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Sat, May 25: Monksville Reservoir Evening Paddle
Come join the HRCKC for a leisurely evening paddle on Monksville Reservoir.
Bring your lifevest, boat, lifevest, paddle, lifevest and some snacks and beverage... and of course - your lifevest.
Maybe we'll go over some basic safety stuff for beginners while we are there.

SAT, June 1: FARMINGTON RIVER - Riverton, Connecticut
Designated a state, Wild and Scenic River, there is usually enough flow this time of year as the river feeds Hartford’s water supply. A longer ride from North Jersey but worth the trip for both the paddling and the scenery. Class I plus to Class II but very doable this time of year.

Sun, June 2:  Throw Rope Tossin' 101 Workshop - TRT 101
Come to an informal HRCKC "lab" and learn the fine art of beginner's basic "Throw Rope Tossing". Understanding the basics of and getting practice with the "Rescue Throw Rope" can potentially save someone's life (maybe yours or mine) and if you are paddling on any kind of moving water trip it is really something worth knowing. Beginning paddlers on any moving water are especially in need of understanding and having some practice with throw ropes even though they may not actually do a rescue themselves, they will know what is going on and just as importantly...what NOT to do.

This TRT 101 workshop session is just to familiarize members about the basic technique of packing, throwing and catching a throw rope in a flat water environment... at a later date we will have a workshop in actual moving water (which is a whole different ballgame and reality).

No need to bring a boat unless you wish to paddle around but if you have a throw rope please bring it - if not we will have some there to practice with... Also bring your lifevest, we will be going over the proper selection and fitting of them in preparation for the upcoming Swim With Your Boat Days.

Locally, Neal's Sports Emporium has a good selection and Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) and CampMor have a limited selection of throw ropes. Two of the best mail order sources are from Northwest River Supplies (NRS) http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=961  or Colorado Kayak Supply http://www.coloradokayak.com/Shop-Now/Rescue-Throw-Bags/  with all different sizes, types and prices available. You can also make your own from some decent floating rope, some foam and a nylon bag.

At last year's multiple TRT 101 sessions we had about 80 folks a'tossin' an' a'catchin' throw ropes with much glee, frolics and amusement. People are always surprised how something that looks so easy to do ain't really all that easy, it requires practice... and practice... and practice...

It's like CPR - you'll probably never really need it, but the one time you really do, well... you'll be glad you have one with you and know how to use it.

Tue, June 4: MEMBERSHIP MEETING
When: 7 pm
Where: Paramus Central Unitarian Church - 156 Forest Avenue - Paramus, NJ

Sat, June 8: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River - Section 2: Kellams Bridge to Skinner’s Falls
This is one of several day trips of about fifteen miles each covering most of the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River.
Group size is limited to 6-12 boats.

SUN, June 9: GREAT SWAMP WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA - Patterson, New York
Flatwater paddle in Putnam County, NY within 444 acre Great Swamp WMA, part of 19.8 mile long, 4,200 acres of wetlands. Good birding habitat.

SAT, June 15: PADDLE STROKES FOR NEW FOLKS

SUN, June 16: LAUREL HILL PARK - NJ MEADOWLANDS
This will be a late leisurely afternoon trip starting at Laurel Hill Park in southern Secaucus and leading onto the Hackensack river a little bit and then moseying up some channels towards western spur of Turnpike and environmental center and then back through the main meadows. Hopefully, we will see some bird life. Total will be about 4 miles and should take about 2 to 2 and half hours. There will be no shuttle. Bring a chair and food and afterwards we can have a picnic dinner at the Park while watching the sunset.
The Hackensack Riverkeeper is open til 6pm if you want to rent a boat for the trip.

FRI-SUN, June 21-23: Sedge Island weekend
From Island Beach State Park

This weekend environmental education program presented by the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife will focus on increasing awareness and understanding of natural resource management and environmental issues facing New Jersey. Through hands-on activities, participating in current research studies, and living a conservationist lifestyle, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the entire ecosystem. And yes, there will be paddling!

