#7 Kayak - Merrimack River from Hooksett 6th Circuit Court House

• • • Trip registration closes 24 hour prior to the Meet Time.
    • Covid-19 Protocol:  If unvaccinated, please wear a mask if you are unloading and assisting one another within a 6 ft. distance.

• Meet Time: 10:00 am  Launch time:  BIB (butts in boats,) 10:30 am                                Be respectful of others.  Be early and on time to depart at BIB!                Paddling Time:  2.5 - 3 hours (1-1 1/2 hrs each way)                                       
• Important Detail: Kayak Rentals are NOT AVAILABLE from Merrimack Canoe & Kayak [formerly Edgewater] located on Edgewater Drive. Due to NO staffing.                                           
• EVENT DETAILS:  This is a recreational paddle with river current.           8/26: THE WATER LEVEL IS HIGH DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE RAIN ALSO  EFFECTING THE  INCREASED SPEED OF FASTER MOVING  WATER. We will travel up the Merrimack River to the power plant on the left. If it is windy we can explore an inlet before the power plant to find wildlife and a beaver hut. If we travel beyond the power plant, we cross the river, to the right, to a sandy beach for swimming and a picnic lunch. There is a unique tree with grand exposed roots.  We return down the river with the current to our starting point for take-out.    With the higher level of the river rising due to the rain, we will need to be aware of the shoreline differences, or lack of shoreline.                                                                                                                  
• DIRECTIONS: Take Exit 10 off 93 N onto Rte 3A N and follow for about 4 miles to lights, take a right onto Main St. and go over the Merrimack River via bridge, take next left, Merrimack St. [Congregational Church on the corner], and follow the road for just over a mile pass the Hooksett Dam.

OR - Take Exit 11 off of 293N, (or if coming South 293S). After the toll, take a left onto Hackett Hill Road. Take a left onto Rte 3A N to bear right at the lights to cross the Merrimack River via bridge. Take the next left, Merrimack St. [Congregational Church on the corner], and follow the road for just over a mile pass the Hooksett Dam. The launch is on the road to and beyond the 6th District Court House, behind the dog park. Parking and the Boat Ramp is on the left.

• Apre Paddle: at Nancy KC's home. Bring a dish to share, BYOB. Grill available.  Beef & Salmon Burgers will be provided. Location, directions & parking specifics will be given at the launch - 6 minutes up the road.

• Checklist of things to bring:

• FYI - Kayaking Safety Tips website:

Trip Organizers - Nancy KC  - kcaronn@yahoo.com                                                                     and Deb S  - deborah.schelzel@gmail.com

Trip Leaders - Cindy Jenson & Carol Stevens