Up the Cedar

[bobpbx]

Cedar Creek has some good features many other Pine Barren streams do not. First, no active bogs dump into it where we canoe. Also, it is a clear and fast running stream due to its short length and the pristine headwaters area. The cedar seems to gain a lot of its strength directly from the aquifer rather than from rain and/or rain seepage from the ground. Even in a drought it flows fairly strong.

Some time this month I plan to canoe upstream from Dover Forge to Lacey Road (or possibly even Bamber Lake).

Why? Because it seems like a FUN thing to do. I want to explore a bit and jump out of the canoe now and then and feel the creek's cool freshness.

Its more fun if others come, we can have a few laughs and help each other lift and push the canoes over the rough spots. Be prepared to get messy and wet.

Afterwards, we can have a beer and maybe a hotdog or hamburger from the grill at my house.

I figure 4-5 hours tops, 30 minutes to shuttle our canoes to Dover Forge, two or three hours on the river, and an hour and a half or so on my porch.

Anyone game....Hmmm? You need your canoe or kayak. Let me know, I'll set a date. I'm thinking the 24th, and I'm also thinking the date is very flexible due to the weather. Hopefully when Guy comes back since he might like to come.

bob (ps, I only have one canoe, if Guy comes he'll go with me. I know he doesn't have one).

[BEHR655]

Sounds like fun but I'd have to come up with a canoe or kayak by then.

Steve

[TeeGate]

Bob,

I will come, but there is a possibility that the 24th is taken for me and I believe Steve also. I will get back to you tomorrow (Saturday) on that.

Guy

[bobpbx]

No problem........I am real flexible on the date and time........bob 8)

[bobpbx]

Sounds like fun but I'd have to come up with a canoe or kayak by then.Steve

I thought you might have one Steve. I hope you find one......if I can find someone down here who has one I'll try to borrow thiers.......bob

[BEHR655]

Sounds like fun but I'd have to come up with a canoe or kayak by then.Steve

I thought you might have one Steve. I hope you find one......if I can find someone down here who has one I'll try to borrow thiers.......bob

I can borrow one from my sister if she will not be using it. Also, Sundays work much better for me.

[bobpbx]

How about Sunday the 1st Steve? (as a target date)

[BEHR655]

How about Sunday the 1st Steve? (as a target date)

Works for me.

[Lorun]

I would like to join you on your trip. I have a 14 foot aluminum canoe I can bring along. I Will need someone to help paddle if we are going upstream.

Ron

[bobpbx]

Okay Ron, good to have you along. We'll know better the last week before the trip how this will run and how many canoes are needed. Perhaps if Bear does not end up getting his sister's he can ride with you.........bob

[pinelandpaddler]

always wanted to do the Cedar. Count me in too!

Gabe

[bobpbx]

always wanted to do the Cedar. Count me in too! Gabe

Okay Gabe, good. I do want to remind you though, this is not the traditional easy-going cedar trip, we are going upstream about 2 miles.

Heres how it stacks up. Ron's post about not canoeing alone is food for thought. It can be done, but is much less strenuous and hassle-free if you have help:

Bob, Guy, Bear, Ron, Gabe.

So far we have 2 canoes lined up.

Gabe, do you have one to bring?

[TeeGate]

Since the time is getting near, lets update. It is on for Sunday the 1st, and Bob, Steve, and I are going for sure. There appears to be at least one other going that the three of us know, so it looks like we are covered for canoes. Not certain as of yet.

Ron and Gabe are you still going?

Bob..where do you want to meet, and what time?

Guy

[Lorun]

I am still up for going. Not sure if one of the people mentioned plans to share my canoe. Let me know. Otherwise I will try to find someone else to come along and help paddle. :friday:

[TeeGate]

I am still up for going. Not sure if one of the people mentioned plans to share my canoe. Let me know. Otherwise I will try to find someone else to come along and help paddle. :friday:


Ok. It appears Steve may have a conoe lined up, but I belive it is not certain as of yet . Steve or I will get back to you on that as soon as we know.

Guy

[BEHR655]

I am still up for going. Not sure if one of the people mentioned plans to share my canoe. Let me know. Otherwise I will try to find someone else to come along and help paddle. :friday:

Lou,

I believe so far it is Bob, Guy ,Paul (not from this site) and myself. We have 2 canoes between us. Gabe hasn't gotten back to this thread yet.

Steve

[TeeGate]

Ron,

So it appears you should find someone to go with. Steve is going with a man the three of us know.

Looking forward to Sunday!!!

