Trip Reports

Too cold in November to paddle? Not for eight ever-hardy Thursday Paddlers, five of whom paddled the Potomac from Anglers Inn to Lock 10 and three of whom attained upstream from Anglers. Downriver group: Mark Brenneman and Ken Jackson in kayaks (welcome to the Thursday group, Ken!) and Ginny Quam, Gary Quam, and Larry Lempert in open boats. Upstream group: Gus Anderson, John Snitzer, and Howard Morland in kayaks. Air temperature in the high 30s, topping out at about 40, and water temperature in the low 40s, water level 3.03 (3010 cfs) on the Little Falls gauge, putting in a little after noon. Reporting on the downriver trip, I can say we enjoyed quite a bit of sunshine, felt quite comfortable, and were mightly glad to be on the river in November. Some good moves were to be had at Yellow Falls. We took note that at this low water level, Stubblefield actually became more of a distinct drop than we were accustomed to and presented some good surfing waves. Thanks to Barb Brown, who made an appearance at the put-in and graciously brought all the drivers back at the outset, we all were able to head home directly from the takeout at Lock 10, having arrived there at about 2:40 p.m.