Upper Tohickon Creek
by Bob Rancan

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Saturday, November 6, 2010 turned out to be a nice day, a little on the cool side with some sun mixed with clouds. 14 members took on the Tohickon Creek on the annual release weekend, 8 in solo canoes and 6 in kayaks of various types. The Tohickon is located in Bucks County, PA, with much of its course drowned by Lake Nockamixon. From Nockamixon, it flows down to the Delaware River at Point Pleasant, PA, about 10.5 miles in total. Water usually escapes the lake only after heavy rains and/or during the two yearly weekend releases (in March and November.)

The last 3.5 miles flow through a magnificent scenic gorge and make up the white water section of the river. That part draws big crowds, so we headed for the upper 7+ miles from State Park Road by the Nockamixon Dam to Ralph Stover State Park. There was another group of about 6 people who set out ahead of us, several farmers doing fall chores and 3 hunters in blaze orange in the woods. Otherwise, we were alone in beautiful Bucks County with an osprey, a couple of red tail hawks, some turkey vultures, 2-3 belted kingfishers, a small group of blue jays, several wood ducks and a bunch of mallards. There were other small birds of course but with the volume of water flooding the streamside birches and the pushy current, the conditions were not ideal for the birdwatcher. A good time was had by all and the recently acquired mint condition Probe 12 and the refurbished XL 13 did not get beat up at all.

Thanks to everyone who made the trip and cooperated so well to keep the adventure safe and fun.

Bob