Launching:
Put in is located at the end of a dirt road adjacent to 40 Tavernia Way in Manchester. Tavernia Way is a cul du sac located in a Manchester neighborhood. You will see a dirt road from the street; this dirt road is to the left of a house as you are facing it. Drive down that road to the launch site. There is lots of parking at the launch area. Please respect the neighborhood and drive slowly as the streets are a bit narrow.
Water levels vary throughout this journey dependent on recent rainfall. One week I had no portages; the next weekend I had three portages.
End of Journey Comments:
Fast water Bailout suggestions: when you reach the bridge/tunnel at (Route 28) South Willow Street: when the water is running fast, I don’t like to go under the road (rocks and fast moving water in a dark environment, it spooks me) and I bailout to the right before the bridge/tunnel. I drag my kayak up the rip rap rocks up to the parking lot at Super Shoes on South Willow. Note: this is a hard climb dragging a kayak.
Slow water bailout suggestions: When the water is low and slow, I go thru the tunnel and bailout at a low spot on the right next to the furniture store. This is a much easier bailout area.
Check out this website featuring a recent newspaper article about kayaking on the Cohas. It will be worthwhile to read this in advance.
http://www.unionleader.com/Mark-Haywards-City-Matters:-A-wilderness-expedition-within-city-limits
Blockage and Beaver Dam Summary when water is low:
If water is high, you will have no need to portage
On the way to Cache 4, if water is high, you can paddle thru a narrow opening to the right in the marsh. If water is low, you will have to portage as there is a large tree fall on the left path where the low water flows. I have been trying to saw away the tree but my progress is slow. Bring a handsaw and contribute to the cause! LOL?
On the way to Cache 9, when there is low water, there is a Beaver Dam across the brook. I paddled to the left and crossed at opening in the dam. Water level difference was about one to two feet from approach to the dam to the lower side of the dam. See photos on Cache 9 posting.
On the way to Cache 11, There is a Beaver Dam that requires you to paddle over in low water. When water is high, you won’t even see the dam. See photos on Cache 11 posting.
Cache 15 in low water: you will encounter a tree blocking your path. I bailed out 25 yards to the right in a clearing and dragged my kayak through the weeds to a spot about 25 yards past the treefall. There is a nice low area to re-launch. Note – the mud is soft and stinky.
Waypoints of Interest:
40 Tavernia Way Launch / Put in location (Parking Area)
N 42° 57.564 W 071° 24.360
Drive to 40 Tavernia Way; look for the dirt road to the left of a house. Drive down the dirt road to the launch area. Plenty of parking down there.
Fast Water Bailout (Tough Climb) (Parking Area)
N 42° 56.834 W 071° 25.969
When the water is moving fast, I do not like going thru the fast water under South Willow Street. I'm not confident enough to take the challenge in the dark environs of the tunnel. Thus, I bailout here and make the tough climb up the rip rap rocks to the parking lot at Super Shoes.
Slow water Furniture store parking lot bail out (Parking Area)
N 42° 56.824 W 071° 26.067
When the water is not roaring thru the tunnel, this is an easy bailout area to drag your kayak up the hill to the parking lot