Summer arrives early on Mullica

(Above) Chris and Kenny (with a limp-wristed wave) just after Beaver City on the Mullica May 1, 2010. (Below video) Kenny, then Chris, glide along the Mullica May 1, 2010.

 

Trip: Mullica River

Put-in: Atsion

Take-out: Batsto

Gauge reading: 2.14' at 166 cfs (1.4' at put-in)

Air temp: 80s

Trip time: 4:20

The sweet air of the Mullica is still in my lungs. We paddled through spudding lilies, fertile river banks and pools of pollen as the woods hinged on spring's full explosion. Pockets of cool air waited under the shady arches of trident swamp maple.

The river was full of life: tree swallows, a great blue heron, red-winged blackbirds, a snake and multiple turtles were among our sightings. 

There were a few campers at the Mullica River Wilderness Campsite, which was about mid-way on our trip. One camper we met at the put-in was planning on staying there the night with a few buddies for a low-impact trip -- he had a small radio taped to a cooler in his canoe so he wouldn't miss the Mets game on the way out. According to this guy, it's $2 per person for the permit which is available at Atsion. Also, his group planned on paying $25 apiece for a shuttle back to their cars in the morning through a local livery (yikes!)

Oh, and lots of bugs. Fortunately, the above camper generously let us use some of the little bug spray he had. Giddy, we lathered ourselves in 100 percent DEET.

It was Kenny's first trip with his new boat -- a 10.6' Equinox(?) made by Future Beach. He got it for a steal at $320 with paddle from Costco. According to Ken, it's a little heavy at 50 pounds. It stays straight, but a little maneuverability is sacrificed. 

After our trip me and Kenny stopped at nearby P.J. Whelihan's in Medford Lakes for $2 Molsons and Chipotle Lime Shrimp.