O.C.T. Bloomington (II-III) May 28th (+29th?)

[bambam]

I'm coordinating a club trip on the North Branch Potomac from Barnum to Bloomington (a.k.a "Bloom") on May 28th. My hope is that someone will step up to run it again the next day to round out the weekend while I skive out of there to run the upper Yough.

For me, the NB Potomac was the perfect step in my path to the lower Yough. It's a dam release so the water level is pretty much guaranteed unless they have so much or so little water that they simply can't do it. The Army Corp of Engineers is quite friendly on this one.

For me, again, this was an introduction to some honest class III rapids without a lot of consequences. Yes, the water is usually cold (dam release). Yes, it's pretty fast.

Yes, you generally don't swim very far. Yes, also, there are features to mess with and surf.

Here's the American Whitewater stuff:

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte ... l/id/2430/

Express an interest here, via private message, whatever, and we'll work out the details.

Don't be shy.

Ken Dubel

[Jackie R]

Count me in.

[bambam]

Got it. I'll post more information as the time approaches.

Ken

[Barb]

Lee & I will be running the North Branch Potomac on Sunday, and the Lower Yough (or Casselman if the level is high) on Monday. It'll be a later put-in (noon or one) for the NB, and an early put in on Monday (before 8 am if we do the Yough, since there are only 4 launch permits still available for the whole morning.)

Let me know if you're interested.

[jeffj]

I'm currently planning on coming and, if so, for Sunday too. I'll confirm by Wednesday. I want to consider the logistics a bit, travel times, where and how to overnight, etc. Would appreciate any info. on where others are staying.

Thanks. Appreciate your setting it up.

[Paddle Daddy]

I am highly probable for Saturday only. What is time to meet, and interested in the camping plan, whether others coming up Friday, etc.

[Dave K]

the camping plan

You guys should stay at my place in Friendsville.

Just a few things to keep in mind while you enjoy your stay:

Boater relations in town are still (and probably will be forever) strained. There’s not a lot we can do to make things better but there are plenty of things we can do to make them worse. A few ways to be a part of the solution when you’re staying at the Triple K:

* If you’re sleeping in your car, you must be parked in the driveway
* You can only park in front of my property along the street by the river or in the driveway. If all of the spots are taken, please park on Maple St. (by Wilderness Voyagers).
* If you’re sleeping in your tent, please set it up in the back yard behind the house so as to have minimal impact on the neighbor’s view shed.
* Please use one of the bathrooms inside the house.
* Be extra nice to everyone you see in town.
* Try to have a minimal impact on the traffic on Water St.
* Gear needs to be hung / stored in the garage and not hung off the porch rail, fence, your vehicle, or laid in the yard for any period of time.
* In general, anything you can do to make it look like less of a gypsy camp is good ( ) and anything you do to make it look like more of a gypsy camp is bad. (:evil:)

If you see someone not doing what I’ve asked, realize that it has an impact on access for the Upper Yough. Feel free to explain the situation to them and ask them to act responsibly.

[Barb]

Triple K is our camping plan - thanks, Dave! There are multiple other campgrounds in the area around Ohiopyle - the state park (Kentuck campgrounds - fairly quiet - no alcohol), Tall Oaks, Benners, Scarlet Knob. I don't know where others are staying.

[Paddle Daddy]

Ok, what's the meeting plan for saturday? Time and location?

[bambam]

Big thanks, Dave K, for opening up the Triple K Ranch.

It's been a long time since I coordinated a NB Potomac trip. Apologies to all in that I dropped the ball regarding the camping thing. Busy times for me in general too. It's a holiday weekend and camping availability will be scarce. More details on that below.

I've heard from folks wanting an early meeting time and from folks wanting a later meeting time so let's meet somewhere in the middle.

11:32. Saturday. At the takeout. It is not okay to just show up for this one, please. Directions below as well.

Civility note: Please drive slowly in town near the takeout and be especially careful about even a hint of public nudity / public drinking.

Temperature note: As mentioned below, the water is usually quite chilly and the air we care about in the three feet above the water is, hence, usually chilly too. Be prepared for that.

Huge thanks to Lee & Barb for stepping up for Sunday and Monday. That makes for a nice progression for folks wanting to step up a bit in difficulty.

