28th Annual Mullica River Camping Trip
by Rico Pagliei

October 28-29, 2023

Any ditch will do….

The 28th Annual Mullica River Halloween Camping Trip looked to be a memorable one. After 7 consecutive weekends with rain, the weather Gods seemed to be smiling on us. The forecast was fantastic for such a late October date -Saturday temps in the 70’s, blue skies, peak foliage, a full moon in the evening and no rain in the forecast. At 9:00 AM, 12 very enthusiastic paddlers gathered at the put-in, ready to create memories and to add another exciting chapter to the annals of the HRCKC. But we were not alone, because as we were loading our boats, members of the Philadelphia Canoe Club arrived and vied for the very limited space at the put-in. They too were planning an overnight trip on the mighty Mullica - the Wilderness Camp Site would be overflowing with people this evening we thought.

With the boats packed, release forms signed, and camping fees paid to our trip leader Jim M., the shuttle to Batsto Village to leave vehicles at the take-out was completed in record time. We were eager to get on the water to let the adventure begin. As anyone who has ever gone on a club trip knows, there are a number of items, some non-negotiable, that one must have in order to participate. In no particular order they are - a PFD, a boat (canoe or kayak), paddles, painters, a whistle, sunscreen, food, throw rope, and water just to name a few. That last item might only imply liquid in your canteen but most definitely should include liquid in the river you’re attempting to run as well.  Because it soon became apparent as we set out that morning that the Mullica River had precious little!  

The first dismount to drag a heavily laden boat through ankle deep water occurred within the first couple hundred feet of launching. Surely this was but a temporary condition we thought. Spirits soon soared as the water got deep again and we were once again paddling - that is paddling over a blowover barely covered by the slow flowing, tea colored river. And so, it was out of the boats again to drag and push over the half-submerged obstacle. The trip continued in what soon became a familiar routine - paddle a couple hundred yards, run aground on a sand bar or sunken log, dismount, pull over the obstacle, reenter your boat, paddle, run aground, dismount, pull around the obstacle, reenter your boat, paddle, pull over a blow over, etc., etc. Rinse and repeat. Rowing, pulling, and walking our boats not so gently or merrily down the stream. It had become a half paddle / half hike adventure.

Progress was slow to say the least and we reached river mile marker 1 sometime after 12:30. 12:30!! Damp from the frequent immersions, and famished from the physical exertion, we ate lunch somewhat dejectedly on the sandy riverbank and contemplated our next move. The wilderness camp site was 5 miles further down river and at the current pace we would surely arrive by…..Tuesday? Options were discussed and a decision was made to press on. Nothing could stop our intrepid group from getting to our destination. Nothing but the Mullica River that is. The next mile was as challenging as the first and progress was once again slow but deliberate. Despite the many obstacles, tempers never flared. Esprit de corps was on full display.

We passed river mile marker 2 mid-afternoon and pressed on. Conditions slightly improved as the topography of the river slowly transitioned from tight, shallow and twisty, to slightly deeper and wider. This section of the Mullica is more expansive as beaver have help transform much of it to a marsh-like area. We were consistently paddling now and making decent progress, but one could not help but notice the Sun was dropping lower to the horizon. We finally arrived at river mile marker 3 at about 4:00 PM. This lovely, beach-like area overlooking a wide expanse of the river is typically the “lunch spot” on regular trips, but now it was nearing dinner time.

Wet, bruised and exhausted we considered our options:

Option A) Continue paddling another 3 miles to the camp site, but surely arriving well after sunset. Further, with the water level so low, it was almost certain the conditions would continue to be challenging to say the least.

Option B) Hike back to the Atsion Ranger Station along a sandy Pine Barrens road to where 2 vehicles were located. Shuttle all the drivers back to Batsto Village to recover the remaining vehicles. Drive all the vehicles back to Atsion, and then drive several additional miles back to the “lunch spot”.  Finally, we would pack up all the boats and equipment in the dark and head back to our home ports.

Option C) Set up camp at the “lunch spot” on the banks of the Mullica and execute Option B in the morning.

After little deliberation, the consensus was Option C - we were staying the night. It was getting dark. A full moon was rising. This was the Pine Barrens. It was Halloween weekend. Home of the Jersey Devil. What would you do?

The area we were camping at is accessible via a sandy road and is frequently used by a local outfitter who runs Mullica River trips. It is also “technically” not legal to camp here. But that was a concern for another day. The Sun was setting, the Moon was rising, and it was time to set up camp. Tents were quickly erected, equipment unpacked, and we settled in to enjoy the perfect weather. Warmed by the fire, we enjoyed a bevy of snacks, apps, stew, and desserts. No one went to bed hungry or early - in fact, “hiker midnight” came close to 11:00 PM. As we settled into our sleeping bags, and as advertised in Jim’s trip description, we heard owls hoo-hooing, and the plaintive howl of a coyote in the distance as we drifted off to sleep….

We survived the night. Quite cozy in fact as the sleeping conditions were excellent. Not long after first light there was stirring in some tents, and slowly the occupants emerged and settled around the small fire to prepare breakfast. Had the water level increased overnight as we had hoped allowing us to complete the 8 mile trip to Batsto Village? A quick check online of the USGS Mullica River gauge revealed our worst fear, the river was in fact a bit lower. The water level in the Mullica had dropped precipitously late Friday night and had continued unabated into Sunday. Whether the water had been diverted upstream to flood a cranberry bog, or someone pulled the plug downstream, the Mullica just didn’t have enough water to float our boats. We would not be paddling out, but in fact we would be driving out - the equivalent of calling an Uber to complete a 5k race.

After a hearty breakfast, a small group hiked out to Atsion to begin the multi-part shuttle with the intention of driving the vehicles back to the makeshift camp site to pack up.  Later, as the caravan of vehicles slowly approached the camp, we noticed that we had company in the form of a NJ State Park Ranger.  The Ranger was there to remind us that this was not “technically” a legal camping site.  Phil B. turned on his charm and explained to the Ranger the dire circumstances that forced our ragtag group of survivors to spend the night here. The Ranger was truly sympathetic to our plight, wrote up a simple warning and bid us a good day.  Of course, we were all relieved as it would not be necessary to pool our money in order bail Phil out of the hoosegow deep in the Pine Barrens!

Packing of vehicles complete, we bid farewell to each other and trundled out of the Pine Barrens wilderness to return home.  While we did not stick entirely to the trip itinerary, I think it can be said a memorable time was had by all who attended.  The merry Mullica 12 included: Jim M, Martin W, Peter W, Monica O, Phil B, Robyn L, Dave M, George G, Rico P, Tom B and Barbara & Alan P.

> Click here for exciting, action packed photos!

Rico