When: Sunday, March 9, 2008
Where: Medway/Norfolk/Franklin area
Start: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1697839
End: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1697842
Complete route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1697854
Weather: Sunny and windy, in the mid 40's.
Recap: The prior day saw very heavy rains, and today the river was swollen with water, making the upstream paddle fairly strenuous, especially upstream of Populatic Pond. Populatic is a neat oasis...you won't see this much open water on the Charles downstream until South End Pond http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1697862 on the Millis/Sherborn border.
With the high water, the winding channels upstream of Populatic lost their shape...closer to the end of the paddle, the current was extremely fast and among the most challenging I've faced. After turning back downstream, the fast current was awesome to follow, and the trip back was quick and fun.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
(Mile 44.5 to 47.5) Cochrane Dam and snow squall (February 10, 2008)
Distance: 3.6 miles
Start: Cochrane Dam, Dover/Needham border
Finish: Near intersection of Dedham Ave/West Street/South Street in Needham.
See route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1645828
Notes: A cold, clear & sunny day...with occasional snow squalls. Started just below Cochrane Dam. There is parking for a few cars on Willow Street in Dover right by the intersection of Willow and Mill Street.
Due to the recent rain and snow melt, the river current was very fast. Paddling downstream was often necessary just to stay on a straight line. When I turned back upstream, it was over 3 miles of hard, hard paddling...arms were quite tired at end of day.
Although not necessary, paddling upstream to the base of the dam is a lot of fun, and I've heard this is a popular local spot for whitewater kayakers to practice.
Monday, January 21, 2008
(Mile 37.8 to 39.0) South Natick Falls in the winter
A few moments from the bottom of the South Natick Falls (Charles River) on January 21st. Followed briefly by a fighter jet getting back from the Patriots AFC championship game against the Chargers.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
(Mile 39.0 to 42.0) January 13, 2008 - Dover/Needham to Elm Bank
The recent warm weather and rains have opened up the river - not long ago the ice was thick enough to walk on...all that remains is a skirt of ice on the edges and in some slower moving chanels. Parked at Riverside Drive, Dover, and kayaked upstream in the direction of Elm Bank and the South Natick falls.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1550410
Prior to crossing the Dover Road bridge, it is hard to ignore the pair of large homes perched on the north side of the river.
The Dover Road bridge (between Dover and Needham) is not a viable put-in due to the busy road and marshy riverbanks.
I had intended on reaching the Elm Bank put-in, or even the South Natick falls, but was surprised to find an aqueduct from 1876, which carries water from Quabbin Reservoir to Boston. There are some easy places to reach land on the west side of the aqueduct - it is just a hundred yards uphill to the top of the aqueduct.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1550410
Prior to crossing the Dover Road bridge, it is hard to ignore the pair of large homes perched on the north side of the river.
The Dover Road bridge (between Dover and Needham) is not a viable put-in due to the busy road and marshy riverbanks.
I had intended on reaching the Elm Bank put-in, or even the South Natick falls, but was surprised to find an aqueduct from 1876, which carries water from Quabbin Reservoir to Boston. There are some easy places to reach land on the west side of the aqueduct - it is just a hundred yards uphill to the top of the aqueduct.
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