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Crab Apple Whitewater |
800-553-7238 |
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Zoar Outdoors |
800-532-7483 |
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North American Whitewater Expeditions |
800-727-4379 |
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| Section |
Fife
Brook (Zoar Gap) - See Below for others
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|
Location |
Franklin
County, near Charlemont, northwest Massachusetts |
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Driving Time |
Boston—2
hours; New York City—3.5 hours |
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Difficulty |
Class
II-III |
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Trip Length |
10
miles (16 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle
raft; one day |
|
Season |
April-October |
 The Deerfield River, in
the Berkshire Mountains of northwest Massachusetts, offers an
exciting new rafting opportunity in the northeastern United States.
Beginning in 1989 outfitters scheduled a limited number of trips
through the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River. As word of
this new whitewater gem spread, the popularity of rafting on the
Deerfield soared.
Today
almost anyone above age seven can enjoy paddle rafting through the
picturesque Zoar Gap on the Deerfield. With more than 10 miles (16
km) of fast flowing, yet not intimidating Class II-III rapids, the
river can be rafted from mid-April until mid-October. During the
early fall a raft trip on the Deerfield in Mohawk Trail State Forest
is a unique way to enjoy the famed southern New England foliage. |
| Section |
Dryway
(Monroe Bridge) |
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Location |
Franklin
County, near Charlemont, northwest Massachusetts |
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Driving Time |
Boston—2
hours; New York City—3.5 hours |
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Difficulty |
Class
III-IV |
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Trip Length |
4.5
miles (7 km) |
|
Trip Options |
Paddle
raft; one day |
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Season |
April-October |
Deerfield rafters seeking
more demanding whitewater than Zoar Gap should ask outfitters about
the Monroe Bridge, or Dryway section. The Dryway, considerably more
difficult than either Deerfield's Zoar Gap or southern Vermont's
West River, requires coordinated paddler participation throughout
most of the trip. Rafters must carefully navigate around numerous
rocks and over countless Class III-IV ledges and holes.
The
popularity of the Dryway rafting section has dramatically increased
with new scheduled water release dates by the New England Power
Company.
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