Trip
participation is limited to club
members only.
Non-members wishing to participate must submit a completed
membership application
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New! Saturday, Sept. 4:
South Branch, Rockaway Creek, Rockaway Creek/Lamington River
These Creeks are being filled up by releases from Round Valley Reservoir which
should continue at or near the present level. The trip will take you through the
woods down very narrow, twisty streams that are moving quickly. The first half
mile or so is especially tricky and there is no alternative put-in. Although
things mellow out and this is not big whitewater, you should have a good deal of
moving water experience and be limber enough to duck under at least three trees.
It is a beautiful place but please, know how to make the necessary moves with
your boat...it's not the Delaware or Constitution Marsh.
I will limit the numbers this time due to the conditions and the trip is pending
the continuation of the releases and the passing of Hurricane Earl.
CANCELLED
Tue, September 7: Membership Meeting
When: 7 PM
Where: Paramus, NJ Elks Club
200 Route 17 North
Click here for a map & driving directions.
Topic:
Saturday, September 11: 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. There also is a slight drop (easy rapid - takes 2 seconds to
shoot through) depending on water level near the end.
The trip will be from the RT. 565 put-in to Oil City Road - about 8
miles or so. Figure on 4-5 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.
Participants must 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 must be brought and painters (short lengths of rope attached to
both ends of your boat) are required. Dress accordingly for the water
temperature.
As a prerequisite to attending this moving water trip - all participants must
have a basic understanding of the "rescue throw rope" either by having attended
one of the Throw Rope Tossin' 101 sessions offered throughout the summer or by
having previously demonstrated that you have the basic skills. Please keep this
in mind before you sign up for this trip.
Sunday, September 12: Mountain Lakes, NJ
A "see how the other half lives" paddle. Paddle around Mountain Lake,
through a canal (worthy of the slogan Any Ditch Will Do) into Crystal Lake, and
back. A leisurely two to three hour afternoon paddle between multi-million
dollar homes. Afterwards we can go for a swim from a sandy beach and have
something to eat in the small park. Charcoal grills are available.
Fri, Sat, Sun, September 17,18,19: Assateague Island
National Seashore Camp & Kayak
Our annual trip to Maryland is scheduled for the above dates. Campsites are
$20.00 per night. We will be on the Oceanside Drivein side as in previous years.
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 entrance pass is required for any vehicle entering the
park. A 7 day pass is $15.00. Campers using the Interagency Senior or Access
Pass (or the golden Age or Access Pass) are not charged the entrance fee. 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, educational displays at
the ranger station, swimming, bird watching, nature walks, kite flying, relaxing
on the beach and just hanging out. Come join us for a fantastic weekend.
If you have the opportunity, please review the Trip Report written by Laurie
Cochran for the September 18-20 2009 trip. Laurie provides the reader with an in
depth review of the weekend.
-
September 18-20, 2009 - Assateague
Island National Seashore (with 57 photos) - by Laurie Cochran
-
September 19-21, 2008 - Assateague Island National Seashore (with
63 photos) - by Laurie
Cochran
-
September 14-16, 2007 - Assateague
Island National Seashore - by Lee McQuade
-
September 26-28,
2003 - Assateague Island - by
Betty Wiest
-
September 6-8, 2002 -
Endless Summer in Assateague, MD - by Anita Berson
For additional information regarding Assateague go to their website at:
www.assateagueisland.com
Saturday and Sunday, September 18-19: Sea Kayak Camping
Long Island Sound - Norwalk Islands, CT
Saturday is about a 10 mile paddle around this group of island in Long Island
Sound for sea kayaks, not rec kayaks or canoes. This is a pretty area of sandy
islands and three lighthouses. Lunch stop on a sandy island. We'll then camp on
one of the islands. Then another day paddle on Sunday. You could expect strong
winds and currents, large wakes, swells, power boats and commercial shipping and
pleasure boat traffic.
Proper safety gear, self and assisted rescue experience and some rough water
paddling experience is required.
There will be a limit on the number of participants.
Sunday, September 26: Upper Delaware River Cruise - Pond Eddy to
Port Jervis
Please note date change - rescheduled from Sunday,
September 19
This is a trip of about eight miles; although we could
shorten the trip by about two miles and leave more play time for the more
interesting parts. We will enjoy three significant class I rapids and a
spectacular view of the Hawks Nest canyon. There will also be an opportunity
to spend a few minutes to see the ruins of an old D&H canal lock.
There will be a launch fee of about five dollars.
Because the Delaware is such a wide river most hazards and heavy waves can
be avoided safely with a little bit of river reading skill.
As soon as we put in at about mile 264 we will need to ferry toward river
right to avoid some rocks. About ½ mile later we will enter Staircase rapids
at about mile 263.3; this has couple of class I+ drops that are about .2
miles apart. At the first drop, the main channel is on river left and allows
for some play time below the drop. This often makes a good lunch stop.
About mile 261.5 we start through the slow but rocky approach to Mongaup
rapids. The Mongaup rapids itself is formed by a ledge on river right with a
clear channel filled with standing waves somewhat to the right of river
center. If power is being generated he Mongaup River complicates things
further by entering from river left about ½ way down the drop. There are
several good sized eddies on both sides of the river for bailing. Most boats
make the drop in fine shape, but many do take on water from the high waves.
We plan a stop for bailing snacking and sightseeing at the sandy beach on
river left just below the action. We will have an opportunity to view the
ruins of an old canal lock at this stop.
After our break we will move through a large pool that leads us into Butlers
Rift a place where the water pretty much runs down hill on a gradual 1/3
mile slope that carries your boat close to the left shore as the river bends
right. Keep well away from either bank and you will enjoy some two foot
waves on most days.
