Ausable, W. Branch

This section of the West Branch Ausable is a very scenic paddle, with most of the run feeling remote and sheltered from roads and development until the final mile. A few hunting camps can be seen along the way, but otherwise the river corridor feels wild and quiet. It is typically paddled in the spring and after heavy rains, when flows are sufficient to connect the longer stretches of moving water.

Put in on river-right just below the dam in Wilmington. The run begins with continuous, solid Class II rapids for about two miles down to the Haselton Road bridge. Below the bridge, the rapids gradually ease over the next mile, eventually transitioning into quickwater. After a couple miles of easier paddling, the gradient and difficulty begin to build again, with rapids increasing up to Class III. The former Rome Dam site features a fun rapid where a hole can form, and paddlers should stop and scout as needed. Downstream, the river continues with a short stretch of Class III+ followed by another mile of Class III and II/III rapids to the confluence with the East Branch in Au Sable Forks. Take out at the river junction in the town park on river-right.