Guy

[bobpbx]

I am still up for going. Not sure if one of the people mentioned plans to share my canoe. Let me know. Otherwise I will try to find someone else to come along and help paddle. :friday:


Ok. It appears Steve may have a conoe lined up, but I belive it is not certain as of yet . Steve or I will get back to you on that as soon as we know.

Guy

Mickey has said he will come too, and he has a canoe. I will wait and see who else will come until tomorrow. Then we can see what the match-up is. Ron, I'm thinking you don't need to find someone else, just bring the canoe, and if we have too many canoes, we'll leave one at my house. And, if we need another paddler, we'll pull a poor sucker out of his house and hand him a paddle! But, if you do want to bring a friend, go ahead...........we'll manage somehow.

[TeeGate]

It will be nice to see Mickey again. I also have a few questions for him. Hopefully he can help me out.

Guy

[Bobbleton]

I'd love joining in the trip up . . . though i regretfully doubt i can come up with a craft capable of going upstream 2 miles. If the date rolls up and you need an extra man . . . i'm in.

-Bob

[TeeGate]

I'd love joining in the trip up . . . though i regretfully doubt i can come up with a craft capable of going upstream 2 miles. If the date rolls up and you need an extra man . . . i'm in.

-Bob

Hopefully we can make this happen. I am not sure of the seat availability as of yet. Maybe BobM can figure that out.

As a last resort we could maybe have three in a craft.

Guy

[Lorun]

So far seems like eight people have said they would come at one point or another: Steve, Guy, Bobm, Gabe, Paul, Mickey, Bob “bobbleton:, and myself. If everyone is still going we would ideally want 4 canoes. Seems like three of us can bring a canoe , Mickey, Bobm , myself. And Steve could possibly bring a canoe. If everyone shows up and Steve can bring a canoe we will be all set.


Ron

[TeeGate]

So far seems like eight people have said they would come at one point or another: Steve, Guy, Bobm, Gabe, Paul, Mickey, Bob “bobbleton:, and myself. If everyone is still going we would ideally want 4 canoes. Seems like three of us can bring a canoe , Mickey, Bobm , myself. And Steve could possibly bring a canoe. If everyone shows up and Steve can bring a canoe we will be all set.


Ron

I think Steve is going to be going with Mickey but I am not certain.

Guy

[BEHR655]

I think Steve is going to be going with Mickey but I am not certain.

Guy

I need to know soon. I will need to make arrangements to borrow my sisters kayak if needed.

[bobpbx]

I am still up for going. Not sure if one of the people mentioned plans to share my canoe. Let me know. Otherwise I will try to find someone else to come along and help paddle. :friday:


Ok. It appears Steve may have a conoe lined up, but I belive it is not certain as of yet . Steve or I will get back to you on that as soon as we know.

Guy

Hey all,

Sorry I have been so late in responding. I am winding down a six week training course at work. I have been driving up and back from Fort Monmouth, and usually don't get home until 10PM. Everything is still on. I hope to firm up mostly by Friday nite. Mickey said he is coming too, and he will bring a canoe, but I want to make sure Friday nite. So we should be well covered. Ron and Gabe bring your canoes, if we don't need em we can leave them at my house. I am thinking a noon start, so eat before you come. I'll provide more details later......

Ron and Gabe, please send me your email via PM..........bob

[bobpbx]

I think Steve is going to be going with Mickey but I am not certain.

Guy

I need to know soon. I will need to make arrangements to borrow my sisters kayak if needed.

Bear, sorry to keep you hangin. Don't worry about borrowing your sisters, you'll be okay.

Bobbleton, I'm pretty sure you are covered too. I'll let you know Friday if you can wait that long............send me your email.........bob

[bobpbx]

So far we have 8 people and 5 canoes, so we should be good to go. If there are no others, I will now resort to email to firm it up.

Gabe, I need your email adress.

I checked the water level, it is perfect, absolutely perfect............ 8)

[TeeGate]

So far we have 8 people and 5 canoes, so we should be good to go. If there are no others, I will now resort to email to firm it up.

I checked the water level, it is perfect, absolutely perfect............ 8)


This is rain or shine?

Guy

[Lorun]

Unless I hear otherwise I will be there rain or shine :storm:

[bobpbx]

So far we have 8 people and 5 canoes, so we should be good to go. If there are no others, I will now resort to email to firm it up.

I checked the water level, it is perfect, absolutely perfect............ 8)


This is rain or shine?

Guy

Yes, rain or shine. If it looks like there may be heavy sustained lightning, now thats another story. There is none of that in the forecast, right?

[TeeGate]

Yes, rain or shine. If it looks like there may be heavy sustained lightning, now thats another story. There is none of that in the forecast, right?


The NJ.com weather shows a nice afternoon.

