-
Search
-
Share this w/ your friends...
-
ConnectFollow @vpcnews on Twitter
-
Quick Links
-
Upcoming Events
-
Quote of the Day (#16)There is magic in the feel of a paddle and the movement of a canoe, a magic compounded of distance, adventure, solitude, and peace.Sigurd F. Olson
West Branch Deerfield
Saturday Dec 27, 2003
Participants:
Kayak: Doug Piatt
C1: Alden Bird
Organizer: Alden Bird
Difficulty: advanced WW
Level: low boatable
Gauge (ft): 3.2
Gauge (cfs): 520
Author: Alden Bird
This is the longest section of good rapids I've done in the state. It's 3.5 miles, all good action. I think of the run in four stages:
First, the top section, from Readsboro Falls to where the river crosses under the road. About a mile. There is a cl V drop at the top, a IV right after it, and then a long section of awesome cl III+ boogie water, total non-stop fun.
From the bridge down are about four or five cl IV New Haven Ledges-type drops. Then a section of easier water.
The Tunnel Trio is three drops right before the river goes under the road again. Two class IVs, and Tunnel Vision, a monster cl V. There is a cool rapid in the tunnel too, paddling in there is very strange!
From the Tunnel to the take out is the best section. It's pedal-to-the-metal small class IV drops the whole way. You bang right down into Readsboro, where two larger cl IV drops, High Chair and Low Chair await. These are just above and just below the gauge, right behind Readsboro General Store. Low Chair is one of my favorite rapids ever. More class III+ boogie to the end.
Great stuff. My new favorite river in the state. Definitely worth the drive.