South Branch - 06/14/2014

It rained like crazy last week with flood warnings after the downpours on Friday the 13th.  The USGS gage at Stanton Station was at over 5.5 ft Friday night.  I did a quick check Saturday morning around  9 am and it was still at 4.5 ft.  This was the highest that I had opportunity to try the river.  I quickly loaded up kayak, paddle, PFD, 2 water bottles, and my waterproof mobile protector.  My middle daughter road with me for the 15 minute drive up to my drop off point on River Rd.

I didn't waste any time getting the boat in the water.  It was 10:20 when I pushed off.  The water was very fast.  There was dull roar from the water going over the low head dams at the water plant.  I didn't have any concerns about hitting bottom and just took off.

Overall the trip was really great.  This is the first time that I have done this trip where I didn't hit bottom in any meaningful way.  I could just follow the current the whole way without constantly search for the deepest channel.  I could tell that I was really moving quickly, particularly since I was in an 8 ft rec boat (Emotion Comet).  There were lots of riffles, but no real white water.  I didn't see anyone on the river until just after going under the route 31 bridge.

After going under the route 523 bridge, I went through the partially wash out dam at Darts Mill.  It had nice drop and I had bit of wash over the front of the boat.  I continued on to the next washed out dam roughly mile further.  This is where I took on a lot of water last trip.  I though it would be smoother this time due to higher water, but this was not the case.  There was a large drop where I hit a rock just before a small wave that had significant wash over the boat.  I had roughly 2 inches of water in the boat.  Unfortunately I didn't take a pump or sponge, so I just let it go as I was only 3/4 a mile from my take out.  The weather was warm so it was no big deal.

I reached my take out at intersection of Case Blvd, Pennsylvania Ave, and River Rd at noon.  It drained the boat and waited for Jill to pick me up.  The 9 mile trip only took me 1 hr and 40 minutes which is at least 40 minutes faster than my normal time.  I'm going to continue to watch the gage at Stanton Station (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?01397000) for water of 4.5 ft or higher as this was absolutely the best trip that I have had on the South Branch of the Raritan.  Clear paddling!

Scott  

First Trip of 2014 - South Branch of the Raritan River (05-26-2014)

Things have been crazy busy recently, but I did get out for short trip on South Branch of Raritan river this afternoon.  I was encouraged after looking at Facebook posting of Karl Fritz kayaking Appoquinimink Wildlife Area off of Delaware River basin.  I decided that I had to get out for a break.  This was my first trip of the year and it is almost June.

The conditions were perfect.

• Stanton Station USGS: 3.3 Feet.  This is really where it needs to be both from depth and water speed.  I've done this river at 2.7 ft and this is just too shallow unless you enjoy dragging a boat.
• 85 Degree temperature with low humidity.  Just enough to have minor sweat, but not get drenched.

I took my 8 ft Emotion Comet kayaks as they are prefect for this small river.  Also, as I have mentioned before, they fit into the back of the mini Van, so it is really easy to use them.  Interesting that I didn't see a lot of wild life on this trip, but nether less, it was refreshing to get away.  There were numerous other people on the river who were mostly fishing.  I was careful for changes in the river as this was my first trip.  There was one new tree that had recently fallen into the river just south of the Rt 31 bridge.  It didn't block the river.  Also, the large tree that blocked the left branch around Packers Island was washed clear of the channel so it is now passable. 

The put in was River Rd off of route 31 just above Camp Carr.  The take out was River Rd and Case Blvd intersection in Flemington.  Trip is roughly 12 miles which took me 2.5 hours.

South Branch Kayaking with Jill

8/25/2013
Sunday afternoon I finally was able to get Jill out kayaking with me.  She promised to take a trip with me for my birthday.  The weather was great although a bit muggy.  Unfortunately, the South Branch of the Raritan was a bit low.  I ended up pulling the boats over the low spots in at least 3 spots.

More PICS and such here South Branch Kayaking with Jill

I

South Branch of Raritan Trip with Justine - 07-07-2103

South Branch of Raritan Trip with Justine - 07-07-2103

Justine enjoys kayaking the most in the family except me.  I like do these short, easy floats to get out on the water without losing much time driving.  This was Justine's first trip on the South Branch.  Link below.

