August 2006

These free trips are made possible by our dedicated crew of volunteer trip leaders and the generosity of our members and advertisers. Questions? Call trip leaders (evenings unless noted), program coordinators Gwen or Doug Whitbeck, evenings at (603) 878-9046, or the MRWC office at (978) 275-0120. Be sure to read What to Bring and What to Know. Want to help? Become a member today!

August 5 (Saturday) -- YORK RIVER, York (EASY TO MODERATE) - Registration Required

The trip has been planned to follow the outgoing tide down stream about five miles to the ocean. It’s an easy paddle past a golf course, historic buildings and beautiful homes along the river. After stopping for lunch at a miniature suspension bridge and playing in the white water outlet of a millpond, we venture into the ocean for a short distance, if wind and sea conditions permit. Please do not block traffic at put-in, park on opposite side of the street from the boat ramp and on other side of the bridge if necessary.
Meet at 9:00am at Scotland Bridge in York, ME. Take Rte 95 to exit 4 in York, ME. At end of exit ramp go east toward US Rte 1. Right onto US Rte 1 south. Follow Rte 1 south for 0.7 miles and turn right onto ME Rte 91. Follow ME Rte 91 west for 2.2 miles and turn left onto Scotland Bridge Rd. Follow Scotland Bridge Rd about 0.2 miles to bridge across York River. Put in at boat ramp next to bridge. Notice of postponement due to weather will be sent by email to all those registering for the trip before July 28th. To register, send an email to k1wv@yahoo.com with “register” in the subject line. Leaders: Bill Valentine (603) 893-5006, email: k1wv@yahoo.com, Julie Smith (603) 891-0267, email: cantdog@comcast.net .
Please call for rain date.

August 6, 2006 (Sunday) SUDBURY RIVER, Wayland (EASY)

Enjoy 7 easy miles to Egg Rock at the Minuteman National Historical Park in Concord MA. This fine section of river is highly recommended. There will be a brief introduction to Letterboxing (www.letterboxing.org) for anyone interested in another way to enjoy our rivers and parks.
Meet at 9:00am at boat ramp on Sherman’s Bridge Road. Take Rt 117 to Rt 126 South, about 1 to 2 miles, then turn right onto Sherman’s Bridge Road, go about 1 mile to boat ramps at the river. Leader: Bob Jeffers (978) 663-3664, email: Rwjeffers6@aaahawk.com .

August 12 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER, West Newbury (EASY- MODERATE) S2S - Registration Required

Doug Scott from the Lowell’s Boat Shop will be our guest speaker.
This section is broad and tidal. We will stay out of the channel to avoid speeding power boats.
Meet at 9:00am in West Newbury, MA. North on Rte 495, take exit 53. At end of exit go south on Broad Street toward Merrimacport. Right onto River Road and bear left at fork staying on River Rd. Go left over the Rocks Village Bridge, follow curve of the road, then bear right at Y on Church Street; the launching ramp is immediately on your right. Leader: Jack Van Loan (978) 462-8046.

August 13 (Sunday) -- CONCORD RIVER, No. Billerica (EASY)

Enjoy a seldom-paddled, lovely, quiet part of the Concord as it slowly flows along forested and marshy banks between the Talbot Mills dam in North Billerica and the dam in Lowell.
Meet at 10:00am in North Billerica, MA. Route 495 to exit 37, “Woburn St, S. Lowell” (just north of Rte 3). At end of ramp, turn toward No. Billerica. At the end of the street (just after the Billerica train station parking lot) turn right onto Mt. Pleasant, go under the railroad bridge, and bear right at the fork. Go past the mills, over the river, past more mills, and bear right until you reach the fire station on Lowell Street.
Take a right on the dirt road just before the fire station. Leader: Gary Watson (978) 455-6876, email: gwatson6876@comcast.net

August 19 (Saturday) – PEMIGEWASSET RIVER - New Hampton (EASY) S2S - Registration Required - This trip was originally scheduled for May 28 and postponed due to weather conditions.

John Chandler from the Hill Historic Society will be our guest speaker.
A scenic section with some quickwater between New Hampton and Hill. Lunch will be at the site of the
old village of Hill, which was moved when the Franklin Falls flood control dam was built. Hill now has
somewhat of a ghostly atmosphere.
Meet 9:00am in New Hampton, NH. Rte 93 to exit 23, left on Rte 104 west about 5 miles to Bristol; left
into square, immediate left down hill to cross iron bridge, immediate right onto Coolidge Woods Road for about 1 mile to parking lot on left. Leaders: Bill Valentine (603) 893-5006, email: k1wv@yahoo.com., John Bennett (603) 329-8124. Trip Partners: NH Rivers Council.

August 20 (Sunday) -- PENNICHUCK BROOK, Nashua (EASY) Bring fishing rods.

A paddle through the ponds where Pennichuck Corporation will have installed a series of sub-surface water baffles between the Everett Turnpike and Manchester Street. This is a great chance to see the quality of the raw drinking water in the pond. We’ll discuss the goal of these baffles and may be able to observe their effect. Bring lunch and fishing pole. This is the only legal chance you will get to fish the ponds.
Meet 9:00am in Nashua, NH. Everett Turnpike exit 8 to Rte 101A west toward Milford. Approximately one mile after turning onto 101A, (Amherst Street), take right onto Thornton Road (just before NH Voc Tech). After crossing small bridge, keep right at first stop sign. Right at second stop sign onto Tinker Road. Park on either side after bridge. Leader: Allan Fuller (603) 886-5555 days, email: afuller@ftir.com . Trip Partner: Pennichuck Brook Watershed Council.

August 26 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – NEWBURYPORT DINNER CRUISE - S2S - Registration Required

Join us for the final stretch of the “Source to the Sea”. We’ll be taking a dinner cruise out of Newburyport with Captain’s Fishing Parties. We’ll cruise up the Merrimack River then down to the sea while enjoying a delicious dinner and being entertained. Meet at 6:30, (the cruise will not wait), at 10, 82nd Street, Plum Island Point, Newburyport, Ma. From the North: Take Route 95 south to exit 57. At the top of the exit ramp take a left and cross over Route 95. Follow for 4 miles and approximately 7 sets of lights. Take a left onto Rolfes Lane and follow it to the end (3.4 miles). Take a right to Plum Island and cross the bridge continuing straight until the road bears left. Follow it left approximately 1.5 miles to the northern end of the island. We are approximately 15 minutes from exit 57 of Route 95 south. Fee: $35.00 per person. Please make check payable to: Merrimack River Watershed Council, and mail to Gwen Whitbeck (MRWC), 756 Brookline Road, Mason, NH 03048. Registration will be taken on the phone, (603) 878-9046, but not finalized until payment is received. Please register early, this trip will fill up. Also please check in with Gwen or Doug when you arrive.