Deerfield, W. Branch
Heartwellville to Readsboro Village
| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 3.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 155 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 22, 2019 |
River Description
Source: Greg and Sue Hanlon's Steep Creeks of New England, which has more info on this run. Text used with permission.
Directions: Put in on Rte. 100, just above Readsboro Falls, 2.8 miles upstream from Readsboro. The putin is determined by a large barn just off the road.
To takeout: follow the river downstream to Readsboro. Bang a right onto Tunnel Road, heading toward Monroe Bridge, MA. You'll cross the West Branch; continue South about half a mile past several houses to where river meets road. Pull off on the left.
Be aware that there is a notorious pin spot at the bottom right of Low Chair (rapid below the gauge rock) that is invisible from the bridge.
Posted on NPMB by SilasMJai 03-23-03, 08:45 AM (Eastern)
'West Branch of Deerfield Access'
The Land owner at the put in (He owns the house, barn and fallen down mill on the other side of the river at Readsboro Falls) has asked me to convey some requests to paddlers putting in at Readsboro Falls.
For parking at the put in, please use the 'State Land' just south of his property. The parking area is an unmarked level grassy area on the west side of Route 8.
To Access the river, there is a rough path that goes from the southwest corner of the 'state Land' parking area directly to the river. Please do not go through the old mill on the opposite side of the river. That is the landowner's biggest concern. There was a partial collapse of the mill caused by kids playing in it and the landowner is concerned for our safety and his liability. I know this means the seal launch below Readsboro falls is no longer accessible, but it is a reasonable request by the landowner.
For those wanting to run Readsboro falls, please access the river upstream.
User Comments
Alden Bird 2004-04-08 10:39:29
I spoke with the guy who owns the property around R
...River Features
Put In - Heartwellville
Put in on Rte. 100, just above Readsboro Falls, 2.8 miles upstream from Readsboro. The putin is determined by a large barn just off the road.
Take Out - Readsboro Village
To takeout: follow the river downstream to Readsboro. Bang a right onto Tunnel Road, heading toward Monroe Bridge, MA. You'll cross the West Branch; continue South about half a mile past several houses to where river meets road. Pull off on the left.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThere is a large sieve immediately after you paddle under the road, near the beginning of the river. It can be run, if you think risking your life for a marginal rapid is worthwhile.
There is plenty of wood - some in the warm up section that I was able to get around at medium, but walked at high. More wood below the tunnel - probably 2 or 3 rapids down. 2 large logs across the river. 100 yards downstream is another log which is very difficult to see until you are on top of it. You may be able to sneak right, if you are looking for it. Or just keep walking past the above strainer.
Low chair is rowdy.
Tunnel Vision really ripping.
As of 10/11/2005 very high water of 10/9 has rearranged tunnel vision in a massive way--near bottom on river left is an ugly sieve-- look before yoy leap
As of 10/11/2005 very high water of 10/9 has rearranged tunnel vision in a massive way--near bottom on river left is an ugly sieve-- look before yoy leap
Tunnel Vision from Rt. 100. It's obviously not running, but it gives you an idea of what's underneath.
This is obviously a view of Tunnel Vision without water. You can see the entrance to the Tunnel under Rt. 100 in the distance. What isn't really conveyed in the sick amount of drop in the river bed here. The photo called 'looking back up river from Tunnel Vision' gives a better sense of how much vertical is present.
This photo does a nice job of conveying how much vertical is in Tunnel Vision. The photographer is standing about 20 feet in fron of the entrance to the tunnel under Rt. 100 and is shooting the creek bed back up stream that makes up Tunnel Vision. It's basically just big jumble of sharp rocks leftover from the blasting of Rt. 100.
Ever wonder what's in the tunnel? Here it is...
Just up stream of Tunnel Vision. You can see the Rt. 100 tunnel in the distance.
Just below the pipeline crossing in Readsboro. This rapid is known as High Chair; apparently there was an old chair factory at this location at one time, remnants of the old dam are still present on the left bank (check out the old waterwheel sometime).
Just below the pipeline crossing in Readsboro. This rapid is known as High Chair; apparently there was an old chair factory at this location at one time, remnants of the old dam are still present on the left bank (check out the old waterwheel sometime).
For the full-sized version of this photo, click here.