Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Concord River - Rt. 225 to Fox Island and Return

Most folks would agree that working the 'graveyard' shift doesn't have too many advantages.  However, this morning I was able to enjoy one of the few.  Precisely, not having to report to work till 10:30 pm and thus be able to enjoy being on the river this beautiful morning.  The view at left is looking down the Concord River from a point near the Two Brothers Rocks in Bedford.
I had launched at the Rt. 225 bridge in Bedford where there is this informative kiosk...
It's been a while since I last launched at this location, so I'm not sure how long the kiosk has been up. 

The trip downriver was very pleasant with a nice refreshing breeze out of the north.

Blue herons were numerous...

Approaching the Rt. 4 bridge, things got a little more civilized...

From this point to Fox Island, there are houses along both sides of the river and almost all of them have a boat, dock, and small beach.
Upon reaching the island, I orbited it and passed this rock on it's east side...
I suppose this rock would remember if this was, in fact, the island where the Thoreau brothers setup camp on the first night of their 1839 Concord and Merrimack journey.  If this really is the spot, it might be worthy of a commemorative plaque.

It was approaching the noon hour when I began heading back upriver to my takeout location.

Today's trash haul of 91 pieces posed for a photo during a leg-stretching break on the return trip...
 Most of this trash was recovered from 3 shore raids near the 2 bridges.  The breakdown: 39 recyclable containers (4 redeemable) and 52 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as styrofoam cups, plastic bags, many scratch tickets, some kind of iron box, and a fairly new boat fender.  My YTD total stands at 2904.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Assabet River - Powdermill to Damonmill and Return

This morning, while on the way to a boat launch in an adjacent town, I happened to be crossing over the Assabet River in the town where I live.  Suddenly, it occurred to me that springtime water levels won't be around much longer and that there might still be enough water to paddle the 1.3 miles of the Assabet from Acton down to Damondale. 
So,  I turned my car around and headed to the Acton Canoe Launch...


I've only paddled this stretch once before and on that occasion a considerable amount of lining was required due to the river's shallow and rocky nature.
Upon launching I decided to paddle  the short distance upstream to the Powdermill Dam.  This was easily done with one little piece of lining at a gravel bar and I soon found myself near the base of the dam...


During the spring 2010 floods the old concrete pillar in the center of the river was submerged.
Here I turned around and headed downriver, passing under Rt. 62 twice in less than half a mile.  On the right shore is the Valley Sports skating facility and on the left, after the shopping plaza is Assabet Sand and Gravel.  This water intake structure may be related to the sand/gravel operation...

It was after rounding this bend that the opening photo was taken.  From this point down to Damondale the river is scenic and tranquil with only a few shallow riffles.  There were many Canada geese along with mallards and a few wood ducks.  One musquash surfaced near my boat and a few good-sized carp were seen.
Soon enough, I reached the old Damonmill Dam which was breached many years ago...
This was my downriver terminus and I headed back to the put-in.
Just when I was thinking how unlikely it would be to see another boat, I encountered 2 fellows fly-fishing from an aluminum canoe.

Near the skating rink these yellow flag were in bloom...
 After passing under the Rt. 62 bridge, more fly-fishermen were encountered...
There has been a program to restore trout to this area of the river and the south bank is posted as a "Catch and Release" zone.
I did have to line my boat through this spot as it was just too shallow to paddle upstream. 
Around the next bend was the take-out and all passengers disembarked at trip's end...
Today's catch of 62 pieces included 22 recyclable containers (2 redeemable) and 40 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags, styrofoam, a nip bottle, an absorbent boom, what looks to be part of a car fender, and a few bait tubs.  My YTD total stands at 2813.  Plastic bags were clearly the trash du jour!
After seeing this section of the Assabet and combining it with the section between Powdermill and Ben Smith Dam, I'm left to wonder if the word Assabet meant "rocky and shallow place" to the Native Americans.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Assabet River - Russell's Bridge to Gleasondale and Back

