I’ve always loved watching the carnage at the Scantic Spring Splash Canoe and Kayak Race – especially the tandem canoes. I have run the Scantic many times in my solo whitewater boat and once in my Yellowstone Solo. This year I wanted to try a tandem run, so I partnered up with Aaron for a run in my Mohawk Whitewater 16.
The Scantic arises in Hampden, MA (southeast of Springfield) and flows general southwest for 40-miles to join the Connecticut River in South Windsor, CT. We would be running the "Expert Course" from Quality Avenue in Somers to the Powder Hollow Barn (South Maple Street) in Hazardville – about 5-miles. There are 4 class II+ (maybe class III) rapids - Trestle, Stokers, Chimney and Staircase.
I dropped off my boat at the put-in and headed down to the barn to register with Aaron and pick up our bib. We then caught the shuttle bus back to the put-in. After the mandatory safety meeting we got on the water at around noon with our class – Men's OC2 - Masters.
Even with the dam release the river was low at .75-feet, 22 cfs on the Broad Brook gage. The race starts off with 2.5-miles of quickwater, and we scraped and bumped our way down the upper section. The removal of the Springborn Dam in 2017 created the first major rapid – the Trestle under the railroad bridge. We went right under the first bridge, and then left under the railroad bridge and got hung up in shallow water - should have stayed right.
Shortly after Trestle is Stokers - a 3-foot ledge that needs to be run about 10 feet off the left bank, moving right after the drop to avoid the rock pile at the bottom. We ran the drop fine, but got hung up on a rock just downstream.
After some more quickwater the next major rapid is Chimney - an “S” turn through some rocky ledges that is generally run down the center (maybe center left). It was low, but we were able to work out way down the center and run the two drops at the bottom.
The last rapid is Staircase, which is exactly what you would expect - a series of ledges that look like a staircase with a large shoot at the bottom. You need to stay to the left as you approach the shoot. We did out best to stay left, but got hung up on a rock above the big shoot just the same.
It is always cool paddling under the bridge at the finish line to the cheers of the spectators above, but then we got hung up on another the rock below the bridge. We eventually crossed the finish line in second place. We hung around to get our trophy at the awards ceremony.
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Planning for Spring Camping - Baskaheagan Stream
There’s finally a camping trip in the works. I only did a couple of overnight trips last year, and work is making it tough again this year, but we now have a spring trip on the calendar - the Baskaheagan in Maine.
Jonathan described this trip as an undiscovered gem with numerous campsites that allow for an easy 3 or 4 night trip. It’s mostly flatwater and lakes, but very pretty and remote. The trip is dependent on water levels and can typically be paddled from early May to early June, and in the fall when the water level is sufficient.
Based on Jonathan’s experience last year we can expect a somewhat boney run to the first campsite on the river. Then river/lake to the first island campsite. Then lake and quickwater to the second campsite. After that there is a short carry around the dam in Danforth followed by some marginal class I/quickwater to the takeout above a class III pitch.
Here is the plan:
Jonathan described this trip as an undiscovered gem with numerous campsites that allow for an easy 3 or 4 night trip. It’s mostly flatwater and lakes, but very pretty and remote. The trip is dependent on water levels and can typically be paddled from early May to early June, and in the fall when the water level is sufficient.
Based on Jonathan’s experience last year we can expect a somewhat boney run to the first campsite on the river. Then river/lake to the first island campsite. Then lake and quickwater to the second campsite. After that there is a short carry around the dam in Danforth followed by some marginal class I/quickwater to the takeout above a class III pitch.
Here is the plan:
- May 16th – we all gather at Jonathan’s in Wiscasset.
- May 17th – pack up for the drive up to the White Farm Road put-in in Topsfield. Run the shuttle, and then paddle down to the Upper Baskaheagan Campsite for the night - 1.5 miles.
- May 18th – continue down Baskaheagan Stream to Baskaheagan Lake. Camp at either the Long Island or Round Island Campsites – 9-miles not including any exploration of the lake.
