Bearcamp

Ran for the first time today with Darryn DuShane at 5.5ft on this page's gauge - so much fun!  I would say it is class III if you skip the gorge drop as we did.

No wood to worry about other than a riverwide tree immediately after the put-in bridge that has a tiny sneak route - which works fine since the river is pretty much still water at that point.

Cold Brook rapid can be scouted from the bridge on Mill Rd., and we beached at the head of the island at Bearcamp Gorge and scouted both sides.  We did the easier left channel after taking a look at the class IV drop.

After that there are lots of fun surfs as noted in the 'Ossipee Surf' rapid description.  The hole it mentions is there but not menacing - could be punched at this level without too much trouble.  To give a bit more context - the river goes behind a house next to old bridge abutments on both sides (with a really fun surf in between) and then suddenly turns left from the road.  Right at that point is the almost riverwide hole.

Overall, very enjoyable rapids with nice variety and lots of fun surfs at this level.  Cold Brook rapid was the hardest probably, but still I would hesitate to call it a III+.

In a way this reminded me of Fife or the West, iust a great time.

There is currently a large oak tree in the rapid just above where the Cold Brook enters the Bearcamp and could cause serious problems. It is easily seen from the bridge on Mill street. When the flat water section meets the rapids I would advise taking the left channel around the island and you will be in the clear. You wont miss much of the rapid with the goods being below to tree. All others strainers on the river have washed out in the last big rain!

Paddled Bearcamp 10/31/15. Dam has been removed, and is now a class II drop.

First run of the season, a little low but still a sweet paddle, few new strainers to watch out for this year, but a lot of the big ones have moved opening up new waves down below the Gorge. Here is just below the 3rd rapid.

From first paddle of the year was a little bony around 4.6ft

Misc. photos from the gorge to 113 Tamworth pullout

Cold Brook Rapid Photos

Ran June 1st at 4.40ft

Fun stretch on Bearcamp run 01 June 2009

Running between the two 113 bridges

Run June 1st, 2009 @ 4.40ft

First chops ya come to running between the two 113 bridges

sean blasting off the drop and mikey right behind 5.3