- Details
- Written by Scott Gilbert
- Category: Trip Reports
- Hits: 94
- Organizer(s): Scott G
- Date: 2018-04-30
- Kayakers (K1): Scott G
- Predominantly: Int-adv WW
- Water Level: Low boatable
- Primary Realtime USGS Gauge Site: Otter Creek @ Rutland
- Primary Realtime USGS Gauge Flow (cfs), e.g. '797': 2600
- Primary Realtime USGS Gauge URL: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/vt/nwis/uv?site_no=04282000
In the winter of 2018, after spending most of my adult life living north of 89, I moved to Middlebury. This move placed me in striking distance of a whole new cache of creeks and streams many of which I had never paddled. On the afternoon of Monday April 30th, after missing the peak runoff event of the past week (visiting family in NC) I took the opportunity to explore one I had been wanting to check out for a while - the North Branch of the Cold.
The North Branch is a small stream tucked to the southeast of Rutland in a surprisingly remote valley. Its waters originate on the northwest aspect of Killington and travel south before meeting the main branch of the Cold just below the Brown Covered Bridge.
The put-in I chose was where Notch Road crosses the river just below Mclaughlin Falls - a potentially runnable 2-stage falls dropping perhaps 30 feet in total. As I was travelling alone it was something I didn't inspect closely. From the pool at the base of the falls it is a little over three and a half miles to the main branch of the cold with an elevation loss of 650 feet. The first mile drops 200 feet and contains fun constricted boulder and bedrock rapids. Wood was an issue in some, but otherwise it was surprisingly decent boating. Unfortunately the quality boating ends and for the next 2 miles the creek was shallow, gravely and wood infested, the sort of tiring and boat abusing stuff that deters one from returning. Redemption is found in the last six tenths of a mile after Mendon brook enters on the left, adding flow. Below here the creek drops 170ft over small and continuous boulder rapids, reminiscent of the Big Branch only tighter and slightly less steep. Of the run I found this to be the most enjoyable and a great way to dull the memory of the previous 45 minutes in the flat section.
While the boating on the North Branch had its highlights, as an overall run it is not something I would likely recommend. That being said the valley has a very remote feel and contains a beautiful birch and maple forest. Something about it reminded me strongly of the White Mountains.
At this point you are deposited into Cold River proper. I chose to hike up from the confluence another 3/4 of a mile to add a bit more to the afternoon. From here down to the Cold River Road bridge it was an incredibly fun III+ romp. There was one dangerous river wide pine about 1/2 mile above the covered bridge directly after the river makes a nearly 90 degree turn to the left.
This section felt like a smaller E. Branch of the Pemi both in character of rapids and scenery. The 3 miles contains continuous wave trains, small holes and a few boulder strewn rapids to maneuver through. With the flow on the low end of the spectrum it was low stress - aside from worrying about wood. If you were to find this with a lot of water it would be a fantastic run, but also more serious due to its continuous nature and the likely addition of a few sizable holes.
At the take out bridge I was worn out. 6½ miles of boating, plus a good amount of time with the boat on my shoulder had drained me. Unfortunately the real fun was just starting with a nearly 8 mile bike shuttle up some seriously steep back roads still to be done. The shuttle back to the top is rather indirect, requiring you to travel north into Rutland before back-tracking south and up Notch Road where there are a couple of gut-busting hills to impede progress. I'm not too proud to admit I was forced to dismount for a time.
Finally arriving at the car, out of water, stamina and daylight, was a relief. In total the adventure took about 4 hours start to finish.
Was I glad to have done it? Definitely. I can't think of a better way to spend my free time than exploring a secluded river valley tucked into the Green Mountains. Will I be back to the North Branch? Definitely, except next time will be with a fishing pole and a backpack with beer.
As for the Cold proper, as has been stated before, it is an underrated, often passed over run that I would argue ranks as one of the best class III runs Vermont has to offer. At higher levels it would sure to please those looking for more challenge and serves as a great backup to when the Big Branch is too high.
So the next time the water is up down south, make sure to give yourself time to get a run in on the Cold.
- Details
- Written by Tony Shaw
- Category: Trip Reports
- Hits: 97
- Organizer(s): Tony Shaw
- Date: 2018-04-07
- Kayakers (K1): John A., Sarah C., Chris F., Tony S., Chris W.
