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| Tommy running Whipple Drop |
We call it the Branch River Icebreaker, but we really don’t expect to find ice. This year there was, which gives you an idea of how cold this winter actually was.
We had a nice crew for our annual Branch River trip – 6
canoes (1 tandem – Jonathan and Ellen, 2 solo – Erik and Jeff, and 3 poling –
Mike, Chuck and Tommy) and 3 kayaks (Andy, Bob and Ric). The river was at a nice level – 3 feet, 275 cfs - little low, but still fluid.
We met at the new put-in below the Stillwater Mill complex.
Once everyone found it, it worked out great. It was much easier than climbing over the fence and lugging
boats down the steep bank up by the dam.
We paddled up to the dam, and I carried my boat up to run the first
rapid under the bridge.
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| Bob running Atlas Pallet |
The trip downstream was
pleasant and uneventful. Running Whipple
Drop was easy, but it was tough to surf at this level. We found a little ice on
the approach to the Oakland Dam.
Fortunately, it was still thick enough to walk on. Glendale was boney
and caused trouble for a couple paddlers, but everyone made
it through fine. Atlas Pallet was a straight-shot down the middle.
It started to rain as we approached the portage at the
Nasonville Dam, but by the time we reached the take-out, the clouds had cleared
and the sun was shining. Spring arrived just in time!
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| The crew takes a break at the Oakland Dam |
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