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Trip Reports

Patapsco walk Orange Grove to Illchester
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We had nine today, Tony A and sister Nancy, Ginny and Gary Q, George W, John and Kerrie, Barb B. and friend from the area Carl W walked the loop from the Orange Grove lot upstream river left to Illchester Rd., returning downstream river right with an add on trip up to the Cascade above Orange Grove. It was a fine walk mostly on asphalt path through forest, mostly level with some scrambling over downed trees and a nice stretch along the river's edge. Total time 2:30.


We saw the rapids through the Bloede Dam removal site from both sides. The river is rearranging the debris nicely into more recognizable structure. It now looks more like a river and less like a flooded construction site. It is unfortunate that some of the nice boulders stranded on the banks aren't in play. If only we had a beefy club track hoe we could sneak in over a weekend. We could make you some rapids in high water. Looks like we will end up with class 2 drops with a few holes and waves. Results will be heavily level dependent.


The river was at 257 cfs and looked gently runnable. The riffles and rapids look perfect for the goal of facilitating the passage of migrating fish. We were unable to resolve whether the target species were anadromous shad or catadromous eels. Good luck to both.


No groundhogs were observed. Oca Mocha in Arbutus was a good post-walk coffee shop with an exhibit of conservation photos by local artists.

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