NJ > Question for South Jersey Experts

[El Gordo]

Any idea why Google Maps shows two Mullica Rivers, and no Batsto River?

[SilvrSurfr]

Any idea why Google Maps shows two Mullica Rivers, and no Batsto River?

Technically, the Batsto River is a tributary of the Mullica River. Look at Bing and it will probably show different.

[El Gordo]

Thanks, SilvrSurfr -

Which one is easier to paddle through - or presents the least opportunity for getting wet?

[El Gordo]

Look at Bing and it will probably show different.

Indeed, Bing Maps gets it right.

[SilvrSurfr]

Thanks, SilvrSurfr -

Which one is easier to paddle through - or presents the least opportunity for getting wet?

I think the powers that be gave up on clearing the upper Batsto River last year. There were too many blowdowns from that winter storm in Feb/March last year so they just gave up trying to clean up the upper Batsto. We used to start at Hampton Furnace, paddle to Lower Forge and spend the night, then paddle to Batsto Village. However, they're saying you really have to start at Quaker Bridge (less than a mile south of Lower Forge) if you want to paddle the Batsto.

As for the Mullica, I didn't paddle it last year so I don't know how well they cleared the blowdowns. I think fallkniven paddled the Mullica last year so you might ask him.

I have never overturned my canoe on the Batsto or Mullica River (though Ratdog did). However, a few years ago I managed to overturn my canoe on two consecutive days, first on the Wading River, then on the Oswego River. It was the first time I had flipped my canoe in 40 years, so it was quite a shock. The first flip was due to inattentiveness - didn't see the submerged log until we hit it. The second flip I attribute to having a noob in our canoe - he just flipped us with no assistance from any obstacle! I'm still traumatized from that weekend!

[fallkniven]

Batsto is impassable from Hampton furnace to lower forge. You can only do the lower section for a day paddle.
Mullica is doable but make sure you're limber.
Havent done wading in years, would like to do it this year.

[El Gordo]

Fallkniven - I can say I'm pretty limber for an old guy, but, then, how limber is that?

Thanks much, guys!

[Pretbek]

I think the powers that be gave up on clearing the upper Batsto River last year. There were too many blowdowns from that winter storm in Feb/March last year so they just gave up trying to clean up the upper Batsto. We used to start at Hampton Furnace, paddle to Lower Forge and spend the night, then paddle to Batsto Village. However, they're saying you really have to start at Quaker Bridge (less than a mile south of Lower Forge) if you want to paddle the Batsto.

As for the Mullica, I didn't paddle it last year so I don't know how well they cleared the blowdowns. I think fallkniven paddled the Mullica last year so you might ask him.

I have never overturned my canoe on the Batsto or Mullica River (though Ratdog did). However, a few years ago I managed to overturn my canoe on two consecutive days, first on the Wading River, then on the Oswego River. It was the first time I had flipped my canoe in 40 years, so it was quite a shock. The first flip was due to inattentiveness - didn't see the submerged log until we hit it. The second flip I attribute to having a noob in our canoe - he just flipped us with no assistance from any obstacle! I'm still traumatized from that weekend!

And good times were had.

The paddle adventures that you have should give you good memories, like ducking deadfall, chasing wooden canoe paddles (RIP), bushwacking and getting lost because of ridiculously high water, having crackers with spicy tuna and hot chocolate with cayenne pepper under a tarp in the rain, things like that.
Don't be traumatized by a dunk into 32 degree water, not worth it.

[silentorpheus]

And good times were had.

The paddle adventures that you have should give you good memories, like ducking deadfall, chasing wooden canoe paddles (RIP), bushwacking and getting lost because of ridiculously high water, having crackers with spicy tuna and hot chocolate with cayenne pepper under a tarp in the rain, things like that.
Don't be traumatized by a dunk into 32 degree water, not worth it.

He lives! Pretbek lives!

[fallkniven]

Fallkniven - I can say I'm pretty limber for an old guy, but, then, how limber is that?

Thanks much, guys!

You'll be fine, depending on water level you'll have to go under or over some blow downs which may require you to climb out and over a tree