Trip started out at almost 5 pm at dead end of River Road near water pumping station and completed at 7:30 pm off of Rt 523 near Darts Mill.
Directions: From Rt 31 N take Allerton Rd west about 1/2 mile to left on Lilac Rd. Follow Lilac Rd 1/2 mile to right on River Rd. Go all the way to the dead end of River Road. There is a walking bridge. I slid my 8 ft Emotion Comet Kayak under the rail on the left and into the water.
There was good water initially with quick set of small rapids. You quickly pass under a rail road bridge and are off into quick moving water. The water moved quickly, but was not whitewater. The float was very tranquil as you moved through woods on both sides of the river.
In no time, I was passing under the second bridge at the bridge at Camp Carr. I received some friendly hellos from a couple sitting by their RV. The water was fairly shallow and was the first indication that the water was not really deep enough. The gage at the USGS at Stanton Station, NJ was as 2.8 ft. Another +4 inches of water would have been much better. Most of the trip I could have avoided getting grounded, but unlikely to have not hit some rocks. You would not want to do this trip at similar water levels in an expensive fiberglass kayak.
Throughout the trip, I saw lots of wild life. Mainly Blue Herons, but I believe some deer snorted at me as I passed by. It was very nice as I passed through the woods. There are numerous bridges across the river as you go along. Occasionally you run along roadways, but in general it is very scenic until you get close to Flemington where you float along RT 31. Right along 31 it is very shallow and I didn't see away to not get stuck. I didn't have to get out of the kayak, but it took a few minutes to get free. As you go by Packer's island, take the route to the left. The right was very shallow and I was grounded again for a few minutes.
Once I passed under the Rt 31 bridge the water was pretty deep except for one point where I did hit bottom again. I was paddling hard to make up time as it was getting pretty dark. I called my wife for a pickup at near Darts Mill near the old Lipton plant. You take Rt 523 from Rt 31 going toward Whitehouse Station, NJ. There is a pull off on the river side of the road where people fish. I found an easy place to pull the boat up. It was quick load up and off.
Scott
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please keep comments "G-rated"