Merrimack River Watershed Council, Inc

 
 

Paddling Trips - May 2010

 
MAY 2010 TRIPS

May 1 (Sat.) - SHAWSHEEN RIVER (EASY TO MODERATE)

Approximately six miles of easy paddling on the
serpentine Shawsheen. Woods, meadows, spring
flowers and lots of birds.
Time and meeting place: 8:30 am – 12 Noon. Section of river and specifics to be determined by conditions at time of trip. Call for more information and meeting place.
Trip Leader: Bob Rauseo (978) 851-9505, Bob_otter@comcast.net.

Trip Partner: Shawsheen River Watershed Association.

2010 Sponsors

Charles River Kayak

Charles River Canoe & Kayak
Boston - Newton - Natick, MA
617-965-5110
www.PaddleBoston.com

Plum Island Kayak
Newburyport, MA 978-462-5510
www.plumislandkayak.com/plum

Polartec
Lawrence, MA 978-685-6341

www.polartec.com

Hunter's Rendezvous

Pepperell, MA 978-433-9458

www.huntersrendezvous.com

Still River Outfitters

Bolton, MA 978-844-0965

Brownsvill, VT 802-484-3926

www.stillriveroutfitters.com

Contoocook River Canoe Company

Concord, NH 603-753-9804
www.contoocookcanoe.com

Kittery Trading Post

Kittery, ME 888-587-6246
www.kitterytradingpost.com

Pemi-Baker River Adventures
Plymouth, NH 603-536-5652

www.pbriveradventures.com

Mountain Road Trading Post

Raymond, NH 603-895-3501

Northwood, NH 603-942-5777

www.mrtp.net

Outdoor Escapes

New Hampshire

Conway, NH 603-528-0136

www.outdoorescapesnewhampshire.com

Nashoba Paddler

Groton, MA 978-448-8699

www.nashobapaddler.com

May 2 (Sun.) - SOUHEGAN RIVER - W. Milford, NH (MODERATE TO EASY)

A winding stream with fast current which always seems to offer an opportunity to practice maneuvering skills around a tree or two. West Milford to Souhegan Girls and Boys Club.
Time and meeting place: 9:30am. From intersection of Rte 101A and Rte 101 in West Milford, go north across bridge and meet on west side of river on North River Rd.
Trip Leader: Steve Campbell 603-783-9447 - norollsteve@yahoo.com.

Trip Partners: Souhegan Watershed Association and NH Rivers Council.

May 9 (Sun.) - BAKER RIVER - Rumney - Plymouth, NH (Lower Section) (EASY)

This lower section of the Baker offers a little quickwater and flatwater. You’ll paddle in clear water and be able to view its sandy bottom.
Time and meeting place: 9:30am. Rte 93, exit 26 to Rte 25/3A west. Continue on Rte 25 beyond traffic circle for approximately 4 miles to Rumney rest area.
Trip Leader: Earl Flanders 603-536-5652.

Trip Partners: Pemi-Baker River Adventures and NH
Rivers Council. Call in advance for rentals or email:
eflanders1@roadrunner.com.

May 15 (Sat.) - PEMIGEWASSET RIVER - Plymouth, NH (EASY) REGISTRATION REQUIRED

An attractive section that includes shallow areas with sandy banks and bottom. Most of the trip has good current, changing to flatwater behind Ayers Island Dam.
Time and meeting place: 9:30am in Plymouth, NH. Rte 93 to exit 25 to Plymouth. As soon as you cross the river, turn left onto Green St. Launch is on left just past Court House.
Trip Leader: Lucie Villeneuve (603) 528-0136.
Trip Partners: Outdoor Escapes NH and NH Rivers
Council. Call in advance for rentals or send email
to: naturenut@outdoorescapesnh.com.

May 16 (Sun.) - BAKER RIVER - Wentworth - Rumney, NH, Upper Section (MODERATE)

A small river that offers a combination of flatwater,
quickwater, and short Class I – II rapids. The crystal
clear water allows a view of the sandy bottom or smallpebbled areas that resemble mosaic tile.
Time and meeting place: 9:30am. Rte 93, exit 26 to Rte 25/3A west. Continue on Rte 25 beyond traffic circle for approximately 4 miles to Rumney rest area.
Trip Leader: Earl Flanders (603) 536-5652.

