Middle Creek - Saturday - May 5, 2012

[RB]

Middle Creek
Organizer: Mary Klaue
Telephone: 570-837-0200
River Classification: I
Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012

Middle Creek flows thru the center of Snyder County. The section of the creek that we do
has wild flowers covering both banks. Depending on when spring arrives, we might just
have a lovely paddle thru spring woods OR we might see columbine, spring beauties, adders tooth,
violets, Virginia bluebells etc. Animals abound along this stream - mink, ospreys, an occasional eagle,
hawks, owls, pilated woodpeckers, deer, raccoons, groundhogs, squirrels etc.
This is a class I scenic stream but there are several tricky sections.

http://www.ccghpa.com/sched_trips.html

[Chris H]

Looks like the weather for Saturday is going to be nice and warm with the typical chance of thunderstorms.  This is my second favorite club creek trip of the year (my favorite is Sherman's Creek but I'm a little biased).  In addition to a nice variety of  scenic landscapes, and ample opportunity to spot wildlife, this trip promises to give us a variety of wildflowers in bloom along the stream banks.  Judging from the wildflowers blooming in this area my guess is there will be a good display this year.  So pack up the chips and salsa for your Cinco de Mayo celebration, load up the boat, and join us for a fun and scenic paddle.
 
The trip organizer, Mary Klaue will meet us at the Bridgeside Cafe, 127 S Main St, Middleburg, PA at 1:00 Saturday.  Just plug this address into mapquest or google maps and you will get good directions.  For the technologically challenged here are directions:  Take Rt 11/15 north towards Selinsgrove.  Turn left on Rt. 104 North (about 15 miles north of the Rt322 / 11/15 interchange).  Go 12 miles on Rt 104 to Middleburg. Turn left onto 522 in Middleburg, cross the bridge over Middlecreek, and immediately turn right into the Bridgeside Café resturant.  Please park as far away from the restaurant as possible.

Anyone from the Harrisburg area that want to carpool / caravan to the put-in meet at Ft Hunter park parking lot at 11:30; we will leave by 12:00.

Call or email Mary and let her know if you will be joining the paddle.  Mary Klaue, mklaue1@verizon.net, 570-837-0200.  So far there are six participants plus Mary.  The weather looks great so join us.   

[JK4Fun]

Dee & I will see you at the Bridge Cafe 1:00pm

[JK4Fun]

http://s1046.photobucket.com/albums/b465/mike0129_photo/Middle%20Creek%205-5-2012/

[shaman11]

Nice pics Mike...what is Dee paddling?

[Chris H]

Trip Report (Since Mary bribed me with dinner I told her I'd do the trip report - I think I got the better end of the bargain) 


The crew ready to hit the water.

We had 13 paddlers for the Middle Creek trip.  There was a wide variety of boats at the put-in including a tandem canoe, a couple of touring style kayaks, a couple of whitewater kayaks some rec kayaks and two solo canoes.  After a packed shuttle ride (wait to you see the shuttle photo that Karl is going to post) the crew hit the water.  The weather was perfect and the water temp was cool but not uncomfortable (good thing).  Middle Creek has a reputation for putting people in the water and it lived up to the reputation again this year.  The turns and strainers require the ability to make turns and move your boat laterally.  The low hanging tree branches (and giant spiders) claimed a couple of victims but the water was not deep, or too cold, so all survived.  The highlight of the trip was the Cinco de Mayo chips and salsa Lisa shared with all at the break, sorry no bears on this trip.  Oh and there was chocolate and chocolate covered almonds, and ... and ... you get the idea, everyone shared all their treats - you shoulda been there.  Below is a link to more pictures.  Put this trip on your list for next year and go paddle something.
   
http://s799.photobucket.com/albums/yy277/holladcd/CCGH%20Middlecreek%20Trip%205%20May%202012/?action=view&current=P5050135.jpg

[JK4Fun]

Nice pics Mike...what is Dee paddling?

The JK Zen.

[WindWalker]

Maybe Mikey found a buyer for the Zen? 

[Chris H]

It appeared to make a pretty good rec boat.

[shaman11]

Enjoyed your trip report and pics Chris.

I was also wondering if the Zen was sold yet...Dee looks pretty good in it!