Fall Foliage Tour at the Blackstone Gorge - October 12, 2024

Rolling Dam

I got a cortisone shot in my heel yesterday, and the doctor told me to keep it dry and go easy. I was originally thinking of a Fife Brook run with the CTAMC, but that seemed a little ambitious. Instead, I decided to do the fall foliage tour with RICKA at the Blackstone Gorge.

The Blackstone River arises in Worcester and flows south for 48 miles, eventually becoming the Seekonk River at the Pawtucket Falls. Native Americans called the river the "Kittacuck", which meant "the great tidal river." Salmon and other migratory fish were plentiful in pre-colonial times.

Blackstone Gorge below Rolling Dam

When English colonists arrived, they called the river the Seekonk, the Narragansett, the Pawtucket, the Neetmock, the Nipmuck and the Great before finally setting on the Blackstone. It is named for William Blackstone who was the first European settler in Rhode Island. He built his house - Study Hall - on the river in what is now the Lonsdale section of Cumberland in 1635 - one year before Roger Williams settled in Providence.

The Blackstone River drops 438-feet in elevation on its way from Worcester to Providence. Early settlers built dams to power sawmills and gristmills to serve the needs of area farmers. With the coming of the Industrial Revolution, the river's steep drop and numerous falls provided ideal conditions for the development of small, rural textile mills around which mill villages developed. Much of this early history can be seen along this section of the river.

Launching above Rolling Dam

We met at the Rolling Dam just above the Blackstone Gorge. A hike along the river below the dam will give you a sense of what the Blackstone River looked like before the European settlers arrived. Its banks are lined with hemlock and mountain laurel, and its rocky course tumbles over a series of three ledges and a small waterfall at the end.

We put in above the dam and headed upstream. We had 8 boats – 7 kayaks and one canoe. The river was a little low - 3.1 feet on the Northbridge gage, 6.6 feet, 78 cfs on the Rt. 122 gage. Paddling upstream from the dam is always a pleasant trip, and the foliage was just about peak. We paddle up to the Triad Bridge site.

Heading upstream

By the middle of the nineteenth century, the Blackstone River Valley had grown to become a major textile manufacturing center. That growth would continue with the introduction of rail service in 1849. With the ability to move raw materials in and finished goods out, railroads linked the Blackstone River Valley to markets around the world.

On this site, three bridges were planned to allow three different railroads to cross the Blackstone River. The lowest, the Providence & Worcester, is still in use. The middle, the New York & New England that was eventually owned by J.P Morgan, has now been converted to the bike path bridge. The top, the Grand Trunk Line, was never completed.

Triad Bridge Site

The Grand Trunk Line was brain child of Charles Hays who was attempting to establish a rail connection from Montreal to the ice-free port of Providence. Construction began in 1912. Unfortunately, on the return trip from a meeting with London bankers, Hays was killed when the ship he was on, the Titanic, struck an iceberg and sank. Construction continued on and off until 1915 when the project was finally abandoned. While the line was 70% complete, not a single mile of track was laid. You can see the concrete footings for the bridge that would have crossed this site.

Just upstream from the Triad Bridge site is the Millville Lock – one of two remaining locks from the 1828 Blackstone Canal. The other is the Goat Hill Lock at River Bend Farm. Opened in 1828, the Blackstone Canal utilized a series of 49 locks to move the barges up and down the 438-foot difference in elevation from Providence to Worcester.

Millville Lock

The canal itself was little more than a muddy ditch with paths on each side for horses or mules to pull barges. The locks used to raise and lower the barges were impressive structures. Made of granite with gates at each end, each lock was approximately eighty-feet long and ten-feet wide. Once a barge was in the lock with the gates closed, it could be raised by opening the upstream gate and lowered by opening the downstream gate.

We continued upstream into Millville below the Millville Rapid. Millville is one of the oldest, and one of the youngest towns in Massachusetts. Originally settled in 1662, it was organized as Mendon's South Parish in 1766, and became part of the town of Blackstone in 1845. It wasn't until 1916 that it was incorporated as an independent town.

Shallow water in Millville

Early in its history, Millville was small farming community. A sawmill and gristmill were operating along the river by 1725. By 1830, woolen mills lined the banks on both sides of the river. Millville would eventually become home to a large rubber mill, which would become part of the US Rubber Company (later Uniroyal) in 1892. Remnants of this industrial past can be seen in the foundations and mill races along the river.

We tuned around in the shallow water below the Millville rapid and headed back downstream. Before we reached the dam, we turned left and followed the route of the Blackstone Canal into Blackstone. It later became the power trench for the Lonsdale Company’s Blackstone Mill.

The crew at the put-in

Links:

My Pictures

Planning a Sea Kayak Expedition

Imagine sitting on the beach as the sun sets in distance, or exploring islands that you can only reach in your sea kayak. Planning a multi-day sea kayak expedition can get you to these places, but is very different than planning a day-trip. Here are some things to think about as you plan your sea kayak expedition.

Know your group.

The trip that you do will be largely driven by the goals, skills and experience of the group. The group should be large enough to provide support and camaraderie, but small enough not to impact the environment. Four to six paddlers is usually the maximum group size.

Where will you go

Pick a location that is appropriate for the skills of the group and plan your route with options to avoid getting weather bound if conditions change. You may need to stay in protected areas when conditions are challenging, and move out into open water to cover distance when they improve.