Trip Partners: Pemi-Baker River Adventures, Merrimack Valley Paddlers and NH Rivers Council.
Call in advance for rentals or email:
eflanders1@roadrunner.com

May 16 (Sun.) - NASHUA RIVER - Groton/Peperell, MA (EASY)

[NOTE: This date is a correction from the printed brochure]

Enjoy a leisurely paddle on the Nashua River,
beginning on the forested main channel and ending
with an exploration of the Pepperell Pond section of
the river.
Time and meeting place: 9:30am at the Pepperell Conservation Commission Property off River Road. Follow River Rd. (Rte 111) south from town-center rotary (the
intersection of Rte 111 and Rte 113) 1.6 miles to the
common dirt driveway for the Kemp horse track at
120 River Rd., just across the street and north of the
Town Forest and Picnic Area. As the driveway arcs
around to the other side of the oval track, take the
second left. That leads to the river. Park near the launch,
but not blocking it for others.
Trip Leader: Diane Carson (978) 448-8699 days.
Trip Partner: Nashoba Paddler, Rentals available,
call in advance.

May 22 (Sat.) - NASHUA RIVER - Leominster, MA (EASY TO MODERATE)

A Massachusetts Scenic River. This section of the
Nashua River is mostly forested with few roads. It offers something for everyone, from flatwater to Class I quickwater. We’re sure everyone will find it an enjoyable and informative trip.
Time and meeting place: 10:00am. From Rte 2 to Leominster take exit 33, to merge onto I-190 S toward Worcester, 2.8 mi. Take exit 7 toward Lancaster. Turn left (east) on New Lancaster Rd/Rte 117. Continue to follow Rte 117 0.4 mi. Turn left at N. Main St. and follow to end.
Trip leader: Peter Urban, (978) 407-6551, email:
pturban@yahoo.com.

May 22 (Sat.) - PEMIGEWASSET RIVER - North Woodstock, NH, Upper Section (MODERATE)

The most challenging of our 2 Pemi trips. This section includes Class II rapids, sharp turns and the chance to practice maneuvering around possible fallen trees or large rocks.
Time and meeting place: 9:30am. From Rte 93, take exit 32 in North Woodstock. West to traffic light, left to fire station, left to parking behind station.
Trip Leaders: Sharon and Mark Lacroix (603) 726 -
3701. Call to confirm trip, depends on water level. Trip Partners: Merrimack Valley Paddlers and NH Rivers Council.

May 23 (Sun.) - DEMO DAY CONTOOCOOK RIVER CANOE Co.
Concord, NH

This will be a day of opportunity! Try out that kayak
or canoe you’ve been wanting!
Hours: 10 am to 4 pm. The largest on-water demo in
the state of NH. There will be 16 to 20 factory reps. on site and over 200 canoes and kayaks can be test paddled on the Contoocook River. All canoes, kayaks and accessories will be on sale that day! Manufacturers attending will be Borel Kayak, Current Design Kayak, Valley Kayak, Impex Kayaks, Eddyline Kayak, Necky Kayak, Old Town Kayak, Perception Kayak, Dagger Kayak, Wilderness Systems Kayak, P and H Kayak, North Shore Kayak, Bell Canoe, Old Town Canoe, Wenonah Canoe, Vermont Canoe and Mad River Canoe.
Directions: From I-93 North and South, take Exit 15W. At the second set of lights, take a right hand turn (45 degree turn) onto North Main Street (Rt. 3 North). Continue on this road past the NH State Prison until you come to a fork in the road. Bear left at the fork onto Fisherville Road (Rt. 3 North). Take a left onto Bog Road, which is 2.2 miles from the Prison. At the end of Bog Road, continue straight over the bridge onto Horse Hill Road. Contoocook River Canoe Company, LLC is the first building on the left. (603) 753-9804. www.contoocookcanoe.com

 

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Merrimack River Watershed Council, Inc.
600 Suffolk Street, Fifth Floor
Lowell, MA 01854
Phone: 978.275.0120
FAX: 978.275.0125

 

www.merrimack.org

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