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/adcbin/public/hbh_local.asp?zipcode=07105&partner=rs_nj&whend=3& whent=13&metric=0


Are we droping in at Dover Forge? Also, that link you sent in the emails did not work. Does everyone have directions to your house?

Guy

[bobpbx]

Yes, rain or shine. If it looks like there may be heavy sustained lightning, now thats another story. There is none of that in the forecast, right?


The NJ.com weather shows a nice afternoon.

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/adcbin/public/hbh_local.asp?zipcode=07105&partner=rs_nj&whend=3& whent=13&metric=0


Are we droping in at Dover Forge? Also, that link you sent in the emails did not work. Does everyone have directions to your house?

Yup, dropping in at Dover Forge. Slightly upstream.......
I will send out that map again, not sure what went wrong..........
Guy

[Lorun]

Unless I hear otherwise I will be there rain or shine :storm:

[TeeGate]

Unless I hear otherwise I will be there rain or shine :storm:

Ok. Looking forward to meeting you. As always we will be stopping along the river to check out the swamps, flowers, and any other interesting spots we find. Wear old sneakers or whatever to be able to get out and walk around.


Guy

[Lorun]

Directions

Seems like Mapquest has accurate directions.[/quote]

[bobpbx]

It looks like Gabe has jumped ship (er, canoe) :)

He has not responded. He must have gotten cold feet in advance of dipping them in the cedar! :lol:

Anyway, without him, we have 4 canoes and 6 people. Still okay.

bob

[pinelandpaddler]

damn! I feel like a you-know-what. I totally forgot about this thread. I haven't been online much at all lately, let alone this site. And here I am, checking up on the nite before the trip. I'd like to go, but have no car at the present time. If anyone reads this in time, and will be passing by the Brielle/manasquan area, I'd be quite happy to go. In any case, have a hell of a time, with or without me. Another day perhaps...

Truly,

Gabe

[TeeGate]

I hope the weather is good out that way Bob. It is raining here really bad, and we have had two thunderstorms and one is going right now. There have been fire trucks passing my house from towns 5 miles away.

I still we be there and looking forward to a fun day.

Guy

[bobpbx]

I thought everything was going to stay West of Philly!

It is not raining here, just cloudy............

[bobpbx]

damn! I feel like a you-know-what. I totally forgot about this thread. I haven't been online much at all lately, let alone this site. And here I am, checking up on the nite before the trip. I'd like to go, but have no car at the present time. If anyone reads this in time, and will be passing by the Brielle/manasquan area, I'd be quite happy to go. In any case, have a hell of a time, with or without me. Another day perhaps...

Truly,

Gabe

Okay Gabe, maybe next time. Sorry it happened out the way it did.......bob

[TeeGate]

I thought everything was going to stay West of Philly!

It is not raining here, just cloudy............

Here is the view just 2 minutes ago.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/IMG_38921.jpg

[BEHR655]

I thought everything was going to stay West of Philly!

It is not raining here, just cloudy............

What is the forecast for your area?

Right now we can canoe down my street.

[bobpbx]

I thought everything was going to stay West of Philly!

It is not raining here, just cloudy............

What is the forecast for your area?

Right now we can canoe down my street.

I am going to throw it up for a vote via email. It has started raining here. Its the lightning and the fact that the water will be murky that bothers me.

Check the email..............

[Lorun]

Looks like we are cutting it close as far as the storm is concerned. Seems like it may pass through by the time we start, or it could be dumping 5 inches an hour. The storm is moving slow west to norht east.

I need to leave my house by 10:00 in order to make it t ot the start by 12:00.

I am a die hard, so plan on me still going, but I will check the forecast right before I leave before driving all that way just to be caught up in a lightining storm.

[bobpbx]

Looks like we are cutting it close as far as the storm is concerned. Seems like it may pass through by the time we start, or it could be dumping 5 inches an hour. The storm is moving slow west to norht east.

I need to leave my house by 10:00 in order to make it t ot the start by 12:00.

I am a die hard, so plan on me still going, but I will check the forecast right before I leave before driving all that way just to be caught up in a lightining storm.

Don't rush Ron. Take it easy on the roads.......

The weather forecast says it will be in South Jersey all afternoon, tapering off by late afternoon.............

[TeeGate]

It is breaking up so it appears it will be mostly rain. Anyway, I will be leaving here by 10:30. I have your phone number Bob so if I have any problems I will call. I will be crossing the bridge on 70 that washed out so hopefully that will be ok.

Guy

[BEHR655]

I will call. I will be crossing the bridge on 70 that washed out so hopefully that will be ok.

Guy

Guy, why don't you take Rt 38 instead.

[TeeGate]

Guy, why don't you take Rt 38 instead.

