Thawing out on the Eno River, NC

[MrPoling]

It has been unusually cold here in the Carolinas. There has been lots of ice. We even had several weeks where the temperature rarely exceeded freezing.

I tried poling in early January, but it was too cold. Ice formed on the pole, dry bag, inside, and outside of the canoe. It was a mess.

Maybe there were a few days I could have paddled, but they weren't days I could get away from everything else.

It has warmed up now. I've paddled on the Eno the last two days, including a mild down-river day trip. The are only a few patches of ice left.

The beaver have a new dam on the Eno along Historic Occoneechee Speedway.


You can see a fresh red erosion scar on the left above the dam. I think this is chunks of frozen dirt and ice breaking from the bank and tumbling into the river.

The pond is a pleasant place to paddle, winding about a 1/2 mile up the river.


There is alot of history along the Eno. This old car was discarded along the river.


I hope everyone gets back on the water soon.

 

[Robin]

That’s a nice looking river, does it stay wooded like that for long? Thanks for sharing those pics.

 

[MrPoling]

Yes, the Eno is mostly wooded. Eno River State Park stretches most of the way from Hillsborough to Durham. This is the best paddling and includes a class 2-3 gorge.

This section is forested except for expensive and well kept homes. The bank is frequently rocky and covered in laurel. It feels like somewhere father north.


Above Hillsborough there is more farm land, but these sections are not pleasant paddling because of constant downed trees and difficult access.

Hillsborough has a river front brewery, parks, a greenway, and some houses.

There are lots of old industrial structures. The drainage includes hundreds of mill ruins. There are at least three breached concrete dams from the 1900s.

On the other side of Durham the river winds into Falls Lake. This area is mostly game lands, and is full of beaver ponds, birds, and open water.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Thanks for the mid-winter paddle report and the pictures. Were you in your MR Explorer or what?

 

[Mason]

I paddled the Eno while in college in 1979, with my geology professor (and wished I had taken more geology!). And then went to the Eno River Festival and listened to Doc and Merle Watson, may they rest in peace! Fun times.