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!

May 6 (Saturday) – PROFILE LAKE , Franconia (EASY) S2S – Registration Required
This small, clear body of water is the headwaters of the Pemigewasset River. Directly below the Old Man
Historic Site, it is often called the Old Man’s Washbowl. Join us for a ceremonial paddle across the lake where a bottle will be filled with water that will be transported by each trip leader on their section of the “Source to the Sea”.
Meet at 10:30am at Profile Lake in Franconia, NH. North on Everett Turnpike/Rte 93 to exit 34B toward Cannon Mountain Tramway/Old Man Historic Site. Go south to the parking area and sign for “Profile Lake/Old Man Historic Site”. Trip Leaders: Gwen and Doug Whitbeck (603) 878-9046.

May 6 (Saturday) – THE BASIN, Franconia (EXTREMELY DIFFICULT) S2S
The beautiful waterfall at the Basin, has at its base a granite pothole 20 ft in diameter. It is believed to have been eroded 15,000 years ago while the North American ice sheet was melting. It has been smoothed by small stones and sand whirled around by the Pemigewasset River. Below the Basin is a water eroded rock formation called the Old Man’s Foot.
This section will be run only by Class V kayakers from the Merrimack Valley Paddlers. Those of us not paddling will have the opportunity to watch and take pictures. This section is dependent on the water level. Trip Leader: Butch Mixon, Trip Partner: NH Rivers Council, Merrimack Valley Paddlers

May 7 (Sunday) -- PEMIGEWASSET RIVER, Upper Section , No. Woodstock (MODERATE) S2S Registration Required
The most challenging of our 4 Pemi trips. This section includes class II rapids, sharp turns and the opportunity to practice maneuvering around possible fallen trees or large rocks.
Meet 9:30am. From Rte 93 north or south to exit 32 (Lincoln), take a right (west) at the end of the exit ramp. Less than half a mile take a right into the public parking lot just before the traffic light at the intersection of Rte 3. Leaders: Sharon and Mark Lacroix (603) 726 -3701. email: salcrx@direcway.com or mwlcrx@direcway.com. Call to confirm trip, depends on water level. Trip Partner: NH Rivers Council.

May 13 (Saturday) -- PEMIGEWASSET RIVER, Thornton (EASY) S2S - Registration Required
A quick-water section that passes by sand banks that house swallows and a few homes that have endured high spring water. The calmer flatwater sections pass by small beaches and swimming holes enjoyed by nearby campgrounds and area residents.
Meet at 9:00am in Thornton, NH. Rte 93 north to exit 29 (Campton/Thornton). Take a left (north) on Rte 3 at the end of the exit ramp. Approximately 3 miles after the intersection with Cross Rd take a right on to Robin’s Nest Rd. , proceed over the railroad tracks then back under Cross Rd. bridge to the riverside parking area. Leaders: Mark & Sharon Lacroix (603) 726-3701, email: salcrx@direcway.com or mwlcrx@direcway.com. Trip Partner: NH Rivers Council.

May 14 (Sunday) -- BAKER RIVER, Lower Section, (EASY)
This lower section of the Baker offers a little quickwater and flatwater. You’ll paddle in clear water and be able to view its sandy bottom.
Meet 9:30am. Rte 93, exit 26 to Rte 25/3A west. Continue on Rte 25 beyond traffic circle for approximately 4 miles to Rumney rest area. Leader: Earl Flanders (603) 536-5652. Trip Partners: Pemi-Baker River Adventures and NH Rivers Council. Call in advance for rentals or email: efkayaks@worldpath.net.

May 20 (Saturday) -- BAKER RIVER, Upper Section (MODERATE)
A small river that offers a combination of flatwater, quickwater, and short class I – II rapids. The crystal clear water allows a view of the sandy bottom or small-pebbled areas that resemble mosaic tile.
Meet 9:30am. Rte 93, exit 26 to Rte 25/3A west. Continue on Rte 25 beyond traffic circle for approximately 4 miles to Rumney rest area. Leader: Earl Flanders (603) 536-5652. Trip Partners: Pemi-Baker River Adventures and NH Rivers Council. Call in advance for rentals or email: efkayaks@worldpath.net.

May 21 (Sunday) DEMO DAY - CONTOOCOOK RIVER CANOE, LLC, Concord
This will be a day of opportunity! Try that kayak or canoe that you’ve been wanting!
Hours: 10am to 4pm. It will be the largest on water demo in the state of NH. There will be 16 to 20 factory reps. on site and over 200 canoes and kayaks that can be test paddled on the Contoocook River. There will also be a sale going on that day with all canoes, kayaks and accessories on sale. Manufacturers attending will be Borel Kayak, Current Design Kayak, Valley Kayak, Impex Kayaks, Eddyline Kayak, Necky Kayak, Old Town Kayak, Perception Kayak, Dagger Kayak, Wilderness Systems Kayak, Liquidlogic Kayak, Bell Canoe, Old Town Canoe, Wenonah Canoe, Vermont Canoe and Mad River Canoe.

From I-93 North and South, take Exit 15W. At the second set of lights, take a right hand turn (45 degree turn) onto North Main Street (Rt. 3 North). Continue on this road past the NH State Prison until you come to a fork in the road. Bear left at the fork onto Fisherville Road (Rt. 3 North). Take a left onto Bog Road, which is 2.2 miles from the Prison. At the end of Bog Road, continue straight over the bridge onto Horse Hill Road. Contoocook River Canoe Company, LLC is the first building on the left. (603) 753-9804. www.contoocookcanoe.com.

May 27 (Saturday) -- PEMIGEWASSET RIVER, Plymouth (EASY) S2S - Registration Required
An attractive section that includes shallow areas with sandy banks and bottom. Most of the trip has good current, changing to flatwater behind Ayers Island Dam.
Call first. Meet 9:00am in Plymouth, NH. Rte 93 to exit 25 to Plymouth. As soon as you cross the river, turn left onto Green St. Launch is on left just past Court House. Leader: Earl Flanders (603) 536-5652. Trip Partners: Pemi-Baker River Adventures and NH Rivers Council. Call in advance for rentals or email:
efkayaks@worldpath.net.

May 27 (Saturday) -- SQUANACOOK RIVER, W. Groton (EASY)
This trip is ideal for beginners, but the scenery, beauty, and wildlife will not let down experienced paddlers. There is no shuttle. It is an up and back trip on a narrow winding stream with some beautiful marshes, and with very little current. We paddle to the site of a former small mill town called Thompsonville, now referred to as Bertozzi Wildlife Management Area. We will take a walking tour of the site before paddling back to the H & V millpond.
Meet at 9:30am at the West Groton Water Department on Townsend Road in West Groton. Heading towards Townsend, take the first left after the H & V mill on the left, and the playing fields on the right. (Coming from W. Groton Center). It is a short, narrow, paved road that takes you back to the H & V millpond. Parking is on left. Leader: Neal Menschel (978) 448-8699 days. Trip Partner: Nashoba Paddler.
Rentals available; call in advance.

Postponed !! May 28 (Sunday) – PEMIGEWASSET RIVER - New Hampton (EASY) S2S - Registration Required has been postponed to August 19.
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.

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