- Predominantly: Nov-int WW
- Water Level: Medium low
- Primary Realtime USGS Gauge Site: Mascoma Lake
- Primary Realtime USGS Gauge Flow (cfs), e.g. '797': 475
- Primary Realtime USGS Gauge Height (ft), e.g. '2.96': 3.7
- Primary Realtime USGS Gauge URL: https://www4.des.state.nh.us/Rti_home/station_information_display.asp?WID=fivebasins&ID=MCAN3&NAME=Mascoma+Lake
I put an early April Mascoma River trip on the VPC spring schedule hoping for a 70 degree day. Instead we got barely more than half that, topping out at just 40 degrees. The sun shone brightly all day, which helped a great deal, and the wet snow that had fallen overnight clung to the trees prettily during our first run. The rail trail that parallels the river and crosses it several times was covered with enough snow that a x-c ski shuttle would have been possible, though we weren't prepared for that. The Mascoma here is maybe 25 feet wide on average - free of river-wide strainers (today). There were 4 kayakers for each of our 2 runs (Chris F., John, Sarah, and Tony in the AM, with Chris W. subbing in for Sarah in the PM). The state of NH funds the real-time river gauge (de-funded years ago by the USGS) which looked plenty fluid online throughout the week. But then mysteriously Saturday morning the dam operator lowered the flow from 700+ CFS to approximately 475 CFS - still fluid but rather tame from start to finish. The paddle through the woods is attractive and we enjoyed the many read-and-run II-III rapids, the most technical of which is the final one - Excelsior. Be sure to scout the low head dam (a mandatory portage) from the take-out, whether you choose to park on river right in the posted "lot" near the rail-trail bridge or on river left in the swimming pool parking lot a couple hundred yards downstream. Dartmouth holds a slalom race on this stretch of the Mascoma each April - the same weekend as the Wells River Rumble.
- Details
- Written by Paul Carlile
- Category: Trip Reports
- Hits: 92
- Organizer(s): John Atherton
- Date: 2017-07-15
- End Date: 2017-07-16
- Kayakers (K1): Paul Carlile, Chris Weed, Sue Strang, Kerry Whalen, Chris Frost, Neil McCabe, Sandy Lord, Michelle Massa
- Predominantly: Nov-int WW
- Water Level: Medium
- Estimated Flow (cfs), e.g. '600': 900
The 2017 Class II clinic was held July 15-16 on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield in Mass. We had a small group of actual students with only 3 paddlers needing much instruction. In total we had a group of 9. We had a 2 beautiful days of paddling with only a little bit of rain Saturday evening. We camped at Woodford State Park in Vermont.
- Details
- Written by Paul Carlile
- Category: Trip Reports
- Hits: 93
- Organizer(s): John Atherton
- Date: 2017-06-10
- End Date: 2017-06-11
- Kayakers (K1): Paul Carlile, John Atherton, Jamie Dolan, Mike Mainer, Chris Weed, Jim Poulin, Kyle Cahn, Nell Tshee, Steve Mann, Sandy Lord, Jeremy Cornwall, Alison Cornwall, Catherine Foley, Neil McCabe, Chris Brodeur, Thomas Bell, Terri Sherry
- Canoers (OC1): Tony Telesco
- Predominantly: Novice WW
- Water Level: Low boatable
- Primary Realtime USGS Gauge Site: Mad River
- Primary Realtime USGS Gauge Flow (cfs), e.g. '797': 300
This year's novice clinic was a great time for everyone involved. We were fortunate to have good water levels, great weather, a very strong group of students, and as always great instructors and helpers.
Saturday started as usual with at the Waterbury reservoir. We flew through the flat water portion since everyone involved had a lot of flat water kayaking experience and many had been on moving water. As they have for many years, Eric Bishop and Barbara Frankowski set up lunch for us where we did the moving water / safety talk . We moved to the Middle Mad for the afternoon where we had a low but fluid level of 300cfs - definitely enough water for first day novice clinic. We had a couple of close calls but ultimately no swims which is a first for me with Novice Clinic.
Since we had such a strong group with a successful Saturday run we decided to do the Lower Mad at 250 cfs for the Sunday portion. Everyone had great runs down the first 2 rapids and since it was hot day we had the opportunity to do swim and rope rescue practice at the last drop above 100B. When we got to Horseshoe we offered the more advanced students to put into the pool on the left side and run that drop. To our surprise, everyone ended up running it with only 1 swim with a quick rescue. We proceeded to the take out on the Winooski where Barb and Eric once again met us with lunch.