Directions to the takeout: You'll need to do a little map work as it depends, of course, on where you are coming from. This river forms the border between MD and WV in western MD. Find your way to Keyser, WV along route 220. Those coming from the North will turn right on route 135 before crossing the North Branch Potomac into WV. Those coming from the South will turn left on route 135 after crossing the river into MD. 135 will zig left then zag right. Take 135 west through Piedmont and Luke. You will find it difficult to ignore the Westvaco plant on your left. A little bit past that and a bridge crosses left over the Savage River just above its confluence with the N.B. Potomac. I THINK this is Bloomington Road. Shortly you turn left on Hammill and turn left again on Owens down a steep gravel hill to the takeout at an enclosed (thank goodness) wastewater treatment plant. The takeout is through a short mowed grassy path. Take note of the arched concrete RR bridge here as it will indicate your takeout.

Shuttle directions: Note there is a $2 fee (at least it was $2 last year?) to park / use the bath house / put on the river at the put in. It's good form to have cash in your pocket when you get there rather than sticking your shuttle driver with the tab (not that this ever happened to me, and, ... , sigh, not that I'm bitter).

For shuttle you make a big U turn. Go out Owens to t/r (turn right) on Hammill. At the stop t/r and go across the Savage. The road turns right and then you turn right again to cross the NB Potomac on 46. Off you go into the wild wonderful blue yonder as 46 winds and turns its way above and around some creek. (Piney Swamp Run per my map.) Pay attention as 46 will go from paved to gravel and back, seem to open up but hit a switchback, and make a mysterious right turn. Watch for a collection of signs mentioning the word "Barnum". When you see them, turn right on Barnum Road. This will take you down, down, down, to the put-in which is a well-organized yet plain-and-simple park-type thing. Admission is two bucks per head. There is a bath house for changing and such but watch out for the bees in the buttercups!

Camping details: Friendsville is probably a strong 45 minutes from Bloomington, maybe an hour. You might score lodging closer if so inclined. From some old notes: [Prices are a little out of date but should be close.]

Camping notes: Camp at the Robt W. Craig campground. From the takeout continue on 46 past the Barnum signs to the campground signs (not far). www.reserveusa.com/nrrs/wv/robe/. (877)444-6777 for reservations. (304)355-2346 for the campground. KOA grade facilities. Mostly electric sites at $18 per night, some non at $12 per night. Entirely adequate, except for the lack of a weather-control machine. There is a link to other campgrounds on the web site.

Alternative: The Pines Inn in Keyser. Basic rooms with two double beds for $40 / night. Sorry, didn't catch a phone number.

Alternative: Big Run campground. Per a post from Mothra, "as you travel west on MD 135 just past the confluence of the Savage and Potomac, make a right onto Savage River Road. There's some very primitive roadside camping on the right several miles up the road or you can drive the full 10 miles up to Big Run Campground above the Savage Reservoir." Traditional dinner is at the Stray Cat in Keyser.

Clear as mud?

Ken Dubel

[Paddle Daddy]

Perfectly. Thanks for organizing everything Ken, and I look forward to seeing you Saturday morning. In case it is needed my cell is eight zero four eight five two two four eight zero.

[STRAKER]

There is also Abrams creek campground this is about ten min from the put in and has very nice streamside tent sites if still available

[bwalsh]

One thing to keep in mind if paddling the NB. This was posted May 16th...

http://www.monocacyboard.org/mboard/msg/11905.html

It may be gone by now but don't assume. Have a fun weekend!

[bambam]

One thing to keep in mind if paddling the NB. This was posted May 16th...

http://www.monocacyboard.org/mboard/msg/11905.html

It may be gone by now but don't assume. Have a fun weekend!

"Paddled the NB Sunday and we had a close call. There is a large tree that has fallen from the right bank just below the second ledge/drop. The main flow of the river goes toward the river right there and the tree is at the end of a sweeping left curve, so it's difficult to see until you come around that bend and then it's right there. The tree is halfway across the river and almost completely across the main flow. ....."

Yeah, I saw that one, but don't know quite where "the second ledge / drop" might be. Always keeping an eye out anyway but it's nice to have a heads up.

Ken

[bambam]

There is also Abrams creek campground this is about ten min from the put in and has very nice streamside tent sites if still available

Thanks for the tip, Chris, looks like a decent campground but my maps say it's more like 35 - 40 minutes from Barnum. I found a link here:

http://www.abramscreek.com/

That campground would, however, put folks in a good position to hit stuff like the Kitzmiller section of the NB Potomac (significantly more difficult than the Bloomington section and not dam controlled) along with tasty portions of the Cheat watershed.

Ken