21 paddlers braved the August heat to run the George Washington Canal. Level on the Little Falls gauge was 3.06’ (3230 CFS), still adequate but trending to low. In view of expressed concerns about clambering about the steep bank to the C&O Canal at Blockhouse Point we experimented this week with two trips – one the traditional C&O loop with the takeout at Blockhouse Point and the other meeting at Pennyfield Lock to set shuttle to Riley’s Lock.
The VL loop trip had eight paddlers – Andrew Troy, Barb Bown, Bob Harford, Denise Chambers, Dmitry Didenlov, Jerome Whiting (PFD), Mark Wray and Wayne McDaniel. This was Jerome’s first CCA trip, welcome aboard, Jerome! We were greeted at the put-in by a large, beautiful white egret. We started out as one group but it quickly became apparent that there differing views on how long each rapid should be surfed so we divided into two groups of four. We had one small spill when a boat got cross-wise to the current but that was quickly rectified with a self-rescue. There is a new hazard at Jacuzzi Rapid – a submerged log that blocks the entrance to the rapid and is difficult to see from above. At least two paddlers struggled with the log, but were able to work their way past it without carnage. The log can be bypassed on either the left (preferred) or the right, but Jacuzzi Rapid itself is not accessible. Turtle count on the return trip on the C&O Canal was three – I’m thinking that may be the high since the dewatering project a couple of years ago destroyed the habitat. We were off the water by 11:15, missing the worst of the heat
The Pennyfield shuttle trip featured 13 - Jackie H, Rich, Hendrik van Oss, Gary & Ginny Quam, Rich Conde, Robin Willard, Tim Tilson, Jennifer Spiegelman, John S, Diane Hobbs, Dean Hawes, and Tony Allred. Many thanks to Jackie for agreeing to lead this unruly group. After quickly figuring out shuttle and trying to leave as many vehicles at Pennyfield as possible in case we separated on the river, we headed up to Riley’s. We had a gentle reminder from law enforcement as we passed under the Tow Path to steer clear of the golf course, but we had no encounters on the river. Once into the GW Canal, we broke into the fast group and the players, only there were only 2 in the fast group and 11 players. We thought we might split up further, but we didn’t. We had one swim at Surfers Ledge when an open boater trying his hand in a twitchy boat caught an edge and missed a brace. Easily and quickly he was back in his boat slightly refreshed. We did split with about 1/2 and 1/2 going for Jacuzzi rapid or the left channel, but we reunited for Exit rapid and the paddle down to Pennyfield. We were off the water by 12:20.