Baker, S. Branch, New Hampshire, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | V (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 130 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAKER RIVER NEAR RUMNEY, NH | ||||
| usgs-01076000 | 2.20 - 4.40 ft | V | 01h05m | 0.86 ft (rc= -0.6 ) |
Information from Greg and Sue Hanlon's Steep Creeks of New England, which has more info on this run. Text used with permission.
The run begins on Rocky Brook.
Posted by Dan Holzman on the MVP message board 3/30/03
South Branch of the Baker: The group put in at Rocky Branch. Class 3 or less until just above
confluence with the South Branch of the Baker, which is about 1 mile down, where the action picks
up. Several tight slot drops, apparently one caused several enders. Cannibal Falls is about 200
yards downstream of the confluence, described by the group as a Class-4 approach to several
really narrow slots dropping at least 20 feet onto a flat rock. The group portaged, unclear on
how this drop is run (according to Steep Creeks, Willy Kern was the first to run this
drop years ago).
The rest of the South Branch apparently has a big-water feel, lots of gradient, much more water
than Pond Brook, large holes to avoid. There is a series of ledges about 2 miles into the run,
including a 40-foot slide with a 10-foot falls at the bottom, I got several nice pictures
there.
Beta on South Branch: Cannibal Falls looks really nasty; let me know if there is a hidden line.
Difficulty seems to be comparable to West Branch of Deerfield,
bigger water run.
Directions to takeout: I-93 to Rte. 25 West (Exit 26). Head 7.8 miles past the rotary at
the Rte. 3A junction to South Wentworth Road (just past the NH 118 intersection). Take a left
onto S. Wentworth Rd. 1.6 miles to a fork; bear right onto Rowentown Rd. Park at the bridge.
To putin: Head back to S. Wentworth Rd. Bang a right and follow the road upstream. Cross the
river and take a left onto Bickford Woods Road. Put in at the bridge at Rocky Brook. An alternate
putin on the South Branch itself can be accessed by continueing down Bickford Woods Road and
taking a left on Hearst House Road. Put in where the road crosses the South Branch.
Paddlers' gage located on the river-left abutment at the Rocky Brook putin. The abutment has three small (4" diameter) pipes just above the riverbed. A level even with the bottom of these pipes is minimum; a level even with the top of these pipes indicates a medium level.
Use the Baker gage (linked above) with care; it is downstream of the confluence of the Upper Baker.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAKER RIVER NEAR RUMNEY, NH | ||||||||||||
| usgs-01076000 | 2.20 - 4.40 ft | V | 01h05m | 0.86 ft (rc= -0.6 ) | ||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Branch Baker River [NH] |
Cannibal Falls
|
Low | Daniel Holzman | |
| 294d21h28m | /Baker, S. Branch-Dorchester [NH] |
Swimming Hole Boof
|
n/a | user: "jsorochak" |
| 294d21h29m | /Baker, S. Branch-Dorchester [NH] |
Brandon-Final Slide
|
n/a | user: "jsorochak" |
| 294d21h31m | /Baker, S. Branch-Dorchester [NH] |
Final Slide
|
n/a | user: "jsorochak" |
| 294d21h33m | /Baker, S. Branch-Dorchester [NH] |
AJ-Boof
|
n/a | user: "jsorochak" |
| 294d21h37m | /Baker, S. Branch-Dorchester [NH] |
Lead in to Cannibal Falls
|
n/a | user: "jsorochak" |
| 294d21h45m | /Baker, S. Branch-Dorchester [NH] |
Mill Rapid Last Drop
|
n/a | user: "jsorochak" |
| 294d21h50m | /Baker, S. Branch-Dorchester [NH] |
Mill Rapid
|
n/a | user: "jsorochak" |
| 2y258d08h26m | Baker, S. BranchRocky Branch to Rowentown Rd. [NH] | Account of 05/29/09 | n/a | n/a |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Map of the Mid Pemi region |    |
Rivers of the Middle Pemigewasset region reach
state
reachlink
Rocky Branch to Rowentown Rd., Baker, S. Branch New Hampshire, US (mobile)
User Comments
damage throughout the region, the worst in over 100 years. More than half the rivers in Vermont and
northern New Hampshire recorded their highest flow levels ever. Many roads, guardrails, power
lines, bridges, trees and other debris now litter several rivers throughout the region. River beds
have been scoured and changed course, many new strainers make navigation problematic at best and
downright dangerous at worse. Please realize that the river description you see here may not match
current situation after the floods. Use common sense and when in doubt scout especially on blind
drops. Also, if you run this river in the next year or so please comment on its navigability, even
if there are no problems this will be very helpful. Please report any new strainers or changes to
the rapids that will impact future boating. Thank you,