The Great Egg Harbor River with the Pinelands Commission

woodjin

Piney
Nov 8, 2004
4,344
332
Near Mt. Misery
I might have mentioned before that I have a friend in the pinelands commission. She invited me to join her and her co-workers, and her fiance (also a friend), who happens to be a burlington county prosecutor, so I had to watch my step.:rofl: for a kayak trip down the Great Egg Harbor River. This river was one of the few that I haven't canoed/kayaked in the pine barrens so I took her up on the opportunity. It was about 20 people just in our group + a few others who were at the livery. I just had the livery port my kayak for me.

I met "Watershed" Fred Acres, whom I am sure I have heard his name mentioned before, and Donna (can't recall last name) and her husband Joe and their kids. Donna has been with the Pinelands commission since '79 very close to it's inception. A very cheerful and informative person, I found out that we have friend in common...none other that PBX Bob!!!

Anyway, the group took off from penny pot at about 10:45 am. A very large group indeed.

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A bit crowded going down, but all were in good spirits. I was surprised that the river was predominantly decidious/mostly swamp maple for almost the whole length of the trip. Although pitch pine was visable just over the bank beyond the river bed.

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Here is a rest stop along the way.

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A number of willow oaks were present along the river.

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This section of the river was not as remote as I am used to but, the houses that did boarder the river where quite nice.

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This one was almost hard to spot.

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A very cool cabin.

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The river was very easy going and surprisingly litter free, not remote enough (in this section) to my taste. Not much in the way of wildlife, I didn't see one turtle, or snake or heron. But still a nice cruise on a beautiful day with some great people. We ended just down stream from Weymouth Furnance and the trip took about 4 and a half hours.

From left to right: Me, Tim (fiance to Brawin) and Brawin.

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Jeff
 

Teegate

Administrator
Site Administrator
Sep 17, 2002
25,957
8,704
Very nice report Jeff! Thanks for sharing. That bobpbx knows everyone doesn't he :D


Guy
 

bobpbx

Piney
Staff member
Oct 25, 2002
14,673
4,851
Pines; Bamber area
Donna McBride and Branwen. Good people, very energetic in their efforts to preserve the environment. I always wanted to do that river someday. I found a report on a canoe trip taken on that river about 100 years (+-) ago. Ben and I were working on publishing the report on the site. Its interesting reading because they describe coming upon the Weymouth property and talking to a descendant of the iron master.
 

piker56

Explorer
Jan 13, 2006
641
53
68
Winslow
Jeff,
If you want a more natural, undeveloped section of that river, the section upstream from where you paddled is very pretty. I've canoed from Winslow Road to Piney Hollow Road, very nice but it is definitely not maintained, you'll have to portage some. It goes through Winslow WMA so there are no buildings. The attached link is a map of the WMA.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/wmamaps/winslow.pdf
 

woodjin

Piney
Nov 8, 2004
4,344
332
Near Mt. Misery
Jeff,
If you want a more natural, undeveloped section of that river, the section upstream from where you paddled is very pretty. I've canoed from Winslow Road to Piney Hollow Road, very nice but it is definitely not maintained, you'll have to portage some. It goes through Winslow WMA so there are no buildings. The attached link is a map of the WMA.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/wmamaps/winslow.pdf

Thanks Piker,
That looks more my taste.

Jeff
 

ecampbell

Piney
Jan 2, 2003
2,889
1,029
Jeff, can you show me where you put in and took out? Maybe google or topozone.

Thanks,
Ed
 

piker56

Explorer
Jan 13, 2006
641
53
68
Winslow
In case you haven't seen it, there's an interesting website with photos and narrative about the Great Egg Harbor River here: http://www.weymouthnj.org/a_tour_of_the_watersheds.htm

My son and I canoed the part where the website says "below Winslow Road" on Memorial Day weekend, the year before last. We had to portage 4 or 5 times over downed trees, and 1 stretch we walked in the stream for about 50 or 60 yards. Unless more trees have fallen, it was mostly passable. It is really a beautiful stretch of water. I would try a kayak if I did it again, easier to portage. I would also stick to spring when the water should be a little higher.
 

woodjin

Piney
Nov 8, 2004
4,344
332
Near Mt. Misery
Jeff, can you show me where you put in and took out? Maybe google or topozone.

Thanks,
Ed

Ed, we made the run from the 8th street bridge in Penny Pot to a little beyond Weymouth furnance, under the route 322 bridge and immeditely took out on the left at The Palace. The Palace is the name of the livery, it is on the right on 322 heading east. It is a livery/bar/restaurante. I just had them portage my kayak but most everyone else rented. They were slow to get organized which lead to a late departure but were friendly.

The water levels were low as evident on the river banks, but it was still a very easy run. Steady water flow, no lift overs, a few logs I was able to clear with some momentum. I saw two canoes go over, but there were alot of people.

Jeff
 

woodjin

Piney
Nov 8, 2004
4,344
332
Near Mt. Misery
I would try a kayak if I did it again, easier to portage.

Do you think so? My only complaints about kayaks compared to canoes is that I find it more difficult to get in and out of them. That and the paddles can be a bit cumbersome in the narrow/overgrown spots. the stability, speed and comfort is a huge + though, it is also nice being so close to the water.

Jeff
 

piker56

Explorer
Jan 13, 2006
641
53
68
Winslow
Do you think so? My only complaints about kayaks compared to canoes is that I find it more difficult to get in and out of them. That and the paddles can be a bit cumbersome in the narrow/overgrown spots. the stability, speed and comfort is a huge + though, it is also nice being so close to the water.

Jeff

I prefer a canoe, I normally fish from one. You can stretch out a lot more in them, plus I don't own a kayak, I'd have to rent or borrow. My thinking was for portaging. If I'm by myself, I can't lift the canoe anymore (a.g.e. disease) for portaging. I've rented kayaks with my daughter to do the Batsto and they are much lighter, we've had a ball using them. The Batsto is a lot more open than the upper part of the Great Egg, though.
 
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