Post by esspeegee on Jun 14, 2010 18:51:37 GMT -5
My padding buddy, Dawson, and I ran the West Branch of the Keswick last Sunday (June 6th) ... right in the middle of that big rain storm. The Water Level read 5.43 at Narrows Mountain and Dawson and I definitely feel that even a few cm more water could have made a nice ride even nicer.
Our "put-in" was the first major bridge on the Valley Forest Road ... in behind Crabbe Mountain.
We didn't "MEAN" to run the West Branch ... poor navigation (and good luck) put us on that twisty, bushy, stretch of water. In any case, if you don't mind getting the odd slap in the face from a bush and if you are game for building up some speed and zooming over a few beaver dams (one was at least a 4 foot!) ... this is a fun little river. Narrow, lush, and twisty. Lots of times, we were only a paddle length from either shore.
Odd encounter of the week: We saw a handful of bald eagles ... and actually saw one "swimming" ... no joke! Fully in the water ... swimming.
Shortly after the odd eagle sighting, we actually got lost in a large beaver dam where the river ran into the woods in every direction. We found ourselves pulling the boat through the alders in a desperate attempt to locate the "main channel".
After the West Branch joins the Main Branch, the river gets substantially wider and faster. There is a nice long stretch of easy quick water just below the confluence of the West and the Main. Lots of fun without much panic. :-)
We paddled all the way down to Highway 104 ... there's a very easy take-out there (just under the bridge) with a great parking area in a big field.
Next time, however, we'd take out a bit sooner ... probably take out at the cement bridge at the beginning of the Upper Stoneridge Rd.
Great river. Really looking forward to an opportunity to run the "main branch" sometime soon.
Our "put-in" was the first major bridge on the Valley Forest Road ... in behind Crabbe Mountain.
We didn't "MEAN" to run the West Branch ... poor navigation (and good luck) put us on that twisty, bushy, stretch of water. In any case, if you don't mind getting the odd slap in the face from a bush and if you are game for building up some speed and zooming over a few beaver dams (one was at least a 4 foot!) ... this is a fun little river. Narrow, lush, and twisty. Lots of times, we were only a paddle length from either shore.
Odd encounter of the week: We saw a handful of bald eagles ... and actually saw one "swimming" ... no joke! Fully in the water ... swimming.
Shortly after the odd eagle sighting, we actually got lost in a large beaver dam where the river ran into the woods in every direction. We found ourselves pulling the boat through the alders in a desperate attempt to locate the "main channel".
After the West Branch joins the Main Branch, the river gets substantially wider and faster. There is a nice long stretch of easy quick water just below the confluence of the West and the Main. Lots of fun without much panic. :-)
We paddled all the way down to Highway 104 ... there's a very easy take-out there (just under the bridge) with a great parking area in a big field.
Next time, however, we'd take out a bit sooner ... probably take out at the cement bridge at the beginning of the Upper Stoneridge Rd.
Great river. Really looking forward to an opportunity to run the "main branch" sometime soon.
