For some time Gabe (pinelandpaddler) and myself had been discussing a kayak exploration on a portion of the Sleeper branch that neither of us had kayaked in the past. The Sleeper has interested both of us for sometime. It remains today as one of the most remote watersheds in the barrens. We went into it not knowing what we might encounter in terms of blow downs and obsticles.
We started from the rockwood bogs east of 206 and had to shoot (the first of many) beaver dams to start on our way.
As I went over the dam the nose of my kayak submerged and then lifted. Whoo, Whoo, high adventure!
After a section of dams and channels, we were surprised that the river was fairly clear. Let me just say that it is unlike any section of pinebarren river Gabe or I had done in the past. It is characterized by lots of indian grass (possibly long sedge) and phragmites (whether of the european variety or North American I can't say). At times it meandered through breath taking savannas. Every bend provided for another amazing discovery.
One of many beaver dams we had to shoot
Beaver lodge
Another beaver lodge
A maple blow down
Gabe taking on the blow down
On our return trip we were taking a break after crossing the blow down when I noticed something moving in the woods. As it approached we could see it was a man carrying a large sack of grain, or human remains. Fortunitely it was grain. A hunter on his way to his stand. Nice guy who claimed to have kayaked the sleeper up to Wescoat himself. I was impressed that he was carrying a 60-80lbs bag of grain through the woods and across the blow down. He refused any aid I offered to him.
Many islands seperated the river
A savanna
A very remote, and very well constructed duck blind
At about 2:30pm it began to rain. We nearly made it to Wescoat but decided it was best to head back at that point. After all, we had alot of beaver dams to tackle going upstream. After returning we spent some time kayaking the rockwood bogs in the rain.
An amazing area and fantastic kayaking trip!!
Jeff
We started from the rockwood bogs east of 206 and had to shoot (the first of many) beaver dams to start on our way.
As I went over the dam the nose of my kayak submerged and then lifted. Whoo, Whoo, high adventure!
After a section of dams and channels, we were surprised that the river was fairly clear. Let me just say that it is unlike any section of pinebarren river Gabe or I had done in the past. It is characterized by lots of indian grass (possibly long sedge) and phragmites (whether of the european variety or North American I can't say). At times it meandered through breath taking savannas. Every bend provided for another amazing discovery.
One of many beaver dams we had to shoot
Beaver lodge
Another beaver lodge
A maple blow down
Gabe taking on the blow down
On our return trip we were taking a break after crossing the blow down when I noticed something moving in the woods. As it approached we could see it was a man carrying a large sack of grain, or human remains. Fortunitely it was grain. A hunter on his way to his stand. Nice guy who claimed to have kayaked the sleeper up to Wescoat himself. I was impressed that he was carrying a 60-80lbs bag of grain through the woods and across the blow down. He refused any aid I offered to him.
Many islands seperated the river
A savanna
A very remote, and very well constructed duck blind
At about 2:30pm it began to rain. We nearly made it to Wescoat but decided it was best to head back at that point. After all, we had alot of beaver dams to tackle going upstream. After returning we spent some time kayaking the rockwood bogs in the rain.
An amazing area and fantastic kayaking trip!!
Jeff
