Put in at the Winnipesauke River Launch adjacent to the Franklin, NH High School. Paddle 11.4 miles to the take out at 5 Mile Point in Boscawen Village. A gorgeous paddle under clear blue skies with temps in the upper 60's and low 70's. Took us 3 hrs 10 minutes to make this first descent for the two of us which includes our break time halfway at the Boscawen ramp (.5 m north of the Merrimack County Complex on US 3). Lots of bird life including eagles, an Osprey and 2 colonies of Bank Swallows. Met one fishing kayaker at the break point and otherwise had the river to ourselves. The AMC River Guide to NH & VT identifies one, class I rapid .5 mile below the confluence of the Winnipesauke and Pemigewasset but I think it's more accurate to expect 3-5 brief Class I rips in the first 3.5 miles to just above the Franklin WWTP. We paddled this river at 2160 CFS on the Franklin Junction USGS Gauge (Gauge # 01081500). I would do this paddle again.