South Branch of Raritan Trip with Justine - 07-07-2013.html

First Trip 2013

I had my first trip on 6/17.  We have had a lot of rain and the gave at Stanton Station read 3.7 ft. Totally different trip from the water plant to Flemington.  They was pretty good drop at the old Dart's Mill dam.  I took on quite a bit of water. It was a nice trip as I didn't run aground once.   There were no trees from Sandy blocking the river.  The water was moving very fast so the run was quick.

Second Trip - South Branch of Raritan River - River Rd in Franklin Twp to Flemington

Date: 10/06/2012

This was a second trip to explore alternate channels in the river.

Second Trip South Branch of Raritan

South Branch of Raritan River - Flemington to South Branch

Date of trip: 9/29/2012

Trip started out about noon off of Rt 523 near Darts Mill and completed around 4:30 at South Branch.  This is a continuation of the trip that I started the night before.

I put in the exact location that I took out the night before.   It is a quick put in and easy to manage.  I got in the boat (Emotion Comet 8) on the bank and just slid in the water.  I hit bottom just before passing under Rt 523.  Again, generally a little lite on the amount of water for this section of the river.

After passing under the bridge, the river takes a hard right.  There is an old dam that is mainly washed out.  It is a fun, easy drop with some good water flow.  After this, the river becomes very glass like for a while.  Again, the river is pretty much private.  I did pass a boy trout fishing, but no other people.  You pass under a rail road truss bridge where I lightly scraped a few rocks.  A bit further, there is the remains of another old dam.  I passed straight through as it looks like one could go to the left.  I hit a rock going over the dam, but it was a bit of white water fun.

The water gets much deeper and the river is wider as well.  There are quite a few underwater plants.  It was quick paddling as you can work up a cadence in this section.  You parallel River Road for a while and pass under another railroad truss bridge.  The river goes off to the left where you come to a large dam.  At this point, you have to portage around.  There is a no trespassing sign, but it states boaters passing through are ok.  I pulled the boat around on the left and quickly was back in the water.   I passed my second fisherman just after I passed under another bridge (auto).   It is only about 1/4 mile and you pass under the Rt 202 bridge.  There is a brief stretch of about 50 yards with some current and tiny waves, but it is not white water.

From this point on, the river becomes generally deeper which means 1.5 to 3 feet deep for most sections.  The river winds and meanders along and you are treated to lots of nice scenery.  Generally, you are alone on the river with quite a few ducks, geese, and blue heron.  I believe that I saw 2 bald eagles as well.  There are several old truss bridges that you pass under as well.  Overall, very enjoyable cruise.  There are only a few places that you have to watch the river to ensure you have enough depth.  I took the wrong pass around a couple of islands and was actually stuck in one place.  I was able to get free without exiting the boat.  I generally think most of these can be avoided on this section of the river if you watch the current.   This is not true for the sections north of Flemington.

I came into Neshanic Station which is a small borough along the river.  There is another old dam here and I believe the old mill on the right hand side of the river.   It was a nice little drop, but went by too fast.  There is another neat old truss bridge and then a more modern railroad bridge.

I traveled down to South Branch.   It was enjoyable paddle as you can get going as the water is smooth, but is still moving pretty quickly.  There are numerous bridges along the way as well as some rock cliffs.   I pulled the boat out a the bridge.  Maps have the road going across the bridge as Studdiford Drive or Rt 606.     There is a parking lot next to a old house that was a good pickup spot.  I had originally intended to go farther, but ran out of time.  I really enjoyed the South Branch of the Raritan, so I am sure that I will do it again.  Theoretically, I could go all the way down to New Brunswick, NJ

The Raritan is very convenient to me as it passes directly through the town that I live in.  I like that it feels like a private river.  I've been on the Delaware many times and it feels almost congested in some areas.  Also, on the Delaware, you have to worry about Jet Skis and power boats in some sections.  I guess one reason that people don't paddle the Raritan more is due to the low water challenges and lack of white water.  This is great float for a family outing.  I'd recommend giving it a try.  Watch the water gage at Stanton Station.  I think that the river should be passable at 2.7 ft on the gage.

Happy paddling.

South Branch of Raritan River - River Rd in Franklin Twp to Flemington

Date of trip: 9/28/2012

This was my first trip on the South Branch of the Raritan River.  I took the small boats as the water was shallow.  It was great trip.  I was truly surprised.  Details are http://over50kayakingadventure.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html