Paddling on the Winooski? (Williston, Shelburne: eat, cars, deal)

[momnh]

We stopped in Richmond today with our two kids and enjoyed maple lattes on the Winooski shore. It looks like a good river for some gentle kayaking, appropriate for the kids too. Does anyone know where the good put-ins are? Could we go from Richmond to North Williston? How long would that take?

Thanks!

[vter]

I often see people paddling east of there - in the section of the Winooski between Jonesville and Waterbury. Take River Road out of Jonesville and you'll see cars pulled over with racks on top. Don't think there is a "dedicated" put in spot...basically just pull over on the side of the road and plop the kayaks in!
Another great kayaking spot is the LaPlatte River in Shelburne. Put in on Bay Road, right where the river comes into Lake Champlain. Paddle upstream - very serene and quiet.

[harry chickpea]

I used to paddle around there. You can put in just below Bolton dam and the next dam is the one in Essex, just south of the Junction. However, there is a little rapids about 1/2 mile down from Bolton dam, where the river goes under the railroad bridge. It is no big deal for anyone with experience, but you would want to look at it first. It is visible from the road if the brush isn't too high. I never ran it unless I had someone else in another canoe. The rest of the run I would do solo without any concern.

During late summer you'll find there are a lot of shallows in the river and you may do river walking at some points, and the current is so slow you'll do a lot of paddling.

The stretch going from the dam in Middlesex down into Waterbury is a little more interesting. There is a rock wall alongside called the Palisades, and you go over some rocks that were flattened when the river was used for rafting logs down it.

[momnh]

Thanks. How is the water from Richmond to North Williston? Is it flat and fine for paddling with little kids (meaning no rapids!) I would have my 3yo in my kayak and my husband would have our 5yo in the canoe. We are experienced paddlers but I am also nervous with my little ones. I want to just be able to relax and enjoy..

[harry chickpea]

Too flat and boring for me in that area. I remembered a guide to the river - here it is:

Paddling Guide

[momnh]

Ok, so sounds perfect for little kids. Thanks.

[BickleTravis]

Just don't fall in.
That is some nasty, dirty water.

[momnh]

It's all relative. I am used to the Merrimack. Winooski is pristine in comparison.

[BickleTravis]

Originally Posted by momnh

It's all relative. I am used to the Merrimack. Winooski is pristine in comparison.

Ok, well, don't eat the perch that come out of the river.

[Adream]

Originally Posted by BickleTravis

Just don't fall in.
That is some nasty, dirty water.

Yep that's true. I know from first hand experience.