Quinebaug River Trail upstream from East Brimfield Lake

Requirements:

• PFD, 10-foot length of rope and whistle. You must have your PFD on and fully fastened to participate in this event.
• Be prepared to give your emergency contact number to the host if he or she asks for it.
• Event start time is in your boat, in the water, and ready to paddle!
• Please be considerate: be on time and cancel if you aren't able to come.

Quinebaug River Trail upstream from East Brimfield Lake and back. Up to four hours of flatwater paddling. Quinebaug River, upstream and back from launch at the Corps of Engineers boat ramp on the south side of Rt. 20 at East Brimfield Lake (NOT the one on Long Pond, which is on the north side of Rt. 20). Address of 398 Sturbridge Rd, Brimfield, MA, will get you close. There is a garden center opposite the turnoff to the ramp.

Paddle is approximately six miles total, south to bridge at Morse Road (or perhaps to the beach) and then back. We can shorten this if conditions dictate. There is a short stretch of open water just after launch and the rest is a winding river trail. About four hours of flat water paddling with at least one break. Paddle is approximately six miles total, south to bridge at Morse Road (or perhaps to the beach) and then back. We can shorten this if conditions dictate. There is a short stretch of open water just after launch and the rest is a winding river trail. About four hours of flat water paddling with at least one break.

From http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/East-Brimfield-Lake/: The Quinebaug River Canoe Trail is a designated Watchable Wildlife area, and was the first water trail to be designated as part of the National Trails System by the National Park Service. Wildlife frequently seen along the trail include great blue heron, beavers, turtles, hawks, and red wing black birds. In recent years, bald eagles have been seen along the river as well. This trail is the first section of the larger Quinebaug River water trail, a series of designated paddling sections of the Quinebaug and French Rivers along their routes in Massachusetts and Connecticut.