Rancocas - North Branch in New Jersey

Trip Overview

I wanted to report on a fun trip we did recently: almost the entire North Branch from Burlington County College in Pemberton to Dredge Harbor on the Delaware. It took a day and a half with guerilla camping en route. Looks like about 27 miles. Could be done in one day by strong paddlers going with the tide. You'd also have to be able to resist the wonderful draft beers at High Street Grill in Mt. Holly, which we could not.

We skipped the first 4 miles or so from Browns Mills to BCC... there's no put-in at the dam in Browns Mills, and the uppermost couple of miles are extremely litter-strewn. Still, it would add to the adventure next year to start all the way up at Hanover Lake.

BCC has a nice dock in shallow water. After unloading, we moved the car into one of the school's big parking lots for the night.

Carried dams at Pemberton, Smithville and Mt. Holly, where the river becomes tidal. Had no carries over downed trees.

Couldn't find the stove fuel we brought, so it was hard-boiled eggs and red wine for dinner. The next morning, we trudged up the side of Rt. 130 to the Wawa in Delanco for some much-needed coffee.

Took out on the big dock at Dredge Harbor Marina, which made for a gymnastic climb getting out of the boat. There's a lunch spot there.

Accommodations:

Port-a-Potty

Outfitting:

12-13' kayaks

Fees:

no

Directions:

Parked at Burlington County College in Pemberton, NJ

Resources:

DeLorme Atlas