Facility: During the 3-day/2 night workshop you will stay in the Sedge House, a renovated duck-hunting lodge, which is equipped with a common room, 7 bunkrooms, (you will have to share a room), a full kitchen and dining room. As part of the experience, you will live a conservation ethic. Fresh water is limited (we transport bottled water from the mainland) as is electricity...a solar generator provides power. Grey water from sinks and showers (showers may not be available) is treated in a special grey-water system and sewage is composted in a Clivus Multrum Composting Toilet.

Trip size is limited. This trip is best suited for touring and sea kayaks.

SAT, June 22: SOUTH BRANCH RARITAN RIVER
Section to be determined. Second day of Summer…
NJ WATER AUTHORITY has been releasing enough water daily from Spruce Run Reservoir to keep the South Branch running throughout the summer. We will do a more southerly section of the stream if levels aren’t that high.

Tue, July 2: MEMBERSHIP MEETING
When: 7 pm
Where: Paramus Central Unitarian Church - 156 Forest Avenue - Paramus, NJ

SUN, July 14: SWIM WITH YOUR BOAT DAY #1

Sun, July 21: Moving Water Seminar & short paddle from Skinner’s to Narrowsburg
 Share your experience or just experience the day. Have fun with a boat or without.
 Suitable for all skill levels.

Sat, June 29: LAKE AEROFLEX, Andover Township, Sussex County, NJ
Come & enjoy a leisurely paddle on the deepest glacial lake in NJ! Over 110 feet deep and encompasses 119 acres, this lake is home to brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegills, landlocked salmon, and assorted panfish. Lake Aeroflex is located in Kittatinny Valley State Park. Aeroflex-Andover Airport is also located here and is owned and operated by NJ Forest Fire Service. It is used as a general small plane/helicopter aviation airport (airplane rides and flying lessons offered by Andover Flight Academy) and is the base for NJ Forest Fire Service aircraft for combating Forest Fires. It is not uncommon to see Bald Eagles (or an airplane) fly right over you.

Sun, July 28: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River - Section 4: Narrowsburg to Lackawaxen
12 miles about 4 hours. Not for beginners.
This is one of several trips of about fifteen miles each that will cover most of the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River.
Group size is limited to 6-12 boats.

SUN, Aug 4: SWIM WITH YOUR BOAT DAY #2

Sun, Aug 4: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River - Section 5: Lackawaxen to Pond Eddy
This is one of several trips of about fifteen miles each that will cover most of the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River.
Group size is limited to 6-12 boats.

Tue, Aug 6: MEMBERSHIP MEETING
When: 7 pm
Where: Paramus Central Unitarian Church - 156 Forest Avenue - Paramus, NJ

SAT, Aug 17: FULL MOON PADDLE

WED, Aug 21: CEDAR CREEK PADDLE & SWIM

SAT–SUN, Aug 24 - 25: ROUND VALLEY RESERVOIR CAMPING
Why drive all the way to the Adirondacks or the Pine Barrens?
Save the gas and still get to paddle and overnight camp on a remote campsite located on the beautiful Round Valley Reservoir in Western NJ.
The water is pristine, the fishing is good and the campsites are beautiful.

Tue, Sept 3: MEMBERSHIP MEETING
When: 7 pm
Where: Paramus Central Unitarian Church - 156 Forest Avenue - Paramus, NJ

Sat, September 7: Wallkill River - Sussex County, NJ
This is a relatively easy but somewhat long trip which does require some moving water experience through the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. There is a possibility of blowdowns to pull over along the way with a slight drop near the end (easy rapid - takes 2 seconds to shoot through) depending on water level.

About 8 miles. Figure on 5 hours with a lunch stop. This trip is suitable for canoes and kayaks, but again depending on water level there may be places that might be a little scratchy and may require some portaging around downed trees. 

Participants should be comfortable paddling for this length of time and must WEAR their lifevests at all times while on the water. TWO changes of clothes in a drybag should be brought and painters (short lengths of floating rope attached to both ends of your boat) are also required. A spare paddle is recommended. If we have time after the trip some of us may stop at Neil's Sports Emporium to pester Neil.