Today it was back to my local waters and time to make the transition from Maine to Massachusetts or from the realm of Wabanaki to that of Pompositticut.  The view at left shows the Assabet River in Stow and it stacks up fairly well to river views in Maine.  The weather was ideal.
This past Sunday, while in northwestern Maine I paddled up the Moose River, entered Halfway Brook, and paddled up it to a beaver dam just below a railroad bridge.  So today, it was almost deja vu to ascend the Assabet River, enter Fort Meadow Brook and paddle up it to a beaver dam just below a railroad bridge.
I had launched earlier at Russell's Bridge (White Pond Rd.) at the Maynard, Stow town line and paddled past several pairs of mute swans before reaching Fort Meadow Brook.  The price for entry to Fort Meadow Brook was to squeeze under this box culvert...
Once through, there is a large area of marsh divided into 2 sections by an abandoned railroad's causeway and trestle.  There is a large amount of debris piled up against the upstream side of the trestle and this is acting as a dam.  I don't know if it is the work of beavers or the accumulation of many previous years flooding getting caught on the trestle legs. The water upstream is almost a foot higher than the downstream side.  After pushing myself over the small beaver dam below the bridge, I approached the trestle and climbed up the embankment.  This is the view looking westward down the old Central Mass Railroad towards Hudson...
Obviously, trains have not been down this track in quite a while.  The ropes tied to the rails are holding hoses that were installed through the obstruction to allow the passage of some water.
This view is looking to the south across the flooded marsh.  Main and Chestnut streets (Stow) are in the distance...
Returning to the river, I continued upstream to Gleasondale and arrived there with 27 pieces of trash onboard.  Just below the Rt. 62 bridge, there were 3 forked tree limbs stuck in the ground to support fishing poles.  Around each one was a clutter of trash.  My count quickly climbed to 48 before beginning my return trip and grew to 54 by the time I approached Russell's Bridge and the takeout...
 Today's catch on terra firma ...
The total of 54 included 29 recyclable containers (16 redeemable) and 25 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as balloons, styrofoam, plastic bags, nip bottles, bait containers, and the large plastic tub.  My YTD total stands at 2751.
As I drove away from the bridge, there were some kids jumping off of it into the Assabet River.  I guess that makes it official that summer is upon us, once again.  

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

NFCT - Long Pond to Attean Landing

Last Thursday, I headed about 300 miles north to Jackman, Maine with plans to explore another stretch of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT).  Along with my boat and gear, I had promises of no bugs, no crowds, plenty of water and not a lot of sunshine.  All of those promises would be fulfilled.
The particular section of the NFCT traversed would be from the east end of Long Pond to Attean Landing on the Moose River and I would paddle it both ways, not utilizing any shuttles.  This was by choice as I wanted to spend more time than usual and thereby get to explore some of the tributaries as well as the river/pond itself.  By establishing a base camp, of sorts, in one location, I could spend more time on the water without worrying about setting up a new campsite each night.  Fortunately, the Last Resort is located at just about the mid-point of my route where Upper Churchill Stream enters the northwest end of Long Pond.  By car, it's about a 5-mile drive over dirt roads from Route 201 in Jackman.  They have 8 log cabins and 4 tent sites and their slogan is "The Place to Go to Leave it All Behind".  This is how it looks from the water...
It is nice, simple, and rustic.  Prices are reasonable and wildlife is plentiful!  I had the tent area all to myself.  Well, sort of, as I had frequent visits from this male yellow-bellied sapsucker...
He would fly into camp every hour or so and use the privy wall as his sounding board.  He didn't care whether it was in use or not.  He was compelled to send out his message!
Ruby-throated hummingbirds visited my car's red tailight lens, and were also plentiful around the lodge.
The forest floor was decorated with purple trilliums...
Seeing that I was now situated deep in the region known to Native Americans as Wabanaki or Dawn-Land, it was appropriate that I had a copy of Kerry Hardy's Notes on a Lost Flute, A Field Guide to the Wabanaki.  I enjoyed reading it while being serenaded by loons, late-night freight trains, and the on again off again pattering of rain on my tent.

