Scantic – March 13, 2022

Heading out

My second class III step-up trip with the NHAMC got cancelled on Saturday due to a bomb-cyclone that brought high winds and blizzard conditions to NH. Fortunately, the CTAMC had a trip scheduled on the Scantic on Sunday. We had some crazy weather on Saturday too, and Sunday was forecast to be the coldest day of the week, but it was still great to get back out with the folks from CT.

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 section from Somers to Enfield – about 5 miles. This is the course of the annual Scantic Spring Splash whitewater race. We had 4 boats - 3 kayaks and one canoe (me). With yesterday’s rain the level came up a little – 1 foot, 50 cfs on the Broad Brook gage – a medium level.

Stokers

We met at 10:00 at the put-in at 27 Quality Avenue, Somers to gear up and drop off the boats. From there we ran the shuttle down to the take out at 32 South Maple Street, Enfield (The Powder Hollow Barn), stopping along the way to check out Staircase, Stokers and the Trestle Rapid.

When we got on the water at about 10:45 it was a balmy 28-degrees - I could have used another layer of insulation. The first 2.5 miles is quickwater/class I. The removal of the Springborn Dam eliminated the dreaded “Heart Attack Hill” portage at Broadbrook Road, and created the Trestle Rapids under the railroad bridge. The next 2.5 miles are class II with a couple of nice surf spots, and three class II+ (maybe class III) rapids – Stokers, Chimney and Staircase.

Chimney

Stokers is a 3-foot ledge that needs to be run about 10 feet off the left bank. You then move right to avoid the rock pile at the bottom. I went a little further right than the kayakers, but made it through fine. 

The next rapid is Chimney - an “S” turn through some rocky ledges that is generally run down the center (maybe center left). I went through first to get some pictures of the others coming through. 

Staircase

The final 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. I almost lost it at the top of the rapid. I don’t know if I leaned wrong or hit a rock, but it took a "bottom brace" to keep from going over. I stopped to empty my boat, and took a squirrely line through the drop at the bottom, but made it through fine. 

Another fun day on the water, and no swims - can't beat it!

Emptying my boat below Stokers

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Broad Brook Gage