RICKA Flatwater, BVPC and Wilderness Postings

RICKA Flatwater, BVPC and Wilderness Postings
[ RICKA Flatwater, BVPC and Wilderness Postings ]

Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly

Posted by Chuck Horbert on 9/27/2021, 8:46 pm

Cindy and I, along with co-trip leader Roberta Engel, will be leading a paddle along the RI/CT border on the Pawcatuck River. NOTE: The original message had the wrong put-in...we will NOT be putting in from Laurel St...we will be using the new DEM access on Post Office Lane. Look for a sign for "Potter Hill Landing" on Potter Hill Rd just west of the bridge over the river. Post Office Lane is a narrow dirt road...a short ways in from Potter Hill Rd, bear left at the fork and follow it into the parking area. Meet time is 9:30 or earlier to unload, and the vehicle shuttle will leave at 10:00. Masks are required for folks sharing a shuttle ride back to the put-in after most vehicles are left at the take-out.

This is a relatively short (5.5 mile) paddle that is mostly flatwater but has several quickwater and moving water sections as well as a couple short stretches that could be considered Class I (straightforward) rapids. You should be confident in controlling where your boat is going in moving water. The trip will pass by the former site of the White Rock Dam, which was removed about 5 years ago to restore flow into the natural river channel for the first time in almost 100 years.

Our take-out will be the Westerly Boat Ramp on Main St in Westerly. This is a one-way trip, so a vehicle shuttle will be needed. Masks will be required to share a shuttle ride back to the put-in.

Bring a snack, or even lunch if you wish. Cindy and I are planning on a late lunch at The Bridge restaurant in Westerly, near the put-in and anyone else is welcome to join us. If you plan to eat at the bridge but your car will be at the put-in, we recommend making arrangements with another driver who can fit you and your boat on their vehicle and 1) has their car at the take-out and 2) is also planning on eating at the bridge, so that we do not have to run another shuttle before lunch. If this doesn't work out, no worries, we'll just run shuttle first and then eat.

Weather forecast right now is for a partly cloudy day, high of 65...a little cool, so dress appropriately. Change of clothes in a dry bag is recommended.

No need to register for this trip, but parking IS a little tight at Post Office Lane so a courtesy e-mail or reply to this message to let me know you want to attend is appreciated. I have already heard from several folks via e-mail. chorbert13@gmail.com, or text to 418-2838 for any questions.

-Chuck

Re: Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly

Posted by cheryl on 9/28/2021, 7:17 am, in reply to "Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly"

Chuck, Cindy and Roberta

Tom and I will be there!

Re: Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly

Posted by Sharon on 9/28/2021, 7:27 pm, in reply to "Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly"

I'll be there. I'll put my J rack on the car in case someone else wants to have lunch and/or a cold beverage at the bridge and needs to shuttle back to potter hill. Can't wait, thanks!

Weather and Lunch Update

Posted by Chuck Horbert on 9/30/2021, 9:38 pm, in reply to "Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly"

Weather for Sunday is looking very good, and a bit warmer (lower 70's). I've made a reservation for 1:30 pm at The Bridge restaurant for lunch, on the deck, for whomever will be joining us...so if you ARE joining us for sure, let me know. Right now I have lunch confirmation from Mike V, Skye & Steve P, and Sharon D. Most others I think are interested, but I have not been explicitly told they will be coming for lunch.

-Chuck

Re: Weather and Lunch Update

Posted by cheryl on 10/1/2021, 6:34 am, in reply to "Weather and Lunch Update"

Chuck, please count Tom and I for lunch!

Re: Weather and Lunch Update

Posted by José on 10/1/2021, 5:24 pm, in reply to "Weather and Lunch Update"

Looking forward to the paddle and I would love to join you for lunch.

Re: Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly

Posted by Pat Lardner on 10/2/2021, 8:26 am, in reply to "Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly"

I will be there for the paddle but not able to attend the lunch.

Re: Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly

Posted by Steve Norris on 10/2/2021, 3:21 pm, in reply to "Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly"

I will be going and I plan on staying for lunch.

If you need to get in touch with me!

Posted by Chuck Horbert on 10/3/2021, 7:38 am, in reply to "Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly"

My phone appears to be on the blink, so if you need to contact me, contact my wife, Cindy, at 401-440-7916.

-Chuck

Re: Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly

Posted by Dkye on 10/3/2021, 5:13 pm, in reply to "Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly"

Thanks for an excellent trip (with a diverse selection of wildlife) and a great lunch! Here are some photos.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/12507638@N05/N238e1

Re: Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly

Posted by Skye on 10/3/2021, 5:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Pawcatuck River, Potter Hill to Westerly"

The autocorrect is so funny that I’m leaving it. The above post is mine, though.

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[ RICKA Flatwater, BVPC and Wilderness Postings ]