NORTH BRANCH MOOSE RIVER paddling

 


August 8, 2024 - NORTH BRANCH MOOSE RIVER paddling, from Carter Rd downstream to Green Bridge Rd in Old Forge. Set up a shuttle - a 9.5-mile drive between start & finish. Carter Rd put-in is on river R upstream of the bridge. Meandering stream with wild shores for ~10 miles. Sometimes steeper wooded shores (black spruce), sometimes shrubby (alders), sometimes grassy with Joe Pye Weed flowering. White meadowsweet was also flowering. Lots of sandy banks for breaks along the way. Went under the North St bridge at 5.7 miles (the trip could be shortened by taking out or putting in here but you would be missing some of the best parts). We took one shortcut. To me, the river looked like a cross between the Cedar River above the CRFlow & the rivers of the NJ Pine Barrens. Note that shores are private land - state land (Fulton Chain Wild Forest) is on river L further downstream. Signs warn of the upcoming carry around rapids. The 0.2-mile carry is on the L - barely wheelable, so it could be easier to just carry. The trail crosses the river on a bridge & takes a L soon coming to more flat water. You may be too busy to notice the golf course on the R. Not long before meeting the Middle Branch where you take a R & can see the NY 28 bridge & Mountainman outfitter store. Started raining so we paused under the bridge and then pushed on to the take-out on river R before the bridge. Very nice paddling especially from Carter Rd to the carry. An owl flew across in front of me; hawks, lots of birdies. Waterboatmen danced on the water's surface. The current was going ~1 mph. 13 miles, 5.1 hours. We did not see anyone else until the carry. There were more paddlers below the carry because one can paddle upstream due to the very light current.








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