If there is a problem there, I can go down 72 to 539.

I also have the 38 option which I may use. We shall see. I am starting to get ready now and will decided.

Guy

[BEHR655]

I'm forever the optimist (except of course when I'm pessimistic) and I am all packed and ready to go. Worst comes to worst we could always do some exploring via 4x4.

Steve

[bobpbx]

I'm forever the optimist (except of course when I'm pessimistic) and I am all packed and ready to go. Worst comes to worst we could always do some exploring via 4x4.

Steve

We gonna do it! :hug:

[BEHR655]

I'm forever the optimist (except of course when I'm pessimistic) and I am all packed and ready to go. Worst comes to worst we could always do some exploring via 4x4.

Steve

We gonna do it! :hug:

I'm out the doo.....................................

[bobpbx]

It was a good day despite the early weather. The water was not too swift and we really did not have to struggle at all. It was narrow at times, but it was also wide in a lot of places. We went from Dover Forge all the way to the dam at Bamber lake. We then put our canoes in the lake and finished at the beach. Some good shots I took did not come out. Here are some that did:

Paul and Bear starting out:

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/forums/modules.php?set_albumName=albun08&id=PICT0003&op=m odload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo. php

Ron (Lorun):

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/forums/modules.php?set_albumName=albun08&id=PICT0005&op=m odload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo. php

Guy struggles under a fallen tree:

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/forums/modules.php?set_albumName=albun08&id=PICT0009&op=m odload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo. php

A good one of Bear for his wife's wallet:

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/forums/modules.php?set_albumName=albun08&id=PICT0014&op=m odload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo. php

And one for his living room wall. Suitably framed of course:

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/forums/modules.php?set_albumName=albun08&id=PICT0013&op=m odload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo. php

Thanks for coming Guys...................

[BEHR655]

Great day today!!! Never fear the rain. :mrgreen:

Bob and his son Nick, Guy, Paul, Ron and myself thumbed our noses at the weathermen and met to paddle up the Cedar Creek. We put in just below Dover Forge and headed toward Bamber Lake. The water was high and fast and we were going against it. Against the current we managed to get past many sunken logs and twists and turns. At about the half way point we came to a dock that was apparently someones property but we seemed welcome so we took a rest. It was a very interesting place. Across the creek from the dock was a Budda statue. A lot of cedar logs had been pulled from the water and set as decoration. There was also a sign there that said" No bathing suits after sunset". We'll have to do night time trip there some time.
After our rest we continued up the creek. At times the creek was wide and straight and just when you got going good it would narrow down or we'd get caught on a log. It was still great fun. A short distance after we passed under Lacey Rd and were approaching the dam at Bamber lake the water was running so fast that we got out and pushed the canoes up stream. At times the water was up almost to my neck. We made it to the dam and lifted the canoes over and after a brief rest headed across the lake to were we had left two cars.
We went to Bob's house where we were greeted by his dog Buddy. We sat on the deck and eat burgers and dogs, tossing down a few beers while discussing the day and other things.
All our trips always turn out so great. I can't wait for the next one.

Steve

[BEHR655]

I may look like Budda in that second shot of me but I think I look like Gengas Kahn in the one before that. LOL

[TeeGate]

I want to thank all of you for a great day, and we must do it again. Now to the photo's.

Here was the red team of Bob and his son Nick early in the trip.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3894.jpg


And the green team of Steve and Paul rounding the corner.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3897.jpg


A fork in the stream.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3896.jpg


Bob and the Budda

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3901.jpg


Rest and a swim on our own private deck and beach :)

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3903.jpg


After crossing under Lacey road, and passing the remains of the Tuckerton RR Bridge, we had to pull our canoes up the river because of it's width and current. Here is Ron and Bob doing just that.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3907.jpg



Looking back at the raging water and a abandoned boat on the left.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3909.jpg


Ron up to his chest in the water.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3913.jpg


And then we arrived at the Bamber lake dam.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3916.jpg


Standing at the brink.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3919.jpg


Bob rinsing off.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~teegate/8012004/IMG_3920.jpg


Guy

[pinelandpaddler]

Great photos! Sorry I missed that one! I'm eager to get in on one of these exhibitions. Anything planned for within the next 2 weeks? If not, I'll be back from Hawaii(maybe) by September first ready for some end-of-summer adventuring.

Peace

[TeeGate]

Great photos! Sorry I missed that one! I'm eager to get in on one of these exhibitions. Anything planned for within the next 2 weeks? If not, I'll be back from Hawaii(maybe) by September first ready for some end-of-summer adventuring.

Peace

Nothing planned as far as I know. Maybe when you get back.

Guy