A few people needed to peel out but several of us took a second run. A fine finish to a great weekend.
- Details
- Written by Ryan McCall
- Category: Trip Reports
- Hits: 97
- Organizer(s): MWL
- Date: 2017-11-18
- Kayakers (K1): Approx 40 boaters
- Predominantly: Advanced WW
- Water Level: Low boatable
- Painted Gauge Height (ft) e.g. '3.3': 2.5
Is it the last or not. That always seems to be the question when Morrisville Water and Light give the boating community a release out of the Green River Reservoir. With ongoing disputes between State Agencies, the power company and boating community over a water quality certificate, there is no telling if there will ever be another release or if the dam/reservoir will even exist in a few years.
The above is a lot of pontification though and on 11/18 MWL opened up one of their tubes at the Green River Reservoir and put its full flow at the turbine's full generation into the river bed for whitewater enthusiasts to enjoy. The water was flowing by 10am and as I was driving away from the river as the last one up at the put in gathering my gear, there was still flow to boat in the river at 3:30.
I noticed plates from Maine, NH, CT, MA, NY and QC in addition to a bunch of the local crowd at the river. I also saw a ton of happy faces to be on the water and be on the water with friends from the Northeast. Expectations were set for a low water release and group after group hopped on the river for a run.
My first run of the day I had the pleasure of paddling with Brad C, Mainer and Phillip Williams. This was Phillip's first time on the Green and he even shuffled around his work schedule to get on it. We were the last to put on for Lap 1. I was in no rush and wanted to just feel out the river. Odd, I know, this is somewhere around the 45th time I've run this river. However, only have been in my boats 8 times in 2017. So Phillip, Mike and I put in below Moonshine for a mellower start to our day.
Right off we were all bopping through the squeeze point and working our way through the first several early rapids to the flats. The river was at a forgiving and easy flow. The rocks were less so. Its amazing what 2 inches on the river gauge will do to that river. 2'3" is heinous, 2'5" is considerably more fluid and 2'7" changes the river to a friendly non-boat braking run. We were in the realm of 2'3" to 2'5" and there was a lot of rock bashing early on.
Down to Humble Pie I could feel my gut tighten and mouth go dry. I've run this waterfall so many damn times and have had some gross swims in it. Today was not a day to swim, it was also not a day to try to pull off a flawless combat roll with a bunch of layers under my drysuit. A flip would be a PIA for sure, so I needed to be sure I was on line and had that boof stroke ready a the lip. Off I went and through the entry rapid. I was off on my strokes and had to stutter to get my boof stroke in where I needed it. I nailed it and didn't even get wet above my chest. I guess after enough runs I am starting to finally get it dialed.....MAYBE.
he rest of lap one went with out incident other than I completely broke the bottom of my boat out on the last rapid. Serves me right for charging hard for the big boof on River right. I got my boof "good". But that came at the price of a HUGE smashed in hull and a funky crack that would need welded later.
We wrapped up and I probably had 20 gallons of water in the boat. Alot of folks were done and headed home. I was too. But for some reason I brought a second boat. The usual crew (Vickers, Schott, Mainer, Murphy and Crannell )was aiming at a second lap and poked at me to join them. It didn't really take a whole lot of convincing and before I knew it I was filling float bags in my SCUD. UGH, nothing like paddling a toaster down the river. Although the boat is more or less built for low volume abusive runs like the Green. It boofs just by thinking the word "boof" and can sneak in and out of eddys the size of your bathroom sink.
Lap two - it was cold and we were moving fast. I ran Moonshine right off - love that line and boof!!! Everthing else went cleanly early in the run. Two of the group had pretty major cracks in their boats so they were springing through rapids and then dumping water. That made it easy for me to keep up in the SCUD. Mainer kept an eye on me though, knowing I'd goof up somewhere. I did in the double drop above Lumber Yard. That rapid at one tube is as hard as any rapid on the river. At 2 tubes it is a nice green tongue top to bottom.
Lumber yard was a walk due to low water and a tree in the line. The last few rapids including PITON all were a blast in the SCUD and we wrapped up pretty quickly. It was what may have been the last day in a boat of the season for me, so I was grateful to get that second lap in. I think all that were on the river that day were happy that we saw a release for the end of the year.
Off to the local watering hole at Lost Nation...
Thank you MWL and thank you Green River. See you in 2018
| Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
| Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
| Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | 31 |
