We put in at Quaker Steak and Lube and pulled out at the West Middlesex boat launch. Flow was 245 cfs. Distance approx 7.3 miles. Float time about 4 hours paddling at a light/medium pace in the sections of flat water. Only had to get out of the kayaks once to go around a low head dam, easiest access is over kayakers left where the coarse concrete is poured in a gentle slope making it easy to walk the kayaks over the dam. We skipped the mini falls immediately after the dam and were able to walk through shin depth water on uneven but grippy ground dragging the kayaks along the left down to deep enough waters. Rapids were short and fast, solid class zero rapids with little risk of tipping, only mild splashing into the kayaks. 80% of the trip was calm flat water flowing at no more than 1 mph. This section of the shenango is wide enough that we could easily go around any down trees. The river near Sharon was filled with trash in the strainers but further down was cleaner. We saw no other people on the shores or river. The river has a mild smell of treated sewage but this was easily ignored. Overall a good trip for the slightly more adventurous.
