North River

NOTE! Halifax gorge is class V with several significant (10'+) drops, curling sidewalls, and nasty holes. The pictured waterfall is the first drop on the gorge. DO NOT make the mistake of putting in above the gorge and thinking you are going to have a class II run as otherwise described on this page. Put in below the gorge and enjoy a nice paddle or put in above and be ready to run a solid class V.

03/10/2016 - Put in about 1/4 Mile closer to MA Line: 42.736484, -72.724398 (coming from MA, cross steel bridge then look for road bend to right - see leaning utility pole and parking is right there - steep kind of crappy embankment to river) ||| |||

Level 3.6 with light drizzle and ground thaw (minimal snow melt) 60F. ||| |||

Anyone concerned about Class II and seeing the associated photo of James doing a big drop... at the 3.6 level there are no drops of that magnitude (I'm not even sure that photo was from this section of river at all... I'll pay more attention on my next run).||| |||

Very nice run with minimal development to be seen from the river. When leaves are out you will feel like you're on a very secluded creek. Edge of bony at 3.6, bring your rock-beat paddle - rocks all river-rounded so your hull should be just fine.||| |||

Water cold, air warm made for some very cool river fog. Plenty of spots to do some surfing, a few spots that look like at a higher level offer some cool ledges to play with. If you like classic New England, you'll enjoy the old bridges to pass under, farmhouses to float by and such. ||| |||

Very little flatwater but enough breaks between rapids to munch a Cliff (shameless AW Sponsor plug) Bar and rehydrate. Nice active paddle without being strenuous.||| |||

Trees close to banks throughout and many are beginning to fall in - at least 6-10 were leaners debarked by ice flows so beware strainers will be popping up and some were leaning low enough that once it hits the 6' range they'll be beyond ducking and officially designated as strainers. At take-out run Left/Center as there is a log blocking the far right channel under the bridge.

The class 2+ section of the North River from the Vermont border (down river of the Halifax Gorge) to the Colrain Central School is a fun paddle on the rare occasion that it runs. The are numerous class 2+ rapids which often seem to be in a bend in the narrow river making them difficult to scout or assess the lines before hand. There are rocks, eddies, small boofs, and surf holes so certainly worth getting to know this beautiful river. No significant strainers to report as of 12/24/2015 and no rapids big enough in this section for me (I usually paddle class 2) to need to walk around. Please note the lower section of the North River from the Colrain school down to Shelburne, MA can also be paddled by some though it has a dam with a dangerous undercut that basically must be walked around. I recommend paddling that only with someone who knows it well and/or sticking with the fun and easy upper section. I have paddled the North several times at various levels and I believe the river flow range information here on the AW site for this river is accurate enough to determine when the North is runnable.

fun drop, bad access, super low water