Post by tgneal on Jun 22, 2008 15:54:59 GMT -5
Well my paddling buddies and I did our traditional trip down the Miramichi again this year. However, we added a little twist this time; instead of starting at Half Moon 3 of us put in further up river at Juniper.
The Put In at Juniper
Our plan was to make this a 3 night trip down to our usual take out at Nordge Bridge. We decided on this longer trip because one of the paddlers, Nick, was trying to earn his gold medal from the Duke of Edinburgh program. In order to do this he had to undertake an expedition of a certain length. This would be Nick's first trip down the Miramichi
So on Thursday afternoon Pat, Nick and I put in at Juniper and paddled down to Big Louie where we set up camp. The Upper Miramichi is much narrower here as it meanders through an alder swamp. As we paddled along we passed many cottages located above marked salmon pools. There were signs at each pool promising dire consequences if we even thought about wetting a fly.
Nick and Pat on the Upper Miramichi
After we passed out of the alder swamp the river widened a bit but remained pretty flat except for the odd rips. It kinda reminds me of paddling on the St. Croix - pretty tame stuff.
The Upper Miramichi
Well we eventually passed by Half Moon where we saw a moose just past the railroad bridge. We continued down to Big Louie where we set up camp for the first night.
Half Moon as seen from upstream
Memorial found at waters edge - Half Moon
Early the next morning Jamie, Joe and Dave hooked up with us at Big Louie having put in at Half Moon earlier that morning. The entire group continued downstream together with Dave and Jamie paddling solo.
Big Louie
Jamie makes it through Big Louie
That evening we set up camp on a nice little site just above Slate Island. We spent the evening around the campfire listening to Joe describe the many adventures he's had while a member of our nations armed forces. He was also having a little problem with mathematics as he couldn't quite figure out how 24 cans of beer could disappear so fast.
Campsite just upstream from Slate Island
Anyhow, we woke up to a wet Saturday morning and resumed our journey in the rain. We all made it through Burnt Hill unscathed but as the trip progressed we all became wet. I was particualrly drenched as I brought an old rain suit that didn't fit me anymore.
Dave at Burnt Hill
Nick and Pat at Burnt Hill
Jamie at Burnt Hill
Joe and Tom at Burnt Hill
Our plan was to spend the third night at Trout Brook and take out on Sunday but we were so soaked by the time we reached Trout Brook that we decided to push on to the take out.
We arrived at Nordge Bridge around 5 and headed home.
All in all it was an enjoyable trip that offered some new adventures on the familiar Miramichi.
To see more pictures from this trip please click on the link below. Please feel free to leave comments.
good-times.webshots.com/album/563877230HpnqLw
The Put In at Juniper
Our plan was to make this a 3 night trip down to our usual take out at Nordge Bridge. We decided on this longer trip because one of the paddlers, Nick, was trying to earn his gold medal from the Duke of Edinburgh program. In order to do this he had to undertake an expedition of a certain length. This would be Nick's first trip down the Miramichi
So on Thursday afternoon Pat, Nick and I put in at Juniper and paddled down to Big Louie where we set up camp. The Upper Miramichi is much narrower here as it meanders through an alder swamp. As we paddled along we passed many cottages located above marked salmon pools. There were signs at each pool promising dire consequences if we even thought about wetting a fly.
Nick and Pat on the Upper Miramichi
After we passed out of the alder swamp the river widened a bit but remained pretty flat except for the odd rips. It kinda reminds me of paddling on the St. Croix - pretty tame stuff.
The Upper Miramichi
Well we eventually passed by Half Moon where we saw a moose just past the railroad bridge. We continued down to Big Louie where we set up camp for the first night.
Half Moon as seen from upstream
Memorial found at waters edge - Half Moon
Early the next morning Jamie, Joe and Dave hooked up with us at Big Louie having put in at Half Moon earlier that morning. The entire group continued downstream together with Dave and Jamie paddling solo.
Big Louie
Jamie makes it through Big Louie
That evening we set up camp on a nice little site just above Slate Island. We spent the evening around the campfire listening to Joe describe the many adventures he's had while a member of our nations armed forces. He was also having a little problem with mathematics as he couldn't quite figure out how 24 cans of beer could disappear so fast.
Campsite just upstream from Slate Island
Anyhow, we woke up to a wet Saturday morning and resumed our journey in the rain. We all made it through Burnt Hill unscathed but as the trip progressed we all became wet. I was particualrly drenched as I brought an old rain suit that didn't fit me anymore.
Dave at Burnt Hill
Nick and Pat at Burnt Hill
Jamie at Burnt Hill
Joe and Tom at Burnt Hill
Our plan was to spend the third night at Trout Brook and take out on Sunday but we were so soaked by the time we reached Trout Brook that we decided to push on to the take out.
We arrived at Nordge Bridge around 5 and headed home.
All in all it was an enjoyable trip that offered some new adventures on the familiar Miramichi.
To see more pictures from this trip please click on the link below. Please feel free to leave comments.
good-times.webshots.com/album/563877230HpnqLw