Hunt River – January 11, 2020

The crew heads out

The forecast called for a warm day with temperatures in the 60’s. I had the usual whitewater options, and potentially a trip with Earl on the Quinebaug, but decided to stay local and paddle the Hunt River with Henry, Frank and Danny.

The Hunt River arises in East Greenwich at Scrabbletown Brook and flows generally northeast for 11-miles into Potowomut Pond. After Potowomut Pond, the river emerges as the Potowomut River and flows east for 2.5-miles forming the southern shore of Potowomut Neck in Warwick before emptying into Narragansett Bay just south of Greenwich Bay.  

Picture time

We put in off Davisville Road in North Kingstown near parking for the Davis Memorial Wildlife Refuge, and just above a stone dam that once powered an old textile mill. There was plenty of water in the river with the gage at 1.5 feet, 100 cfs. We paddled upstream against a strong wind and a surprisingly strong current. The river twists and turns through acres of wetlands that make up this 94-acre Audubon property. 

It was an uneventful trip until I decided to get out of my boat to take some pictures. I stepped out on an island that appeared to be solid ground, and immediately sank in the muck up to my knees. As I tried to turn around to get back in the boat I sank up to my thighs, and then my waist - I know because the zipper on my drysuit wasn't closed all the way, and that water is COLD! Fortunately, Danny came to the rescue before things got too out of hand, and I managed to get back into the boat without tipping Danny over as well. Fun trip as always.

Back in the boat with Danny's help

Links:

My Pictures

Davis Memorial Wildlife Refuge

Hunt River Gage – downstream of Fry Brook in Frenchtown, RI