Hi folks - I made it over to check out the section of the Charles above the Natick Dam. The river looks shallow and weedy, and the put-in isn't the best.

I am moving this trip downstream to the section below the Natick Dam - Needham to Wellesley. Susan E did this trip many times putting in at Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley. We are going to put in downstream at Charles River Peninsula in Needham and paddle upstream. Not that there is much current, but I prefer to paddle upstream first.

Here is the new trip description:

September 3rd - meet at 10:00 for a 10:15 launch
Charles River – Needham to Wellesley
Trip coordinator: Erik Eckilson - 617-794- 0378 eckilson@cox.net

We will put-in at the Charles River Peninsula (Fisher Street, Needham, MA) and paddle upstream into the “Bays Region” of the Charles. The river flows through a mix of marsh and woodland and is relatively undeveloped except for some large houses. It is a 5-mile trip up to the Elm Bank Reservation (900 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA), which is the best place to stop for lunch. Long boats are better for this trip. Bring a lunch.

Google Maps link to Charles River Peninsula
https://www.google.com/maps/dir//42.2603509,-71.2653355/@42.2603296,-71.3353754,14664m/data=!3m1!1e3

Trustees of Reservations website for the Charles River Peninsula
https://thetrustees.org/place/charles-river-peninsula/

Nearest address is 87 Fisher Street, Needham, MA, which is across the street. The entrance is near the intersection of Fisher Street and Russel Road.

Weather looks nice - sunny and in the low 80's, some ind in the afternoon. Anyone wants to paddle tandem let me know. Otherwise I am bringing my sea kayak