Brokenstraw Creek trip report - April 18, 2011

Some days it just feels good to battle the elements. Yesterdays kayak trip down Brokenstraw Creek was no exception. The air temp read 41 as we put in off Cemetery Road in Spring Creek, on our way to our take out in Pittsfield on Davey Hill Road. The gage height was just over 4.5 in Youngsville, up from our trip a few days earlier. It took us roughly 2 hours, 15 minutes to reach our destination 6 miles down creek, through rain, snow, and a few portages around strainer-infested waters.

This section of creek is much more challenging than the previous and I would not recommend it for an inexperienced paddler. In spots, the creek would split into 4 or 5 different channels and we played "choose your own adventure" as we maneuvered our way through and around large trees and debris piled from spring floods. At times we found ourselves having to turn around and paddle back up stream to try an alternate route. In one section we attempted three routes before having to portage through an island a couple hundred yards.

Almost went completely in the drink at one point, lol. Coming around a bend I saw an enormous bald eagle on the ground (literally, wings wooshing right next to me, you could see he was just as startled as I was) and took my eye off the ball. The current got me, spit me sideways, and the lean scooped up a quarter of a kayak worth of refreshing water, lol. I just kept thinking... this will feel really good in a couple months when it's scorching HOT outside! An awesome encounter with an eagle though... glass half full, eh?

Overall, great, challenging trip. Enjoyed seeing eagle, heron, merganser and wood duck, and exploring on what would have been a miserable day inside, looking at the doom and gloom weather outside. We're fighting back - and playing regardless of what the weather brings us! :D


Please remember, be safe, take a friend along for company, and let someone know where you're going and when you plan to return.