One of 3 Thursday paddles, Sideling Hill Creek, Bryant Tract conservation area, High Germany Road just north of I-68 to Stotlemyer/Cliff Rd. state campsite 85, 9.75 miles, SH gage near Bellegrove, MD 2.47 ft., 390 cfs at 12:30, 2.40 ft., 362 cfs at 4:15 pm. Weather: mostly sunny, low to mid 60s, winds NNW 11-14 mph, gusts 22 mph.
We had 10 paddlers taking advantage of a picture perfect day both weather and water. Four OC-1s: Gary and Ginny Q., Hendrik VanO., Kim B.; and in K-1s: Tony A., Wayne McD., Hildy F., Pam W., Lisa L. and Jenny T. We put in at the small conservation parking area off New Germany Rd. Right off I-68, over one lane bridge and right into parking area. Beautiful day, the gorge was lush and beautiful as ever. We had to negotiate some saplings between the put in and the old Rt. 40 bridge, but otherwise no wood or strainers blocking our way. With a warning from Frank F. who had run it the day before, we avoided a left channel, maybe 8 miles in, with a lot of wood that they skillfully negotiated, by going right around the island. Everyone enjoyed lots of fun eddy catching and some surfing. Didn’t see much wildlife, but some mountain laurel and rhododendron just starting to bud.