MARION RIVER, UTOWANA LAKE, ECKFORD CHAIN paddling

 

May 2, 2004 - UTOWANA LAKE & MARION RIVER canoe camping. Showers & thunderstorms in the forecast so changed original plans to an easy-to-get-to leanto camping destination. As it turned out, we arrived in a shower but day was mostly dry with some afternoon sun - temp in high 60s - shorts weather - some rain after bedtime - leanto leaks in 2 spots on R side (when facing the lake). Utowana has a couple of nice camps but most of shore is undeveloped. Roadnoise intrudes somewhat. Pair of loons, beaver, osprey with fish in claws seen from camp. Purple trillium behind the leanto & leatherleaf flowers on the Marion. Paddled to W end of Utowana - then level 5 minute carry to Marion River. Marion gets wider as one paddles the 3.8 miles to Raquette Lake - we spot an otter. A house to the S is the only development til the lake - cliffs on unnamed mountain to the N. River winds gently thru marsh & bog. Stopped for break at a nice campsite high up on rocks at the lake. Returned - a pontoon boat went by - sure would be nice to ban motors in the Marion River. The bloodcurdling cry of who knows what woke us in the middle of the night - lasted for a couple of minutes - was it a deer being taken down by coyotes? - was it the caterwaul of a bobcat in heat? - we'll probably never know. Bell Canoe Works Merlin II , a 15' solo canoe - wonderful blend of turning ability & tracking, fair primary stability, very good secondary, shouldered tumblehome allows for a narrower paddling station, quiet & efficient, sweet. Stern drags some on sharp turns - I usually start with a good sweep stroke (start close to the bow, finish up at the stern; use upper torso rotation, not just arms) with the canoe leaned down to the outside of turn then go to an offside bow rudder/draw.


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