Rivers off Old Fredericton Road - Canaan River, North River?

[chockpishkayaker]

Has anybody tried paddling the North River?  I took a drive today and did a visual check of putting in at Old Fredericton Road (112)  right after the turnoff from the Homestead Road (Old Trans Canada) and taking out at Scott Road Bridge.  Not a long paddle, but great to do if you only have a few hours and live in Moncton area.  Some places would have low water but the fall colors are just sooo beautiful it might be worth having to get out and trek through low water. Probably water is too low for a canoe but maybe a small kayak?   Also, I was wondering about kayaking the Canaan, putting in at the bridge where the Old Fredericton Road (112) meets the Havelock road (895) and taking out at Cherrivale? 

[fraserdw]

I have done the Canaan. It's an excellent camping trip the real obstacles are the rips above the last camp ground and the rips at New Canaan after the bridge. Most of the is isolated even close to civilization you will not know it. My was up and down in 5 days. Starting at Coles Island. The last leg to route 126 is through big. Start early as there is not landing til 126. I went heavy and comfortable. Lots coyote, bear and deer. One early morning moose.

[Ken Corbett]

A buddy of mine said he started farther up on the North River and finished on The Petitcodiac, and the shuttle was short because the river goes first westerly, then back east again. That's all I know, next to nothing.

fraserdw, did you pole up the Canaan from Coles Island? I am having trouble following your trip route.

[fraserdw]

Nov 9, 2014 19:42:56 GMT -5 Ken Corbett said:

A buddy of mine said he started farther up on the North River and finished on The Petitcodiac, and the shuttle was short because the river goes first westerly, then back east again. That's all I know, next to nothing.

fraserdw, did you pole up the Canaan from Coles Island? I am having trouble following your trip route.

Sorry. I am not adjusting well to an iPhone as my only net connection. I put in at the boat launch behind the island ESSO. River right is deep and paddle able even in low water. First night camp was 300 metres short of the TCH bridge on an island. Nice spot wide River. Next day paddled up to rips. Very rocky but no white water. I haul the boat thru taking out only my heaviest pack. Second camp was another island. Third day put me at hiway 112 bridge. Only 2 inches of water so in river portage to a float spot. You can pole, all I did was paddle push with my longest paddle. Third camp was sandy bar. Last day push close to hiway 126. Coming down was faster. Day and half. River left is very sandy once past camp ground. Stuck twice.

[fraserdw]

Forgot to mention between the rips and hiway 112, there are rocks everywhere. My cedar strip is going need a weeks worth of sanding and epoxy to bring her back. Have some video and pics will post once I go near town with an Internet cafe.

[beausoleil]

Yea the North river is a great trip, the highest Ive put in is at the 112 but you could probably start at the bridge on Taylor rd a few kilometers upstream or even higher, no promises though since I havent done it myself haha. Also, like Ken said, you can continue on to the Petitcodiac once the North River dumps into it in Petitcodiac and continue on to salisbury, making for a very short shuttle. Of note is that there are several log jams that need to be carried around or over between the bridge on the 880 and Scott rd(these were still there in the fall of '14)

[mvickruck]

beausoleil

In regards to your North River comment, I am wondering what time of year you have done it and more importantly what the water levels are like especially at the head of the route from the 112.

Thanks

[beausoleil]

I have done it in the spring and fall, you would need to do it while the spring runoff is going on or after a big rainfall. last year I did it around April 11th I believe it was and then in late October. Can't say I knew the exact waterlevels