I live in RI, but I love paddling in CT. There are so many nice rivers in east/central CT. The big ones get paddled a lot – the Quinebaug, the Natchaug, the Willimanitc, the Farmington. But there are lots of smaller tributaries to these bigger rivers that don’t get paddled as often. I got on one yesterday – Bigelow Brook in Eastford, CT.
Bigelow Brook arises at the Mashapaug Lake in Union, CT and flows generally south/southeast about 12-miles to Eastford, CT where it joins with the Still River to form the Nachaug River. We would be running the section from Westford Road to the Natchaug State Forest – about 6 miles. Nothing too challenging here. The river twists and turns through pretty woodlands lined with Hemlock trees and Mountain Laurel. It is mostly quickwater with some easy class I/II rapids. Dodging rocks and staying in the deepwater channel was the order of the day. We continued downstream past the confluence with the Still River and on to the Natchaug River. Few pictures here:
The Natchaug is best known for the class IV drops at Diana’s Pool, but there is some easier class II paddling above and below. I’d like to get back and paddle those sometime. Another 2-3 inches of rain coming today, so hopefully the rivers that come up will last until next weekend when I can paddle again. Or maybe I should take another day off.
Bigelow Brook arises at the Mashapaug Lake in Union, CT and flows generally south/southeast about 12-miles to Eastford, CT where it joins with the Still River to form the Nachaug River. We would be running the section from Westford Road to the Natchaug State Forest – about 6 miles. Nothing too challenging here. The river twists and turns through pretty woodlands lined with Hemlock trees and Mountain Laurel. It is mostly quickwater with some easy class I/II rapids. Dodging rocks and staying in the deepwater channel was the order of the day. We continued downstream past the confluence with the Still River and on to the Natchaug River. Few pictures here:
The Natchaug is best known for the class IV drops at Diana’s Pool, but there is some easier class II paddling above and below. I’d like to get back and paddle those sometime. Another 2-3 inches of rain coming today, so hopefully the rivers that come up will last until next weekend when I can paddle again. Or maybe I should take another day off.
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