West River - Radway Hill Bridge to Dummerston Covered Bridge

2nd river trip and 2nd swim of 2022!  West River, VT.  The river was fast, big, and pushy.  Townshend Lake gauge readings 7.14ft and 3290 cfs (!!).  Would not attempt again at this level without closed cockpit/spray skirt.  No cell phone reception so no ubers, I did the bike shuttle back to launch.  It was hilly but also a very pretty ride following Rt 30 to Brook Street and River Road back to Radway Hill Bridge.  Launched into the river beneath the bridge into fast quickwater.  Soon hit several wavy rapids, more like ocean boating.  About 1/2 mile above Rock River, I entered an extremely wavy rapid that swamped my kayak (needed that skirt!).  Once was swamped, I had very little control and balance and the next set of waves sent me in.  I initially held onto the kayak but with the weight of a swamped boat and the speed of the river and cold water temperature, decided to release it and swim for shore.  Luckily, Railroad Lane was right next to the river and I began the long walk (3 mile) back to my car.  About 1 mile above Dummerston, I spied my kayak about 400 ft down a very steep wooded bank, but not knowing how to get down or back up that hill, I continued back to my car.  When I got back to Dummerston Covered Bridge lot, a local Technical Rescue team was performing some river training exercises. I mentioned my plight and about losing the kayak upriver and they kindly offered to retrieve it.  An hour later, two inflatables with 6-8 people on each one came down the river with my kayak aboard.  I thanked them profusely!  

 

Start: Radway Hill Road Bridge, Newfane, VT

End: Dummerston Covered Bridge, Dummerston, VT

Trip length:  6 miles  

Trip duration:  2 hours (1 boating, 1 walking).

 

Beautiful valley in Newfane

 

Radway Hill Road Bridge

 

The put in below the bridge

 

Took a swim a few minutes passing under the power lines

 

Thank you volunteer river rescue team for retrieving my kayak!

 

The beautiful West Dummerston Covered Bridge