At the bottom of Butlers you enter into the mile long canyon at the foot of
the Hawks Nest. This is a spectacular sight. As we reach the end of the pool
the river necks down at Cherry Island and leads to another Ό mile of active
rapids called Mill Rift. Follow the standing waves through the center or
left of center to avoid the
rock filled right side. As you near the railroad bridge you need to move
well to the right. After passing the bridge continue about 100 yards before
turning left and stopping at the stony beach for another break,
or for our optional take-out at mile 258.3.
Just past the bridge we will pass a series of pretty cliffs on river right.
They continue for a mile or two and lead us to an abandoned eel weir that
extends almost all the way from river left, leaving only a very narrow
channel right under the cliffs. A few more minor rapids and some flat water
lead to the take out on river right around mile 256.
Click here for
photos of the summer 2009 trip on this section:
http://picasaweb.google.com/kanoer/090719DelawareTrip#
Click here for a Park Service river map:
http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=upde&parkname=Upper
Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
Sunday, September 26: Meander around the Meadowlands
Come explore the Mill Creek kayak/canoe trail. The plan is to meet late
morning at Mill Creek Point Park (in Secaucus) in the Meadowlands and follow the
Canoe (and Kayak) Trail -- if we have time we may also venture out into the
Hackensack River. We should be back early afternoon -- there are picnic tables
at the site, so you can bring a picnic lunch for after the paddle. This will be
an enjoyable trip for all levels of paddlers.
Friday-Monday, October 1-4: 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. What were likely to get is anybodys guess.
The lake itself is varied 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 no
obstructions, suitable even for motor boats. 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. First-time paddle-campers or those with no cold weather camping
experience are not ideal candidates for this trip. The weather can get
pretty wintry even in early October in the Adirondacks, so we should not be
surprised if we see a little snow or some thin ice on the lake. It is
important 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. It is STRONGLY
recommended that you
read the Trip Report of the 2008 Saranac Lake Trip on the Club website.
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.
Tue, October 5: Membership Meeting
When: 7 PM
Where: Paramus, NJ Elks Club
200 Route 17 North
Click here for a map & driving directions.
Topic:
Sunday, October 10: Tootle around the Tappan Zee
Join us for a Tootle Around the Tappan Zee late morning. Enjoy a paddle
where the Hudson is at its widest -- the Tappan Zee -- on one of our region's
most interesting and, sometimes, unpredictable rivers. Tide, wind, and wave
conditions vary, so our tootlin' will depend on how the river is behaving. But
we may be able to cross under the Tappan Zee Bridge to Horan's Landing in Sleepy
Hollow or "kayak to Nyack". This paddle is not suitable for inexperienced
paddlers.
Saturday October 16: Sea Kayak Day Paddle
Long Island Sound - Western End
This is about a 15 mile loop around the western end of Long Island Sound.
Launching from Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park we'll paddle out past City
Island and Hart Island and over to the Throgs Neck Bridge. Then past the
lighthouses on the way back. Cooler air and water temps may require a drysuit or
wetsuit. You could expect strong winds and currents, large wakes, swells, power
boats and commercial shipping and pleasure boat traffic.
Proper safety gear, self and assisted rescue experience and some rough water
paddling experience is required.
Sunday, October 17: Cedar Creek, NJ
Sat & Sun, Oct. 30-31: 17th Annual Halloween Pine Barrens Canoe & Kayak
Camping Trip on the mighty Mullica River
Always a fun trip with plenty of beautiful fall foliage - bring an "All Hallows'
Even" costume if you wish. The Jersey Devil will almost definitely be seen.
Participants should be comfortable paddling on narrow, tight and twisty Pine
Barrens rivers. (Long sea kayaks are not real great here). Cool weather camping
equipment is recommended since it may be chilly at night. Camping fee is $2.00
per person.
Tue, November 2: Membership Meeting &
Halloween Party
When: 7 PM
Where: Paramus, NJ Elks Club
200 Route 17 North
Click here for a map & driving directions.
Topic:
Saturday, November 6: Upper Tohickon Creek, 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.
Saturday, November 13: Sea Kayak Day Paddle
Hudson River - Cold Spring to Bear Mountain and back
This is a 15+ mile paddle on the Hudson River from Cold Spring to Bear
Mountain and back. It's a 6+hour that's best suited for sea kayaks. This is one
of the prettier parts of the river, passing West Point with the steep mountains
on each side. We'll have lunch in Popolopen Creek You could expect strong winds
and currents, large wakes and both recreational and shipping traffic. The water
temperature is now around 50 degrees so proper cold water immersion gear (drysuit
or wetsuit) is needed.
Proper safety gear, self and assisted rescue experience and some rough water
paddling experience is needed.
Saturday, November 13: Musconetcong River - Hackettstown to
Penwell, NJ
NJ Water Authority should begin Lake Hopatcong drawdown. Quick moving
stream, Class I plus. Pretty countryside and fall colors. Dress for the cold
water.
Sunday, November 14: 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. There also is a slight drop (easy rapid - takes 2 seconds to
shoot through) depending on water level near the end.
The trip will be from the RT. 565 put-in to Oil City Road - about 8
miles or so. Figure on 4-5 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.
Participants must 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 must be brought and painters (short
lengths of rope attached to both ends of your boat) are required. The
water will be cold so dress accordingly for the water temperature.
Please - NO COTTON CLOTHING!
As a prerequisite to attending this moving water trip -
all participants must have a basic understanding of the "rescue throw rope"
either by having attended one of the Throw Rope Tossin' 101 sessions offered
throughout the summer or by having previously demonstrated that you have the
basic skills. Please keep this in mind before you sign up for this trip.
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