Mad River

A large amount of water was falling over the spillway with a deafening roar when up close to the dam. Spicy action with a half-dozen fluid drops with Class 3+ character. Boat scouting is accessible for every drop and pools allow for easy self-rescue when needed. It is a good idea to mark the take-out with a flag if you are unfamiliar with this section.

This is my home run and I have kayaked it before at 500cfs (it is runnable at that level, a bit bumpy but nice if you are new to drops). I have made plans to fully photograph each river section to create a better page for this run as I get to know it better, as the photos on this page are old.

Some other general things to know about this run:

-Large logs fall over the dam often, and may get lodged within the narrow gorge sections making them impassable. It may be hard to portage around blocked sections due to the steep walls of the gorge in some areas.

-The take out is currently marked by a small pink tape off of a small tree. As you leave the run, look for the short cut through the woods to the road. It not, you may feel like you are walking in to someones backyard before turning to the road (because you kind of are). There is also a small pet (?) grave in front of the take out.

-There is now a small walking suspension bridge over the first rapid. I'm not sure if it is open to public use, but has been marked with 'do not enter' signs at various times. It lead to a small building, maybe its an airbnb.

-After the first set of rapids, some of the rocks on the left have 'do not trespass' signs on the rocks (they may be washed away now). Please be respectful of the residence who live alongside the river, as this is a recent development.

However, due to severe weather in the area (12/18/23), the gorge is currently running at 9000 cfs and is suspected to countinue rising. There will be significant changes to the river flow, bank errosion, and potentially features. Be catious if you chose to run this river after this event, as the current descriptions may not accuratly reflect the river state. The banks on both the put in and take out will most likey have suffered some significant erosion as well.

Hopefully this summer I will find time to provide new photographs for this run as it is super fun, and hopefully it will remain runable after this extreme rain event.

Put in just below Campton Dam in Campton NH
A micro hydro divierts water through a penstock around the first rapid (Big Pine). So when the water level is low you should put in where the river comes close to the road just downstream of the red building on the right side of NH route 175.
Julie Smith lines up for the right hand line at Tavern Drop. Mike W. is eptying his canoe in the background.
Tom Currier running the right hand line at Tavern Drop
Richard Chaney running the left line at Sunset
Butch Mixon running the left hand line at Sunset Ledge
Tom Currier at a scratchy (water diverted) Lower Big Pine Rapid