Blackwater River
June 25th, 2008 by Kim
If you have a copy of the AMC Quiet Water New Hampshire/Vermont Guide (p.72) then you have probably breezed past the page devoted to the Blackwater River. Personally, I’ve read the entry several times and made a mental note that I’d have to paddle there. I wish I had done it sooner!
The boat launch starts you at the quiet end of the wide body of water. Head to the left from the launch and you’ll pass some marshy sections full of wildlife. During my initial paddle last weekend, and in the early morning, I was greeted by two deer, heron, songbirds, and a great number of (really large) turtles. Paddle in this direction, the shoreline narrows to a river. After about a mile the river narrows more. It appears there are some small rapids here, I didn’t have time to paddle further in this direction so I’m not sure if this section is passable.
Head back to the boat launch and continue past to the larger part of the paddle area. One or two houses dot the shore at this end. Again the water narrows to a river meandering off through the woods. While the way appeared partly blocked by a beaver dam, it still appears that there is ample room to paddle around the dam and continue on.
This initial exploration took only about an hour and was perfect for a quick paddle (which is all I had time for). This Friday I’ll be back to explore both ends of the river to see how far one can paddle before being turned back. AMC’s guide indicates end to end is about 5 miles.
How to get there: Traveling east on Route 4, look for Bay Road on your right about two miles past the junction of Route 4 and 11. A sign for the “Green Crow” will be on your right. Traveling west on Route 4, look for Bay Road on your left after driving through Salisbury Center. Head down Bay Rd about .7 mile. The launch area is on your right, a bit hidden and easy to miss.
The boat launch: Easy, dirt, shallow.
Pooch Paddle Rating: Sadie only gives this paddle 1 paw. As you can see from the few pictures I took, she was more than bored. “No ball playing? No getting out for a jaunt through the woods? Why bother? You humans are weird.” is her official line on this outing. When we have more time, Sadie will join me again and I’m hopeful she’ll score the Blackwater River higher on the scale!
Can’t Miss Resources
June 13th, 2008 by KimTravel and weather have kept Sadie and I from doing any paddling recently (but I’m hopeful that we’ll get out briefly this weekend to explore some place new or familiar). In the meantime, here are some sites and resources that if you don’t already know about, you’ll definitely want to tag.
- American Canoe Association (ACA): ACA provides a wealth of information about canoeing and kayaking. From places to paddle to education and stewardship, it’s a site worth exploring. Be sure to explore the safety section of their web site to brush up safe paddler skills. And if you want to plan the ultimate paddling adventure, take a look at their directory of water trails throughout the country.
- Northern Forest Canoe Trail: Speaking of ultimate traveling adventures, be sure to learn more about the NFCT right in our own backyard. The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is a long-distance paddling trail connecting major watersheds across the Adirondacks and Northern New England via 22 rivers and streams and 56 lakes and ponds. In the 740-mile trail across New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire, and Maine, paddlers can trace history following the traditional water routes used by Native Americans and early settlers. Visit the web site to learn more about the trail and consider joining or donating your time to support their mission of celebrating the rich human history associated with the trail and environmental stewardship.
- Guide to Kayaking With Your Dog: This article from Topkayaker.net is a great introduction to the steps involved in teaching your dog to be a responsible K-9 kayaker and feel secure at the same time. Throwing your dog in the kayak or canoe without a proper introduction is one of the worst things you can do to build the confidence of your dog. This introductory guide will give you some terrific pointers and appropriate steps to take. Also be sure to watch for Go-Paddle’s own version of “Teaching Your Dog to Kayak” coming soon.
- New Hampshire…Love It or Leaf It: Looking for more places to paddle and enjoy the outdoors in New Hampshire? This local blog will provide you with more places to paddle as well as great biking, fishing and outdoor recreation in NH (and sometimes beyond).