Moose, Middle Branch

Singing Waters Campground to McKeever(Upper Middle)

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DifficultyII-IV
Length5.6 mi
Avg Gradientn/a
Reach Info Last UpdatedOctober 24, 2024

River Description

The put-in for this, the first of four regularly run whitewater sections on the Moose River can be found on Route 28 just south of HTR (formerly Singing Waters) Campground where the river is visible from the road.

There is another put-in just to the north of Singing Waters on Scusa Road, please be respectful as the fishing access is on private property.

This section of river is primarily a class II and fast moving water run. At low levels it is a scrape and rub rock garden. There is one named rapid, Nelson's Falls that is considered a class IV. Nelson's is a fun 3 drop rapid with some undercuts and is often the site of big strainers!

An alternate take-out, is on river right, just before the Route 28 bridge at a fishing access.

See Also:

'I would not suggest this section is suitable for beginners but at even 3.0 ft to 3.5 it is a fun stretch to play and practice river reading skills.'

- kathy corey 2001-11-26

Tug Hill - Old Forge Area Reaches

Beaver (1. Moshier) Beaver (2. Eagle) Beaver (3. Taylorville)

Black (1.) Black (2.) Black (3.)

Black (4.) Black (5.)

...

River Features

Alternate Put In

Distance: 0 mi
Alternate Put In

Put in above the campground on Scusa Road. It's a fishing access on private property, please be respectful.

Play spot in HTR Campground

Class: IIDistance: 0.5 mi
Rapid
Play spot in HTR Campground

There are a couple of fun surf waves in the HTR campground.

Put-In

Distance: 0.6 mi

Find the putin where the river is visible from Route 28 south of Singing Waters campground, or the alternate putin on Scusa road half mile to the north.

Nelson Falls

Class: IVDistance: 1.25 mi
Hazard
Waterfall / Large Drop
Nelson Falls

You approach Nelson Falls after passing under a railroad trestle. The rapid is on a blind corner so this would be a good time to get out and scout. There are 3 drops of about 3 feet each over 100 yards of river. Nelson's tends to be a strainer collector so keep an eye out!

Wave Train

Class: II+Distance: 2.35 mi
Rapid
Wave Train

Fun wave train rapid.

Mill Ruin

Class: II+Distance: 5.3 mi
Hazard
Mill Ruin

The rapid itself is not worthy of naming, but the ruins of an old mill, visible from the bridge over Route 28 at McKeever is worth noting. Stay right on the river if possible, the ruins are badly undercut and there may be remnants of rebar and other hazards.

Take-Out

Distance: 5.6 mi
Take Out

Find the take-out after paddling beneath the bridge at McKeever on river left. The Gauging Station is also located here, on Moose River Road. This is also the old put-in location for the Middle Moose run.


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