French Creek
 

French Creek-Utica, PA to Franklin, PA
Trip Leader -Mike Danko
When-Sunday May 1st
Where- Utica Launch Site- 180 Railroad St. (also marked as 3rd St.) Utica, PA 16362
GPS 41.438592, -79.955055
Length 11 Miles
Rapids Class I (1 Class II Wave)

Take-Out
Franklin- RiverFront Park
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 differently for this trip. Due to the small area at the Utica Boat Launch I am going to ask paddlers to drop off boats and nondrivers at the put-in. Then head down to the Franklin Take out and wait for the 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 drivers into 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 RiverFront Park.
Because of the drop and go at the put in I am going to ask members to please text me or call me or post on the website if you are planning on attending.

We will head back to a spring time classic paddle with French Creek. We haven't done this section since 2019. 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 too high I will redirect the paddle to the Mahoning River or Lake Newport.

Any questions call or Text 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

French Creek
 

Right now it looks like rain all day, which isn't pleasant paddling for me. If the forecast clears up, I will be attending and I have a minivan so I can shuttle 5 passengers (6 if a couple are skinny or keen to cuddle).

Hello
I am going to wait until tomorrow morning to see how the weather looks. I will post on the website if it is cancelled or still on.
I will post on the website by 7 am tomorrow morning
Thanks
Mike

Canceled
 

I hate to do this, but I am going to cancel the french creek paddle.
For most it is a longer drive out and I hate to get there and it rains all day.
If the Radar is correct it will be a wet day.
I am sorry to cancel
Mike

Good to cancel
 

We think you made the right choice to cancel. We love this paddle but with the possible severe weather we were not going to take the chance on coming. It’s too far of a drive to waste gas and paddle in the rain with the chance of riding home with high winds hauling kayaks.

Mark and Kathy

Good Call
 

Judging from the radar over the last couple of hours, looks like canceling was a good call.