On Friday morning I wheeled my boat to the launch and began heading east following the north shore of Long Pond.  One nice feature about this pond is that it's a naturally formed pond as opposed to the many man-made empoundments.  I passed through both the Upper and Lower Narrows and visited the point where Churchill Stream (the larger one) enters the pond from the north...
Like all the streams and brooks up this way, it was flowing well.  A little further to the east was this rock formation...
After this, the pond narrows again and there are several small islets just before it funnels into a river again and begins to drop in elevation.  This was the point where I turned around...
Anyone going past this point would soon encounter this scene about 2 miles downriver...
This would pin my 'Unmellow' meter and require skills I'll not possess in this lifetime.  The photo was taken from the Demo Road bridge when I drove there on Saturday.
On my return trip to Last Resort, I followed the southern shore of the pond and decided to explore Parlin Stream.  Heading towards its mouth I encountered this moose...
Leaving the moose to its feeding, I entered Parlin Stream and was struck by how easily navigable it was, and how beautiful the view was towards Parlin and Williams Mountains.  I paddled a little ways up the stream until I encountered the bridge carrying the rails of the Montreal, Maine, and Atlantic Railroad (M, M & A) over the stream.  This rail line, once known as the Canadian Pacific's International of Maine Division, was built in 1888 to connect the cities of Montreal, Quebec and St. John, New Brunswick. Today's  M, M & A Railroad combines remnants of the International of Maine and the Bangor and Aroostook Railroads.  The rails hug Long Pond's southern shore much as I would once resuming my journey west.  Along the way, we both passed the concrete ruins of what might have once, long ago, been a commercial enterprise.  Reaching the pond's southwest end, I found this pair of bald eagles watching over things...
By the time I landed back at Last Resort, I'd paddled 20 miles in traversing 8.5 miles of the NFCT.  A hot shower and supper were enjoyed before retiring for the night.

Saturday's weather forecast was for a day's worth of thunderstorms, regular rain and a raw easterly wind.  With that in mind, I decided to stay on land and check out other parts of the NFCT such as Jackman, Demo Rd., Rockwood, and Moosehead by car. 

On Sunday, with hopes of seeing some sunshine, I launched my boat and headed towards the Moose River and Jackman Landing.   Following a tip from Last Resort host, Ellen, I visited this eagle's nest...
I was told the nest wasn't used this year for its intended purpose.
Proceeding up the Moose River required overcoming its steady current.  About halfway to Jackman, I reached the appropriately named Halfway Brook and took a breather while heading up this pleasant stream.  After paddling about a half-mile, I reached a beaver dam and another bridge of the M, M & A Railroad.  Upon passing under the bridge, this bittern was startled by my arrival on  the scene...
Oddly enough, the night before, I'd been reading in Notes on a Lost Flute  Hardy's essay on what he referred to as the Cornmeal Bird (aka stake driver).  Just as he described, the bird resorted to its camouflage technique of looking skyward...
 I left the bittern and returned to a spot just above the beaver dam for my lunchbreak...
Photo taken from the railroad bridge.  While up on the tracks, I took in this view looking westward towards Jackman and ultimately Canada...
Judging from the signal orientation, this line is now operated as "dark" territory.  The switch stand for the passing siding is still equipped with a broom and shovel for cleaning away snow.

Resuming my trip up the Moose, I passed this distinguished group of fish catchers...

I suspect they're sharing some fish tales.
Just after noon the sun broke through the clouds and I encountered this bridge not shown on my NFCT # 10 map...
It's a snowmobile/atv bridge that is located about 1 mile below the Route 201 bridge in Jackman.  The view is looking downriver.
Finally, I paddled the swirling waters under the Route 201 bridge and reached Jackman Landing.  Upon landing, I noted 5 or 6 officials wearing green uniforms.  At first I thought they might be Fish & Game personnel but shortly thereafter, another craft landed and pulled up next to my boat...
The floatplane had entered the United States from Quebec and U.S. Customs/Border Patrol staff were on-hand to verify that all was in order.  I was impressed with just how thorough a job they did.

