The run is short and the shuttle is quick so it sets up well for multiple runs. Normally I make 2 runs on Saturday and 1 run on Sunday. As always plan on it being cold. The 10 day forecast is calling for sunshine and temps in the 50's.
The closest motel is in Doylestown, about 20 minutes, here's the link:
There is primitive camping at the takeout. I believe the Ralph Stover State Park as well as the Tohickon Valley County Park are closed for the season. I would be glad to confirm that if anyone is interested.
Please contact me (PM or email) if your planning on coming. I will cancel if there is lack of interest
Hey Tom!
Thanks for offering to coordinate this trip. I'm not sure I want to drive 6 hours north... I'm curious....what about this trip makes it worth the drive?
I would like to make it up for this. A few people from cboats are planing to be there and it would be fun to paddle with them. I am however without transportation at this moment so getting to PA would be hard.
For me, the Tohickon is like going home. When I first began paddling back in the 90's I was living just outside of Philadelphia. Whitewater is hard to find in South Jersey and after some research I discovered the Tohickon. Unfortunately, the Tohickon only releases twice a year and unless you live close by, its very difficult to catch with water.
After suffering some serious "beatdowns" on the Tohickon early in my career, I came to appreciate the beauty and rapids of this creek.
As far as difficulty, the Monocacy web site rates it slightly easier the the Lower Yough. I would concur with that. What makes it fun is that the rapids are predominately ledges that need to be run in specific places with vigorous runouts that must be negotiated. These rapids are quite different in character from the Yough although they are comparable in difficulty. Release levels of 750cfs, with the "creekiness" of a small riverbed make for fast water, similar in some respects to the Nantahala or Bloomington.
Another attribute is the shuttle is short and easy so it sets up well for multiple laps.
And finally, the proximity to the major cities of the Northeast opens up many opportunites for "foodies" to satify their tastes.
To me, the Tohickon is a stream that is a definite "skill builder". An opportunity for "hard" moves on "easy" rivers.
Tougher than Bloomington, easier thean the Yough. I'd like to see more of these type of trips scheduled. Unfortunately it seems to me that the club has plenty of trips for the class 3-4 paddlers, plenty of trips for the class 1-2 paddlers but few in the class 2-3 middle.
I have scheduled club trips to the Tohickon for both March & November releases for the last few years and will continue to do so. Hopefully, I'll get some interest
open boater wrote:I'd like to see more of these type of trips scheduled. Unfortunately it seems to me that the club has plenty of trips for the class 3-4 paddlers, plenty of trips for the class 1-2 paddlers but few in the class 2-3 middle. I have scheduled club trips to the Tohickon for both March & November releases for the last few years and will continue to do so. Hopefully, I'll get some interest
Keep at it, little fella.
I bet if you said there was a slice of carrot cake for the first 5 people who signed up if at least 5 people signed up, you'd get plenty of interest.
I note that, typically, there is a Bloomington release the weekend of Cheat Fest. Should I have Ronnie put you down?
OK, first five to sign up get a slice of Dave's Favorite Carrot cake!
Sure, I'd be glad to lead a Bloomington trip for Sunday of Cheat Fest weekend. Hopefully I'll be paddling the Cheat on Saturday.
open boater wrote:OK, first five to sign up get a slice of Dave's Favorite Carrot cake!
Sure, I'd be glad to lead a Bloomington trip for Sunday of Cheat Fest weekend. Hopefully I'll be [s]paddling the Cheat[/s] firing up the Upper Yough on Saturday.
1. Fixed and
2. What happened to this (although a Sunday NB trip is better than no NB trip)?
open boater wrote:I'd like to see more of these type of trips scheduled. Unfortunately it seems to me that the club has plenty of trips for the class 3-4 paddlers, plenty of trips for the class 1-2 paddlers but few in the class 2-3 middle.
BTW, don't go thinking that just because I'm trying to make the Club more inclusive that it's OK for you to start doing it, too.
I appreciate the correction to the Upper Youghand look forward to it.
Sorry, but Sunday will have to work for Bloomington.
But that's exactly my point. Working the class 2-3 rivers hard gives you the opportunity to confidently step up to the Cheat or Upper Yough or for that matter, from Bloomington to the Lower Yough
Not, "step-up" in a sphincter fit or following someone so closely it looks like a Topo-Duo, but paddling confidently down challenging whitewater.
I'm all for "inclusive". Maybe together we can make a difference
open boater wrote:
.... To me, the Tohickon is a stream that is a definite "skill builder". An opportunity for "hard" moves on "easy" rivers.
Tougher than Bloomington, easier thean the Yough. I'd like to see more of these type of trips scheduled. Unfortunately it seems to me that the club has plenty of trips for the class 3-4 paddlers, plenty of trips for the class 1-2 paddlers but few in the class 2-3 middle. ....
Quoting you mildly out of context, I'll start a new thread on that part.
One point left out of the description, is the fact that if the sun is out and the temps are mild (fall release) you can expect to see between 800-1600 boaters on the water over the course of the day. Every level, every color and type of craft......great fun.