- May 19th – continue across Baskaheagan Lake and renter Baskaheagan Stream. Camp at the Narrows Campsite near Crooked Brook Flowage – 12 miles.
- May 20th – continue down Baskaheagan Stream to the take-out at 2000 Road in Bancroft with a portage of the dam in Danforth – 10 miles. Pack up and drive back to Wiscasset for the night.
- May 21st – get up early and drive home.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Upper Millers - March 22, 2024
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Running the Mile Long Rapid |
The Millers River arises in north-central MA and flows west for 52 miles to join the Connecticut River at Millers Falls. There are two sections that are popular for whitewater boating – the Upper Millers from Royalston to Athol (class II/III), and the Lower Millers from Erving to Millers Falls (class II/IV).
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The crew on Mile Long |
The first rapid is First Trestle that starts just downstream of the put-in and continues down to the first railroad bridge – lots of waves and rocks to dodge. After some surfing and jet ferries below the railroad bridge we continued downstream. The next major rapid is Mile Long. As the name suggests, it is a long rock garden that ends at the shelter at the Bearsden Conservation Area. We worked our way down rock-hopping and catching waves.
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Running the Gorge |
After a couple more class II rapids we were at the take-out. Work on the new canoe access is progressing nicely. There is now a road under construction down the river, and a parking lot about half-way up. It will be nice when it is done.
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My Pictures
Gages on the Upper Millers
Friday, March 21, 2025
"Getting to Know RICKA Night" at the Kayak Centre - March 20, 2025
We had a good turnout for our "Getting to Know RICKA Night" at the Kayak Centre – 34 in attendance plus the Kayak Centre staff. We had the leaders of each of the four RICKA practice groups – Flatwater, Sea Kayak, Whitewater and Wilderness – provide an overview of their groups. Then we raffled off 3 great gifts generously donated by the Kayak Centre.
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Branch River Icebreaker – March 15, 2025
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Below the Harrisville Dam |
The Branch River Race/Rhode Island Whitewater Championship was established by RICKA in 1980 and was always run on the third weekend in March. It was the first race of the year on calendar of the NECKRA Downriver Series. The race continued for 25 years, but was eventually discontinued due to the high cost of insurance and problems with river access.
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Running Whipple Drop |
We met at the put-in at the Stillwater Mill at 10:00 to run the shuttle. Since the usual take out is still posted “No Trespassing”, we were fortunate to be able to take out at Mike’s house. The river was low at 2.5 feet, 100 cfs – a good poling level, but not a great paddling level. Not the lowest that we have done, but pretty close.
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Poling the Glendale Rapid |
We took a break for lunch at the Oakland Dam before heading down to Glendale. With construction at the Victory Highway Bridge, we had to portage around a work platform floating in the river. The Glendale Rapid was shallow and very boney. Only Chuck was brave enough to run it – poling no less. The rest of us waded down the left side.
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Running the Atlas Pallet Rapid |
The Atlas Pallet Rapid looked OK, but it was also very shallow. I went first, took my usual left of center line, and got hung up on the rocks. I eventually worked myself free and made it down. The rest of the crew found deeper water on the right and had better luck.
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Below the Nasonville Dam |
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Rhode Island Lighthouses
I'd like to get a picture of all of them from the water - I have a long way to go.
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Noon Hill - March 2, 20205
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From the top of Noon Hill |
Noon Hill is a prominent summit and scenic vista surrounded by 204-acres of open space. It offers 4.5 miles of hiking trails and is part of a larger network of open space that includes the Shattuck Reservation located to the northwest along the Charles River. A system of trails spans the two properties, some of which are part of the Bay Circuit Trail.
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Along Holt Pond |
Icy conditions along with rocks and roots that could snag on micospikes made the trails a little treacherous. We followed the trail over to the Shattuck Reservation, and then around Holt Pond to return to the cars. Distance was 4.1-miles.
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