Back to Broadmoor – March 30, 2019

There were lots of paddling options today, but I decided to go on the last of Papa Joe's "winter" hikes at the Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick. Eighteen of us hiked about 4 miles, and then enjoyed a nice brunch after. Thanks for another great season Joe.

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Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

Branch River Icebreaker – March 16, 2019

Filling the boat at Whipple Drop

RICKA ran it’s first downriver race on the Branch River in 1980. Originally known as the Branch River Race, and later as the Rhode Island Whitewater Championships, for many years it was the first race on the NECRA schedule.  It lasted for 25-years until 2005 when it was discontinued due to high insurance costs and difficulties with land owners, but we still try to run the race course each year on the traditional third Saturday in March.

The weather was warm and the river was high (4.5 feet, 650 cfs.) for this year’s run. Four of us would be doing the trip – solo canoe – Chuck, tandem canoe – Erik and Bill, and kayak – Brian. We stopped for breakfast at Waterfall Café in Harrisville before running the shuttle.

Taking the left line at Glendale

There were a few trees down in the upper section, but nothing that we couldn’t paddle through. Whipple Drop was flowing well, and I got a lap full of water on the way through. Glendale was flowing as well, but there was a strainer in the middle blocking the main channel. Brian took a slow boney line to the right, and Chuck, Bill and I took a more exciting but still boney line to the left. We all made it through fine.  

There were some easy surf waves in the old slalom course below Glendale. Atlas Pallet running high, although Bill and I hit a rock trying to catch the eddy on the right side – go left next time. From there it is an easy run to the take-out.

Surfing at Atlas Pallet

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Skye's Pictures at Glendale
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Branch River Gage

River Description from American Whitewater

Branch River Race/Rhode Island Whitewater Championship

Original RICA (RICKA) Logo

The Branch River Race, later known as the Rhode Island Whitewater Championship, was established by the Rhode Island Canoe Association (RICA, now RICKA) in 1980. For 25 years it was run on the third weekend in March - the first race of the year on calendar the New England Downriver Championship series (now the New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association).

This well-known race was run in accordance with American Canoe Association rules. All racers had to submit to safety inspections, and improperly equipped boats or paddlers were not be allowed to participate. All entrants were required to wear PFD’s, spray skirts (for kayaks) and helmets. Wetsuits and drysuits were strongly recommended, as were float bags in canoes and kayaks.

Original race logo

The base of operations for the race was the Townsman Club, later the Village Barn and now the Western Hotel. Classes were included for canoe and kayak, with classes for recreational, mixed, women and masters. There was even a “tavern” class competing for the coveted “Saloon Cup”.

The race was run on Rhode Island’s only whitewater river – the Clear and Branch from Harrisville to Nasonville. The 7-mile course began below the Route 107 Bridge and ended above the Slatersville Reservoir. It is mostly quickwater with some flatwater and four class II rapids.

Running Glendale

The first rapid was at the start below the Route 107 Bridge. The next rapid was about a half mile downstream at the Whipple Drop - a broken dam with a 2½-foot drop and a canoe-busting boulder about 25 feet downstream.

About 3½ miles downstream was the portage at the Oakland Dam. Below the dam, was a mile-long section of quickwater that led to the Glendale Rapid. This short, rocky rapid caused problems for new and experienced paddlers alike.

Running Mohegan (Atlas Pallet)

After another half mile of quickwater was the Mohegan (now called the Atlas Pallet) Rapid. This rocky drop changed at different water levels. It always required superior maneuvering skills but became easier as the water level rose. Another half mile downstream was the portage at the Nasonville Dam. After that, the remainder of the run was quickwater.

As with all RICKA events, safety was a principal concern. Safety checkpoints were set up at critical points along the route. From many years, the Ocean State Amateur Radio group partnered with RICKA to provide real-time communication between safety personnel on the racecourse, and those back at race headquarters.

25th Anniversary Poster

The Branch River Race was an important fundraiser for RICKA, and provided the opportunity for new paddlers to experience whitewater paddling using good safety practices under relatively controlled conditions. The race continued for 25 years, but eventually had to be discontinued due to the high cost of insurance and problems with river access.

Today, many RICKA paddlers still paddle the Clear and Branch on the traditional third weekend in March.

The Race Map

Goddard Park Hike - March 9, 2019

Once again, I was debating what to do today. The options were paddling (Tville or Fife, but both started too late), hiking with Papa Joe (Nonet Woods - been there before) or snowshoeing with Gary at Goddard Park. I decided to snowshoe at Goddard Park.  

I met Gary at the boat ramp at 10:00. We did a 2.5-mile loop from the boat ramp down to the beach and back. The trails were frozen, but off the trails there was a couple inches of crusty snow. Nothing tough, but it was nice to get out along the water. We probably could have stretched it out for another couple of miles at either end - next time.  

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Goddard Park Trail Map

Trout Brook – March 3, 2019

One of many Trout Brook crossings

I had a couple of options today (hike with Papa Joe, or paddle at Tville), but with snow on the ground and just a few hikes left, I decided on the hike. We would be hiking at the Trout Brook Recreation Area in Holden.

Trout Brook is a huge property that includes land owned by the Town of Holden, the MA Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the White Oak Land Conservation Society.  Temperatures were in the mid-30’s, and we had a couple of inches of snow on the ground – unfortunately not enough for snowshoes. 

The Crew

We met at the trailhead at 300 North Street in Holden at 10:00, and followed the Blue and Red Trails along Trout Brook. The trail was well packed, and the ice on Trout Brook was beautiful.  

From there, the original plan was to cross over into DFW land, and hike up to Dinosaur Rock and on to the White Oak Trail, which would take up past “Two Town” Stone and the old White Oak Tree before returning to the trailhead.  With the late start, we decided to cut the hike short and head back to the trailhead on the blue trail – about 3.5-miles.

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Hiking Worcester