03/16/2024 - First trip of 2024 and no swims! This lively stretch on the South Branch Piscataquog River starts with a solid Class II drop just before the first (Central Sq) bridge in town, followed by another mile or so of continuous Class I rapids and riffles. Medium-high water levels (4.95 ft and 468 cfs on the Goffstown gauge) provided the perfect amount of water to allow me to slide over and around the many boulders just under the surface - any higher and I would be pushing the limits of an open boat. I did empty my kayak once at the bridge to the Hillsboro County Fair Grounds to re-gain some stability. The rest of the trip was mix of easier riffles and couple more Class I rapids. No portages. Attempted a brief foray up the Middle Branch but the current was too strong at the confluence with the South Branch. An interesting egg was found on a mid-river boulder towards the end of the trip - early Easter? A beautiful spring day -- 45F mostly sunny skies-- in southern New Hampshire. Trip Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Trip Distance: 5 miles.