Sun, Sept 8: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River - Section 6: Pond Eddy to Port Jervis
This is one of several trips of about fifteen miles each that will cover most of the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River.
Group size is limited to 6-12 boats.

Fri-Sun, Sept 13-15:  Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland
Our annual trip to Maryland is scheduled for the above dates. Campsites are $25.00 per night. Each site has room for 2 tents with 6 people. A picnic table and grill are on each site. Drinking water, cold water showers and chemical toilets are conveniently located. An Interagency Senior Pass (or the Golden Age or Access Pass) are not charged the entrance fee of $15.00. This pass allows anyone 62 or older to enter any National park FREE.

In addition to boating on the bay, other activities include viewing the famous wild ponies and other wildlife, biking, fishing, hiking, viewing the educational displays at the ranger station, swimming, bird watching, kite flying, relaxing on the beach, shopping in nearby Berlin and Ocean City and just relaxing. Come join us for an awesome weekend.

For additional information regarding Assateague go to their website at www.assateagueisland.com

SAT, Sept 14: MUSCONETCONG RIVER, Warren County, NJ
This should be the fifth year since Lake Hopatcong has been drawn down a full 5 feet. Releases from the Lake usually begin in November but every 5 years, it starts just after Labor Day. Trip dependent on Lake Association’s release schedule. We can begin from Hackettstown to Point Mountain.

SUN, Sept 15: PASSAIC RIVER – Great Piece Meadows
This is an 11-12 mile leisure paddle from Bloomfield Ave in Fairfield to Two Bridges in Wayne. It is mainly flat water with very few houses and is more scenic than most people realize. Should take 4 to 5 hours with stops .

SUN, Sept 29 (tentative): RARITAN RIVER FESTIVAL AND PADDLE
From New Brunswick
Easy paddle on the Raritan River meeting at the Rutgers Boat House in New Brunswick. Tides will determine time, length and direction of paddle. Relax with food and music at the festival. Cardboard canoe building team needed.
Trip report from 2012: http://www.hrckc.org/reports/2012-09-23.htm

Tue, Oct 1: MEMBERSHIP MEETING
When: 7 pm
Where: Paramus Central Unitarian Church - 156 Forest Avenue - Paramus, NJ

SUN, Oct 6: BATSTO RIVER PINE BARRENS
 

FRI - MON, Oct 11 - 14: Saranac Lake Paddle and Camp
Paddle on a beautiful Adirondack lake and camp there

We're hoping for warm sunny days, bright fall foliage, and cool clear nights with a moon in the first quarter, rising early to give faint light for a night paddle, and setting early enough so that the Milky Way will be visible in the wee hours of the morning. What we will actually get is anybody’s guess.

We will rendezvous at a NY DEC launch site on Friday and paddle up the Saranac River about a mile to the lake. Once we are on the lake we will establish a base camp on one or more of the dozens of island or shoreline DEC campsites within a two mile paddle. Six people per campsite is the limit, but there are many sites in proximity to one another to accommodate a group that wishes to stay relatively close together. There is a charge for each campsite of about $30.00 per night that must be shared by the people camping there. Small groups formed to carpool, share campsites, meals, boats, gear and daytrip activities are encouraged. Some sites are more advantageous in various regards than others. Early campsite reservation is advisable, and it is a good idea to discuss preferred campsite characteristics and reservations with the TC.

The lake itself is varied, scenic and interesting to paddle around, and there are several attractive day paddle opportunities upstream and downstream on the Saranac River. Most of the paddling can be classified as flat water with few obstructions. However, there are open stretches of the lake that are exposed to any winds, and provide ample fetch for small waves if the winds are strong, and larger waves if the winds are stronger. A typical day of paddling includes getting in and out of your boat in places where you may be standing in water. For this reason, proper footwear is important.
It is essential to bring suitable gear and clothing. This means a stove and kitchen set-up that you can depend on, a warm sleeping bag and insulating pad, and for all but the hardiest souls, a good tent.
First-time paddle-campers or those with little or no camping experience are not ideal candidates for this trip. You need to be able to pack all of your gear into your boat, or be willing to make more than one trip to get it to and from the campsite. The Adirondacks are noted for the volatility of the weather, so it is prudent to be prepared for weather extremes. It takes some doing to stay reasonably warm, dry, well-fed and cheerful after two days of wind-driven rain even if the temperatures are in the 50's or 60's.

