Bald Eagle Creek in Central PA

[BigAl]

I paddled the Bald Eagle Creek last night with the Canoe Club of Centre Country. We put in at Blanchard below Sayers Dam and pulled out at the Fish Commission access at Mill Hall. It is ~7 miles and took us 2.75 hours.

This is a very scenic stretch. I crusied by a Bald Eagle at eye level at ~40 feet. He just watched me go by. This stretch is basically big pools followed by Class 1 rapids. We had plenty of water and I only got stuck once, but that was on purpose, so i could get out to stretch. This was my first kayak trip.

Anyway if anyone is interested in the river I can get you put in/pull out logistics.

 

[12husky]

Sounds like a nice little float! I may be heading up to that area in early August and looks like I should throw the kayaks on the roof. Anything I should know about the creek before I drop in?

~Matt

 

[BigAl]

There aren't really any hazards. You are never more than a mile hike from a hardroad but for most of the trip you can't hear any cars. The majority of the water comes out of Sayers Dam, about two miles into this stretch you pick up Beech Creek. The USGS gauge needs to be at 3.4 feet to do this trip without dragging. I'm told it's doable most of the summer, but I'd check the online gauges before you come. Plan 3-4 hours for a casual float. We paddled the entire way b/c we were fighting darkness and made it in 2.75.

Bring a camera, the river is polluted with birds and some really big great blue herons.

 

[Haggis]

How'd the new 'yak do? Did it take long for you to get use to it over the canoe?

 

[njjeepthing]

Nice picture, I'm thinking of making my way out there in late August or September.:smiley_drive:

 

[BigAl]

How'd the new 'yak do? Did it take long for you to get use to it over the canoe?

I love it, they are a lot easier to manuver than a tandem canoe with one person. Not as comfortable, I feel pretty sore, I need to start stretching every day, so that I can be comfortable sitting with my legs straight out for extended periods