Baker, S. Branch, NH

Gauge Information

River Description

The run begins on Rocky Brook.

Posted by Dan Holzman on the MVP message board 3/30/03
South Branch of the Baker: The group put in at Rocky Branch. Class 3 or less until just above confluence with the South Branch of the Baker, which is about 1 mile down, where the action picks up. Several tight slot drops, apparently one caused several enders. Cannibal Falls is about 200 yards downstream of the confluence, described by the group as a Class 4 approach to several really narrow slots dropping at least 20 feet onto a flat rock. The group portaged, unclear on how this drop is run (according to the Steep Creeks of New England book, Willy Kern was the first to run this drop years ago).
The rest of the South Branch apparently has a big water feel, lots of gradient, much more water than Pond Brook, large holes to avoid. There is a series of ledges about 2 miles into the run, including a 40 foot slide with a 10 foot falls at the bottom, I got several nice pictures there.
Beta on South Branch: Cannibal Falls looks really nasty, let me know if there is a hidden line. Little snow left in the Rumney area, this creek will only run for a week or two if it doesn't rain. Difficulty seems to be comparable to West Branch of Deerfield, bigger water run.

Directions to takeout: I-93 to Rte. 25 West (Exit 26). Head 7.8 miles past the rotary at the Rte. 3A junction to South Wentworth Road (just past the NH 118 intersection). Take a left onto S. Wentworth Rd. 1.6 miles to a fork; bear right onto Rowentown Rd. Park at the bridge.
To putin: Head back to S. Wentworth Rd. Bang a right and follow the road upstream. Cross the river and take a left onto Bickford Woods Road. Put in at the bridge at Rocky Brook. An alternate put in on the South Branch itself can be accessed by continueing down Bickford Woods Road and taking a left on Hearst House Road. Put in where the road crosses the South Branch.