My day's destination having been attained, I relaunched and headed back to Last Resort.  On the way, I enjoyed the warm sun and views such as this...
At reaching Long Pond, this is the view...
Right in this area were numerous ring-necked ducks, mergansers, and 1 hooded merganser.

Back at camp things were dry for a change while supper was enjoyed.  However, sprinkles of rain resumed at around 10pm.

On Monday morning, after some early rain showers, I broke camp and drove to Jackman Landing.  Here I launched and headed south into a strong headwind towards Attean Landing.  As hard as it was paddling into the wind, I could look forward to having it help me on the way back.  A local fisherman experiencing motor problems had advised me to hug the left side before leaving Big Wood Pond and entering the Moose River where it passes under yet another M, M & A Railroad bridge.  He was putting his boat back on its trailer for a trip to the shop.
Attean Landing was flooded and deserted.  I paddled up a flooded dirt road to where I could land my boat...
Shortly, I headed back and entered Big Wood Pond...

The trip back to Jackman Landing was quick with a windswept following sea. At the north end of Big Wood Pond, the fetch had accumulated some fast moving and confused waves.  It took all of my attention to round the bend back into the sheltered river.  My GPS showed a top speed of 9 mph and I'm inclined to believe it!
Back at Jackman Landing, I found the fisherman (with earlier problems) returned with his motor now running and plans to head up Sandy Stream in search of brook trout and land-locked salmon.

During my visit to the Jackman region, I'd paddled 45 miles to cover 19 miles of the NFCT and enjoyed every mile.  Because I was travelling light, so to speak, I had room to store some of the trash I encountered.  For the record, here are the 3 modest hauls...
There were 20 pieces of trash in 19-miles of river.  Not bad, and the little cooler looked AOK once the mud was emptied out of it.  My YTD total stands at 2697.  The campground had a barrel for returnable bottles and I enjoyed the novelty of placing an empty but REDEEMABLE plastic water bottle, finally and for the first time, where it belongs.  Kudos to the State of Maine! 

That afternoon, I was driving down the "Old Canada Road" (Rt. 201) and passing through the Forks where the Kennebec and Dead Rivers converge.  A few more miles downriver there was a sign indicating a historic location.  This marker was there to show where Benedict Arnold's 1775 expedition to Quebec City diverged from the Kennebec River and headed across an old Native American shortcut to the Dead River above the worst of its rapids...
This provided a nice connection to last fall's NFCT trip, which followed part of Arnold's route across Flagstaff Lake and the Dead River.
 

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sudbury River - Rt. 62 to Lee's Bridge and Return

This morning, before the rain set in, I launched into the Sudbury River in Concord.  Prior to turning around and heading upriver, I took in this peaceful image of the Elm Street bridge.
At Clamshell Bank, I encountered a group of of 5 or 6 canoes heading downriver.  The canoes were well loaded with gear indicating a band of multi-day travellers.  When I reached Brooke Island, my hunch was confirmed upon seeing the dry patches where their weetus had been erected for the previous night.

At Fairhaven Bay, there was not another soul.
This eastern kingbird allowed me to get fairly close...
Nearby, a blue heron took flight...

Lee's Bridge was looking very serene this morning as well...

After turning around, I began my return trip.  This view had me considering just how many shades of green there are in spring...

Trash was found mostly in the mud where water levels have receded, and near the bridges. This photo of today's haul was taken at Heaths Bridge, just as the rain was beginning to fall...
The gang pictured would later be joined by a few stragglers to ultimately number 58 pieces of trash.
There were 27 recyclable containers (11 redeemable) and 31 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags, styrofoam, cardboard packaging, and fishing line spools.  My YTD total stands at 2677.

This day started on a sour note when I attempted to start my computer.  It was unresponsive and decided to remain that way (a power interruption last night may have been the culprit).  This entailed a trip to a local computer emporium and some finagling with wires and computer-speak to, once again, post a report.  Tomorrow, computer surgeons will attempt to recover some of what was lost.  What's that they say about not missing your water?