French Creek
 

French Creek-Utica, PA to Franklin, PA
When-Sunday May 5th
Where-
Utica Launch Site-
180 Railroad St. (also marked as 3rd St.)
Utica, PA 16362
GPS 41.438592, -79.955055

Take-Out
Franklin-Franklin Boat Ramp (by Outdoor Allegheny River Services)
305 Elk St Franklin, PA 16323
GPS 41.380505, -79.820375

Time 10:30 am Utica launch site


We will be doing the shuttle a little different for this trip. Due to the small area at the Utica Boat Launch I am going to ask paddlers to drop of boats and nondrivers at the put-in. Then head down to the Franklin Take out and wait for rest of the group.
I will be the last vehicle to leave the Utica Launch and head to Franklin. Once I get to Franklin we will fit as many driver in to as few vehicles as we can and head back to Utica. If any one comes after I leave Utica we will ask you to leave your vehicle in Utica and we will get you back to your vehicle after the paddle.
I will have maps with directions from Utica to Franklin's boat ramp.
Because of the drop and go at the put in I am going to ask members to please text me or email me or post on the website if you are planning on attending.

French Creek is about an 11-mile flat water paddle with a nice current. There is one ledge drop that makes a nice short rapid at our lunch spot.
The recommended water level by the western pa canoe guide is 1.6ft up to 6.5ft at USGS gauge in Utica PA. The highest TCT has done the trip is 6ft in 2011.
Bring a pack lunch and dress according for the weather
If the water is to high I will redirect the paddle to the Mahoning River or Lake Newport.

Any questions call me at 330-766-3129
Mike Danko

Directions to Utica Boat Launch

Take the exit onto I-80 E toward New York

Take exit 19B to merge onto I-79 N toward Erie

Take exit 121 for US-62 toward Mercer/Franklin

Turn right onto US-62 N/Franklin Rd
Pass by Dairy Queen (on the left in 1.8 mi)

Turn left onto US-62 N (stay on 62 into Sandy Lake)

Continue onto PA-173 N/Sandy Lake New Lebanon Rd
Continue to follow PA-173 N
Turn right onto Georgetown Rd

Continue onto Raymilton Rd


Continue onto Academy St

Turn left onto Grant St

Turn right onto 3rd St

Turn left
Utica Boat Launch
3rd St, Utica, PA 16362

Frenchcreek
 

Mike, I don't see a time posted. Did I miss it somewhere? Steve and I will attend.

OOPs, I see it, sorry

I put the wrong name down for the take out, but the right address.
The Correct Name is the Franklin Boat Ramp, next to Allegheny River Services

Take-Out
Franklin-Franklin Boat Ramp (by Outdoor Allegheny River Services)
305 Elk St Franklin, PA 16323
GPS 41.380505, -79.820375

RSVP French Creek
 

The French Creek paddle is a great trip. Tom and I are planning on being there if the crick don't rise.

You won't want to miss this one!

One of my favorite paddles
 

I plan to be there

We are planning on coming.

Mark and Kathy Murtha

AWSOME and Thank you

I’m planning to be there.

French Creek
 

Fred and I will be there!

Julie B

French Creek
 

I'm planning to tag along.

Ken & Cheryl rsvp = yes
 

Hey! Were coming too.

French creek
 

I posted earlier that I was planning to attend but I don't see it, so maybe I imagined doing it. Posting again.

French Creek
 

Well I just got back from North Carolina. Guess I can make this run after all. So I'll see you all there tomorrow barring any unseemly uncertain or unfortunate circumstances. Looking forward to another great day:53: paddling with everyone.

Thank you to all who responded

What a great trip on a fantastic day.
We had 27 paddlers plus one k9 in 23 boats. 19 kayaks and 4 canoes made the 11 mile journey from Utica to franklin.
Water levels were about 5.5ft at Utica USGS gauge. We averaged 6 mph and had a high of 10 mph at one point.
We made the trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes of paddle time.
Just a great day on a classic spring trip for the club.

A good trip
 

Yes, this was a good trip. Current was really moving! I have to say though that the first time I did this run (May 2015) the gauge was at 3.2 ft. I thought that trip was nicer even if I did find a couple of gravel bars. Had to watch for the channels. That trip took about 4 hours as the current was quite a bit slower.

FWIW... Trip was 11.3 miles. Gradient on this section is about 4.4 ft/mile. I thought it interesting that (high) water on the French Creek was moving mostly 5-5.5 mph. On our trip to Oil Creek the current was about the same although the gradient (at 9.8 ft/mi) was double that of the French. I guess the low water and the cobble stones in Oil Creek slowed the current way down.

Jessica posted some really nice photos of French Creek.

-KenM

Beautiful Run on French Creek
 

My guess is that the 10 mph might have happened after the creek makes the 90 degree left turn at the base the big hill about mid-way through the trip. I was lagging behind most of the paddlers who took the right channel before the river turned left. I took the parallel left channel. By the time I was half-way down the left channel, everyone else had made the turn and was passing through some really swift water. I had the perspective of seeing the boats pass right to left. And everyone was flying!

It really was a nice trip. Weather, water, and even bald eagles cooperated. I love it when the back channels are running on French Creek. One had a large stand of Virginia bluebells in bloom on river left. It was great to see so many club members come out. I think Ken and Cheryl won the greatest distance from home award. Many thanks to Mike Danko for leading this beautiful run and staple of the club's trip schedule.