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!

September 9 (Saturday) -- CONTOOCOOK RIVER and Potluck Picnic, Henniker (EASY)

On this section of the Contoocook between Henniker and
Hopkinton, you will have many opportunities to observe many forms of wildlife, as well as the remnants of days gone by, in the form of railroad bankings, bridge abutments, etc. This section is part of the Everett-Hopkinton flood control project.

Meet 10:00am. From Rte 202. go south on 114 in Henniker, through town. Approximately ½ mile on the left past Pat’s Peak (and Intervale Sugar House) is River Road. Go down River Road approximately ¼ mile to the put-in (on left). It is a large parking lot by the river. From the south (northbound on 114), approximately 2 miles past the Weare/Hopkinton town line, turn right onto River Road. Go down the road approximately ¼ mile to the put-in on left. Grill and Hotdogs will be provided. Bring your own plates, etc. If weather looks marginal or a chance of thunderstorms, please call the trip leader between 8am and 9am to see if the trip will be rescheduled. Leader: Tom McIntire (603) 627-2741, email:
tom@clanmcintire.net. Trip Partner: NH Rivers Council.

September 10 (Sunday) -- WINNIPESAUKEE RIVER, Tilton (EASY TO MODERATE)

This popular paddle is always enjoyed by everyone. It offers not only flatwater but a couple of class I-II sections that are class I-II thought to be excellent training for beginners.

Meet 9:00am. Leave Rte 93 at exit 20 (Tilton); go east 1/4 mile to Lakes Region Factory Stores parking lot. Leader: Nancy Gero (603) 895-0274, email: coolcanoechic@comcast.net. Trip Partner: NH Rivers Council.

September 16 (Saturday) -- MERRIMACK RIVER, Boscawen (EASY)

Enjoy our overnight paddle as a day trip. You’ll still have time to enjoy the rope swing and the sandy beaches. You may also choose to visit the Hannah Dustin Memorial at the confluence with the Contoocook River.

Meet at 9:30am in Boscawen, NH. Rte 93 to exit 17, Rte 4W four miles to Rte 3N, 3 ½ miles to ramp marked “Merrimack County Boat Access” on right just past prison. Leaders: Ted Krzesowski (603) 329-8168, email: tedkrz@mailaka.net. Gene Stanphill, email: phillgene@mcttelecom.com. Trip Partner: NH Rivers Council.

September 17 (Sunday) – NASHUA RIVER, Nashua Mine Falls (EASY)

We’ll paddle behind the woolen mills and then up to Mine Falls and then back with the current. The name Mine Falls derives from an attempt in 1680 to mine low quality Galena from the islands below the falls. Galena is almost all lead and includes some zinc and silver. Galena is a natural semiconductor and so the forerunner, the enabler, of all the electronic gadgets we have today.

Meet at 10:00am. in Nashua at the Millyard. From the South: Take exit 5E from the Everett Turnpike (Route 3). Go straight through the stop sign and then follow directions below. There is no shuttle.

From the North: Everett Turnpike to Exit 5E in Nashua, NH. After going back over the turnpike...

Both Directions: Keep going straight following sign to Downtown Shops and Dining. You will be on Kinsley Street. Go through the traffic light at St. Joseph’s hospital, down a hill and past a cemetery on left. At the next traffic light take a left on Pine Street. Go straight thru next light, continue on Pine St. Go straight thru stop sign and continue on Pine Street. Directly in front of you will be a smokestack that says THE MILLYARD on it. Drive towards the smokestack. You’ll see D. F. Shea Company on the left and Furnas on the right. Take road that bears left, then a right on Technology Way. You’ll see a building that says Millyard Technology Park directly in front of you. Continue through the gates,
follow road through another set of gates to the large parking lot. You’ll see a gazebo, some picnic tables along the river bank and then the boat ramp on the left. I have permission to use the boat ramp.

Join us for breakfast! Meet at 9:00am at Martha’s Exchange at 185 Main Street, Nashua at 9:00 Follow above directions, EXCEPT instead of turning left on Pine Street, continue on Kinsley Street until Main Street. Go left on Main Street At second set of lights Bank of NH is on the left. Martha’s Exchange is to the right of the Bank. Take left onto W. Pearl Street before the Bank and Park any where. If
you continue down Pearl Street and take a left on Elm, you can take a left into a parking lot/garage, There are some open air parking spots around the back side of the garage. Walk down the red brick alley way with the mural painted on one wall, go right to Main Street, and then left to Martha’s Exchange. Leaders: Denise Hurt (603) 889-4812, email:
hurt28@charter.net, Sue Sanborn (603) 880-1687, email:
asis72@msn.com.

September 23 (Saturday) -- CONCORD RIVER, Billerica
(EASY)

This Wild and Scenic wide flatwater river lazily flows past the Great Meadows National Wildlife refuge through Billerica, Carlisle, and Bedford.

Meet at 10:00am in Billerica, Rte 3 to exit 28 (Treble Cove Road). Go west toward Carlisle for approximately 1 ¼ miles. Take left onto Nashua Road (Rte 4), for approximately 1 mile to the Concord River. Meet on right before crossing river. Leader: Gary Watson (978) 455-6876, email: gwatson6876@comcast.net.