Patapsco

My wife got an inflatable from REI (more for flat) and I was in a 20 year old Perception, which I have rearly used since we usually ride an OC2.  Our friends were in our Old Town Appalachian.

At 264ft, the water was adequately high enough and fast enough for good fun.  At that level, there are several rocks and rooster tails that pop up in the rapids and required quick reaction.

Doughnut rapid was a straight class II+ and best run left side to center.

After that, there were several easy class I-II rapids with one near the old Thistle dam being longer.

The pipeline hazzard was in play and skirted on river left.

After Ilchester Rd, we started the decent on Blode Rapid.  The river has changed since I last ran it last Spring.  Right after the foot bridge, the channel bent left and had a sweeping 8ft wide drop into pillowing rock. The channel bent hard right, then back left and continued down the rapid.  There was a medium tree stainer to avoid on river right and was part of the main channel.  Our friend flipped the OC2 in the first S send up top, and we picked them up before the second half of the rapid.  Several pieces of metal trash was seen in the eddy on river left.  I'm calling that a class II+, and would be a III with more water.  I think this rapid is still changing over time.

The 2nd half of Blode Rapid was bouncy and technical.  About 2/3rd thru, there is a large rock in the center of the river and all the water runs right into it.  We dodged left and a quick right.  Again, a class II+ and maybe a III over 1000 cfs.  Lots of smaller  boiling holes in that lower part.

From there to Patapsco park and take out was swift and we saw 2-3 extending strainers pushing into the rapids from the banks.

Estimated 6 miles, time 2.5hrs.

Best shuttle is rt 166 to Frederick rd, 144.

Parking / Entrance was $3 a person on the weekend.