Sunday, March 20, 2016

A Little Springtime Splendor

Yesterday I saw that the gauge level for the Stillwater River was above 5' and figured it might be worth getting out on this river for the first time.  I launched from a spot I'd often driven by...the Rt. 62 bridge near Moores Corners in Sterling where Routes 140 and 62 cross. 

Electing to head upstream brought me around the first bend to find this guy...
...in all his springtime splendor.
 
Around the next bend a mature bald eagle glided overhead but, due to having my hands warmly ensconced in pogies, I wasn't quick enough on the draw to get a photo.  It was in the area where several brooks converge and Wachusett Mountain can be seen 5 miles to the northwest...

A glider of a different type is being towed by a plane...
...one of several planes and gliders seen in the vicinity of Sterling Airport.
 
Turkey vultures and a red-tailed hawk also occupied the bright blue skies.

About 0.75 miles above Rt. 62 and hard by where Bailey and Rocky Brooks converge, a hill rises with a well-worn trail winding around its base...

 A short climb to the top generated this view...
The Stillwater River at this point is a combination of several brooks: Keyes, Justice, Rocky, and Bailey.  Wilder and East Wachusett brooks join a little below this spot. The water is crystal-clear and designated Class A due to being a drinking water supply tributary.  Signs at various access points note what activities are authorized and prohibited...

The clarity of the water can be seen in this photo of shoots beginning to emerge on the bottom...

The clarity also revealed this old Narragansett Lager beer can...
It looks identical to the can Captain Quint crushed with one hand in the 1975 movie "Jaws".  In fact it was brewed at Narragansett's Cranston, RI facility which closed in 1981.

A fourth beaver dam a little less than a mile above Rt. 62 convinced me to turn around and head downriver.

About a half mile below Rt. 62 the river became much shallower ...

Scouting ahead on foot convinced me that this section is better suited for a downriver run to either Crowley or Muddy Pond Roads.  No boating is allowed below Muddy Pond Road due to its reservoir status.  While returning to my boat this bit of early greenery caught my eye...

I then paddled back to Rt. 62...
...with a very small trash haul from one of the cleaner rivers I've had the privilege of paddling...
...only covered 3 miles in total but enjoyed every minute of it.


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