Spillover at Cedar Creek



A group of paddlers take a break June 27 at the spillway at Double Trouble.

6/27/09

Cedar Creek / 2.72'' / 169 cfs / 79 degrees (air temp)

Trip: Dover access to Dudley Park (Bayville) 9.5 mi.

Drop in: 9 a.m. / Takeout: 2 p.m.

By far the best Cedar Creek conditions we've ever had. Following weeks of rain and a fresh downpour the night before, the levels were way up for this run -- the creek washed over the service road at Double Trouble!

Although only a few miles, the stretch between Dover access and Ore Pond is winding and narrow. Ferns, flowers and swamp maple line the riversides. It's here that we (me and Kenny) spotted bunches of Slender Blue Flag. Common in marshes and meadows, Blue Flag blossoms May-June (Boyd's; 177). We also spotted a few turtles, Cedar Waxwing and engaged in conversation with a Gray Catbird. Two words for paddlers setting out on this first leg: BUG SPRAY. Without it, you're doomed.

I think most people put in just after this stretch at Ore Pond access, off Pinewald-Keswick Road. Just behind us was a crew of four, who had rented kayaks from Triple T Canoe Rentals, in Beachwood.

At Ore Pond, we saw numerous Tree Swallows eating bugs from lily pads and the water's surface. From a distance, we could hear and see the creek washing over the service road — it looked like an Infinity pool's edge. 

I made a go at paddling down the washover at the road, but it was too shallow. I wound up pulling myself over the concrete/rock mix for about 20 feet, before an extremely uneventful drop into the spillway. Zzzzzz.
Lots of folks on the creek today: a group of Boy Scouts, some kayak renters and even a stalker lady that we met up with three times along the river — seriously, it was strange.

The first leg from Dover access put-in is winding and packed with obstacles.

If you listen closely, you'll hear Kenny bump my boat as he passes.

Daze on the Delaware

Chris, Kenny and me almost make the self-timer at Dingmans Falls.

We paddled along through all of the benchmark spots: beneath the scenic byway, spotting one or two bald eagles; Big Eddy (the 113-foot deep spot at Narrowsburg); then the No. 9 Railroad Bridge, Masthope, Colang and Kunkeli rapids before reaching our takeout at the Zane Grey Museum, just after the Lackawaxen River confluence. We had originally planned to hit the Lackawaxen at some point, but the levels were way too low. We did however find out that release info can be obtained at http://www.lakelevelppl.com/ or (800) 807-2474.

That night me and Kenny played ping pong on two tables, with two paddles each at the main “lodge.” It was awesome.

TUESDAY: After a good night’s sleep, me, Chris and Kenny took it easy and headed to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, for a short hike to Dingmans Falls. At 130 feet, it’s impressive. We hiked to the top. Note: the bathroom facilities at this place must be frequented by human-sized ferrets.

We started happy hour immediately upon our return to “base camp.” We set up at the main lodge at the BBQ pit and pitched shoes, drank beers and waited for Baker to show. Upon Baker’s arrival, we scarfed burgers and chicken sandwiches, cleaned up and headed back to the house, where we said goodbye to Kenny and ushered Baker into our digs.

Baker is an animal. After some prompting on his part, we played Asshole (drinking game) until about 2:30 a.m. It was devastating to all but Baker, who was gone the next day by 8.

WEDNESDAY: Me and Chris slept until about 11, and realized that despite our banged up condition, we had to press on. We set out to put in just above the Staircase Rapids at River Mile 267 to Sparrow Bush. Even nursing a hangover, it was great. The rapids at Mongaup were fun, even a little sketchy. After, we found the hydraulic power plant on the Mongaup River where, with better planning, would have been a great short trip in addition to what we had already paddled.

On that last night, I took it easy and headed home early (6:30) Thursday morning. Chris stayed behind leaving that afternoon. Great trip; next time we definitely have to hit Mongaup.

3 amigos go with the flow



Me, Kenny and Chris at the same spot we mugged at in February. (No floe this time though.)

Box turtle gets spooked, makes a splash on the Toms, April 26, 2009.

Trip: Toms River / Put-in: Winding River Park / Take-out: Rt. 166 biz park / 4.61' at 246 cfs / Air temp: 88

Just can't seem to go wrong with this trip -- it's become the new Oswego. It's a short, easy paddle, so far always runnable.

Me, Kenny and Chris headed out on a Sunday afternoon taking my truck and the van for shuttling. This time Kenny used Tim's boat. It took him a little getting used to, since it's a short, wide, rec-fishing boat. But after a bit he was dodging strainers and eating only just a few bushes on the bends.

We spooked several box turtles sunning on logs after the powerlines. As we neared the downtown area. We spotted 3-4 small, ratty tents on the west side of the Toms that appear to be inhabited by homeless folks.

The weather was great, in the high 80s -- I even went for the first swim of the season.

3 amigos go with the floe

Me, Kenny and Chris take time to chill on the Toms River Feb. 8, 2009. Notice Chris sitting on a slab of ice.



Kenny decked out in Baker's goods, enjoying his first solo paddle.

 
Put-in: Winding River Park, off of Oak Ridge Parkway

Take-out: Industrial Park on Route 166

Weather: 61 degrees, little windy

River conditions (reading as of Feb. 11): 4.18'' pushing at 195

The Toms may soon become our "Oswego north" because it's a quick paddle with a good amount of obstacles and turns -- perfect for a mid-afternoon winter trip. From what I read, and have so far experienced, the lower Toms is always passable.

This trip took just over two hours, but with a little more consistency and much less Fosters, we could have made it in less than two hours. Also, it was Kenny's first trip in a single -- Baker's 14-foot Dirigo touring boat. Kenny did really well. I was really hoping he'd take a dunk, but no such luck.

Ken takes a little turn, dodges a tree.