Planning your trip

Planning can begin as soon as you choose your expedition location. Begin thinking about paddling distances, camping locations, tides and local conditions. You will need to build flexibility into your plan to account for changing weather conditions, and it might be a good idea to include a lay-over day just in case. For longer trips, you will also need to think about resupply locations for fresh food and water.

Navigation

Since you will be traveling along potentially unfamiliar shorelines, good navigation skills will be needed. You will need navigational charts and maps for the area. You will also need a deck mounted compass for following a heading, and a hand compass for taking bearings and working out your location. A GPS can help your navigation if you have already entered way points for lunch spots, campsites, etc.

Packing your sea kayak

When packing your kayak, you need to be careful to keep the boat trim by distributing the weight evenly from bow to stern. Try to pack heavy items like food and water toward the middle, and lighter items like sleeping bags and clothing in the ends. You will need a variety of drybags to protect gear that needs to stay dry but still needs to fit through those oddly shaped hatches.

Here is what I bring, and how I pack it in my P&H Capella 166 RM:

Paddling Gear

Kayak with bulkheads and hatch covers
Paddle
PFD
Hat
Sunglasses
Camera (PFD pocket)
Paddle Shoes
Spray Skirt
Bilge Pump (behind seat)
Paddle Float (behind seat)
Tow Belt

Deck

Spare Paddle
Charts/Maps (waterproof case)
Hand compass (waterproof case)
GPS
Deck mounted compass
Water Bottle

Front Hatch (tends to be the driest)

Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad/Pillow
Camp Clothes (appropriate for season and length of trip)
Camp Shoes
Personal Items (Poop Kit, Flashlight/Head Lamp, Toiletries)
Electronics (Phone/Satellite Communication Device)

Rear Hatch

Tent with Ground Cloth and Stakes
Tarp with Poles and Stakes
Camp Chair
Mess Kit
Stove with Extra Fuel
Fire Kit (Starter, Matches, Hatchet and Saw)
Clean-up Kit (Soap with Scrubby)
Hand Sanitizer

Day Hatch

Paddle Jacket

Snacks
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Water (appropriate for length of trip)
Food (appropriate for length of trip)
First Aid Kit

When paddling with others, you might be able to consolidate gear and bring some other luxury items.

Choosing your campsite

In most cases, your campsite choices will be limited to established campsites. When choosing a campsite, you should look for a site that provides shelter from the prevailing winds, has enough flat ground above the high-tide mark for the group to set up tents, and minimizes the carry up and down the beach to the campsite if you are landing or launching at low tide. You also need to think about the site's orientation to morning winds and tides so you can launch in safe coonditions.

Setting up/taking down camp

On arriving you need to move your boat and gear above the high tide mark. If it is a short carry you might be able to carry boat with the gear loaded, but often it is easy to empty the boat first into a mesh sack or IKEA bag. Once the boat is safely stowed you can turn your attention to setting up your tent (and tarp if needed), gathering wood if you plan to have a fire, and cooking dinner.

The process of for taking down camp in the morning is pretty much the inverse – cooking breakfast, packing up your tent and gear, and loading the boat. To the extent possible, you should leave no trace – carry out everything that you carried in. 

Tents

Tents are available in many styles from tunnel to A-frame to geodesic dome. When choosing a tent think about the space that you need and the conditions you will be out in. Choose a tent with plenty of headroom, a full fly and good ventilation. When camping in exposed areas, your tent will need to withstand high winds and potentially heavy rain.

Sleeping Bags and Pads

The sleeping bag you use will depend on the season and the weather. To ensure comfort on cold nights, it’s a good idea to use a bag that's rated at least 10° colder than the temperature you will be out in. The sleeping bag's fill can be down or synthetic. Down bags pack small, but can be difficult to dry if they get wet. Synthetic bags are bulkier, but are easier to dry.

Sleeping pads have two functions - comfort and insulation. Inflatable sleeping pads are usually the best option due to their small sized when deflated. Inflatable pads have come a long way in terms of comfort and durability, but can be a little pricey - don’t skimp. Pads designed for colder weather usually have an R-rating of 4.0 or higher.

Camp cooking

The trip you do will definitely influence the food that you bring. In a sea kayak you have limited space, so a backpacking stove is the best option. The easiest meals are dehydrated or freeze dried since they are light, take up little space and are easy to prepare and pack out. If you have room you can cook fresh food on the stove or on the fire, but you will also need to bring pots, pans and utensils.

Should I bring or collect water?

Between drinking and cooking, most people will need around 2-liters of water a day. It is best to carry fresh water in water bag or plastic bottle (2-liter soda bottles work well). If you are going to be collecting water from natural sources you will need to boil, chemically treat (Aquatabs) or filter the water before using.

Campfire

If your campsite allows a campfire, be sure to use the established fire ring, or have your fire on the beach where it will have a minimal environmental impact. A fire pan is also a good option, and makes it easier to clean up the fire pit before you leave.

When collecting wood you will need a mixture of sizes from small to large - tinder to light the fire, kindling to establish the fire and fuel to feed the fire. Firewood should be collected selectively to leave the site and scenery as undisturbed as possible. A folding saw or small hatchet will make processing wood easier, and driftwood or standing/hanging deadwood are usually the driest.

Leave no trace

Aways leave the campsite better than you found it. You will need to pack out everything that you bring in, and that may include human waste if the campsite does not have a privy.

Links:

Portland Paddle
Maine Island Trail
Maine Island Trail - Casco Bay