RICKA Flatwater

RICKA Flatwater
[ RICKA Flatwater ]

Pawcatuck River

Posted by D on 9/7/2008, 6:44 pm
24.129.184.118

Using information from WPWA river guide and even speaking with an Environmental Policeman did not prepare us for the harrowing experience we survived on Friday, Sept.5th.
Please warn anyone you know who plans this trip that at least this time of year it is a fruitless trip to make. We really could have been seriously hurt or not survive at all.
We started off at Taylor’s landing down the Chipuxet River to Worden Pond. Although passable we came across at least five Beaver Dam, one of which caused me to overturn my kayak. Crossing Worden Pond on a slightly breezy day was a workout but certainly doable and probably the more pleasant part of the trip. After asking a local we were able to find the opening to the Pawcatuck River. The water was low but we thought passable but what we encountered was blow downs all along the route and I don’t just mean a few. We had to continuously climb onto trees and portage the kayaks over them and then try to maneuver getting back into the kayak. It was not a safe situation and we were dumped too many times to even count. There was also one area with too many blow downs to even consider getting over and had to bushwhack through the woods to find a place to get back onto the river. Here the ground muck was so soft it swallowed us up to our waists before we hung on to the kayak and my partner had to pull me out and then I had to pull him out. I would not be surprised if people have disappeared in this area. I am not exaggerating when I say this is dangerous. The whole trip took us 9 hours. Thank goodness we only came out of it with scratches and bruises. I have had many backwoods experiences in my lifetime but I must say that this was the worst. I felt a need to pass this information along to help prevent anyone from taking on this challenge. I’m sure that at other times of the year when the river is higher that some of what we encountered might not be a factor but quite a bit of the river is difficult and could be challenging for even the most experienced kayaker. The part of the river closest to civilization was pleasant and you could tell had been tended to. That was probably the last half mile before coming to the first house on the river.

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Re: Pawcatuck River

Posted by Chuck on 9/18/2008, 1:04 pm, in reply to "Pawcatuck River"
158.123.57.146

Huh...I'm surprised that you didn't mention all the poison ivy on this run! Or maybe you have since found out about it....

I wouldn't give up on this stretch, though. It is usually one of the best widerness-type trips to be had in the state. But a little preparation is definitely in order.

First, any boat 14 to 15 feet in length is going to have problems on this river, except in very experienced hands. Narrow channel, very sharp corners, lined with (as mentioned above) poison ivy. Know what poison ivy looks like! In this swamp you will find all three varieties: ground vine, climbing vine and standing shrub.

Second (especially considering the beaver dams and the blowdowns) canoes, or short kayaks with very large cockpits (or even sit-on-tops) would be my boat of choice, for the ease of getting in and out of the boat.

Third, expect to be wet and muddy, and dress for it. If you can manage it, bring along a hand saw or brush clippers.

Fourth, look at the weather report. If it is expected to be very windy, especially from the south or west, Worden Pond can be a dangerous place.

We did a group trip in early June (mid to late spring is the best time to hit this stretch) and encountered the beaver dams first. The trip leader took about 5 minutes at each dam to remove some sticks and mud to create a small "chute" that everyone managed to paddle over without issue. Again, if you plan on climbing over them, hopefully you have a boat that is easy to get in and out of. Worden Pond was quite windy, but most manged to get across without any issues.

Then the blowdowns! You are right, these are no fun. But I was one of 2 canoeists (out of a total of about a dozen or more boats) and we had a much easier time of it than the kayakers. Sounds like there may be a few more blowdowns now since this spring. Also sounds like we may need to get in to do an old-fashioned river clean-up with chain saws. Any volunteers? I'm in.

You didn't say how experienced you were or what type of boats you were in, but if you were in long kayaks with standard cockpits, I'm not surprised at your difficulties. But give this trip a second chance, especially if someone can get out there to do a clean-up! Also, thank those beavers...without them, I doubt you would have had enough water to even get to Worden Pond in September.

-Chuck

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