Potomac Canoe Trip

Buffalobob · 06-25-2010, 16:31

I built this canoe from ripped planks of western red cedar and redwood in 1983. The fiber glass outer shell has been replaced three times over the years. I had not paddled it since 2004 being as I now mostly use a kayak, so I decided to take it out on the Potomac to see if it was worth keeping around. I was dropped off up at Little Orleans in the early afternoon and paddled down the river a little way to a C&O Canal campsite where I stayed the first night.

The next day I paddled 6 miles and stopped for lunch.

After a nap I went on down to White Rock and camped there.

CONT"D

Buffalobob · 06-25-2010, 16:33

I got to White Rock early enough to catch me some dinner so I didn’t starve to death.

From there, I went another 13 miles to Licking Creek and camped again.

The last day was an easy 6 miles to McCoys Ferry. The C&O Canal goes through elevated aqueducts over the streams. On the other side of the river from the canal is a railroad that still uses some old stone arch bridges such as at Cacapon.

The canoe held up fine so maybe next year I will go for more than three days. The nice part about this stretch of the river is that there are no dams to portage and only lazy Class I riffles. During the middle of the week the river is deserted and peaceful.

2018commo · 06-25-2010, 18:36

Memories: I've done the C&O twice as a Scout and took my troop out there in October. We backpacked Paw Paw to Lil Orleans, and the on to Pierre the next day. We may head out there next May to canoe the same segment you did. Thanks for the pics.

ZonieDiver · 06-26-2010, 13:34

Looks like a nice trip, Buffalobob!

Tonight, I am going on a 3 hour "moonlight" kayak on Lake Pleasant's upper reaches. It should be fun, but nothing like your trip. Envious, I am.

BryanK · 06-29-2010, 10:13

Great pictures! I have to do that this fall before my deployment. By any chance did you stop in at Bill's place? I haven't been there since May, and was curious to see if Mr. Bill is still around. I know that launch also, right behind the bridge/Bill's right?

Buffalobob · 06-29-2010, 18:24

I did not stop in at Bills Place but yes the launch is down the road and around the bend from there.

The Fall is a nice time to be on the river.

2018commo · 06-29-2010, 20:20

Bill came down and had dinner with us in October, we had several Dutch Ovens full of chilli. He has a O2 bottle with him now, funny I remember him looking just the same when I was a kid. When I was on the Land Nav Committee at Camp Baker, he always took good care of us.

BryanK · 06-30-2010, 09:42

The trout fishing in that area is great also. When I was up that way in May however, I saw some odd mounts at the Little Orleans campground store. They looked like a trout, but looked mixed with a snakehead and a char. It had a blackish body with orange/red dots, three rows of sharp teeth, the body of a trout, the tail of a snakehead, and the head of a char. About 9-13 inches long. Anyone have any guesses?

11Ber · 07-02-2010, 15:20

I spent 3 of the 4 days I was in MD a few weekends back on the Potomac from Brunswick to Point of Rocks. Great time with the old man. Fishing was surprisingly decent too. We caught around 30 smallmouth and a few cats each time out. Summer always makes me miss the Potomac..

Buffalobob · 07-02-2010, 15:44

Brunswick to Point of Rocks is a great trip. I have made it many times. It got really overfished in the 90's but the size restrictions by Md DNR have brought the fishery back.