Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Blackstone Canal - in Uxbridge MA Rating: Two Stars - This is not a route I will recomment for beginners. The river part of the route was scrathcy the day I paddled and many spots where the current is strong. For my trip, I launched at the River Bend Farm, paddled north, then portaged to the Blackstone River and paddled downstream. Another portage back to the canal at the south end, then paddle back north on the canal. Paddle trip time is 1 hour 20 minutes including portages. Knowing what I know now, I changed the map to start the trip below the dam instead.   Put in below dam at Hartford   Ave. East in Uxbridge MA. Paddle down on Blackstone   River to stone ladder. Portage from Blackstone River   to Blackstone Canal 150+ feet. Rice City   Pond Dam   Paddle north and take out at   end of Blackstone Canal. Estimated round trip   distance = 3+ miles Walking trail between   canal and river. River Bend Farm   Visitor Center Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

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Other resources: Blackstone River and Canal Guide: River Bend Farm (see Tour #3) Blackstone River and Canal Guide: River Bend Farm (cached copy) Explore RI's Greenways and Blueways: River Bend Farm National Park Service: Blackstone River Valley Mass. DCR: Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park Number of original photos on this page : 90 All photos in this website are original and copyrighted. At the River Bend Farm Visitor Center on Oak Street in Uxbridge MA. Trip date September 2015. After this kayak trip, I changed the kayak map above to launche from Hartford Avenue East instead (only one portage will be required). River Bend Farm Visitor Center. Just behind the visitor center is the put in to Blackstone Canal. The Boston Kayaker just launched into Blackstone Canal. Veered to my left, will paddle to the north end of the Blackstone Canal. Paddling under the footbridge over the Blackstone Canal. Right after passing the foot bridge, the northern end of the Blackstone Canal can be seen. Picnic tables in the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. Now approaching the northern end of the canal. In my kayak map above, this stone ladder is the final take-out. At the take out on Oak Street in Uxbridge MA. Having started from the River Bend Farm, I now have to portage from the Blackstone Canal to the Blackstone River some 150+ feet. In the kayak map above, this is the now-designated put in. After portaging from the Blackstone Canal, just re-launched into the Blackstone River. I paddled briefly upstream just get close to the bottom of the Rice City Ponds Dam. Just turned around with the dam behind me. The spillway beside the Rice City Ponds Dam. The official guide says if water is spilling over this, then paddling will be more difficult. The launch to Blackstone River where I just came from minutes earlier. My camera lens have some droplets . . . IMG_9922.JPG IMG_9924.JPG The Blackstone River today in this stretch is shallow and scratchy. I did not have to get out of my kayak but I have to push myself with the paddle on many points. A turtle sunbaking on Blackstone River. I actually got a bit scared approaching this ripples from the sound of the water rushing over this thing which seems to be a breached dam . . . Landed on the right bank of Blackstone River. The stone ladder on river right marks the portage point. Portage again, now on the Blackstone Canal (again). My third launching on this trip, now back on the Blackstone Canal. Turtles abound at the Blackstone Canal. The first turtle (left-most) is just about to jump. Outlet dam from the canal to the river. A blue heron on the left bank. Landed on the River Bend Farm access. Paddle trip time is 1 hour 20 minutes including portages.