Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Quinebaug River - and West Thompson Lake in North Grosvenordale CT


Rating: Three Stars - The shorelines are undeveloped for the whole stretch. The trees are just been turning green in the last two weeks. The river is flowing nicely and we hardly sweated the 5-mile trip in just under 2 hours. The put in and take out have convenient ramps. I will drive hours for this route.

  Put in at Fabyan Road bridge
  in North Grosvenordale CT.
Take out at boat ramp off Reardon
  Road in North Grosvenordale CT.
Estimated distance
  = 5.5+ miles
Recreation and
  picnic area
  Fabyan Dam (broken) West Thompson Lake Dam West Thompson
  Lake Campground
Paddle when
  gauge > 225 cfs.

Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

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Kayaking on Quinebaug River - and West Thompson Lake in North Grosvenordale CT

Other resources:
USGS Quinebaug River Gauge at Quinebaug CT
National Recreation Trails: Quinebaug River Water Trail
The Last Green Valley: The 2012 Quinebaug River Paddle Guide (see pages 14-15)
The Last Green Valley: The 2012 Quinebaug River Paddle Guide (cached copy)
Paddling.net: Quinebaug River - Kayak Trip
US Army Corps of Engineers: West Thompson Lake
West Thompson Lake Campground
REI Guidepost: West Thompson Lake and Quinebaug River


Number of original photos on this page : 63
All photos in this website are original and copyrighted.



Trip date May 2012.
We are at the put in to Quinibaug Rive on Fabian Road bridge in North Grosvenordale CT.
The Fabyan Dam seen from the bridge on the upstream side.


The ramp access to Quinebaug River at Fabian Road bridge.


Unloading . . .


Here we go! I always launch my family and last to launch.








This will be the first of many riffles and quick water.

















Another set of riffles.





















































The Boston Kayaker on Quinebaug River in Grosvenoredale CT.








The second bridge at Redbridge Road. This should be a little over the half point of this route.




















The first of two bridges. This one is the Brickyard Road bridge.





























Now we are entering Lake Thompson.




















:Lake Thompson Dam is in the background.


There is the Lake Thompson landing.