If you are thinking of waiting to see a weather report for the target weekend before you sign up for this trip, you probably should hone your skills and test your gear on a less ambitious trip first.

SAT-SUN, Oct 26 - 27: MULLICA RIVER HALLOWEEN OVERNIGHTER - Pine Barrens, NJ
Come join the HRCKC on it's 19th Annual "All-Hallows-Eve" canoe/kayak overnight trip on the wild and mysterious Mullica River in the heart of the NJ Pine Barrens. This is always a fun trip with plenty of beautiful fall foliage, great paddlin' an' wild goin'-ons! It's highly encouraged that all bring an "All Hallows' Eve" costume (if you wish). Pot luck dinner on Saturday night and Jack-O-Lanterns of all races, creeds and national origins are welcome.

SAT, Nov 2: TOHICKON CREEK, Upper Section, Bucks County, PA
Whitewater release weekend but we will paddle upper part, from Dam to Ralph Stover State Park. Lots of water in confined creek and about a mile of some good rapids near end.

Sun, Nov 3: Wallkill River - Sussex County, NJ
This is a relatively easy but somewhat long trip which does require some moving cold water experience through the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. There is a possibility of storm blowdowns to pull over along the way with a slight drop near the end (easy rapid - takes 2 seconds to shoot through) depending on water level.

About 8 miles. Figure on 5 hours with a lunch stop. This trip is suitable for canoes and kayaks, but again depending on water level there may be places that might be a little scratchy and may require some portaging around downed trees. 

Participants should be comfortable paddling for this length of time and must WEAR their lifevests at all times while on the water. Wet suits, dry suits or TWO changes of clothes in a drybag should be brought and painters (short lengths of floating rope attached to both ends of your boat) are also required. A spare paddle is recommended. If we have time after the trip some of us may stop at Neil's Sports Emporium to pester Neil. The water will be cold so please dress accordingly for the water temperature. 

Tue, Nov 5: MEMBERSHIP MEETING
When: 7 pm
Where: Paramus Central Unitarian Church - 156 Forest Avenue - Paramus, NJ

SAT, Nov 16: MUSCONETCONG RIVER, Mansfield Twp., NJ to Hampton
Lake Hopatcong drawdown should be continuing. Quick moving stream, Class I plus. Pretty countryside and still some fall colors. Dress for the cold water.

Tue, Dec 3: MEMBERSHIP MEETING
When: 7 pm
Where: Paramus Central Unitarian Church - 156 Forest Avenue - Paramus, NJ

ARCHIVE

Where We've Been

• May 19: New Members Orientation Paddle

• May 18: South Branch Raritan River - Clinton, NJ to Stanton Station

• May 18: Brownwater Training

• 5/11/13: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River Park - Section 1: Hancock to Kellam’s Bridge

• 5/11/13: Black River - Chester, NJ

• 4/27/13: Monksville Reservoir, NJ

• 4/20/13: Paulinskill, NK

• 4/13/12: Cedar Creek, NJ

• 4/6/13 Shepaug River, CT

• 3/29/13 Flat Brook - Sussex County, NJ

• 3/23/13: North Branch Raritan River, NJ

• 3/16/16: Ramapo River

• 3/10/13: Wallkill River - Sussex County, NJ

• 3/9/13 Bantam to Shepaug Rivers, CT

• 2/16/13 Long Path Hike - Alpine, NJ

• 1/27/13: Winter Field Trip - Westchester County, NY

• 1/19/13 Rockleigh Woods Sanctuary Hike - Rockleigh, NJ

• 1/6/13: Wallkill River