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
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Mahoning River-Home of the Trumbull Canoe Trails 1975-2024 49 years
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