We had 8 intrepid paddlers show up on a hot day to paddle the Staircase, Millville to HFAC, at a level of 4.8 ft/5.16 kcfs (on the Millville gauge)—and rising—at 11:30 am, when we launched. The Potomac River was running about 3.8 ft/9.43 kcfs (on the Point of Rocks gauge—and also rising.
The participants were: Ken Cohen (leader), Hugh Hilliard (second), Gary Steinberg, Larry Lempert, Pam White, Hildy Ferraiolo , Sarah Kellett, and Scott Newlon (all K-1s except for Larry in an OC-1).
Despite temperatures in the 90’s, the conditions were quite comfortable once the waves doused us with water, and we enjoyed partial clouds and a gentle breeze. Bull Falls was exciting at this level. The group split between the traditional slot 3, which was quite pushy, and slot 2, with big waves. Nobody had any problems.
On a very steep wave on Bull'sTail, a certain pink boat found itself unable to top the crest, fell into the trough, and was quickly capsized, but with help from the paddler it was able to right itself on the third desperate combat roll.
There were more surfable waves on the rest of the Staircase run at this level than we could count (and in any case we wouldn’t have had time or energy to try them all). White Horse rapid on the Potomac treated us with an exciting train of steep waves, especially on river left.
Because of parking issues (see below), we adopted a policy of “no lollygagging,”’requiring us to explain the meaning of that term to several participants. Per dictionary.com, it has two meanings, but we were aware only of the first one:
1. to spend time idly; loaf.
2. to indulge in kisses and caresses; make love; neck.
And we also had to explain what was meant by saying we needed to “skedaddle.” Despite the timing issue, the trip wasn’t rushed, and we were able to do plenty of surfing and enjoy a lunch break. The fast current helped us, and we were able to get to the takeout by about 2:00.
HFAC allowed us to park three cars at the takeout (down the hill) and didn’t ask for payment. They also allowed us to park at the Millville put-in, but we were told that they would lock the gate at 4 pm—thus the rule against lollygagging. There was no available parking outside the gate: River Riders didn’t allow us to park in their lot, and the area along the train tracks where we were instructed to park on some recent trips now is posted with “no parking” signs. For future trips, we would suggest an earlier start time or putting in at the dam one mile upriver, where there is parking.
Ken and Hugh