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| Running the broken dam |
It has become a tradition for me to paddle the spring release on the Upper Millers. I ran this river for the first time with Mike B. back in 2007. Since then it has become one of my favorite trips.
The Millers River arises in north-central MA and flows generally west for 52 miles to converge with 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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| Below the first railroad bridge |
The open boaters outnumbered the kayakers on this trip with 9 canoes and 3 kayaks. If you are a Millbrook Boat fan, there were plenty – 1 Blink, 1 Shacho, 2 20/20’s, 2 Outrages and a tandem Prowler. Dan was paddling a Silverbirch, so I was feeling a little old-school in my Dagger Encore.
The day was warm, but started off cloudy and rainy. The gage was off-line, but the typical release is 1,500 cfs, and it was at least that. Some of the crew put-in at the Birch Hill Dam and ran the broken dam above the usual put-in. I opted to take some pictures.
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| Below the second railroad bridge |
The trip alternates between class II and III rapids, with some quiet water in between. The first class III rapid starts just below the put-in and continues down to the first railroad bridge. After a bit of quietwater, the second class III rapid – Mile Long - begins at a sharp left turn. The third class III rapid begins after some class II rapids after the second railroad bridge. The last class III rapid is the Gorge that begins below the big waves at the lunch spot.
I spent most of my time dodging rocks and dumping out my boat. By the time we reached the take-out the day was sunny and warm – it felt like spring.
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| Riding the waves |
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