Delaware River Water Trail 

One of the more secluded and scenic stretches in the middle of DWGNRA is Walpack Bend, a long "S" turn in the river that begins where the Bushkill Creek enters on the Pennsylvania side, and ends just below the Big Flatbrook on the New Jersey side. Below Walpack Bend, the river separates the Kittatinny ridgeline in New Jersey and the Blue Mountain in Pennsylvania, forming the Delaware Water Gap. When the wind is blowing from the southwest, as it often does, this stretch of river requires vigorous paddling to make any headway. The Appalachian Trail also crosses the river at the Water Gap.

This is by far the nicest place to camp and fish. Majestics is the word to use.

This area was the location of Fort Walpack during the French and Indian War as well as the Decker Ferry, the home still stands in ruin today, also the Flatbrook River also flows into the Delaware at the end of the bend.

 

The Decker Ferry Oct 2013

Gearing Up

I travel in a Old Town Dirigio 120, she provides a stabile ride and can hold a lot of gear for overnights.

My #1 piece of gear is my new NRS Chinook pfd. I put it on as soon as a arrive at the waters edge and I leave it on till I am off the water. The reasons are simply, first it doesn't work if it is laying in the boat and two since I kayak alone it is my best means of survival. No one is going to help me, except me so I stack the odds in my favor.

So my choice was based on comfort and functionality. I like to fish but did not choice a fishing vest. I liked the Chinook layout best and it is comfortable. It has reflective tape and plenty of pockets. What I carry in it varies slightly but I always have a knife, multi tool, space blanket, whistle and fire starter. The rest varies on who I am with or where I go. Sometimes I have sun block and a power bar or water proof flash light for twilight cruises. Either way wear it, stupid things happen, kayaks flip, rogue rocks appear, people simply slip and fall in the river.

Next I carry various sizes of dry bags, dehydrated foods, jet boil stove, Hennessy Hammock and a sleeping bag. Back up paddle and a few fishing supplies. Let me say that if you hate waking up on the ground aching and sore try a hammock, you will never sleep on the ground again.

I mostly carry water but a bag of wine stores well for those nights sitting at base camp. I also carry a large first aid kit, to big for most people but with my background in healthcare it serves me and anyone that I run into well. Need I mention a towel and change of clothes, para cord and a few small flashlights and a head lamp. 

Lastly a good book.

Walpack Kayak Club

Coming Spring of 2014 I will be blogging about my trips and adventures on the middle Delaware river in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Besides our trips I will touch on other areas of interest in the DWG NRA. We have planned a multi day kayak trip from Port Jervis, NY to Columbia, NJ. We will be primitive camping carrying only what we can in our kayaks. Besides blogging we will be taking plenty of photos and fishing. This trip will be different, after many years of sleeping on the ground I have decided to get up off the dirt. I will be using a Hennessey Hammock which not only provides the best night sleep, it opens up the opportunity to camp in more locations so long as there are trees.

Also besides kayaking I will continue to highlight the rich history of the park as well as tell the stories of the people that were here before the park was created. Walpack NJ which is considered a ghost town by some is amazing place for hiking, bird watching and all things nature.

So I hope to start putting up some things soon, see you then……………………