Assabet River - Through Maynard

Finally ran the rapids through downtown Maynard!  Water levels were good (Maynard gauge: 2.61 ft, 212 cfs) but would be less scratchy, better run at 3-4 feet.  Put in below the Ben Smith Dam from the small office building parking lot.  Took out at the Elks Lodge 1.5 miles down river.  Had to cut short the originally planned 5-mile trip down to Pine St in West Concord due to lack of ubers and fading daylight (6:15 start, 6:52p sunset).  So I parked at the Elks and walked/jogged the 1.2 miles through Maynard center back up to Ben Smith and my kayak locked to tree.  Series of class II rapids were fun.  Got wet on the very first drop under the 117/62 bridge, but did not swim.  Scraped over the middle rapids and temporarily got stuck on a underwater rock during one of the calm stretches.  The final rapid under the Waltham St bridge was most intense, strong current and a wave train after.  A short but very fun trip on a mild late summer evening.  

 

Start: Ben Smith Dam, Maynard, MA

End: Elks Lodge, Maynard, MA

Trip distance: 1.5 miles,

Trip time: 30 minutes.      

Ben Smith Dam:

Into the quickwater:

 

 

A calm break in the middle:

 

 

Through downtown Maynard:

Lamoille River

Family trip down the lovely Lamoille River.  Rented two 2-person canoes from Vermont Canoe and Kayak who provided a shuttle 6 miles up stream.  Water levels were a little low but managed not to get stuck through a few riffles and shallow sections.  Scenic farmland and views of Mt Mansfield along the way.  Passed the North Lamoille river branch but fallen trees prevented exploration up that branch.  Many sandy beaches along the way, stopped at one near the new bike path for lunch.  Passed under one covered bridge.  Exciting class I rapids to end the trip just before the Route 15 bridge in Jeffersonville. Fun trip.     Start: Foote Drive, Jeffersonville, VT End: Route 15 bridge, Jeffersonville, VT Trip Distance: 6 miles,    Trip time: 3 hours (estimated).