the bend and melt
through the hole, which almost always send you deep, but does
not hold you. It is possible to run this too far left and get caught
by the strong eddy feeding the hole at the bottom. If this happens
get ready for a wild hole ride, and don't be surprised if you swim. I
have lost my booties here in the past. The four foot ledge just
below is best run hard right. Flatwater follows until a long class
III/IV is reached that contains some strange holes and a drop at
the bottom left that can be exciting at certain levels. Not far below
this things are about to get much more exciting as the best drop
on the run is reached.
It is very obvious when you reach Twin Falls since from above
the horizon line it is hard to even see the tops of trees growing
at the bottom. If you can trick your friends into following you off
of this one without scouting you know they trust you. On your
first run definitely get out and look, since the horizon is nearly
featureless and running this in the wrong place would be
dangerous. In the early days we used to run Twin Falls on river
right. This line worked, but it bounced you down three steps,
each progressively more bone jarring than the next. We
eventually found a smoother line a bit farther to the left, but still
right of center. This clean line is a blast and looses thirty feet in
a steep slide before kicking you off of the last fifteen foot
freefall. The first time we ran this big drop I remember being
sick to my stomach at the top and ecstatic at the bottom. At
high flows run this anywhere on the right and get ready to go
faster than you thought possible in a kayak. Higher levels are
easier here and it is really exciting to scream blindly down the
face of the drop through rooster tails only to feel the bottom
drop out for the last fifteen foot plunge. Landing flat can be a
bit of a shock to your body, but go for the boof since there is at
least one shallow spot at the base of this falls.
the horizon line it is hard to even see the tops of trees growing
at the bottom. If you can trick your friends into following you off
of this one without scouting you know they trust you. On your
first run definitely get out and look, since the horizon is nearly
featureless and running this in the wrong place would be
dangerous. In the early days we used to run Twin Falls on river
right. This line worked, but it bounced you down three steps,
each progressively more bone jarring than the next. We
eventually found a smoother line a bit farther to the left, but still
right of center. This clean line is a blast and looses thirty feet in
a steep slide before kicking you off of the last fifteen foot
freefall. The first time we ran this big drop I remember being
sick to my stomach at the top and ecstatic at the bottom. At
high flows run this anywhere on the right and get ready to go
faster than you thought possible in a kayak. Higher levels are
easier here and it is really exciting to scream blindly down the
face of the drop through rooster tails only to feel the bottom
drop out for the last fifteen foot plunge. Landing flat can be a
bit of a shock to your body, but go for the boof since there is at
least one shallow spot at the base of this falls.
You will be pumped up below Twin Falls, but do not underestimate the next class IV ledge as it can kick up big holes and hides some piton spots.
This can be scouted from river right. After this the river mellow until a shack is passed on river left. A fun eight foot ledge follows before a green
metal bridge is reached. We often run Sinclair Falls, which is a sliding drop just below and take out here. At high water skip this last drop as the
hole at the bottom becomes pretty devastating. Go ahead and look for yourself. I made the mistake of running this at high flows for the first time
without scouting and only by pure luck did I flip halfway down the slide only to be eddied out while upside down in a last chance eddy at the lip of the
final twelve foot slide pouring into the hydraulic.
If you continue below here one more thirty five foot broken ledge follows. This drop has several clean lines, but involves some more flatwater to
reach and a less appealing take out. The bridge at Sinclair Falls is the best place to take out in my opinion.
This can be scouted from river right. After this the river mellow until a shack is passed on river left. A fun eight foot ledge follows before a green
metal bridge is reached. We often run Sinclair Falls, which is a sliding drop just below and take out here. At high water skip this last drop as the
hole at the bottom becomes pretty devastating. Go ahead and look for yourself. I made the mistake of running this at high flows for the first time
without scouting and only by pure luck did I flip halfway down the slide only to be eddied out while upside down in a last chance eddy at the lip of the
final twelve foot slide pouring into the hydraulic.
If you continue below here one more thirty five foot broken ledge follows. This drop has several clean lines, but involves some more flatwater to
reach and a less appealing take out. The bridge at Sinclair Falls is the best place to take out in my opinion.
The South Branch has another drop above the normal put in.
You can bushwhack your way into Copper Rock Falls, a quarter
mile long drop falling about fifty feet in three distinct drops. The
first is a clean fifteen foot ledge that was complicated by a log
for the longest time. The middle drop has a sweet looking eight
foot boof before a tight pinch that is hard to run upright and has
a reputation for snapping paddles. Just after this the Grasse
splits at an island and the left side runs over long slides in a fun
class IV waterpark. River right drops steeply over a shallow
ledge that is not particularly clean.
Going into Copper Rock Falls is worth doing if you plan on
spending your entire day out on the Grasse, but if you do this
expect to paddle two and a half miles of moving flatwater before
arriving at Rainbow Falls and the start of the regular run.
I have the fondest memories of the South Branch. We used to
blaze down this run midweek when we were in college and its
many moods are fantastic. At low water most of the rapids are
pretty straightforward, but as with most ledgy runs, as levels
increase the holes get bigger. The Grasse ranks highly on my
all time favorites list and it is a place I will return to whenever
given the chance.
You can bushwhack your way into Copper Rock Falls, a quarter
mile long drop falling about fifty feet in three distinct drops. The
first is a clean fifteen foot ledge that was complicated by a log
for the longest time. The middle drop has a sweet looking eight
foot boof before a tight pinch that is hard to run upright and has
a reputation for snapping paddles. Just after this the Grasse
splits at an island and the left side runs over long slides in a fun
class IV waterpark. River right drops steeply over a shallow
ledge that is not particularly clean.
Going into Copper Rock Falls is worth doing if you plan on
spending your entire day out on the Grasse, but if you do this
expect to paddle two and a half miles of moving flatwater before
arriving at Rainbow Falls and the start of the regular run.
I have the fondest memories of the South Branch. We used to
blaze down this run midweek when we were in college and its
many moods are fantastic. At low water most of the rapids are
pretty straightforward, but as with most ledgy runs, as levels
increase the holes get bigger. The Grasse ranks highly on my
all time favorites list and it is a place I will return to whenever
given the chance.
Mike McDonnel enter the class IV gorge just below Rainbow Falls "Large Marge" on a spring
run down the South Branch.
run down the South Branch.
Mike can be seen scouting the pinch in the second mini
canyon on the South Branch. The hole behind his head in the
photo and it was quite big at this higher level.
canyon on the South Branch. The hole behind his head in the
photo and it was quite big at this higher level.
Mike can be seen in his orange boat at the top of Flat Rock Falls.
Brad Bassi launching off of the bottom kicker on Twin Falls at a lower level. I like to land
this drop flat as there are some shallow spots in the pool at the base.
this drop flat as there are some shallow spots in the pool at the base.
Brad taking heading down down Twin Falls at a pretty high level. I am on the "old" right line
that is fine at higher flows, but is pretty harsh at lower levels.
that is fine at higher flows, but is pretty harsh at lower levels.
Mike McDonnel boofs the middle drop at Copper Rock Falls at a low level.
Brad Bassi approaching the top of the last drop of Copper Rock Falls. At low flows like this
the drop is about as clean as it looks.
the drop is about as clean as it looks.